Better to be haunted by defeat than by guilt!

Nothing in life always ends with a success. Often we are defeated. Sometimes by our opponents. Sometimes by ourselves. Sometimes by our own people. Sometimes by the situations. Whatever is the reason for our defeat, whoever may have caused it, there is a significant level of satisfaction in gracefully accepting the defeat, as the given moment cannot be anything else than how it is for now.

No doubt that defeats hurt. Some defeats even haunt. What could have been done differently would keep coming to our mind, day in day out. As much as we would like to keep such thoughts away, as much comes around every now and then. When we accept the defeat, getting haunted by a defeat might not weak us emotionally. But if we fail to accept the defeat, it  haunts rigorously, and at times to death!

Whatever is the level of haunting a defeat does, it's always far better to be haunted by a defeat than by guilt. Especially by the guilt of a kind, that has saved us from a defeat, yet from within, in our every breath, we know the foul-play we have been involved in, to win. While winning makes us happy, winning by foul-play cannot. Never it can. It hurts, intensity of which is much more than that of the pleasantness a win can bring to us!

Fair-play or for that matter foul-play is an attitude, nurtured by the culture around. When the play is not taken for granted, fair-play generally precedes the foul-play. However, if the play is taken for granted and if also the culture around is such that one wants to win every time by any means, foul-play takes the lead. As time passes by, it touches more and more players and one day, we may wake up to realize that the spirit of the play is lost once for all. From that day onwards, it could take ages to first clean up the attitudes of players and then to restore the fair-play attitude.

As the Cricket Australia goes through this phase of restoring the lost attitude in few of its players, I wish them all the best to come out well as quick as they can. Its disheartening to see the once dominated team to undergo mishaps. Everything is part of the play, and I hope the play will be restored in its true spirits, very soon. As much the involved-players are responsible, as much is the responsibility of CA in this whole thing. Everyone known nothing has happened in a blink of any eye or on a bad-lighted day! It's been happening in some or the other way since a few years now. There have been enough indications of this coming! What happened has happened and what to come is of prime importance, not just for CA but also for the entire cricket fraternity. Looking forward for the clean-up to happen soon!

Film: Padmaavat

Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali

I could not watch this yet another colorfully-fabulous piece from Sanjay Leela Bhansali in theatre. And I thought a movie like this should only be watched in either a theater or in at least a HD print. Awaiting its official release in Amazon prime tomorrow, 27th March. Having said that I must confess I have watched a cracked-version of the movie of late, failing to continue to resist the temptation to watch the movie. Nonetheless, will watch its HD version in Amazon prime with all my senses wide open in a day's time! 

Times that I cannot make it to theater make me think why the movies shall release in theaters only and why not over DTH (Direct to home). Reason being the commercials, I hope the film makers soon find a way out to reach out to the maximum audience through DTH, while making enough money too! 

After going through the never-before criticism for an Indian film before its release, the way the magnum-opus from Bhansali has gained the critical acclaim post its release is commendable and truly inspiring. Post its release, it made everyone realize about the level of 'baseless' rebuking certain films go through. Karni Sena had no option but to put a full-stop to the protests after they themselves watching the movie and also when the global audience welcomed the film with a green-carpet. I cannot praise the cast and crew of the movie for handling the protests in a decent manner, despite of the protests seeing the worst of the sides! No wonder if the leading lady of the film, Deepika Padukone, had wet eyes post the film's release. Truly touching it is. 

I appreciate how some artists go with all hearts to portray certain roles. When I learnt that Ranveer Singh, who played the role of the feroscious Khilji in the film, had locked himself in a room without meeting anyone, talking to anyone for a few days, I relaised what some of the artists give to the art. Its indeed a give-back! His commendable performance as Allauddin Khilji is one of the best of its kind in the recent times not just in Bollywood but in Indian cinema. He deserves all the applauds. It will be too early and unfair to talk about awards in the first quarter of the year. However, Ranveer Singh has stolen a nomination in whichever the category his role will be considered under. 

I think both Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor did not get as many chances to perform, but they indeed got a handful of frames to look beautiful, romantic and well-determined Rajputs. The film is a true tribute to the Rajputs' heroics, of men by not letting the enemy win easily, and by women not letting themselves get surrendered to the enemy given the circumstances and the times they lived in. Jauhar scenes couldn't have been any better, full credit to the direction department. Enough debate has happened about depicting the Jauhar. I appreciate the director's efforts to potray one of the bold decisions taken by a queen in the time she lived in and the other women who followed her without a second thought. History is a great teacher; we can only learn from it. None of us are qualified enough to judge history or the historic decisions taken by the people lived in those times. We do not know what lead what, given the circumstances back then and hence its wise to just know it and learn from it, whatever that can positively impact the human evolution process. 

The film is a must watch for both history and film lovers. More movies like these must be produced in the times to come. Looking forward to watch many more master pieces from the one and only Bhansali.

