MICAT: Dos & Don’ts – minglebox | Blogs

MICAT: Dos & Don’ts – minglebox | Blogs.

The Magic Gets To Its Darkest In This One

Movie: Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows: Part 1
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Ralph Fiennes
Directed by: David Yates
Rating: *** 1/2

Well, well, well… Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, is dead and the Death-Eaters are rising to power under the leadership of the darkest wizard ever, Lord Voldemort. Nobody is safe and hence, even Muggles have to pack their bags for somewhere safer. Hermione Granger has to Obliviate her memories from her parents’ mind and the Dursleys have to leave for a safer zone. The plot gets darker and darker while the movie’s unpredictability and the audience’s adrenaline rise higher and higher.

This darkness can only come to an end with the death of the Dark Lord himself. And there’s only one way to do that: destroy all the seven Horcruxes (magical objects containing divisions of Voldemort’s soul). So, the teenage trio, Harry, Ron and Hermione, sets out for finding the locations of the other five Horcruxes (the first, Tom Riddle’s diary, was already destroyed in the Chamber of Secrets and the second in the Half-Blood Prince). That means, you have no Hogwarts, no fellow students, no teachers in the movie; only the three of them roaming around in wild forests (breathtaking locations indeed) and fighting their strongest impulses and temptations with their priorities (watch out for such a coming-of-age scene between Harry and Hermione).

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 is undoubtedly the most different, as well as the scariest, HP installment ever (watching it on IMAX screen can almost quadruple the fear factor). And, it is only the prelude to the mega-finale that releases in July 2011 globally. So, after the end of Deathly Hallows 1, you simply cannot be patient enough to let July 2011 be 8 months away!

The movie has managed to cover most of the aspects mentioned in the book successfully and has excellent histrionics, direction and special effects to add spark to the magic. My favourite scene is the animated story of the Deathly Hallows which simply speaks volumes of the team’s creativity. There are also a couple of laughs infused here and there, like Hermione hitting Ron when he comes back after deserting her and Harry. And, a Muggle woman getting fooled by Ron’s disguise as her hubby (thanks to the Polyjuice Potion) and hence her kissing him! However, there are moments which can either make you jump in your seat or cling to your partner for comfort. Especially, whenever Nagini comes into the picture. Or when Xenophilius Lovegood bangs his fist on the table and suddenly shouts aloud. Also have a tissue in store for a very tragic scene in the end (sorry, can’t reveal).

So, what’s the moral of the story? Book your cinema hall seats for this one. Maybe it’s just the prelim to the finale and nothing much happens in it. But, Harry Potter movies are not about watching them; they are all about the experience and revisiting Pottermania in live form. And that explains the magnanimous crowd that throngs theatres across the country, even though we all know that the real magic is yet to come…

Masterchef or Near-Disaster Chef??

Programme Name: Masterchef India
Timings: Weekends 9 – 10 pm
Channel: Star Plus
Rating: **

India is indeed a strange country. What may fail to work in other countries can find runaway success here; on the other hand, certain concepts tasting success abroad have tasted blood here (Kellogg’s is one example). So, simply performing a Cut-Copy-Paste operation of one hit international show, without studying the Indian demographics, is highly dangerous. That’s what happens with Star Plus’ latest reality show Masterchef India (from the famous Masterchef series) and hence it fails to impress.

The show seems to be banking on only one of its judges, superstar Akshay Kumar, for grabbing eyeballs, without considering what the viewers actually expect. Here are some other crucial points which I observed about the show:

1. Besides Akshay Kumar, there are two other judges – Chef Ajay Chopra of the Goa Marriott Resort and Chef Kunal Kapoor of Leela Kempinski, Gurgaon. This selection would have been better if only one of the two chefs was selected. The third judge should have ideally been a female – a chef, a cookbook author or a cookery expert. Since a major chunk of the participants is formed by housewives, the presence of a female judge is mandatory.

2. The judges should provide constructive feedback, rather than only epithetic comments. Mere “Lajawab” or “Bakwaas” won’t work. I was also expecting some beneficial tips from the judges, but nothing of the sort happened. For instance, when the contestant Zebi Zubair had served Seviyan, I was waiting to listen to some pointers from the judges which will help me improve my Seviyan the next time I cook. But, alas!

