Life has different phases...birth, death, marriage...n so many...but for me...everyday is a new day..a new phase, a day full of hopes, wishes, deeds & so on & so forth.
Leaving home after vacation was a little emotional for me...I dont know why do I cry whilst leaving home. I was mentally prepared a week before my vacation was about to end...but I couldn't control my emotions whilst leaving home. What is the reason??Attachment???Hmmm....I easily get attached to like-minded people...but sometimes its too much. I need to resist from such *attachments* unless, I will have to invite some disasters in my life & so-called *friends* who uses me & in the end echeat on me..something, I need to change in myself very soon...being selective of friends...even an enemy is better than such a friend.
Anyways...life has pretty changed after coming back to Dubai. Now..I am trying to be little more calm, get less hyper, less reactive ..n many many things...LESS!!!
Again I am trying to be more focussed now...remember Chef Shetty "Focus karo..tum chef ho,", which I have been losing before going on vacation...but now..its time. Opportunities like this come less..why not???To focus on other stuff...entire life is there...but right now...its the career. Some of the well-wishers advised my parents on me marrying someone...but I am not desperate neither interested now...the soil beneath me must be strong enough....
At home...met my old astrologer...he is really old enough...really....n he said many stuffs about me....well, I can foresee a lot of things....but I have given myself 2 years time....either make...or break!!! I dont wish to live long...though my astrologer assures a wealthy & healthy long life...I just want to live a couple of years...n then I want "Maa to break my chains & make me free....."
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
On the way back to Dubai...
Yes...I had to come back to Dubai...well, 20 days were pretty short...but thats how I wanted it to be..
Leaving home has always been a little emotional moment...when I was about to leave home, I touched my mother's feet...n she started crying..n seeing her..I also started crying...
Well...the vacation was filled with bitter-sweet memories...mostly, bitter I guess, less *sweet* memories..but, anyways, I cooked a lot for my friends, relatives, & family...
I left on time ...but with little worries, since, I did web check-in.But alas, on reaching the airport, I got to know that the flight scheduled at 1:45 pm from Kolkata to Mumbai is delayed by 1 hr. Gosh..thats bad...since I dont like sitting in the airport for hours, unless, it has some fun stuff...or something nice to check out.It was a cloudy day+it has been raining since last night, can be one of the major reasons for the flights operating late. Anyways, after boarding the aircraft, I was again feeling emotional..[I dont know when will I get over it...]. It takes around 2:30 hrs from Kolkata to Mumbai & since the flight departed from Kolkata at 1500 hrs, approx., it's arrival time will be 1730 hrs..n then the flight to Dubai is scheduled at 1850 hrs....well,I like taking risks..but it was too risky this time. If the flight arrives late to Mumbai..then what happens????
Keeping my fingers crossed...after having the meal in the Jet, I fell asleep...
I got up when the flight was shaking a bit...yes, lots of clouds around, which made the visibility almost zero & the journey pretty rough. It was almost 1700 hrs & I was praying to God..let it reach on time. Else....
Finally, I got down at 1745 hrs & proceeded to Jet Airways counter for further assistance, since I will have to move from Domestic Terminal to International terminal. Fortunately, they had coach service & unfortunately, it took 15 minutes. Once I entered the international terminal, there was a long queue for the immigration. It was 1815 hours.And it was getting dramatic..when I was standing in a long queue....
When I was about to go to the immigration officer with my boarding pass & passport, I approached a ground staff of Jet Airways, if he can expedite the process, he suggested me visiting his team leader, who is sitting somewhere else..
I left the queue & went to the team leader, & to my awe, she was not even willing to assist me, initally. The excuse she was trying to give me that you need to report before 75 minutes of departure. Umm..well, it was not my fault...its your airlines that arrived late to Mumbai....not I!!..Usually, I dont get hard with women, but this time, I was strong n dominant!!!And finally, she got my checked-in baggages from aircraft & handed over to me & booked me a seat for Dubai, but by Air India.It was scheduled to leave at 20:30 hrs.I hurried upto board the aircraft & the flight left at 2100 hrs....
