JODI BREKARS

Jodi Breakers Cast

R Madhavan
Bipasha Basu
Omi Vaidya
Dipannita Sharma
Mrinalini Sharma
Milind Soman
Helen

Jodi Breakers Crew

Director
Ashwini Chaudhary

Producer
Prasar Visions Pvt Ltd

Music Director
Salim - Sulaiman

Lyricist
Irshad Kamil

LATA MANGESHKAR

Lata Mangeshkar's 82nd birthday last month, the veteran singer had announced that Amitabh Bachchan deserved a Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award.

Amitabh, on the other hand, humbly said, "Lataji is too big a human being and talent in comparison to me. I don't think I would like to comment on it. With due respect to what she has said, I disagree with it because according to me, I have not achieved anything or done anything extraordinary that will me earn such a prestigious award."

He added, "I don't think I deserve a Bharat Ratna nor do I desire to receive it. I am sure I am not going to get it. Such awards are destined for people who are extraordinary in their work."

When we whether they felt Amitabh deserved the award, they were unanimous in their decision. Yes, many of them said, giving us some interesting reasons. On Amitabh's 69th birthday, we take a look at

EK DEWANA THA

Ek Deewana Tha CastPrateik Babbar as Sachin
Amy Jackson as Julie
Omi Vaidya
Manu Rishi
Sachin Khedekar
Ramesh Sippy (Guest appearance)Ek Deewana Tha CrewDirector
Gautham Menon
Producer
Gautham Menon, Reshma Ghatala, Venkat Somasundaram
Story Writer
Gautham Menon
Dialogues
Manu Rishi
Lyricist
Javed Akhtar
Music Director
A R Rahman
Background Music
A R Rahman
Director of Photography
M. S Prabhu
Choreographer
Brinda
Action Director
Silva
Art Director
Rajeevan
Editor
Anthony
ostume Designer
Nalini Sriram

DHOOM 2

DHOOM 2 story revealed

 there are people who consider Amitabh Bachchan to be gold, but ShahRukh Khan to be diamond (hats off to the comparison though  and there was this very intelligent man who clearly observed that SRK couldn’t live up to the transition of characters from Vijay to Don and vice versa (I second that!)… But guys, have we forgotten that it’s the DHOOM 2 mania that should be enveloping us now???

28

Well, it has been certainly weaving its magic on me and I’ve somehow managed to get a sneak peak into the film… had to coax a cousin of one of the assistant editor’s of the flick, but here goes the storyline exclusively for you……..

32

Dhoom showed Kabir (John Abraham) jumping off a cliff on his bike… but was he shown dead??? NOPES! Got the hint??? Ab kutte ki dum tedhi ki tedhi hi rahegi na…. who can be a better villain for the Jai Dixit (Abhishekh Bachchan) and Ali (my favorite Uday Chopra) than Kabir himself???

Aryan (HRITHIK ROSHAN!!!!) is full of vengeance (any guesses why??? … and he is bigger and better than Kabir… bigger robberies, higher jumps, a more gripping storyline and performances… and MUCH more money at stake with this sequel….

29 Bipasha Basu plays Abhishek’s deputy and as expected, Uday Chopra falls for her in no time… the rumor that’s doing the rounds is that Aishwarya Rai is actually an under cover cop but eventually does fall for Hrithik…

You angry at me for revealing the story??? Then let me tell you guys that this is just the tip of the ice-berg… there’s lots more to come our way… you can also expect to see John come and go in some flash back sequences…

And as for Esha Deol and Rimii Sen, Dhoom was an experiment with four failures which co incidentally turned out to be a success… but DHOOM 2 had success written all over it since the day it was conceptualized!!! And PLUS, when 90 crores are at stake, then there’s absolutely no room for failures people…

Dhoom 2 is Bigger and Better than Dhoom After the super success of Dhoom, it’s sequel is definitely something to look forward to. Dhoom 2 starring Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan and Bipasha Basu is all set to release this November. According to Abhishek, Dhoom 2 is bigger and better than Dhoom. With sequels doing great in the recent past like PhirWho will sizzle more in DHOOM 2? The fever has begun to raise guys… nah! I’m not talking about ShahRukh Khan starrer DON or Salman Khan starrer ‘Jaaneman’ … but about the biggest release of 2006 – DHOOM 2!!! YashRaj films is said to have spent close to a whooping 90 crores on the sequel and assure you that this one willGear up for action guys… I know that DHOOM 2 ki release ke liye bohooooot time hai… but much before that, it’s promotional music video will hit the telly tube with Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai gyrating to the tunes of Tata YoungThe Yashraj group is definitely leaving no stone unturned to make sureAbhishek is the Sexiest Asian Male of 2006 Just a week after Priyanka Chopra was declared the sexiest Asian woman of 2006, we hear Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan has topped a list of 50 Sexiest Asian Men in a survey conducted by Eastern Eye, an Asian newspaper, that is published in Britain. Abhishek, who was on number three position last year, was quitethe release of DHOOM 2 jus got closer! So the big day is coming close huh… I’m talking about the release of Dhoom 2 guys… ya I know that it’s on the 24th of November and is almost a month to go… but what to do! Time just doesn’t seem to pass and the only way to pacify myself everyday is to tell

OM SHANTI OM

It is at best a very average variety entertainment program. You have mimicry, song, dance, skit - all woven to fit a theme. Isn't it sad that the biggest "star" of our industry is doing the mimicry and yet it is only mediocre? And get this. Half the time he only has to mimic the hamming, hawing, grinning and face-pulling of ... Shah Rukh Khan.