3. I remember a cookery show called Kitchen Champion which was recently pulled off air from Colors. In that, the chef judge was overseeing the entire process – right from the selection of ingredients to the method of cooking till the tasting of the dish; hence he was able to allot fair marking to every contestant. He would also provide important cooking pointers at every step of the show. Thus, it would be better if the judges of Masterchef too enter the kitchens and observe what goes on…

4. I recollect my mother being called to audition for Masterchef. She was told to arrive at the studio (located in Santacruz West) at 10 am sharp with a vegan dish that would last for more than five hours. Thus, in order to pass the test, my mother would have had to wake up at the crack of dawn, leave all her chores aside, prepare a dish that wouldn’t rot for almost half a day and leave home early enough to reach Santacruz West at 10 am from Chembur! Had I received such an offer, I would have simply ordered some fare from a nearby cheap restaurant for the audition day and postponed showing my culinary side to the later stages of the show. Isn’t that easy? Who could have called the bluff? But, it would be unfair to the participant who would do all that what my mother wouldn’t. In short, faulty auditioning.

5. And lastly, Indianizing the international cookery series doesn’t only mean including Indian dishes and having Indian judges on board. Catering to the Indian demographics is the most important need, which the show has ignored completely.

However, let’s see what’s in store in the upcoming episodes. In the meanwhile, if the show continues like this, it will be a “Game Finish” before the judges can say “Tasty Dish”…

Homeopathic Healing with the Mind

After 21 years’ expertise, Dr. Anita Salunkhe has revolutionized healing with MindHeal Homeopathy, whose principle is “Heal the Mind to Heal the Body”. MindHeal treats more than 27,000 patients annually and has cured till now 2,50,000 patients in India, USA, Brazil and many other nations. Its constant R&D helps in incurable cases too. In a Q&A, Dr. Anita provides insights on holistic healing

In a family, despite same environment, why do some fall sick while others are healthy?

Everyone’s immune system has varying protein balance protecting the body; so disturbance in it causes illness. Such disturbance happens mainly by negative thoughts like anger, frustration and worry. Since everyone thinks differently, immunity varies. Yet, we find common medicine being given to many people having same health problem with different immunities (e.g. headache, fever). As everybody has different cause of health problem and varying immunity, individualized medicines should be given; just like skin-type based beauty treatments. Hence, MindHeal Homeopathy prescribes remedies considering one’s physical and emotional history.

What’s the correct way to treat diseases?

Health issues like cold, cough, skin problems, aches signal alarm in the immune system. When “suppressed” with regular medicines, they shift from one organ to another resulting in aggravated sickness forms because the cause is untreated; e.g. suppressed cough may form asthma etc. It’s seen that regular treatments don’t attempt to understand the root cause – “MIND”; so despite consulting multiple doctors, one continuously takes drugs without being finally cured.

Our R&D has proved that individualized medicines improve mindset and immunity, thereby preventing frequent sickness. Homeopathy considers people having same disease differently, thus treating individual root cause effectively. At MindHeal Homeopathy, we rejuvenate life by healing the person, besides the disease…

For enquiries and appointments at MindHeal Homeopathy, contact 9930363981, 25230530 or crm@mindheal.org. URL: www.mindheal.org

Thank you, SAB TV!!

Programme: Thank You, Jijaji (Comedy)

Cast: Jaspal Bhatti, Savita Bhatti

Channel: SAB TV

Timings: Mondays @ 10pm

Rating: 4/5

Indian Television is beginning to stink these days (it was stinking since many years, but the stench’s just got stronger these days). There’s a dearth of good programmes in almost every channel. Every tele-serial has the lead actress (nowadays, even the lead actor) spraying out glycerine tears. Hey, we already have enough of rona-dhona in our lives, why make such a big deal out of it? Every issue in today’s times is a source of great stress and gives us sleepless nights. But, Jaspal Bhatti has taken this issue the way he has been doing it since the past two decades – let’s learn to laugh rather than create a ruckus about it!

I am a big fan of Bhatti’s Flop Show (Even today, I will trade an interesting programme to watch its re-runs). Especially, the way he displays his credits (“Misdirection” for direction, “Mismanagement” instead of Management, et al). Satire has been indeed given a new definition by his team, which also includes his better half, Savita Bhatti. So, when I saw the ad for his latest programme Thank You Jijaji on SAB, I wondered whether the essence of Flop Show will still be there. But, thankfully, after watching the first two episodes, I must say, Bhatti Saab still has his magic.

