Saturday 24 January 2009






Every conversation I've had or overheard in the last two weeks has, at some juncture or the other, moved towards a critique of Slumdog Millionaire.

"Slumdog is farrking awesome dude. What sin-mat0-graphy, man"

"Slumdog Millionaire is Danny Boyle's best movie, I think so"
"Arre chutia, not seen 'Beaches', what?"
"Wind beneath my wings?"

"Slumdog is nothing compared to Satya. It's too stylised with not enough content to back it. Or so I read."

"We broke up last night."
"Before or after watching Slumdog Millionaire?"

Yeah. So alot or generic opinions flying about. But it's a whole other story as far as the women junta is concerned. Their personal loathing and envy is specifically directed towards Freida Pinto. Mine too, actually. More envy than loathing, now that I think of it.

On the way home tonight, fresh out of nearly an hour of discussing why Freida's current notoriety is unwarranted, I realised something. Apart from clearly being motivated by envy, its the incredible odds that've caught our imagination.
Here's a girl who every sixth person I know, knew before the movie. Went to Xavier's, spotted regularly at Mondy's and hails from the epicentre of catholicness, Malad. Small time model variety and occupies the samre part of the cranium that Genelia does: cute but entirely forgettable.
Happens to hear of a casting call from an agency she seemed quite likely to fire (even did, methinks), happens to land the female lead a movie set in Mumbai that requires a pretty-but-plain girl familiar with the city, directed by Danny Boyle. During publicity for the movie, she provides the only female appeal, so she gets indiscriminate coverage even though she's in all of 5 frames in the movie and has cringeworthy lines like "I thought we'd be together only in death."
Suddenly she's hobnobbing with Hollywood and Bollywood royalty, chatting with Jay Leno and switching her Lacroixs for her Lepores like Aishwarya switches accents. (Speaking of which, you think Her Better-than-all-of-usness is smarting just a bit? I think so.)

Like I said, envy.

Although, if not by her acting prowess (no, 5 frames are not enough to tell), I'm impressed with how honest she is. I think she's been fairly humble about this being nothing more than a brilliant stroke of luck, has represented Indian women very decently abroad and has resisted all urges to roll her Rs and Ls. That's huge given who goes before her.

Plus there is the reaffirmation that crazy shit is still possible. I could get off my ass and write a book this year! You never know!It must be awesome to be her and her family right now. I do hope they enjoy the moment - they'll soon be flooded with lucrative offers or the deafening neighing of a one-trick pony.

Sunday 18 January 2009

Things to try '09

I've decided this is going to be my year of big and small risks. I'm not quite ready to talk about the huge risks yet, much less do. For now only the intended fashion daredevilry will have to suffice.

Assuming I work out more than once every three months, here's the stuff that will be at the top of my shopping list this year. YES, year! I'm something of a writer, see? We're in it for the job satisfaction. Whether we like it or not.

1) The jumpsuit
I like the slouchy knee length version. It's playful and can drape right over the wobbly bits. Like pretty model person, I'd go with dark colours like navy, black or olive.



2) The shoe bootThis one requires some 'nads because it could make my legs look like short stubs. I don't care though, I love them that much. And as long as I go with one that cuts below my ankle bone, I'm good. Despite the oodles, I do not have cankles. Yet.


3) The boyfriend jacket

This isn't the ideal picture for it. I'd like a longer, slouchier, less structured version although a longer one means risking a bubble butt. This one would be my lazy-last-minute go-to. Fuzzy pits, stubborn love handles and serious dearth of pretty tops - all taken care of.


4) The med-sales-rep bag

Definitely not in this ghastly colour and preferably not in patent leather either. One with longer shoulder strap would be ideal. This takes care of my lust for a nice structured tote as well as my tortoise-like tendencies - I must necessarily carry everything my bags can possibly accomodate. The Catholic in me is a sucker for paisa-vasool.


5) The fringe dress

I am currently in love with fringed anything and everything. This ombre flapperish dress was even better than the selfcoloured versions I had imagined. Picture the aforementioned jacket on this one - nice, huh?

That's all I have to say about that. I go beddy bye now.

Btw watch Changeling and skip Blindness if you know what's good for you. Reviews coming up later.