No guys, my sense of humor hasn't taken a Diwali break. I am intelligent enough to realize the "spoof" genre requires you to make minimal use of intellect. I thoroughly enjoyed the "spot-the-tribute" game. I am sure I got most of the industry jokes. A few of them even had me in splits. And the coolest thing was that the people being made fun of couldn't be offended because the makers were equally vehement in making fun of themselves.

But, it angered me when the movie shifted gears from paying homage to the 70s to actually becoming one of them. Because movies from the 70s certainly were not this blatantly arrogant. However lame, they did afford the audience a justification. No sirs and madam, "anything" doesn't go - sab kuchh nahi chalta hai! - Isn’t that you wanted the citizens of this country to say Mr. Khan?

The movie is reverse engineered. First came the idea of making a movie that took a dig at the movies that gave "Bollywood" its name. Then came the list of names/clichés/industry trends that had to be, with all humility, made fun of. Then came the individual gags. To be followed by the situations that could use those gags. This made the first half and suddenly realization dawned that the audience is not "that" stupid. They need a plot. So, let's throw in the first theme that comes to mind. And there you go, we have a movie. What we also have is this obvious rush to get from one joke to another and one event to another. The end product is choppy with very abrupt plot transitions.

Now, you tell me, where's the time to fit in character development or chemistry between characters? Oh I forgot, spoof - no need for any such thing even if we did have time.

Unfortunately, because of this excuse, I lose the golden opportunity of truly criticizing Shah Rukh Khan's acting capabilities. Spoof, right? One is supposed to overact. It is tragic that Kirron Kher also is annoyingly loud under the same pretext. So what, if in the same movie, Deepika Padukone, a debutante manages to get through with just the right expressions. And she looks drop-dead gorgeous.

The good thing about having a woman director is that many women in the audience are kept happy with a very wet, bare-chested Shah Rukh for almost five minutes. A by-product of which is also a happy male, gay community. So what if the main woman lead is merely used to stun as a pretty prop?

The best thing to come out of the movie is the lyrics. Especially the romantic numbers "aankho meir teri" and "tumko paaya". The picturization of "tumko paaya" is very adorable too. However, the choreography of the faster numbers seems like a medley of Farah's older sequences and thus has nothing new to offer. The one song that does not work is "daastaan-e-om shanti om". It does not have the edge, the zing, that "ek hasina thi" (Karz) it tried to spoof has.

I think my most favorite sequence was the end credits. I love Farah Khan for giving credit where it is due. But, what does it say about the movie, if that is my favorite bit?

These are no dimwits and they have a great sense of humor - Farah Khan, Shah Rukh Khan - basically the Khan family. Then, how could they take their audience so much for granted? Yes, we are in a festive mood, we are willing to lap up anything remotely happy. But, does that mean you shouldn't even attempt to sharpen the movie a bit? Each episode in the movie is a bit longer than necessary. Each cliché repeated a few more times than needed to keep it funny. Each exaggeration a little more melodramatic (imagine that!?) to make it annoying.

The entire movie is a spoof. Then you have a spoof within a spoof. Then a spoof within a spoof within a spoof. So far, so good. You have learnt to excuse the joke driven situation (versus situation driven joke). Then...well, Farah Khan forgot where she had started and Shah Rukh Khan finished of the script for her. And we have this mess - moderately funny, but mess nevertheless.

                                                       

DEVDAS

The son of Zamindar Narayan Mukherjee, Devdas (Shahrukh Khan) was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He grew up in the lush village of Taj Sonapur, where he spent his childhood, indulged by his lovely playmate Paro (Aishwarya). They grew up sharing a special relationship, in which they existed only to each other. Oblivious of all the differences of status and background, a bond that would never break grew between them. Slowly, it changed to love but it was still unsaid. But the reverie was broken when his family sent Devdas to London for education. Paro's world crashed knowing that her Devdas would be gone and she lit a diya, for it signified the fast coming back of her loved one. Years passed and Devdas returned. Devdas was besotted by her stunning beauty and longed to have her back. But Zamindar Narayan Mukherjee (Vijay Crishna), Devdas' father, met Paro's mother Sumitra's (Kiran Kher) marriage proposal with condescending arrogance. It caused a rift between the families and even though Devdas tried to convince his father, only antagonism came his way. Finally, he moved away from Paro and wrote a letter to her, asking her to forget him. Only, he didn't realize that he would never be able to forget her ever! And much later, when he reached out to her, it was too late as she was far too humiliated. She scorned him for not standing by her and they parted forever with a heart-broken Paro entering into a chaste marriage with a wealthy, much older man, Zamindar Bhuvan (Vijayendra Ghagte), while a shattered Devdas walked towards anguish, alcoholism & Chandramukhi (Madhuri Dixit). Chandramukhi, a stunning courtesan instantly lost her heart to Devdas. A unique bond was formed between both as he could share with her the intense pain of his unfulfilled love for Paro. Meanwhile, Paro, on the other hand, performed her worldly duties sincerely, but inside her heart, she could never forget Devdas for a moment. Strange was the fate of Devdas. Intensely loved by two women, who were never meant to be his. One whom he could never love and one whom he could never stop loving..