This sitcom’s about the Excise Commissioner of a city in Punjab, who commands great power and respect. But, as we have learned in Industrial Psychology and Organizational Behaviour, the power you hold rubs on to someone who is far more superior to you. And here as well, the Commissioner’s power rubs on to his elder sister’s husband, aka Jijaji (hence the title – Thank You Jijaji), played by Bhatti.

I saw the first episode and believe me, I was rolling with laughter at the very first scene itself – Jijaji wants to have his breakfast, but instead of having it at his home, he gets a local dhabewalla to come near his home and serve him hot Punjabi Food. The reasons – two of them. First, to eat the food for free (after all he’s a step ahead of the Excise Commissioner; he’s his JIJAJI!) and second, to escape the breakfast cooked by his wife! I don’t know whether it’ll  sound funny in this blog, but watching that scene was absolutely hilarious. The punches, the jokes, the timing, the tone of dialogue delivery, all of them are so well-coordinated that you end up unsuccessfully trying to control yourself from laughing!

I waited for the second episode so that I can comment on the show’s consistency in making us belt out loud laughs. But, I must say, the second episode was so hilarious that I’m laughing right now even by simply visualizing it. Jijaji was on a trip to Goa, so he got his Saala a painting. And, God, it was of a black disgusting mongoose biting on a snake…ewww…!! The sight itself was so unique that neither me, nor my family members were able to control ourselves. And, that’s what ultimately creativity is – unique. That’s what exactly Bhatti’s endeavour in TYJ is…

I am elaborating on the good points of this show, but can’t think of any bad points. I mean, it’s for the first time in so many years that a sitcom has all the elements which a sitcom should ideally have. It might not be in the league of Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai, but TYJ has its own unique appeal. The satirical stance has been so well displayed that there’s no denying the level of perfection with which this sitcom’s been made. And it’s not just the brain which has been used; the heart’s been equally applied.

iRecommend Verdict

The show’s been very aptly titled Thank You Jijaji…we wanna thank Jaspal ji for coming up with such a wonderful and hilarious extension to his Flop Show series…So, highly recommended if you want to unwind…You won’t be let down…So keep laughing, SAB ke aur JIJAJI ke saath!!

Love Aaj Kal – A Visual Treat

Love Aaj Kal: Movie (Hindi)

Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, Rishi Kapoor

Direction: Imtiaz Ali

iRecommend Rating: 4/5

Well, I was eagerly awaiting this third fare from the director of Socha Na Tha and Jab We Met, Imtiaz Ali. I wanted to know what subject he will take up in his next venture. As usual Chhote Nawab Saif is a specialist when it comes to movies on Relationships in the Modern Era (look at Saif’s recent films: Dil Chahata Hai on Friendships, Kal Ho Naa Ho on Friendship and Unconditional Love, Hum Tum on Platonic Relationships, Salaam Namaste on Live-ins and now Love Aaj Kal on Break-ups). So, the two synergies combine together to give you a well-scripted and well-directed flick with crispy dialogues adding to the crunch.

The movie is about Jai (Saif) and Meera (Deepika) who are in a relationship. But career pressures bring them to a point where they have to break up. Meera moves to New Delhi to continue her career in Architecture, whereas Jai is awaiting his opportunity to move to San Fransisco to work for Golden Gate Inc. Meanwhile, Jai has interesting conversations with Mr. Veer (Rishi Kapoor) about how love was in the past and how it has shaped up in today’s times (hence the name Love Aaj Kal). Veer talks about his love life with a beautiful Punjabi Kudi named Harleen Kaur (Giselli Monteiro, I can’t believe  she’s Brazilian) and about his struggles to win the love of his life.The young Veer’s role is essayed by Chhote Nawab himself.

In the meanwhile, Jai and Meera continue to stay connected through modern communication. Meera is now in a relationship with her boss Mr. Vikram (Rahul Khanna, Pappu Can After All Speak Hindi, Saala!) and Jai has found his latest interest in a Caucasian gal (I don’t remember her name though). Jai comes to New Delhi at the behest of his Caucasian GF to see India and its culture. He meets Meera and they have a fun time together. But this fun time comes to an end when Meera accepts the proposal by Vikram to marry him. Both of them get married, and Saif moves to San Fransisco. Now, the real suspense starts from here, which I won’t talk about; you’ll have to watch the movie to find out. Otherwise, how will you feel the magic of what the movie’s essence is all about?

