Movie Review - Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

Watched " Bhaag Milkha Bhaag " - It is a biopic on one of the greatest athletes of India - Milkha Singh aka Flying Sikh. A story of grit, determination, perseverance and sheer will power to excel. It is about a person who went through the haunting past of the India - Pakistan partition, poverty, being a vagabond, losing an Olympics medal by the fraction of a second to being India's Ace runner, a world record holder and a recipient of the Padmashri award. Milkha Singh's character seems to be tailor made for Farhan Akhtar. You just can imagine anyone else in that role. The attitude, looks, mannerisms, body language is just perfect. Farhan could surely be Bollywood's next perfectionist after Aamir Khan. Sonam Kapoor's performance is worth the Rs 11 that she took as her fee. Cricketer Yuvraj Singh's father Yograj Singh as Milkha's Team India coach, Pawan Malhotra as the Army coach, Prakashraj as Parade leader and Divya Dutta as Milkha's sister have given notable performances. The songs are hummable too. The nutty Sardar with his six pack body will win your heart. The movie is 3 hours 8 minutes long and go for it only if you like biopics or offbeat movies. One of the best biopics to be made in recent years and it definitely puts Farhan Akhtar in the race for the Best Actor award this year.

Kalsubai trek - Jun 2013

Blown away by the wind at the highest point in Maharashtra. Trekked to Kalsubai last Sunday with Trek O King and included 120 + trekkers and 4 wild ones from Goa. I would have loved to to take the Indore route but had to be content with the Bari route. This trek has been made easy to attract more visitors while ladders have been fixed at 6-7 places where the climb is difficult. I tried to make this trek as difficult as possible for me by taking the route besides or below the ladders. But still in terms of difficulty level I would prefer Rajgad or Torana. Sorry to say but nothing gr8 to offer for the regular trekkers but watch out for the final frontier, the pinnacle that also has the Kalsubai temple. Especially in the monsoon being at the highest point with the strong wind and clouds blowing made it an awesome WOW experience. To stop yourself being swept off your feet you need to sit down holding yourself or others. The velocity could be gauged from the fact that when I stood up with my hands widespread the wind pushed me ( currently weighing 90 kgs ) to a distance of 4-5 metres until when I stopped myself and sat down. Nevertheless it was a great experience being to Kalsubai specially 4 friends from Goa made it more enjoyable and interesting. — with Prabodhini Ekawade and 3 others.

Movie Review - Ghanchakkar

Watched " Ghanchakkar " - A small budget suspense movie starring Vidya Balan and Emran Hashmi. They make for a good pair but not sure what made them accept this film. It would suit better as a tele film on TV. The script does not offer much scope for the acting skills of the lead actors. It's about a man who has a memory loss and forgets everything about a bag of money. There's nothing bad about this movie but nothing great either. Watch it only if you must.

Lohgad Trek

Trekked to Lohgad on Saturday with 5 friends. We reached Malavli station at 10 am in the morning, one station before Lonavala. An easy trek made into a difficult one as we chose the less walked path through the hills from the waterfalls next to the Bhaje Caves instead of the muddy road that takes u straight to the base. It was an amazing view of the Maval region from the top after a short climb from the base. We witnessed a huge crowd approximately 500 odd people. Some enthusiastic trekkers doing diving at Trimbak talaav which included ladies as well. The fog and rains made for an amazing ambiance. While proceeding towards Vinchu Kata I took the risk and descended a difficult rock patch alone which could have gone wrong and also ascended it on return. My tall frame does come handy in such situations. The view from Vinchu Kata or Scorpion Sting was another visual treat. And after reaching the base we thought of taking another route as we had to go to Lonavala to be able to get seats in the local. We descended towards Dudhivare Khind in the heavy rain which is about 6-7 kms and later towards the slope to Lonavala a good 4-5 kms when we decided that we had enough of walking and getting drenched in the rain and hitched a ride to Lonavala for the last 4 odd kms. We reached Pune around 10 pm with our legs paining along with other body parts and sore throats. Will definitely go down as one of the memorable treks thanks to my friends who were a part of this event namely Jayesh Shah, Sayalee Sheth Shah, Tejas Shah, Siddhesh Parekh and Nilesh Gaikwad. We rock guys ........ dats the spirit !!! — at Lohgad, Lonavala.

Movie Review - Raanjhana

Watched " Raanjhana " - An incomplete Hindu - Muslim love story (so called ) . The frail looking Kolaveri Di star Dhanush is impressive throughout, especially in the first half. This guy surely has talent. The dialogue delivery is a mismatch at times. Like always Sonam Kapoor can only giggle and show attitude. The first half is promising with well choreographed scenes, songs and dialogues. The 2nd half makes you lose your interest in the plot. Abhay Deol has a role too but nothing big about it. It would be foolish to call this a love story as there is no understanding of love between the two. It is more of a begaane shaadi mein abdulla deewaana kind of story. Watch this movie for Dhanush. Don't go by his looks and he will definitely win your heart.

Movie Review - Zapatlela -2 3D

Finally got time to watch " Zapatlela -2 3D " - It is a first sequel in Marathi cinema and the first Marathi movie in 3D. The 3D effects are a treat to watch and better than any Bollywood movie. The story and plot could have been better. Tatya Vinchu the doll possessed by an evil soul is the dude. Adinath Kothare and Sonalee make for a cute pairing. A couple of songs are hummable. All the characters have done a decent role. The suspense factor is missing unlike the first part and also a vital person is badly missed. Our very own Lakshya aka Laxmikant Berde. Any time I would prefer to watch the first part than the sequel. I makes for a good watch but don't have high expectations.

Movie Review - Fukrey

Watched " FUKREY " - A story about 4 losers who are in need of money. A north indian setting , 2 junior college students, one musician and one correspondence student. Their need for money leaves them to the mercy of a lady don called Bholi Punjaban, played by Richa Chadda of GOW- 1. There are some funny moments and overall it makes for a good watch.