Not his dad's favorite, Devdas Mukherjee, is a slacker, though sensitive and talented. His daily chore is to spend time with his childhood friend, Parvati, the Mukherjees' neighbor, who belongs to a middle-class family. Devdas is sent away abroad so that he can improve himself. Several years, upon his return, things have not changed, his dad still regards him as a slacker, though Devdas is welcomed by the rest of his family, the welcome could have been warmer had Devdas chosen not to visit Parvati (Paro), rather than his own mother. Devdas and Paro are in love, and hope to marry. But Devdas' dad has other plans, vehemently opposing marriage to a lower caste family, and as a result Paro gets married to a much older widower with grown-up children her age, and Devdas leaves home, becomes an alcoholic, a womanizer, who is unable to get Paro out of his mind, loving and hating her at the same time. Devdas meets with courtesan, Chandramukhi, and ends up falling in love with her also, thus getting her a bad reputation. Then Paro decides to talk Chandramukhi out of getting Devdas away from alcohol, to which Chandramukhi agrees, but the question remains whether they will act in time to stop Devdas before he self-destructs.

KING KHAN BIRTHDAY

Hey Guys,

 we want to wish the one and only ShahRukh Khan a very very Happy Birthday!  We  have followed his films for quite some years and I have to say that I admire his conviction.  Its difficult for someone to make a mark in the entertainment industry when they don't film background and ShahRukh has managed to win hearts worldwide without any prior family influence in the industry.  Having started with television and then moved to Bollywood, I admire ShahRukh's hard work and conviction.  Independently today with his hard work he has become the King of Bollywood!  In fact I see myself following his footsteps as I too with the same determination am working hard in my career.  Its my zidd to someday to work with Shah Rukh and I hope with the blessings of all of you out there I am able to someday!  

OnceThe 'Badshah' of Bollywood - Shah Rukh Khan, celebrates his 46th birthday on November 2. With the grand success of 'RA.One' at the box office, it's twin celebration for SRK this year.

SRK said that he would not be throwing a lavish party this year. He said that he would rather host a relaxed party with friends and family and 'RA.One' team.

Post 'RA.One' release, a very exhausted SRK said that he was very tired with his hectic schedule, because of which, he would hold a closed-door party to celebrate the success of the movie.

Numerologists are still figuring out why personalities born on November 2 make it big in their lives. SRK had a modest beginning with a small screen series titled 'Fauji', after which he accelerated towards giving mega blockbusters on the big screen.

Khan's films such as Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Chak De! India (2007), Om Shanti Om (2007) and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008) remain some of Bollywood's biggest hits, while films like Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.(2001), Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), Veer-Zaara (2004), Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006) and My Name Is Khan (2010) have been top-grossing Indian productions thus making him one of the most successful actors of India. again a happy birthday to our King Khan, Shahrukh! 

   
                                                         

DIL TO PAGAL HAI

Rahul, the leader of a musical dance troupe à la Michael Fratley and the Lord of the Dance, is a man who doesn't believe in love. His best friend and lead actress, Nisha, is secretly in love with him. One day, Nisha sprains her leg in a dance rehearsal, and the doctor claims she cannot dance for three months. This sends the troupe into consternation, since they have a new show to perform in two weeks. Desperate for a replacement as good as Nisha, Rahul hires Pooja, another dancer. Pooja, a truly romantic person in contrast to Rahul, has lived with her cousin, a businessman named Ajay, and his family since being orphaned in childhood. Ajay is in love with Pooja and got engaged to her just before she met Rahul. And now, amidst the backdrop of the theater, Rahul and Pooja slowly fall in love....

Nisha is an actress in a play that is being directed by her sweetheart, Rahul. The only problem is that Rahul has no time for her, nor to find time for romance. When Nisha becomes sick, and has to go off for a few weeks, she is certain that everything will collapse after her departure, and is also sure that Rahul will miss her terribly and come right to her. This does not happen. Weeks later, after recovering she returns to the rehearsals and the theater, only to find that everything has changed. Rahul has replaced her with a new actress named Pooja, who he is very obviously smitten with, and none of the caste and crew really seemed to have missed her. She is quite depressed at this, but cheers up quite a bit when Ajay makes his entry. For Ajay is none other than Pooja's betrothed, and they will be marrying shortly, leaving the field clear for Nisha to have Rahul for herself.