The best part about the movie is the script: the way Veer’s love story has been woven into the modern era love story of Jai and Meera is beautiful and the contrast effect is excellent. The music rocks: I love Chor Bazaari, Twist, Aaj Din, Thodaa Thodaa Pyaar…but my favourite is Yeh Dooriyan; it’s so poignant and touching that it melts your heart (Mohit Chauhan has delivered brilliant vocals for this song). Pritam, we forgive you for your plagiaristic actions, you certainly entertain our hearts with Love Aaj Kal. And now comes the best part: the Dialogues. Jab We Met excelled in dialogues; so does LAK. Saif is always witty in his movies, but this one takes the cake. And how can I forget the direction: Imtiaz Ali proves that he is a film-maker par excellence with this movie. I’m now eagerly awaiting what he offers next. He hasn’t given any opportunity to compare JWM and LAK. Both are totally different movies with totally different souls. Where the former is about how a love story develops, this is about how a love story proceeds…However, both subtlely deal with the concept of Soul Mates. One for one…

Now coming to the performances: Deepika’s fine, her voice modulation however still needs refinement, but she certainly looks beautiful in whatever she wears…she pulls it off so well. Rishi Sir is still the best…Ranbir, watch out; your father can still give you competition (and oh, BTW, do watch out for Neetu Ma’am as the older – no, wait, elder – Harleen in the end). Giselli’s lines were dubbed, but she seriously looks like a Punjabi Kudi…Giselli, are you really a Brazilian?… However, it’s Saif who carries the movie on his shoulders. He’s not just concentrated on the dialogue delivery aspect (as he does in most of his movies); he has also done tremendously well as an actor in both the roles – as Jai and as young Veer.

iRecommend Verdict: Watch it..Aaj ya Kal…you won’t get a love story as practical and as filmy as this… both the elements are so well-displayed that there’s no questioning Imtiaz Ali’s credibility as a film-maker. So, if you haven’t watched this movie, go ahead, book your tickets and preferably, take your friend, lover or spouse for this film. They’ll remember your love for them – Aaj, Kal and Forever (Nice Movie Title, by the way!!)

Sach Ka Saamna…here’s its “Moment of Truth”

Programme: Sach Ka Saamna

Channel: Star Plus

Timings: Mon-Fri 10:30 pm

iRecommend Rating: 2 1/2

Well, its English counterpart, “Moment of Truth” must have done very well abroad. But in India, I think that Sach Ka Saamna, which took off on air yesterday, will face mixed reactions from its viewers.

It is certain that this show will get a decent number of eyeballs, especially feminine ones, thanks to its host, Rajeev Khandelwal, who has the biggest fan following in telly land even today (he had disappeared long time back from his two superhit shows Kahin Toh Hoga and Left Right Left all of a sudden, especially when they were at the peak of their TRP ratings and was last seen in the critically acclaimed flick Aamir). Personally, I’m not his fan at all: I haven’t seen a single programme of his in the past, nor have I seen Aamir even in part installments; so, I’m totally clueless of even how his voice sounds, let alone his histrionics. But, I can conclude one thing for sure: this guy will definitely carry the entire show on his shoulders, irrespective of the profile of its participants and of the nature of this latest “reality show”.

Yesterday night was the show’s first episode which witnessed the “grilling” of an educational research associate named Smita Matai, who was very confident throughout the show, even at the end when she lost the prize money. (She has lost the prize money on the show, and surely she may lose a lot of relationships once she comes out with her family from the sets).

The rules of the show are derived from its English predecessor’s: a participant is required to answer 21 questions based on his/her private life. There are a certain number of levels which he/she has to clear; say, after clearing level 1, he/she wins Rs. 1 lakh; on clearing the next level, he/she wins a fortune of Rs. 5 lakh and so on…As the levels ascend, the nature of the questions becomes more personal (I would rather say, more scandalous). If the participant is brave enough to answer all the 21 questions (by putting all his reputation, goodwill and relationships at stake), he /she becomes a “Crorepati”, means he/she wins a prize of Rs. 1 crore!!

All answers are pre-recorded, with the participants first giving the answers and they being tested and confirmed by a polygraphic machine (a lie detector in the language you and me speak). So, if the participant gives an answer on the show and if it doesn’t match with what he/she said in the presence of the lie-detecting machine, the answer is deemed wrong and he/she doesn’t win a single paisa (it’s not like KBC where you win a fixed sum of money for sure once you clear a certain level; you go empty-handed even if you answer the 21st question wrong).