Film: Bhaagamathie

Director: G.Ashok

For a script which is as brilliant as that of "Bhaagamathie", as brilliant cast and crew as Anushka Shetty, G. Ashok, S. Thaman, Ravinder Reddy, UV creations banner etc are the best suited and justified. No wonder the producers and the director have waited for Anuskha's dates for as long as five years! Mesmerizingly beautiful and power-packed performance given by her in every frame. Portrayal of the title character could only be handled by the genre of Anushka in the current generation of actresses, if I may say so. 

While Anushka's performance as an IAS officer is gracious, her act as a helpless woman stuck in a haunting bungalow is jewel-like. In the end when the twist is unfolded, there comes the scene which is the best of the movie, with absolutely brilliant expressions and portrayal. 

Supporting cast did a fantastic job too,  most of the credit of which is easily taken away by the flamboyant script.

Watch this movie with and without volume and you will relaise the power of the back ground music. Movies like Bhaagamathie need an extra flavour in the back ground, and S. Thaman's back ground score goes far beyond and provides all those necessary flavours, without compromising at any frame. The 'Mandaana' song is a soothing one sung by yet another brilliant performer, Shreya Ghoshal. It's one of those songs that have been sung in a heart-dancing manner, in the recent times. 

The way the whole script is developed and the way the screen play is designed, hatf off to the thought process and the execution; flawless, barring the cinematic liberty used by the director in few here and there scenes. Though I personally did not like the last twist of the movie at the end, it's put in there in an entertaining manner, which lets the audience reminisce some of the crucial scenes on their way back from theatre. 

All in all, it's a brilliant execution by the crew and equally brilliant performance by Anushka Shetty. Incredible. A must watch!

The french morning - PramsPhotography #119

#2016 The Paris Airport, France

After crossing the dark time zone, the first scenes appeared were from the airs above Paris. There was a flight changeover in Paris International Airport. Known for its fashion, Paris is one of the dream destinations for many. The pinkish sunrise is one of the major attractions of the long flight journey that day. As beautiful as the fashion of Paris, the morning skies welcomed us with a zero visibility landing. Cannot forget those moments! 

The Canadian Rockies - PramsPhotography #118

#2016 The Canadian Rockies, Canada

In the December of 2016 I had visited the northern part of the United States of America. It was minus six degrees the minimum I witnessed. On our return journey from the Seattle airport, the Canadian Rockies came our way. Covered in snow, they looked stunningly beautiful and I could not put down my camera until the flight moved into the darker region. I wondered about the canals passing amidst the mountains and they looked very interesting. 

Lavasa, the lake city - PramsPhotography #117

#2017 Lavasa lake city, Maharashtra, India

A beautiful lake city which is one only one of its kind that welcomes the tourists especially in rainy season. We had visited the place in late spring yet we could witness some of the beautiful flowers nourished in the city's gardens. Some of them can be seen above. The construction of the buildings is unique in terms of the constructions generally made around the place. I've learnt that the constrictions are inspired from the German designs! 

White beauties - PramsPhotography #116

#2017 @Lavasa, Pune, Maharashtra, India

Found these white beauties in Lavasa lake city, near Pune. Centered amidst the beautiful mountains, Lavasa is a beautifully made city with multiple lake views. These white beauties were centered near one of the open auditoriums at Lavasa. They were just then watered and were dancing to the tunes of the soothing breeze. I must say about the last picture above. The shadows of the flowered in water is captured and I consider it as one of the best clicks of my hobby-career so far. 

Green beauties at night - PramsPhotography #115

#2017 @Isha Yoga center, Coimbatore, India

It was around mid night that I clicked this picture. Tamilnadu is famous for the coconut tress. They stand tall across the state and in its neighborhood. On a spring night while I was walking across the path towards the Isha Yoga Center, I ended up noticing this beautiful view on my left. The coconut trees were glittering in green and I confess that I could not capture that beauty with my lens! That scene is still fresh in my mind! 

Beach sun set - PramsPhotography #114

#2017 Sunset and the rising moon @Kashid beach, India

Sunsets are always beautiful; does not matter if it's beach or country side or from the terrace of our home. However, sunsets at beach motivate us to click the glittering waters and the setting sun which causes the same. While clicking the sunset at the Kashid beach, incidentally the moon, on it's journey to be full, is caught too! Wonderful time spent clicking these memories! 

The tree of fashion - PramsPhotography #113

#2016 @Fab India, Pune

Nice things are all around; it's matter of recognizing and making them part of our memory lane. I had been to Fab India couple of years ago. While paying the bill I had noticed this beautiful piece of art kept on the wall right behind the billing counter. Such a beautiful tree it felt, even though its not  in green! Didn't wait for a moment to click it. 

Keep exploring... Take Home #660

In life, nothing is worth to be considered as 'everything'. Life is full of possibilities and one must keep exploring to have different things to contribute for.