TOM & JERY

A Tom and Jerry:

The story begins with a lost pup running from the Dog pup wondered 'why is he chasing me I didn't do nothing wrong'.Then a car appeared out of nowhere hitting the poor pup the Dog catcher gave up on chasing that pup seeing that he was no driver got out of her car to see that the pup was hurt "ooww" the pup said in pain."You poor little 't worry you can come to my house if you make it." The women said as she put her in the passenger seat of her car wrapped in her jacket.

'Owww what is this pain I'm feeling.' The pup opened his eyes slowly as he wondered where he was.'Where am I.' He wondered while looking around to see that he was on a cold metal table.' Oh no am I dead.' the pup thought as two humans come into the room."So will he be ok?" The women asked."Well its hard he had a bad hit to the head but he'll pull through." The Vet replied as he was bandaging the pup up.

'So I'm not dead cause if this was heaven i wouldn't be feeling this pain.' the pup thought."So would you like a free collar for the pup?" the Vet asked the owner." i would."the Owner replied."You are gonna have a great time at my house but I'm gona have to give you a name." the owner said to the puppy.'Oh please dont give me no girls name like cindy or angelina.' the pup thought to himself."How about Max?"the owner asked the puppy.'Yeah thats my real name.' He said as he nodded."Then Max it is." The owner said as she put the puppy in her jacket.

"Don't worry about you living arrangements." the owner told max.

'Well it looks like I'm gonna be here for a while.'Max thought to himself as he let out a big yawn. Then he heard a big crash that came from the kitchen.'Darn it my bones still hurt from the inciddent looks like I'm gonna be limping into a kitchen.' He went into the kitchen to see that it was Tom raiding the fridge.

3 IDEOTS

Aal Izzz Well


Murgi kya jaane aande ka kya hoga
Aree life milegi ya tawee pe
fry hoga
Koi na jaane apna future kya hoga


Honth ghuma
Seeti bajaa
Seeti bajaa ke bol
Bhaiyaa aal izz well


Aree bhaiyaa all izz well
Aree chachu aal izz well
Aree bhaiyaa all izz well

Confusuin hi confusion hai
Solution kuch pata nahin


Solution jo mila to saala
Question kya tha pata nahin


Dil jo tera baat baat pe
Ghabraaye
Dil pe rakh ke haath usae tu fuslaa le
Dil idiot hai pyaar se usko samjha le




Honth ghuma
Seeti bajaa
Seeti bajaa ke bol
Bhaiyaa aal izz well




Aree bhaiyaa all izz well
Aree chachu aal izz well
Aree bhaiyaa all izz well


Scholarship ki pi gayaa daaru
Ghum to phir bhi mitaa nahin


Agarbattiyan raakh ho gayi
God to phir bhi dikha nahi


Bakra kya jaan uski jaan ka kya hoga
Sekh ghusegi ya saala Keema hoga
Koi na jaane apna future kya hoga


To Honth ghuma
Seeti bajaa
Seeti bajaa ke bol
Bhaiyaa aal izz well




Aree bhaiyaa all izz well
Aree chachu aal izz well
Aree bhaiyaa all izz well


Jab life ho out of control
Honthon ko kar ke gol
Honthon ki kar ke gol
Seeti bajaa ke bol




Aal Izzz Well


Murgi kya jaane aande ka kya hoga
Aree life milegi ya tawee pe
fry hoga
Koi na jaane apna future kya hoga


Honth ghuma
Seeti bajaa
Seeti bajaa ke bol
Bhaiyaa aal izz well


Aree bhaiyaa all izz well
Aree chachu aal izz well
Aree bhaiyaa all izz well




Na na na
Aree bhaiyaa all izz well
Aree bhaiyaa all izz well 

MOTHER INDIA

More than four millennia have passed since the many artefacts of the ancient Indus civilisation were fashioned. Yet one tiny sculpture, made by an unknown artist, still seems strikingly relevant to us today. The seal shows a seated figure on a low platform in a pose that is familiar to modern practitioners of yoga and meditation: the knees spread to the sides with the feet touching, and the arms stretch from the shoulders away from the body with the fingertips resting on the knees. Assuming the symmetrical and balanced form of a triangle, the body of the adept thus posed can endure lengthy sessions of yoga and meditation without needing to shift.

The word yoga means "to unite" and ancient yoga was intended to prepare the body for meditation through which the individual would seek to understand his or her oneness with the totality of the universe. Once this understanding was complete, people could no more hurt another living being than themselves. Today, such practices are routinely prescribed to complement western medical and psychotherapy treatments. Among the documented benefits of yoga and its corollary, meditation, are lowered blood pressure, greater mental acuity and stress reduction.