I was pissed off due to all these delays, however, enjoyed watching a movie on my way back to Dubai, "Karthick calling Karthick".It was a kind of a thriller...
Finally, at 23:15 hrs, my feet touched the land of Dubai again....n after passport controls, I headed to the Dubai Duty Free directly...yes, I need alcohol. It is more due to cooking than drinking and then collecting my checked-in baggage...back to my 2nd home...in Dubai....
Oh yea...work on the following day...gotto sleep early....at 100 hrs.
Leaving home has always been a little emotional moment...when I was about to leave home, I touched my mother's feet...n she started crying..n seeing her..I also started crying...
Well...the vacation was filled with bitter-sweet memories...mostly, bitter I guess, less *sweet* memories..but, anyways, I cooked a lot for my friends, relatives, & family...
I left on time ...but with little worries, since, I did web check-in.But alas, on reaching the airport, I got to know that the flight scheduled at 1:45 pm from Kolkata to Mumbai is delayed by 1 hr. Gosh..thats bad...since I dont like sitting in the airport for hours, unless, it has some fun stuff...or something nice to check out.It was a cloudy day+it has been raining since last night, can be one of the major reasons for the flights operating late. Anyways, after boarding the aircraft, I was again feeling emotional..[I dont know when will I get over it...]. It takes around 2:30 hrs from Kolkata to Mumbai & since the flight departed from Kolkata at 1500 hrs, approx., it's arrival time will be 1730 hrs..n then the flight to Dubai is scheduled at 1850 hrs....well,I like taking risks..but it was too risky this time. If the flight arrives late to Mumbai..then what happens????
Keeping my fingers crossed...after having the meal in the Jet, I fell asleep...
I got up when the flight was shaking a bit...yes, lots of clouds around, which made the visibility almost zero & the journey pretty rough. It was almost 1700 hrs & I was praying to God..let it reach on time. Else....
Finally, I got down at 1745 hrs & proceeded to Jet Airways counter for further assistance, since I will have to move from Domestic Terminal to International terminal. Fortunately, they had coach service & unfortunately, it took 15 minutes. Once I entered the international terminal, there was a long queue for the immigration. It was 1815 hours.And it was getting dramatic..when I was standing in a long queue....
When I was about to go to the immigration officer with my boarding pass & passport, I approached a ground staff of Jet Airways, if he can expedite the process, he suggested me visiting his team leader, who is sitting somewhere else..
I left the queue & went to the team leader, & to my awe, she was not even willing to assist me, initally. The excuse she was trying to give me that you need to report before 75 minutes of departure. Umm..well, it was not my fault...its your airlines that arrived late to Mumbai....not I!!..Usually, I dont get hard with women, but this time, I was strong n dominant!!!And finally, she got my checked-in baggages from aircraft & handed over to me & booked me a seat for Dubai, but by Air India.It was scheduled to leave at 20:30 hrs.I hurried upto board the aircraft & the flight left at 2100 hrs....
I was pissed off due to all these delays, however, enjoyed watching a movie on my way back to Dubai, "Karthick calling Karthick".It was a kind of a thriller...
Finally, at 23:15 hrs, my feet touched the land of Dubai again....n after passport controls, I headed to the Dubai Duty Free directly...yes, I need alcohol. It is more due to cooking than drinking and then collecting my checked-in baggage...back to my 2nd home...in Dubai....
Oh yea...work on the following day...gotto sleep early....at 100 hrs.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Indian cuisine with a western touch...
Jipsa was craving for my cooking ...for long...n finally, she got to taste food from my hand. I was planning a special menu for her,something unique that she has had, but she will have it differently. But when I am cooking for her, my aunt will also be able to taste the *experience* & so my family members...
It was a very simple fare...very light ...& yet ...it was elegant. Who didn't have Lentil Soup???Well..this time, this is with an Indian touch, but prepared as you do in a western kitchen[Remember, when I put ginger in mushroom soup, chef George asked me, "So is this with an Indian touch???"...I just smiled].