The best part of the show is that it’s unique and is a platform for converting the participant’s unexplainable feelings into concrete Yeses and Nos, which is, according to all wise men (even me), the perfect antidote for solving all varieties and categories of problems. The truth, as they say, may be as bitter to spill as it is to swallow, but burying it inside the multi-layered folds of the mind for over a vast period of time is as bad as spitting it out at the wrong moment. So, the show serves the purpose of helping you identify the “buried” truth yourself, along with a lucrative monetary reward attached to it.

Secondly, it’s a welcome respite from all those naach-gaana and wedding ceremony type reality shows which occupy major space (no, junk) on our idiot boxes. The concept is too novel and too bold for the “Sanskaari Serials” preferring audiences, but if you want to try a different fare, then this may be your apt treat. Certainly, Indian Television seems to be growing up (oh, and by the way, the show is strictly meant for bada bachchas above the age of 18 as states the preface at the beginning of the show).

If one were to ask me what I don’t like about the show, well here’s my list. First, I was feeling a little awkward watching it with my parents. Especially, in case of the questions which get too scandalous. My Mom went pale-white after the show ended and I heard her whispering to my Dad in the morning (who was fast asleep when the show was going on, but in the same room as the TV),” Bahut hi khatarnak programme hai, bahut zyaada controversial hai!” And, I love watching those programmes which I can enjoy with my family (yeah, even Friends comes under that).

Secondly, I hate it that even after being subjected to severe doses of humiliation, the participant gets a “thainga” even after getting the 21st question’s answer wrong (as I said before). This is totally unfair; the participant loses his/her goodwill, relationships and whatever counts as respectable and he/she isn’t even given a reason to rejoice and hold on to as dear. The KBC “padaav” system should be re-introduced with this show as well.

My Verdict

Well, I like it…it’s unique, it’s novel…and the biggest aspect is that Telly land’s cutest hunk surely does deliver. Girls will surely have a bite, I don’t know about the guys. But, just think about this – you, on the chair, sitting in front of Khandelwal, and getting embarassed, rather than blushing, when he throws a disreputable question at you to answer, so that you mess your life big time…It’s fun to watch but equally (or perhaps even more) difficult to digest…I don’t mind watching it…after all, from today, I have a deadline to keep the TV on mute after 10:30 pm (except on Fridays when we watch CID)…In the meanwhile, either Truth or “Moment of Truth” will triumph..even in Hindi!!

Mumbai Thru My Eyes-1

Hello all, this is my first blog for the City of Dreams, Mumbai. It’s a very resilient city, I must say. Mumbai has been courageous enough to not only endure all the trials and tribulations, but has also been very patient. However, I feel that Mumbaikars are slowly losing their patience. They want everything in a jiffy. They are full of anger. But, unfortunately, I can’t see this anger being channelized in a positive direction. In fact, it’s ruining the health of its denizens and thus, Mumbai’s health is affected as well. Here’s an instance which made me feel so.

Today, I had a job interview scheduled with an Event Management firm in Sion. I left my home in Chembur at around 11:20 am. I caught bus no. 363 from the bus stop near my home. I reached Sion-Chunabhatti area (Chunabhatti Phatak, to be precise) in around 15-20 minutes. I was, however, confused regarding the address as I was in that area for the first time. But, after asking some gas cylinder delivery men and a watchman, I reached the office on time.

My interview was wrapped up, I guess, in 15-20 minutes. As I left the building, the watchman asked me whether I got the address right. I nodded and thanked him as well for his concern. I was waiting for a 363 from the bus-stop near the office. There were only 3 buses plying through that route: 5, 363 and 371. Even then, the frequency of each was bad. A woman at the bus-stop was complaining about how she was waiting for a 371 since the past half an hour. Within 5 minutes, I believe, God granted her wish and not one, but two 371s arrived at the same time. But, I was still waiting for mine. The scorching heat was also getting too much to bear. Hence, I resolved to take any bus that came my way.

Within some minutes, a bus no. 5 arrived. I boarded it and got a ticket for Kurla Station (E). After I landed at Kurla, my left sandal gave away; its strap came out loose.  Also, I couldn’t see any of the 7 buses that plied between Kurla and Chembur. The heat too intensified. So, I presumed that better sense prevailed if I took a rickshaw.