To the ancients who developed and perfected these mentally and physically challenging methods, however, yoga and meditation were tools for finding inner peace and a harmonious existence. Once you look closely, plenty more evidence points to the non-violent, peaceful nature of these early peoples. For example, the archaeological remains of the cities and towns of the Indus civilisation during its florescence from c2300-1750BC show little if any indication of internal dissent, criminality, or even the threat of war and conflict from the outside. There are no known fortifications, nor is there proof of ransacking and pillaging.

There is also an emphasis on citizenship rather than a ruling elite in this period. Indeed, archaeological evidence suggests there was, in fact, no hereditary ruler such as a king or other monarch that amassed and controlled the wealth of the society. Thus, in contrast to the other ancient civilisations of the world, whose vast architectural and artistic undertakings, such as tombs and large-scale sculptures, served the wealthy and powerful, the Indus civilisation leaves nothing in the way of such monuments. Instead, government programmes and financial resources seem to have been directed towards the organisation of a society that benefited its citizens.

Another feature that sets the ancient Indus culture apart from other early civilisations is the prominent role played by women. Among the artefacts we have been able to unearth are thousands of ceramic sculptures representing women, sometimes interpreted as goddesses, and, specifically, mother goddesses. This is a core element in the major religious developments of India, which are populated with goddesses some supreme and others whose role is to complement male deities who would otherwise be incomplete or even powerless. It is thus hardly surprising that the symbol chosen for the nationalistic independence movement of the early 20th century and the establishment of India's modern democracy was Bharat Mata that is, Mother India.

Cradle of faiths

The area's first ancient culture, the Indus or Harappan civilisation, was at its peak centred in what is now Pakistan in the northwestern reaches of south Asia. It stretched southward for a thousand miles along the western coastal areas of India. It eventually disappeared around 1750BC, because of a combination of natural and human factors. Earthquakes in the high Himalayas may have changed the course of the rivers that provided life-sustaining agricultural irrigation, leading to the abandonment of cities and towns and relocation elsewhere. In addition, the ancient inhabitants, unaware of the need to replant as they cut down trees to use for building and fuel, deforested the region, thus contributing to its transformation into the desert of today.

The period that followed the Indus civilisation from c1750BC to the third century BC has left a spotty material record. But we know it was in this time that some of the most important principles of Indic civilisation appeared. Some of these precepts come from the Indus culture, but other ideas arrived in India from the outside, such as with the nomadic, Indo-European Aryans from central Asia.

Perhaps the most important figure to emerge in this period was the historical Buddha, born Siddhartha Gautama in the Ganges river region of northern India in the sixth century BC. Attaining perfect knowledge at the age of 36, after a quest that involved ascetic and meditational practices, the Buddha taught what is known as the Middle Way, advocating the abandonment of both extreme asceticism and extreme luxury. The Buddha also taught that all living beings have the capacity to transform themselves from an ignorant, self-centred state to one that embodies unqualified goodwill and generosity. Enlightenment was a matter of personal responsibility: every person had to develop wisely directed compassion for all living beings along with perfect knowledge of their role in the universe.

It's important to note that the historical Buddha is not considered a divine being and his followers do not worship him rather, they revere and honour him through their practices. In art, he is shown as a human, not a superhuman being. Because there is no all-powerful central deity in Buddhism, the religion is easily compatible with other traditions and there are many people throughout the world today who combine Buddhism with another faith.

Jainism

A contemporary of Buddha was Mahavira: the 24th in a line of perfected human beings known as jinas, or victors, and a major figure in the Jain religion. Like the Buddha, Mahavira is not considered a god but an exemplar to his followers. When depicted in art, he and the other 24 jinas appear as highly perfected humans.

Unlike Buddhism and Jainism, India's third major indigenous religion, Hinduism, did not have a human teacher to whom the beliefs and practices of the tradition may be traced. Instead, it is centred around devotion to specific deities, both supreme and minor, who are numbered among a vast pantheon of gods and goddesses. Shiva destroys the universe with his cosmic dance when it has deteriorated to the degree that it needs to be reborn; Vishnu is the protector and preserver of the world as it struggles to maintain stasis. Archaeological evidence for Hinduism appears later in India's material record than those of Buddhism and Jainism, and stone and metal artefacts portraying the host of deities are rare before the fifth century AD.

All three of these Indic religions share the belief that every living being is subject to a cycle of birth and rebirth over countless aeons. Known as samsara, this cycle of transmigration is not limited to humans but includes all sentient beings. The form one will take in a future birth is determined by one's karma a term that in modern parlance has come to mean little more than "luck", but the original Indic use of the word specifically refers to one's actions, which are the result of choice, not chance. The escape from samsara, called nirvana by Buddhists and moksa by Hindus and Jains, is the ultimate goal of each of the three religious traditions, and all human activity should, ideally, be directed towards improving one's karma to achieve this end.

Although today we assign different names to these three religious traditions, in many ways they are considered different paths, or margs, toward a similar objective. Within Indic culture, and indeed even within families, individuals have been free to choose their own marg, and we have no evidence of religious conflict among these traditions.