Well..this lentil soup, rather cream of mung beans, was definitely cooked for the indian palate--it had carrot, leek, celery, mascarpone in it...and same time, it had onion, cumin, garlic...n a dash of olive oil. Yes..the soup was delicious[Unfortunately..I didn't taste it..I relied on their feedback].
Moving on to the next one...well..you know it..Chicken Tikka. You must have eaten this ...or its siblings..Kababs...what I tried this time, is a little innovative. Grilled Chicken Tikka...I didn't use any tandoor for cooking it,but it retained all the textures of what a Kabab looks like. What I did, I used a Chicken breast & applied the marinade as you do for Tikka & grilled them in a hot plate & finish off in the oven..n for the smokey flavour??Well...burn some woodchips beneath, while it is being cooked in the oven--the smoke will impart some smokey aroma in the chicken. Sauce???How about the famous makhni gravy[Yes, the same gravy used for numerous dishes...Murg Makhni, Murg Tikka Masala, Butter Chicken etc] being put in its refined form...Makhni sauce.
This time a different mashed potato...hint of cumin ...quite akin to our own kitchen's Aloo-Jeera & some shahi subzi..but alas...with Mushroom, Zucchini & Carrots!!!I hope it was decent...
Well..now time for desserts. Few of my friends claim that when it comes to desserts...I am the best...perhaps, its because of my long term relationship with sugar, pastry & my sweet-tooth. I thought of doing a rasgulla cheesecake or gulabjamun terrine...but changed my mind...Rice-pudding Mousse???Yes..I told my mom to make some rice-pudding..as we make at home...& call it as "Payesh"...n then I converted it into a vegan version of Mousse..of course..with some decent addition of Mascarpone & a little hint of cinnamon. Jipsa couldn't recognise it to be "Payesh"...n it was served with some forest fruit coulis....[All this took place yesterday]...
And today...I cooked Mutton Biryani again..this is my favorite out of North Indian cuisine & perhaps it is next to my love for Bengali foods...& one & only...Italian.As usual it was good...[thank god..no one praised me to skies...thus pampering my ego..over n over again...:) ]& finished with Phirni..a rice pudding with rice-flour, milk & again..a generous addition of Mascarpone.
Since, Sunday...I have been doing a lot of cooking..apart from cooking my own breakfast..but I am now in a departure mood...I will have to leave this Saturday..."Maa..break my chains & let me free..."!!!
It was a very simple fare...very light ...& yet ...it was elegant. Who didn't have Lentil Soup???Well..this time, this is with an Indian touch, but prepared as you do in a western kitchen[Remember, when I put ginger in mushroom soup, chef George asked me, "So is this with an Indian touch???"...I just smiled].
Well..this lentil soup, rather cream of mung beans, was definitely cooked for the indian palate--it had carrot, leek, celery, mascarpone in it...and same time, it had onion, cumin, garlic...n a dash of olive oil. Yes..the soup was delicious[Unfortunately..I didn't taste it..I relied on their feedback].
Moving on to the next one...well..you know it..Chicken Tikka. You must have eaten this ...or its siblings..Kababs...what I tried this time, is a little innovative. Grilled Chicken Tikka...I didn't use any tandoor for cooking it,but it retained all the textures of what a Kabab looks like. What I did, I used a Chicken breast & applied the marinade as you do for Tikka & grilled them in a hot plate & finish off in the oven..n for the smokey flavour??Well...burn some woodchips beneath, while it is being cooked in the oven--the smoke will impart some smokey aroma in the chicken. Sauce???How about the famous makhni gravy[Yes, the same gravy used for numerous dishes...Murg Makhni, Murg Tikka Masala, Butter Chicken etc] being put in its refined form...Makhni sauce.
This time a different mashed potato...hint of cumin ...quite akin to our own kitchen's Aloo-Jeera & some shahi subzi..but alas...with Mushroom, Zucchini & Carrots!!!I hope it was decent...
