Cauvery - "UniteForHumanity"!

The Cauvery dispute began in the year 1892, between the Madras Presidency (under the British Raj) and the Princely state of Mysore (as Karnataka was known then) when they had to come to terms with dividing the river water between the two states. Since then, Cauvery river water has been a bone of contention between the two states with Tamil Nadu asking for it's fair share (or so it may seem from the initial agreement) and Karnataka claiming what's rightly theirs. 

There has been intervention from both the governments in what's likely to favor each of their respective states. Yet, there has been contempt of Supreme Court order in the part of Karnataka government most times. But not to judge who is right or wrong just yet. Perhaps, it's the people's welfare that these governments hold priority for (or at least we believe so). 

Karnataka does not seem to be happy with setting up Cauvery Management Board for monitoring water availability and it's use as part of the SC verdict. Also, the Union government is not comfortable with the SC verdict to form the Cauvery management board within the stipulated period. We may start to believe that the upcoming elections has its say in this but we do not know it for certain just yet. Only time will tell.

After all this protest from Tami Nadu (most of which where staged by Politicians to up their political mileage), things do not look good. But of course, with the amazing response and the support shown from Karnataka people over STR's noble idea "UniteForHumanity", we may well hope for a better resolution. Indeed, it's love and humanity that helps us all survive. Let's just hope! :)

Let's hope for more rain. Let's hope for farmers' lives to get better. For if that happens, ours will be better too!

- DC

P.S. Time we started looking at options to save water. Be it at home or elsewhere Let's not waste water. Let's try rain water harvesting. Let's plant more tress. Let's plea to state government and concerned authorities to streamline drain passage and come up with a fool proof way of saving and sustaining water levels.

Viswaroopam - Worth the wait!!!

Viswaroopam puts the cinematic genius of Kamal Haasan as an actor and a director on full display. Great attention has been paid to detail. All that can be said is it's an out and out entertainer and a visual treat.

NOTE: It's anti-terrorism and not anti-Muslim!!!

We all know the legend likes experimenting more often than not and this time around he has gone for a Hollywood genre of suspense thriller and perhaps this is the first time that he looks justified in his life-long obsession with the technical flourish of Hollywood. So full marks for a job well done. An effeminate Kathak dance teacher, a Tamil Jihadi fighting the NATO forces in Afghanistan, an authoritative Indian spy. He does each of these characters in his unique way and pulls it off so well. The star for his age is still enterprising and raring to go, certainly giving all the young heroes a run for their money, be it performance or stunts. The result is a pulsating thriller, which doesn’t have the usual filmy twists or punch-lines, but is packed with high powered live action, convincing combat sequences, original military hardware, impressive technical prowess. A real treat for fans.  

The highlights of the movie are the production values and the brilliance of Kamal as an actor. He looks incredibly good in the opening dance sequence and the subsequent adrenalin-pumping action. The ease with which he transforms from an effeminate man to a fiery combatant is awesome. Given at one point in the film, the female lead asks Kamal if he is a good guy or a bad guy!!! Yup, the famous line from Nayagan. Though this time around it invokes an answer, he says he is both good and evil as we would get to see in the film. 

There aren't any scenes except for the Quran reading before the killings that might possibly offend  Muslim community. Or I may not have realized any. Given that the movie handles terrorism, Kamal makes it specific that the baddies are not projected as Muslims but as just Al-Queda terrorist. Like he was quoted as saying in an interview, Terrorism cannot be colored in white. And that is what is being shown. 

The film ends with the baddie saying "Here I come India" and Kamal saying this only ends if either of him or the terrorist leader die suggesting a sequel. Of course the end credits confirms it "Coming soon. Vishwaroopam II". Watch out.

- DC

Check out - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2199711/

Disclaimer: Ideas shared from reviews around the net and own experience of watching

Democracy or DemoCrazy???

Democracy, Secularism, Freedom of speech!! We have all been taught of it ever since our childhood. Kids are still brought up being taught of it. And our own India very much stands symbolic to such traits. We have and always will take pride in being a republic and democratic country.

But turn of events lately has made everyone start to wonder if it is still the case now. We come across girls being arrested for their comments on social networking site over the alleged bandh reasoned for a political leader, Celebrities getting targeted every now and then over petty things, public often being reminded that freedom of speech comes at a cost, Minority stakes growing stronger and more demanding. All these at a time when common people have access to 'Rights to Information' act.

The latest such issue has been the government's ban on Vishwaroopam, a mega budget thriller from a legend who's known among millions all over the world. Ulaga Nayagan as he is deservingly called is one among a very few who has taken Indian cinema to greater heights and is still striving to give the film industry a lot more. He gets targeted more often than not. Mahanadhi had its share of opposal. So did Hey Ram, Alavandhaan, Virumaandi and Unnai Pol Oruvan.

While the initial opposal for Vishwaroopam by Muslim community was quite understandable considering the story line and filming, it is still confusing on how a ban could be posed on a movie which has been cleared by Central Board of Film Certification. And that too even before the film hit the screens. If there were any such scenes that could hurt the sentiments of the Muslim community, the film could as well be taken to the certification board again and modified with a consensus of the film maker and the opposal parties which is the ideal scenario. How does the government come into picture here? Possibilities are the opposal parties calling for governement intervention. Fair enough. The screening of the movie was hence banned on section 144 citing law and order situation. (The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPc). 144. Power to issue order in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger.) First time ever, a tamil movie got screened everywhere on earth except TamilNadu.

On Jan 30, after much developments, a High Court Justice lifted the ban with Mr.Kamal agreeing to demands of the Muslim brothers for editing offensive scenes from the movie. However, soon after, the government challenged against this and eventually restored the ban. Appealing against court orders by involved parties are quite common but what could be the reason for the government's hasty approach? Talks are spreading that this could be the effect of Mr. Kamal's denial of TV rights for the film to a private channel and his favourable voice for P. Chidambaram for Presidential race. More such reasons are anybody's guess. First screening of the movie were stopped half way much to the dismay of fans. Theatres that screened the movie got attacked by unknown gang. Dissappointed fans went on protests. Good times for media though, cashing in on the high TRP ratings. We, ardent fans of Kamal and his movies are still waiting to get to see the film.

- DC