Greece meets India

Around the third century BC, a mix of internal cultural evolution and stimulating contact with ancient western Asia and the Mediterranean worlds brought change to the Indic regions. The arrival of Alexander the Great in the northwestern region of south Asia in 327BC, and the collapse of the ancient Persian Empire, introduced new ideas including the development of the concept of kingship, and technologies such as the tools and knowledge necessary for large-scale stone carving. Had Alexander succeeded in conquering the Indian subcontinent mutiny and fatigue among his troops is said to have caused a retreat one can only imagine how Indian history might have evolved. As it stands, his legacy is mainly cultural, not political, as the pathways across western Asia that he forged remained open for trade and economic exchange for centuries after his death.

One thing to pass through this gateway was a system of rule by kingship, which took hold of northern India in the rich lands fertilised by the life-giving Ganges river. The most renowned of India's first kings was Ashoka, who even today is admired by India's leaders as a paradigm of the benevolent ruler. After years engaged in waging war to aggrandise his empire, Ashoka, having seen some 150,000 people carried away as captives, 100,000 more slain, and many more dead after his final conquest, was struck with remorse at the suffering he had caused. Converting to Buddhism, Ashoka spent the remainder of his life in righteous, peaceful activities. His benevolent kingship was adopted as a model throughout Asia as Buddhism moved beyond its Indic homeland. The set of four lions portrayed on one of his most famous monuments the stone pillar he erected at Sarnath, where the Buddha taught his first sermon has become a ubiquitous symbol of India's modern democracy, and is used on coins, stamps, government stationery, and elsewhere to laud the modern nation's roots in enlightened rulership.

Legacy

As suggested by the artefacts that have survived and what we know about the religious and philosophical beliefs of the people, the period 2500BC-AD500 in ancient India was one of extraordinary cultural brilliance, with innovations and traditions that still leave their mark on the world today. Furthermore, the cultural continuity between India's past and present is unmatched in the other regions of the world. The modern societies in Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, the Americas and China for the most part bear little resemblance to their ancient counterparts. Indeed, what is striking from an overview of the early phases of India's long and rich cultural development is the fact that so many of the features in evidence through the material record have had a persistent and lasting effect on Indic society and the world.

Ancient India's legacy in the fields of science and mathematics is significant. Mathematics was important to the layout of religious buildings and the philosophical comprehension of the cosmos. The fifth century AD astronomer and mathematician Aryabhata is credited with originating the modern decimal system, which is predicated on an understanding of the concept of zero. Evidence of the Indic origin of the idea of zero, including the use of a small circle to denote the numeral, is found in Sanskrit texts and inscriptions.

Science of life

Another cultural legacy is an ancient branch of medicine known as Ayurveda, still widely practiced in India today. It has also gained popularity in the western world as a "complementary" medicine. Translating literally as "science of life", it conceives basic principles for human health and points to physical and mental balance as the means to wellbeing.

Perhaps ancient India's most lasting legacy is the belief in non-harm to living beings a centrepiece of Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism which was transformed into the passive resistance advocated by Mahatma Gandhi during India's early 20th century struggle for independence from British rule. After Gandhi, many other modern luminaries have been guided by the principle of non-violence in their quests for social justice, most famously Reverend Martin Luther King, who spearheaded the struggle for racial equality in the US during the 1960s. In his autobiography, King notes that "Gandhi was the guiding light of our technique of non-violent social change" during the bus boycott in 1956 that ended Alabama's transport segregation on the city's buses. John F. Kennedy, Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama have also claimed inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi and the ancient Indian principle of non-harm, and the Indic compassion towards all living beings and the corresponding non-violent stance has been adopted by groups that advocate vegetarianism, animal welfare and environmental activism. Perhaps there is no greater compliment that can be paid to India's ancient culture than the fact that its sophisticated beliefs and reverence for life can serve as guideposts to the world today. Susan L Huntington is professor in art history at Ohio State University. Among other books, she is the author of the Art of Ancient India (Weatherhill)

SLUMDOG MILENIORE

 

the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards, you'll        know that the big winner of the night was the      unlikely blockbuster film, "Slumdog Millionaire",  which won Best Director and Best Motion Picture (Drama), not to mention Best Score and Best Screenplay. 

Joining "The Takeaway" to discuss the accolades is Vikas Swarup. While his day job is pretty impressive as India's Deputy High Commissioner to South Africa, his current claim to fame is writing the novel "Q & A," which is the basis for the film. 

The movie and the book sets up a premise about knowledge and understanding, where a young man wins an enormous prize on a quiz show and is accused of cheating because he couldn't possibly know the answers. But his explanation of how he came to know those individual bits of knowledge is an amazing story of what it's like to grow up poor in India.

Swarup: "For me, this was the central message ... sometimes street knowledge can be as important as book knowledge. So let's not pretend that those of us who go to universities and read newspapers -- we are the only ones who know. And those that serve us ... they don't know anything. I wanted to show that life experiences can sometimes also give you the clues to the answers on a quiz show."