Well..now time for desserts. Few of my friends claim that when it comes to desserts...I am the best...perhaps, its because of my long term relationship with sugar, pastry & my sweet-tooth. I thought of doing a rasgulla cheesecake or gulabjamun terrine...but changed my mind...Rice-pudding Mousse???Yes..I told my mom to make some rice-pudding..as we make at home...& call it as "Payesh"...n then I converted it into a vegan version of Mousse..of course..with some decent addition of Mascarpone & a little hint of cinnamon. Jipsa couldn't recognise it to be "Payesh"...n it was served with some forest fruit coulis....[All this took place yesterday]...
And today...I cooked Mutton Biryani again..this is my favorite out of North Indian cuisine & perhaps it is next to my love for Bengali foods...& one & only...Italian.As usual it was good...[thank god..no one praised me to skies...thus pampering my ego..over n over again...:) ]& finished with Phirni..a rice pudding with rice-flour, milk & again..a generous addition of Mascarpone.
Since, Sunday...I have been doing a lot of cooking..apart from cooking my own breakfast..but I am now in a departure mood...I will have to leave this Saturday..."Maa..break my chains & let me free..."!!!
Sunday cooking.....
This is not an ordinary Sunday…sorry, not an ordinary Sunday lunch, but something special…very special. It is again Italian lunch—Viva Italia!!!
Now, moving on to the main course, I was in a dilemma—fish??or meat???Well..if meat then options are endless, since I can’t serve beef[Hindus are not supposed to eat beef—don’t talk about me—I am just a blasphemer!!!] & mutton---then I will have to make a stew…not grilled or something..similarly, for pork, specially when swine flue has resurfaced in Kolkata. So the only option I was left with was chicken. Grilled chicken…simple & classy. Served with mashed potato & ratatouille. Samrat didn’t like the risotto much & said, “I like this better than the risotto”.
Time for desserts…rounding off the meal with a sweet note. I prepared another Italian Classic—Panna cotta- [not latte panna cotta]. This is quite akin to the crème caramel—the difference is it is without eggs & no steaming!! Instead, it is stabilised with the help of gelatin, free of eggs….& I created my own version [or variation..whatever, you would like to call it]. I flavoured the Panna cotta[which means, cooked cream] with Bailey’s Irish cream liqeuer. Yes, it was nice—not the regular vanilla flavoured & I served it with forest fruits compote. Simple & Sexy—like me!!! ;)
Samrat liked it better than the main course—which I told him, before he had his share of desserts….
Yes, I cooked after 2 weeks…since during the vacation, I was reluctant to cook—rather rely on mom to cook whatever, she wants me to eat..seldom eating out…
I have some heavy cooking challenge coming in a day or two…in one it will be pure Indian meal..Mutton Biryani, for my aunt who has come down from California on vacation & loves to eat Mutton Biryani…& in other one, it will be for another aunt..who has been craving for my cooking…n for them..I have something special in mind…kinda fusion cuisine…Indian food ala Francaise…difficult to digest???Just watch out…
Recipes???send me mails…
Till then…
Buon Appetito!!
[Written on July 25th, 2010]
I have been longing to cook something for my friends, family members & relatives, ever since I came to India for my vacation. Though I have been disappointed by the conduct of a couple of people, but at last, I took this stupendous task of cooking for 7 people. I got some ingredients from Dubai, specially frozen porcini mushrooms, frozen forest fruits, pecorino romano, grana padano, mascarpone—either not available in Calcutta or the price is sky high!!!!
For the first course, I prepared Risotto Al funghi—porcini risotto. It was excellent & my relatives, who didn’t have risotto in their life before, tasted it & I earned some compliments[see…people have now started pampering my ego…]. Yes, it was really creamy---thanks to mascarpone, which I popped in, instead of finishing off with cream.
