Posts

Bhavesh Joshi Superhero: More Than a Superhero Film

Image
You must have definitely heard about Cockroach Janta Party. If not, are you living under a rock or what? Basically, Cockroach Janta Party was created by an Indian youth as a joke, but it gradually gained serious recognition among young people for voicing the wrongs happening in India. On similar lines, though much earlier in 2018, there was a film called Bhavesh Joshi Superhero, which triggered the same reaction in me that many people are experiencing now. And don't be fooled by its title, Bhavesh Joshi Superhero. This isn't a story about a superhero with superhuman powers who is going to kick a powerful villain's ass. Nevertheless, the film follows the framework of an underdog-rising-up story, but the amazing part is its realistic approach to societal issues and the way they are tackled without an overpowered protagonist. The plot revolves around three friends, two of whom are seriously working to address the social evils present in our society through innovati...

"Who Moved My Cheese? — And How It Moved Me"

Image
WHO MOVED MY CHEESE (PDF) I would like to get straight to the point, which is: you need to read this masterpiece, Who Moved My Cheese? It isn't a request but an order from my side to definitely read it before proceeding with this article. By the way, you can thank me later. I happened to lay my hands on this masterpiece when I was casually strolling through the library. My intention behind grabbing this book was simply to break my reading block, as it was small and the title was catchy. That's it. I didn't have any great expectations of it changing my life, although I knew it was a popular book. As I sat down and started devouring the book, it flowed like a river. I could feel the characters and metaphors coming alive. I was able to totally relate to everything in it. I came out of the library as a new person after having read the book. According to the author, the characters and metaphors in the book may vary based on each person's aspirations and desir...

The Cognitive Conundrum

Image
Hello Guys! Where to Start? A Question would be apt. When was the last time you held on to something profound, something that truly elated you, an achievement, an adventure, or an experience that genuinely made you happy and, most of all, stayed with you for some time? PAUSE your reading and think for a second. If I am right, you can't recollect many such memories, or perhaps only a handful. Now go and ask the same question to your parents or grandparents; they'd have a plethora of such memories, and our grandparents, even with their weak memory power, have their stories on the tip of their tongue, ready to narrate. Before addressing the issue here, let us travel a few years back in time - the 1980s & 1990s. What did people our age do back then? Play, listen to the radio, play, read books, play. Now the 2000s & 2010 the priorities changed. Well, the playtime got reduced, but people were watching TV more, and in this era, we saw the inception of smartphones and, apparent...

THE MONK AND THE GUN: A PURSUIT WITHIN A PURSUIT

Image
What if you met a monk who was in pursuit of a gun? Yes, you read that right — a gun. Even the thought of it sounds absurd. Yet, the film, 'The Monk and the Gun' follows a monk who is indeed searching for one, while weaving together stories tied to a real chapter in Bhutan’s history. Before I go any further, I strongly recommend that you watch 'The Monk and the Gun' if you haven’t already. Otherwise, no problem — keep reading and rob yourself of the joy of experiencing a pure masterpiece firsthand. “What is democracy?” If you had asked the people of Bhutan that question before 2006, they probably would have stared at you blankly, wondering what nonsense you were talking about. Having lived under a monarchy for centuries, the Bhutanese were content with the rule of their king. Set during Bhutan’s transition from monarchy to democracy in 2006, the film captures a society struggling to adapt to an unfamiliar system. Some elderly villagers in the film are so dee...

What makes Movies so different from Life?

Image
What makes Movies so different from Life? Well, in movies, people actually try. In films, everything has structure. There’s a beginning, conflict, growth, and resolution. Even when it’s tragic, it means something. The struggle leads somewhere. Pain carries purpose. Characters suffer, but their suffering transforms them. Real life is messy. There’s no background score. No guaranteed payoff. Effort doesn’t always equal reward. In movies, people change because that’s the arc. They are written to evolve. They fall, they break, they learn, and they rise again. But in reality, people often stay stuck. They avoid, they numb out, they repeat patterns. Growth is slow and optional. Sometimes it doesn’t happen at all. Maybe that’s why films feel kinder. Sometimes they’re motivating. Sometimes depressing. Sometimes happy, sad, angry, but at least they make you feel something. That’s what I hold onto. They remind me that emotions still exist inside me. Because in life, people have som...

For The Pessimist Inside Everyone: A Verse

Image
Sometimes, Or maybe most times, There's always a wind Blowing in the opposite direction, Blowing in directions Meant to make you stumble, Meant to push you off course, But, oh, dear survivors Of this cruel, tainted, unforgiving world, There's always a wind, The road is always filled with potholes, This destination you wish to reach, The road to that destination Is a cruel and taunting one. Every step you take Is a lesson learnt, Every thorn you step on Is an experience to know the pain, Pain that makes you wiser, This world is full of pain and agony, But only if you choose to look it that way, Why not see this pain As the efforts of the universe To make you stronger and better? Why not see this agony As the push the universe is giving To make you move forward with strength? Oh, dear survivors of this unfair world, They say the people Who love you the most Hurt you the most; So, if you think life is cruel, And that the universe is cruel, Just know that you are a special child In...

Republic Day Nostalgia: March Back to Childhood

Image
        26th Jan, every year, as I near the date, a sudden surge of patriotism fills my chest. My heart yearns for the drill ceremony at the Red Fort, but my soul always travels back to those days. When I was a kid… Those were the most beautiful days of my childhood. I was an army brat, so I caught the patriotic fever early on. Every 26th January excited me more than any festival. On that particular day, I used to wake up by myself and get ready. Getting ready was a meticulous task back then I had to make sure my uniform was perfect: the shirt, pants, shoes, and tie. After checking them all came the major task of the day pinning the tiny flag to my chest (I'm a kid so my mom does it for me). Then I used to grab a flag and go to school, waving goodbye to mom and dad while thinking about the toffees. As soon as we reached school, we got ready for the dance performance, while the nerds prepped for their long speeches. As the ceremony kicked off with the arrival of th...