                                                                         

BHULBHULIAIA

If you consider “Bhool Bhulaiya” to be a comic flick then you are in for a huge surprise. For the first time ever, Priyadarshan has made sincere efforts of steer away from his routine laughathons. “Bhool Bhulaiya” (Bhul Bhulaiya) is a remake of the very successful Malayam film called “Manichitrathazhu”. Its all about suspense and thrill to the extent that some portions of the film are fairly scary. Everything in this film happens to be in proportion, simply put, there is no over-the-top comedy and songs at occasions required. There are only two aspects in the movie that upset the audiences, firstly it’s the length and secondly the placement of the much hyped song “hare Krishna Hare Ram” in the end.

The story starts with Siddharth (Shiney Ahuja), who comes to his hometown from America with his newly wed wife Avni (Vidhya Balan). Siddharth insists on staying in his ancestral home and what he discovers can be categorized as mystery, surprise; shock or rather an unpleasant discovery. This mansion contains a deadly secret and it can destroy the whole family for the generations to come. The contemporary couple starts roaming around the closed parts of the mansion and they are endowed with happenings that force them to think otherwise. Siddharth seeks help form a close friend who is beautifully portrayed by Akshay Kumar. Akshay is a doctor who comes and finds the answer to the breath-taking circumstances.

On the whole the movie is very well shot and the music by Pritam is incomparable. Especially the song Hare Krishna Hare Ram is probably a chartbuster all across the nation.

VEER ZARA

Nothing else can define 'The Love' then what this man has described in his great love stories and again one more effort - 'Veer Zara'. His speech at beginning of movie says a lot. Love is a season that flourishes hearts. Unfortunately story's characters again meet in a season of love after nearly 22 years. However the love lived in memories and past movement kept lives alive.


Veer is squadron leader, a rescue pilot with the Indian Air Force. Zara is engaged Pakistani girl who comes to India to fulfill her surrogate mother's last wish. During a way she meets with an accident where Veer saves her life and falls in love with her. But yet no one realizes. At later stage when Veer summons up enough courage to confess his love to Zaara, he comes to know about her fiancé. Was it one side love story?


If you love something, set it free. If it comes back, it was, and always will be yours. If it never returns, it was never yours to begin with. Although Zara returned to her country left her heart in Veer's country. Probably it is difficult for her to run away or realize love being engaged with someone else. But it is a question of love where you obey your heart.


A shocked Zaara returns to Pakistan and gradually realizes that she too loves him in return. When Veer is made aware of this, he runs to Pakistan to profess his love, a day before her wedding.


To love is to place our happiness in the happiness of another. For her family's respect, he asks her to marry her fiancé. In opposition, her fiancé however demands an imprisonment for Veer if Veer wants to see Zara's happy life. He suffers there for 22 long years. Reason? As Friedrich Nietzsche says "There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness." Reason is to see his love's happy life. Both were now in separation. Does love fail?


J. Franklin comments on failure of love saying, "Love fails, only when we fail to love." Their love was alive even in separation. The soul has now become one looking great lives. He wished 'Happy Married Life' for her. She served to complete his wishes.


However Zara spends her later stage life at Veer's village to serve people and complete Veer's duties. A young lady lawyer helps both to meet each other again. It proves that 'Love never dies, it lives for loved one'. In other words 'With love and patience, nothing is impossible.'


Characters in story do not realize falling in love with each other. In first meeting with Zara, Veer never knew that a lady whom he saved would be his life forever. He saved her life and lost himself. He just walked away after her with no other purpose but to help. We generally deal with first sight love stories. Isn't it?


Thomas Mann comments on first sight love "This was love at first sight, love everlasting: a feeling unknown, unhoped for, unexpected--in so far as it could be a matter of conscious awareness; it took entire possession of him, and he understood, with joyous amazement, that this was for life."


Well, this is what I found and realized from story. Have a look and watch out movie. Probably I see it as a great story rather just favorite characters those played roles.

VEER ZARA

 This emotional love story is not only a serious   entertainer but also one which contains a message for the public. Based on the love story of an Indian Air Force Squadron Leader and a Pakistani girl, this film gives a message to strengthen the bond of love between India and Pakistan. The story begins with the sorrowful life of Sqdrn. Leader Veer Pratap Singh (Sahrukh Khan) who is in imprisonment in the central Jail of Lahore for the last 22 years. Everybody has forgotten his real name and calls him by the name of 'Kaidi No 786'. One day a Pakistani lawyer Samiya Sidiqui who is a councilor with the National Human Rights Commission reaches the jail to take up the case of Veer Pratap Singh.