Now, moving on to the main course, I was in a dilemma—fish??or meat???Well..if meat then options are endless, since I can’t serve beef[Hindus are not supposed to eat beef—don’t talk about me—I am just a blasphemer!!!] & mutton---then I will have to make a stew…not grilled or something..similarly, for pork, specially when swine flue has resurfaced in Kolkata. So the only option I was left with was chicken. Grilled chicken…simple & classy. Served with mashed potato & ratatouille. Samrat didn’t like the risotto much & said, “I like this better than the risotto”.Time for desserts…rounding off the meal with a sweet note. I prepared another Italian Classic—Panna cotta- [not latte panna cotta]. This is quite akin to the crème caramel—the difference is it is without eggs & no steaming!! Instead, it is stabilised with the help of gelatin, free of eggs….& I created my own version [or variation..whatever, you would like to call it]. I flavoured the Panna cotta[which means, cooked cream] with Bailey’s Irish cream liqeuer. Yes, it was nice—not the regular vanilla flavoured & I served it with forest fruits compote. Simple & Sexy—like me!!! ;)
Samrat liked it better than the main course—which I told him, before he had his share of desserts….
Yes, I cooked after 2 weeks…since during the vacation, I was reluctant to cook—rather rely on mom to cook whatever, she wants me to eat..seldom eating out…
I have some heavy cooking challenge coming in a day or two…in one it will be pure Indian meal..Mutton Biryani, for my aunt who has come down from California on vacation & loves to eat Mutton Biryani…& in other one, it will be for another aunt..who has been craving for my cooking…n for them..I have something special in mind…kinda fusion cuisine…Indian food ala Francaise…difficult to digest???Just watch out…
Recipes???send me mails…
Till then…
Buon Appetito!!
[Written on July 25th, 2010]
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Revisiting Lycee...
I have not been to Lycee for more than a year now..and today I went to Gariahat for speaking to my bank & then also to meet a couple of friends. After I was done, I was hanging around Lycee, with a question in my mind, "To go or not to go inside???". But finally, I had the courage to go inside & meet my favorite teachers.
The building of Lycee is very small, compared to the gigantic buildings around the school, which has grown over the last few years. Anyways, after asking some keepers about my favorite teacher, I went upstairs & I saw her...yes Mrs.Koely Ghosh aka Koely mam. I dont know whether she was stunned or not, but I saw her really after 8 years[well, thats long...isn't it??]& the first question she asked me was about my hair. Yes, its thinning, but despite her advice of getting artificially weaved or wutever, I expressed no interest--I rather said, "I am happy with it--hairs wanted to go & I let them" :)--and then she was asking my & my bro's whereabouts, since she knows both of us pretty well.She also recollected the blockbuster we did, "Kaun banega crorepati" in the dialect of Bangladesh...& it made me famous too[thank god..people still remember] & was telling whether we can do that again or not...but now..it is not possible.
I remember once Koely mam threw me out of her tutorial due to my poor performances in her class..securing 7 out of 20 or 8 out of 20...awful...though she took me back in a short period of time.
Then I met Gayatri mam...who used to teach us Bengali...& apart from asking about my hair, she asked, "Have you got married??"..."No...no...too early" & I brought some other topic...& then went to visit other teachers too..
I was feeling good..specially to be in contact with teachers who I saw after a real long time...& fortunately, they remember me well....
However, got a compliment from Koely mam.."You're looking great, despite your less hair"...accepted the compliment graciously... :P..she has been one of the smartest women I have seen.
Seriously, miss you lycee..the days were full of fun, since 1990 till 2002..these 12 years in Lycee..backstabbing, sitting in the last bench of the class with friends & having fun behind, first crush, first fight...flunking in mathematics...scandals, rumours & gossips...& also gifted me my best friend, Samrat. Also politics...yes...real politics for the class prefect..where I was the leader to nominate members from our group, but I never nominated myself :D.
I hope to attend some re-union of Lycee...as I have never attended any.
The building of Lycee is very small, compared to the gigantic buildings around the school, which has grown over the last few years. Anyways, after asking some keepers about my favorite teacher, I went upstairs & I saw her...yes Mrs.Koely Ghosh aka Koely mam. I dont know whether she was stunned or not, but I saw her really after 8 years[well, thats long...isn't it??]& the first question she asked me was about my hair. Yes, its thinning, but despite her advice of getting artificially weaved or wutever, I expressed no interest--I rather said, "I am happy with it--hairs wanted to go & I let them" :)--and then she was asking my & my bro's whereabouts, since she knows both of us pretty well.She also recollected the blockbuster we did, "Kaun banega crorepati" in the dialect of Bangladesh...& it made me famous too[thank god..people still remember] & was telling whether we can do that again or not...but now..it is not possible.
