"Random Complications of the Heart"

I am not going to give you any advice on low cholesterol nor am I going to tell you how you get a cardiac arrest. I am just going to talk about hearts as the source of feelings and the complications arising because it feels.

No matter how hard you try to free it from many bonds, it always remains clinging onto something or the other. Hermits and all those who abstain from worldly pleasures are also clinging onto the pleasure of their heart. How? They do not need money, love, family and all riches but they want to preach what they believe in and would love if others followed it.

Who knows what Love is!? This is a typical reaction from many a people in family or out of family for those who decide or wish to spend a life together. In India, Love is still considered a ‘taboo’. People don’t hesitate to kill their sons & daughters in the name of honor. Honor killing is just another name for butchering a person for your own ideas and convictions.

‘Caste System’ in India is more powerful than a government. No law in written prevents you from choosing your partner but caste prevents you to even look at another person with respect. I despise this system and I defy all manifestations of a high caste. All people can turn to be the best national hero if given the right opportunity. I have seen so many young kids living in the slums playing football like they were born to dribble it. I don’t say that all less privileged people are good or otherwise. I would just like to call on the conscience of people for treating others right. Love is not understood by people who have not been loved or have never loved unconditionally. It is that feeling that makes you feel worth living. Caste, creed, color, race or religion has no hand in it. It defies and denies to be bound. Two people can make a marriage successful only if they belong to each other regardless of it being a love marriage or an arranged marriage.

People have died to wipe out caste but even after 60 years of ‘Independence’ we are slaves of it. A person builds his life with his deeds and not his religion or color or caste. Respect, Admiration, Good deeds, Knowledge and Virtue are not born out of caste. You respect a teacher for imparting you with knowledge. Do you ever ask a teacher if his caste was that of yours?

I believe in what I have learnt from my education “Facta non Verba”.  I am not the most ‘right-doer’ but I have 100% faith that I do abstain from wrong deeds. I define ‘wrong’ as those actions that harm others. You may now think, “What when lovers do their will and hurt their parents?” The difference exists if the person you chose is ‘blessed’ with a good character. You are bestowed with a brain and it should be used to figure out if he/she is worthy enough for you to stand a fight against your family.

I am told “It is not important who supports you because it is your life. Picture your life 10 years hence with or without family and then make a choice.” This particular advice is applicable not just for one situation but for all decisions you take in life. You should think the same when you choose a job, house, spouse and all important factors that are essential in sustaining life. Be Wise!

"QUIT SMOKING?!"

All of us somewhere and at some point of time tell at least one person to quit smoking. I have also done so not just once but many a times. I had lectured on how and why should one not smoke and how beneficial it will be. There are certain revelations that have come upon me. When I am in a difficult fix, I say, "It is easy for you to say that but you'll not understand me. You are not in my situation." Oh Boy! These words seem so easy to just blurt. It is time to think not just twice but deeper before you speak.

If a smoker has been in the habit for more than 3-4 years, it is a cruel situation for him. It is difficult for others to make him quit. It is a painful time for everyone near and dear. The worst pain, helpless situation and cruelty are the Smoker's. By 'him' I refer to all Smokers regardless of gender and by using the term 'Smokers', I am not being hateful, not kindling disrespect nor am I being indignant. It is as simple a word to understand and relate to. I draw this blog from close observations within my social group.

If I go on to explaining smoking then it may take various forms, smoking tobacco, cocaine, opium etc etc. All I refer here to is the act and many difficult situations arising out of it. When you drag that evil substance and hold it to your neck, letting it burn your throat, you don't realize the aftermath. The first time, you try, second time it is pure fun, third it is “I can do it” and thereafter it is habit. You let the drug take over you and your thoughts. You can’t breathe if your smoke schedule is delayed, you can’t think, your mind gets clogged and you feel all around you is dark.

"Quit Smoking" is a very common phrase we hear from parents, spouse, children and everyone who care about us. Saying this is very easy because you just speak but doing it is tougher than probably going uphill Mt. Everest. The craving for a cigarette is so intense-it is uncontrollable and people who do it are really brave fighters with will to live. A Smoker can't quit overnight but it needs gradual reduction in consumption. It should not be forced upon one to smoke none in a day but to reduce the number first. In that process the need of it lessened. It takes believe me more than a year for a Smoker to willingly say "Sorry I don't smoke." The process of quitting requires the closest family or friend to be with the victim forever without being rude but being loving, understanding and strong enough not to given in to a Smoker's pain. 

Endurance from all, care from all, encouragement and alternatives to smoke are all of utmost importance. You can't afford to yell and shout at the person who feels dead because you don't give him what he wants. The situations can be traumatic but keeping things going with hope and smile and care are all needed. You need to build the victim's self confidence by showing him his talents giving him a challenging hobby where that excess energy of craving can be drawn to a positive outcome.

A Smoker was never born so and he never wants to die so. Smokers need strength and your understanding. An addiction of any kind is injurious but no one wants to hurt another in a conscious state of mind. 

"KITES flew over me!"

At last KITES flew over me! It was a pretty amazing evening. I went with expectations sky soaring yet with a skeptic mind. I wanted to watch the movie given any condition and therefore don't repent going for it. My feel with the movie was not met with.

Kites has done a pretty good job in promoting itself-from the promo trailer to the Acer & Reliance. It has mixed in itself the Hollywood romance and Bollywood feel with great action. That is where it lacked in perfection. The movie was a little too stretched. The first 30 minutes I was spellbound and it was the only time I was on the edge. It has some beautiful moments that will touch your heart and tickle your imagination but the story was not so powerful or rather it could have been made a little more captivating.

Barbara was perfect in her role. She is innocent, and soft. Hrithik also did well from physique to feel. However, more than half the movie I spent time on trying to figure things out and understand where the other Big characters  ' role in the story. Given the circumstances of the release and promotions I believe it will break even in the first week as the fans'/audience curiosity shall pay off. I guess the English version/Hollywood style may be slightly better as it will be made a standard 90 minutes movie. 

Overall, Kites could not meet my expectations. I may sound like a critic but I am just a "great lover of good movies".