Veer Pratap, who has not opened his mouth for the last 20 years, talks to her tracing his past existence. Zaara Hayad Khan (Preity Zinta) is a smart daughter of a strong politician of Pakistan Jahangir Hayat Khan. One day Zaara comes out of home on a journey to India without informing anybody to fulfill her grandmother's last wish. She had promised her grand mother that her last rites would be completed in India in a place of Sikh Pilgrimage called 'Tirthpur'.

On way to India, Preity meets with a bus accident and Veer rescues her as a part of his duty. After that, Veer accompanies the lonely Pakistani girl Zaara to complete the last rites of her grand mother and soon they become good friends. Now Veer brings her to his village to introduce her to his parents Choudhury Sumer Pratap Singh (Amitabh Bachchan) and his wife. Here Choudhury Sumer Pratap Singh is impressed with Zaara as she proposes to open a school for the girls in the village.

Before leaving the village Choudhury asks his son Veer to propose to Zaara. At the railway station, jusst when Veer is about to propose to Zaara, her would-be husband Raza Sirazi (Manoj Bajpai) appears on the scene. Soon Zaara returns to Pakistan and Veer returns to duty with the memory of Zaara. Zaara's liking turns to love for Veer and just before her Nikah (negotiation) with Raza she discloses her love for Veer.

Veer also reaches Pakistan but their union remains a dream. Everybody knows that the political career of Jahangir Hayat Khan (Boman Irani) depends on the marriage of Zaara and Raza. He is not ready to accept the marriage of Veer and Zaara. Beacause of Jahangir Khan's reputation Veer and Zaara sacrifice their love and Zaara agrees to her Nikah with Raza. The plot proceeds with Pakistani police arresting Veer on allegations that he is Rajesh Rathode and works for RAW as an intelligence agent.

Obviously, Raza Siraji plays the crooked role in this. Veer is not ready to reveal the truth in order to save the dignity of Hayat Khan's family. At the same time, the bus in which Veer was supposed to leave for India meets with an accident on the way and all the passengers meet with death. Looking at the passenger list, everyone thinks that Veer Pratap Singh is dead.

But when Zaara hears about Veer's death, she breaks Nikah with Raza and flies to Veer's native village to fulfil the dream of Choudhury Sumer Singh. When the case reopens, Samiya Sidiqui is not able to arrange any strong proof to identify Veer. So she moves to India to find a person who can identify Veer Pratap Singh and finally she meets Zaara. It is only then that she is able to convince the judge that kaidi no 786 is the Ex- Indian Airforce Officer Veer Pratap Singh and wins against public prosecutor Zakir Ahmed (Anupam Kher).

VeerZaara' is an emotion packed love story. The King of romantic melody King Khan Sahrukh along with Preity Zinta breathes life into the lead roles. For the first time Rani Mukherjee's appearance in a strong role of a lawyer is satisfactory but fails to meet the expectations against Anupam Kher in a long courtroom scene. Contrary to his image of a comedian, Boman Irani for the first time appears as a serious father who is more concerned about his reputation. Manoj Bajpai, Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini leave a fiar impression on the audience despite their short appearances.

Kiran Kher's role as a serious responsible mother after 'Devdaas' is impressive and lively. The narration of his life story by Veer Pratap Singh himself makes the film more attractive. Frequent flashbacks and twists keep up the interest of the audience in the film. All the songs move with the script and lead the story forward. Packed with some Punjabi cultural events and messages for a better relationship, love among the Indians and Pakistanis,

DILWALE DULHANIYA LE JAYENGE

STORY:    Shah Rukh is all set to capture the magic of 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge or popularly known as DDLJ after more than a decade since the movie had been released. The movie had captured the hearts of the audiences and the pair of Shah Rukh and director Aditya Chopra is trying to create the same magic with their next venture Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. This movie is also another love story and the lead opposite Shah Rukh will be played by the 19 year old model from Bangalore, Anushka Sharma. The Yash Raj banner has pulled in the acteress for the lead role in 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. The first day of shooting began with Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka together on the sets with the director Aditya Chopra. This movie is going to be a big comeback for the director also as he will be coming back to the line of direction after a gap of almost 8 years. The film is scheduled for a release this December. Shah Rukh said that the Yash Chopra and son Aditya had always given him the roles with appreciation and love. The fans from all over the world loved what the actor had done in DDLJ. This time it is yet another great role for the actor and even he hopes that he can recreate the same magical effect on the audiences like the Raj of DDLJ. The choice of the actress was also not an easy one and after a long period for the right actresses the debutant Anushka Sharma had been chosen to play the lead role in the movie. Here she will be playing the role of a small town Punjabi girl. There are rumours that the film will be an adaptation of the movie My Fair Lady but there have been no comments on the same. There had also been talks that Sonam Kapoor the daughter of Anil Kapoor would be playing the role but Yash Chopra denied the rumours. The movie 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge' has been a career turning point for the King Khan. Even the director Aditya Chopra had debuted with his direction skills in this movie. The movie had broken some of the biggest box office records and made Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan the most romantic pair of the industry. The theatre Maratha Mandir has been running this movie non stop for the past 13 years since it released in 1995.