I remember once Koely mam threw me out of her tutorial due to my poor performances in her class..securing 7 out of 20 or 8 out of 20...awful...though she took me back in a short period of time.
Then I met Gayatri mam...who used to teach us Bengali...& apart from asking about my hair, she asked, "Have you got married??"..."No...no...too early" & I brought some other topic...& then went to visit other teachers too..
I was feeling good..specially to be in contact with teachers who I saw after a real long time...& fortunately, they remember me well....
However, got a compliment from Koely mam.."You're looking great, despite your less hair"...accepted the compliment graciously... :P..she has been one of the smartest women I have seen.
Seriously, miss you lycee..the days were full of fun, since 1990 till 2002..these 12 years in Lycee..backstabbing, sitting in the last bench of the class with friends & having fun behind, first crush, first fight...flunking in mathematics...scandals, rumours & gossips...& also gifted me my best friend, Samrat. Also politics...yes...real politics for the class prefect..where I was the leader to nominate members from our group, but I never nominated myself :D.
I hope to attend some re-union of Lycee...as I have never attended any.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Shopping in South City Mall
By now, you must be knowing that I am not a shoppaholic[btw..research shows frustrated people=shoppaholics!!!]. I just buy when I want to buy...no compulsion & secondly, when there is heavy discount going on. It is a fact, that heavy discount means clearing off old stocks & replenishing with new ones.But, I am picky when buying clothes for me...if it suits my taste..else...Naah!!!
South City Mall perhaps is the biggest mall in the Eastern part of India & it is so close to home in Calcutta. Not even 10 mins. walking distance, but I like going there catching an auto-rickshaw[remember, those tuk-tuks of Singapore???] when I am in a hurry..else...a good walk..specially for my tummy!!
I show this mall "growing up" in front of me, but my question was, will this mall be able to run the show?Never mind, the developers of this mall, also constructed four residential towers just behind the mall, a school & & some more stuff. Back in 200-, as far as I can remember, it opened & ever since then, it became a great place for me to hangout. Meet someone, date, eating, shopping, window-shopping...it became one of my favorite places nearby!! However, above all these, it was "Spencer's Hypermarket", that actually attracted me a lot--for buying some cooking stuff...n shopping rarely.
Some good brands for the first time in the city, like Guess jeans, Marks & Spencer, n many many ones.Also Pantaloons & Shoppers' Stop started here together[these are business rivals] & the "Fame Cinemas" also, a popular multiplex, but not as popular as Inox is in the city. As you know, I love books, so Starmark also opened a giant store...books, books, n books :)
The ultimate attraction, is the food court & also few standalone restaurants in the top floor. All nice, but in 2008, I found the food court very boring--less covers & also less crowded, except on weekends, specially post-evening.
I haven't been to the city for more than 1 year & last week I went to do some shopping in Pantaloons- a mega store for clothes, with my best friend. Before buying, we met in the food court & never saw such crowd before. The food court was full...I had the Zingerburger from KFC & was chatting with Samrat over there & to our surprise, we saw a group of women, in their 60s, buying food[the fried chicken stuff!!oops..I hate it..i mean the fried chicken] from KFC & having their lunch....incredible!!!
After chatting with him for a couple of hours, I started my shopping from Pantaloons. I am never picky about clothes..what matters is the fabric...Don't wear too thick..else I will start sweating ....thin is ok...but certain fabrics, make feel warmer even before I start wearing it...& colors...my choices are boring.I bought a couple of denims, tee shirts, short shirt....n then pack up!!!
Then we started our window shopping....n finally back home..
Yes, this mall is a nice place to shop [Shop till you drop???Nooooo], almost all popular brands you will get in India, is present here...never mind the mehndiwallas, or the florists....off late, frisking has led it into a long queue...n in weekends...OMG!!!!
