Oh God!! Just five days out of this crazy metropolis aur kitna kuch hota hai. Can hardly keep up. The first pic I saw in an Indian newspaper on the flight back from Singapore, was of the Bachchan parivar at the premiere of PP-2. And the first thing I noticed was Ma Bachchan's floor length mink coat. Woweeee!! Guddi has grown up and how! That mink (looked like the real thing, not a faux version) would buy a 2BHK in Nalasopara. But If Ma Bachchan can't afford to keep herself warm in style on Bahu's big night - hell - what a waste! Bahu clad in a becoming black gown looked very fetching indeed, with an impressive decolletage ( push up bra, zindabad!). Her stylist must have persuaded her to dye her hair jet black (matching-matching) and wear it off her angelic face. It made her look severe - but stylish. Pity the film has tanked worldwide. But Ash should have no regrets - she tried.
Desi news involved all the usual stories about Kasab and the mysterious leaked picture. How did the press get hold of it? Nobody is telling! I bet it was a smart Pandu havaldar who clicked it while the bosses were enjoying a chai break. Today's khabar is that Kasab is suffering from high acidity - well, at least he isn't dead!
The other big story was about Bharat Shah's son's wedding to a model-type. The details were mind boggling - 120 mithais, 250 dishes representing 30 different cuisines, an elaborate set created out of beaten silver. Estimated cost for the evening?? A few crores. Guest list? Shah was not saying... it really would be interesting to note who does show up for the extravaganza, apart from the usual suspects.
I watched Guy Ritchie's Rocknrolla on the flight and was mesmerised!! What a movie!! Can any of our guys make anything close to this!! Am planning to watch Dev D over the weekend (amazing reviews), and want to compare. Ritchie knows his turf and is spot on when it comes to casting, dialogues, cinematography and music. This is such a sinister film! Violent and gritty all the way. But a compelling watch nevertheless. BTW, Jet Airways does offer unlimited Dom in biz class - but little else. Makes it easier to watch grim faced Russian mafia bosses torture effete Brit gangsters with names like Handsome Bob!
The book worth reading is 'Can Asians Think?" Don't you just love the title? It is written by a Singaporean of Indian origin, Kishore Mahbubani, and comes with a recommendation from Henry Kissinger (".....intellectually engaging") no less. Mahbubani was the person 'In Conversation' with me at my book launch in Singapore , a few months ago. I had enjoyed his combative style and had hoped to catch up with him on this trip. He is the Dean at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.And quite the agent provacateur his admirers insist he is.
Alas, my chicken-rice moment didn't happen in Singapore. But I did stumble on a new phrase - 'Trying trying before dying." It is what locals advise outsiders when praising a new restaurant\dish or anything worth slurping over. As for me, I am on a carrot juice and broccolli diet after over indulging myself in Singapore. But, am I enjoying my $10 dollar flip flops! You can keep you Choos - yup - even after that 70% off sale.
Shall post my Monday column next, provided I don't delete it by hitting the wrong key, as I did earlier. Ciao ciao! Am off to watch Zoya Akhtar's movie 'Luck by chance' which my older children loved. Watch this space...review coming up. You've been warned!