I boarded one and, trust me, this trip to my home displayed to me the negative effects of the anger in Mumbaikars. The rick driver had put on, at full volume, some really nasty and sleazy sounding Bhojpuri tracks. I requested the bloke to cut down on the volume, not once but thrice (I guess no one can hear someone with music playing at full volume, right?) and he did, at my third request, but only a trifle less than before.

When the rick stopped because of the red signal at Umarshi Bappa Chowk (Swastik area), there was a loud honking from behind. Our rickshaw guy started honking as well ‘coz a neighbouring rick wasn’t allowing him to move ahead, which was basically the reason for all the honking. Our neighbour replied that he couldn’t move ahead due to some problem he mentioned; even then, he moved his rick a little and allowed our rick to move a little ahead. Then, I saw towards my left a black Toyota Innova making its way ahead. The guy driving it (he was the one who was honking from behind) started hurling abuses towards the rickwalla (of the one in which I was sitting) and kind of gave him an ultimatum,”Tu aage chal, phir main tujhe wahaan batata hoon”. That Toyota guy was a middle-aged guy I guess, wearing a pink shirt and blue denim boxers at that time; he was bespectacled and he sported a moustache.

After he ran out of his abuses, he stepped out of his Black Beauty and grabbed the collar of his new enemy. The rick guy was calm and wasn’t saying anything. As the signal turned green, the Innova guy repeated his ulimatum again, “Tu aage chal, phir main tujhe wahaan batata hoon”. I wasn’t saying anything in this matter as I never came across such a dramatic situation before and I was dumbfounded by whatever that was happening.

The Toyota guy was living up to his promise, he wasn’t allowing us to move ahead, let alone overtake. He actually thought that he was the king of the road at that time. The meter was running high and it was reading 150 at that time (normally it reads 120). The Toyota guy now threatened,”Chal abhi main tujhe havaldar ke paas leke jaata hoon”. I felt that that Innova guy was simply “driving” himself nuts over such a trivial and stupid matter. He’s middle-aged and such anger, if he displayed it on a regular basis, will dig him his own grave. The rick driver, frustrated, finally shrieked,”Ab aage jaao na, abhi problem kya hai tumhe uncle?” The Innova guy was still hellbent on seeking his appropriate and adequate revenge. Now, even I wanted to take this guy to the havaldar and save the rick guy. I didn’t want to fight back; I didn’t want to be classified in the same category as the Toyota man. So, I took out a bus-ticket from my bag pocket and took down the Innova’s number.

Now, I felt that the rick driver was being hauled too much, so I took his side and, with my teeth grinding, said that if my meter amount exceeds 20 bucks, I’ll make the Innova guy pay for it (normally it’s 15 bucks). The rick guy told me,”Madam, aapko use kuch toh bolna chahiye tha”. I replied,”Main kya boloon, hum ladkiyon ko soch-samajhke bolna padta hai. Us aadmi ko dekha nahi (I meant the Toyota guy), kaisa tha woh!!”

After we went past Acres Club, the Innova guy continued his revenge. Already, that road (CST Road) is dug up near Acres Club and this man created so many problems for not just us but the fellow drivers as well. He got out of his MUV and shouted at the top of his voice with a wicked grin on his face,”Ab passenger ko takleef hota hai, toh woh kuch bolta hai.” I felt like dragging him to the nearby police station (I already had his car number written down). He went inside his Black Beauty again (I seriously pity her…).

As soon as he caught sight of two traffic policemen towards the entrance of the Acres Club, he stopped his car and complained about the rick driver. Man, I must say, how much of poison that chap had inside him! But, my regards to the policeman for remaining calm, for he replied to the Innova guy,”Ab jaao na aage, tumko kya problem hai?” After he left, our rick went ahead and the rick driver complained to the traffic policeman about the entire ruckus created by that one bastard. Here too the policeman said the same thing,”Aage jaao na, kuch nahi hoga.”

I can say that the Toyota guy still wanted to avenge even more, because his Innova was stalled towards the road that went left. But seeing that we were taking the road right, towards Chembur Camp, he left, sulking and fuming. I got down at Navjivan and paid that guy the amount which the meter exacted – 19 bucks (No, it didn’t cross 20). I thanked him (which I normally do to any rickshaw walla, bus conductor and cab driver) and walked towards my home. Even as all that drama happened and even after I alit from the rick, the sleazy and noisy Bhojpuri songs were continously being played on his deck…