South City Mall perhaps is the biggest mall in the Eastern part of India & it is so close to home in Calcutta. Not even 10 mins. walking distance, but I like going there catching an auto-rickshaw[remember, those tuk-tuks of Singapore???] when I am in a hurry..else...a good walk..specially for my tummy!!
I show this mall "growing up" in front of me, but my question was, will this mall be able to run the show?Never mind, the developers of this mall, also constructed four residential towers just behind the mall, a school & & some more stuff. Back in 200-, as far as I can remember, it opened & ever since then, it became a great place for me to hangout. Meet someone, date, eating, shopping, window-shopping...it became one of my favorite places nearby!! However, above all these, it was "Spencer's Hypermarket", that actually attracted me a lot--for buying some cooking stuff...n shopping rarely.
Some good brands for the first time in the city, like Guess jeans, Marks & Spencer, n many many ones.Also Pantaloons & Shoppers' Stop started here together[these are business rivals] & the "Fame Cinemas" also, a popular multiplex, but not as popular as Inox is in the city. As you know, I love books, so Starmark also opened a giant store...books, books, n books :)
The ultimate attraction, is the food court & also few standalone restaurants in the top floor. All nice, but in 2008, I found the food court very boring--less covers & also less crowded, except on weekends, specially post-evening.
I haven't been to the city for more than 1 year & last week I went to do some shopping in Pantaloons- a mega store for clothes, with my best friend. Before buying, we met in the food court & never saw such crowd before. The food court was full...I had the Zingerburger from KFC & was chatting with Samrat over there & to our surprise, we saw a group of women, in their 60s, buying food[the fried chicken stuff!!oops..I hate it..i mean the fried chicken] from KFC & having their lunch....incredible!!!
After chatting with him for a couple of hours, I started my shopping from Pantaloons. I am never picky about clothes..what matters is the fabric...Don't wear too thick..else I will start sweating ....thin is ok...but certain fabrics, make feel warmer even before I start wearing it...& colors...my choices are boring.I bought a couple of denims, tee shirts, short shirt....n then pack up!!!
Then we started our window shopping....n finally back home..
Yes, this mall is a nice place to shop [Shop till you drop???Nooooo], almost all popular brands you will get in India, is present here...never mind the mehndiwallas, or the florists....off late, frisking has led it into a long queue...n in weekends...OMG!!!!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Shukno Lonka: A review
Yesterday, I was planning to watch a movie, a bengali movie especially, since I haven't seen in one in a movie hall for ages, & secondly, in Dubai its probably impossible to see a newly released Bengali movie. I am not a die-hard fan of Bengali movies, but there are certainly movies, which are really worth-watching.
My mom was recommending "Shukno Lonka", a movie based on those side-actors who contribute in one of the insignificant supporting roles in any movie--and one of those supporting actors, get a chance to work with a famous director of Calcutta, in a lead role.
Joydeep & I went to Priya Cinema Hall[no its not a multiplex!!!] & I met him after a real longtime. The movie started on right time & it started with some glimpses of Berlin Film Festival where Mr.Joysundar Sen, an eminent film director, who hails from Calcutta is being felicitated[the role being performed by Sabyasachi Chatterji] whilst some novice actors in Calcutta are watching & abusing him[well, the movie had a little too much profanities--totally unexpected from a Bengali movie!!!] & then the story drifts to Chinu Nandi[done by Mithun Chakravarty]& his life-- he earns Rs.250 a day, when he gets to act in a movie, for a supporting role & when he doesn't get to act--nothing!!!!
The established actors of Calcutta treats Nandi with contempt till the famous bengali director, Mr. Sen selects Nandi for his upcoming bengali film,"Parashpathar"[the magic stone] as a protagonist. Certainly, Chinu Nandi was taken aback & didn't expect this--it was too much for him. He was seen praying to God, "God, I just wanted to live...nothing much". Secondly, it was the first time that the director sent a car for him, to be picked up for shooting & then dropped to his home too. The respect that he was getting, was a little too much & the money that he got for acting in the movie, he spent some of them in renting a tonga[an open coach, pulled by horse]& travel around Kolkata with his beloved wife, & share all the memories of his life--from being the supporting actor to lead role in the film industry.
***
Sabyasachi is an eminent actor & his acting was brilliant. Just done--as we may in culinary term, so was his acting--there was rare scope of overacting.
Debashree Roy also did well, specially when she could smell that her husband, Mr. Sen doesn't love her anymore & she was trying to figure out perhaps Mr. Sen has fallen for Isabella Farkas, an Australian film-maker & producer[performed by Emma Brown]. She was going through such a trauma that she went to the shooting spot & create a mess. Her dance was just ok, though people were praising it to skies!!!
Mithun Chakravarty also did well, in his role, as it was demanded or required.Others were good too.
Now coming to the flaws in the movie--yes everything comes with a flaw....
This movie had few problems..too much & too frequent songs. I am a lover of music, but too much of it was not good...Joydeep may argue with me those are not songs, but jingles...but it was too much. They could have edited the movie well, so that it doesn't get boring. It was good that the movie was giving us glimpses of Calcutta, but it was too much, specially travelling in the tonga throughout the night & flashback of Chinu Nandi's stories.The movie was unnecessarily lengthy--& sometimes, I was getting bored!!! :(
Cinematography, as Joydeep would say, was good. Overall rating of the movie, in a scale of 5, will 3.A must watch???Depends....
My mom was recommending "Shukno Lonka", a movie based on those side-actors who contribute in one of the insignificant supporting roles in any movie--and one of those supporting actors, get a chance to work with a famous director of Calcutta, in a lead role.
Joydeep & I went to Priya Cinema Hall[no its not a multiplex!!!] & I met him after a real longtime. The movie started on right time & it started with some glimpses of Berlin Film Festival where Mr.Joysundar Sen, an eminent film director, who hails from Calcutta is being felicitated[the role being performed by Sabyasachi Chatterji] whilst some novice actors in Calcutta are watching & abusing him[well, the movie had a little too much profanities--totally unexpected from a Bengali movie!!!] & then the story drifts to Chinu Nandi[done by Mithun Chakravarty]& his life-- he earns Rs.250 a day, when he gets to act in a movie, for a supporting role & when he doesn't get to act--nothing!!!!
The established actors of Calcutta treats Nandi with contempt till the famous bengali director, Mr. Sen selects Nandi for his upcoming bengali film,"Parashpathar"[the magic stone] as a protagonist. Certainly, Chinu Nandi was taken aback & didn't expect this--it was too much for him. He was seen praying to God, "God, I just wanted to live...nothing much". Secondly, it was the first time that the director sent a car for him, to be picked up for shooting & then dropped to his home too. The respect that he was getting, was a little too much & the money that he got for acting in the movie, he spent some of them in renting a tonga[an open coach, pulled by horse]& travel around Kolkata with his beloved wife, & share all the memories of his life--from being the supporting actor to lead role in the film industry.
***
Sabyasachi is an eminent actor & his acting was brilliant. Just done--as we may in culinary term, so was his acting--there was rare scope of overacting.
Debashree Roy also did well, specially when she could smell that her husband, Mr. Sen doesn't love her anymore & she was trying to figure out perhaps Mr. Sen has fallen for Isabella Farkas, an Australian film-maker & producer[performed by Emma Brown]. She was going through such a trauma that she went to the shooting spot & create a mess. Her dance was just ok, though people were praising it to skies!!!
Mithun Chakravarty also did well, in his role, as it was demanded or required.Others were good too.
Now coming to the flaws in the movie--yes everything comes with a flaw....
This movie had few problems..too much & too frequent songs. I am a lover of music, but too much of it was not good...Joydeep may argue with me those are not songs, but jingles...but it was too much. They could have edited the movie well, so that it doesn't get boring. It was good that the movie was giving us glimpses of Calcutta, but it was too much, specially travelling in the tonga throughout the night & flashback of Chinu Nandi's stories.The movie was unnecessarily lengthy--& sometimes, I was getting bored!!! :(
Cinematography, as Joydeep would say, was good. Overall rating of the movie, in a scale of 5, will 3.A must watch???Depends....
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