Why OMG is totally OMG!

• A simple plot which remains centered throughout, it showcases a man questioning beliefs (rather misbeliefs) around religion in today's society. A welcome change from the usual boy-girl thing which sits at the heart of Indian cinema. 

• After long has a movie come which will make you laugh without using visual or verbal vulgarity. Its high time a lesson is learnt. Standing ovation to Parish Rawal for his work, and dialogue delivery. An absolute ZERO skin show makes it a comfortable watch in any company.

• Highlights how religious leaders have made religion one of the most prosperous professions in the country. Also conveys that such leaders thrive and rise due to people's baseless fears, and it is an addiction in the name of devotion.

• Portrays all religions alike, the teachings in each similar and equally great, and emphasizes that we are all essentially human beings first, and a certain section later. Brings forward some bitter truths to which eyes have been closed to too long now. A glass of milk poured over idols would be better used to feed the hungry. The movie says that God does not want people to spend money on him, but practice his teachings in daily life. Claims that God is not in a single place of worship, but in every human being. That God is your friend, and not your father.

• Showcases important moral values like planning against risk, fighting for your rights, and sticking to your beliefs when everyone but you has little faith in the outcome. Emphasizes that God or religion can only show you the way, the journey is still for you to make and cover.

• So much woven around an interesting court case of Man against God, what could be more innovative. 

Well, well, well. Can I say it anymore that I don't do movies at the cinema? I guess not. Box office addict or whatever, I think OMG is one of the best movies I have seen from this year and last. Loved every bit of it, in totality too.

Sridevi before English Vinglish

A chirpy starlet, who once was the heartbeat of the nation, is better known as Sridevi to one and all. Growing up in the video cassette culture, it was impossible to not love her, be it for her smile, her feminine charm or effortless dancing skills.

With English Vinglish releasing today in India, I cannot help but write about one of the most gorgeous female actors the Indian film industry saw through the 80s and 90s.

Here is a list of my favorite Sridevi movies, which I have loved through both childhood and adolescence, for her powerful roles and memorable dance performances.

• Sadma (1983) - One of the early movies with her as a protagonist, the movie will make you laugh and cry. The movie traces a path of a woman, who having lost her memory in a car accident, ends up in a brothel. Rescued by the hero, he brings her into his life wholly, falling for her, little each day. The end is ironic, when Sridevi regains her lost memory, forgetting the events during her   illness, including the hero and their relationship. Everyone I know who has seen the movie cries in the last scene. If you have by chance missed watching it, do add it to your list. Here is a lovely song from the same movie. 

•  Nagina (1986) - A purely fictional tale of a snake, who can change into a woman at will, set out to avenge her husband’s death. While you can miss the movie if you have still not happened to watch it, do catch a glimpse of the snake dance performance by Sridevi in Mai Teri Dushman. It became a rage in its time, with the fancy dress competitions in those years having at least one dress up to match it.

• Mr. India (1987) - Playing the tenant turned lady love to the film’s protagonist Mr. India, Sridevi was kids’ favorite in her Hawa Hawaiii number, and the subsequent scene. She proved her versatility playing the funny, yet warm girl to children in the movie, a young reporter who cannot stand her boss’s unreasonable working style, and the sexy diva against the hero. Did the sultry performance in Kaate nahin kat-te ye din ye raat slip out of your mind? I hope not.

• Chandni (1989) - Every marriage you went to from 1989 onwards till at least half the decade from then on had one of the girls performing to this song. A girl’s journey through the ups and downs in uniting with her love she finds at a wedding, Chandni is the best work of Sridevi, and the peak of her as a star. Just in case you were interested, some of my favorite romantic songs belong to this movie, listen to Aa meri Jaan, Tere Mere Hontho pe, and Lagi aaj saawan ki.

• Chaalbaaz (1989) - Playing separated at birth twins, Sridevi acted in her first double role, one as a docile, sweet girl and the other as a chirpy, brave girl who lives life on her own terms. Things get funny when they end up living each other’s lives by a strange twist of so Bollywood fate. She won her first best actress award from the Hindi cinema for her performance in this role, where she looks truly adorable.

• Lamhe (1993) – This is the last superhit Sridevi gave her audience before taking a break from Cinema to tend to her personal life. Sridevi plays a teenager, whose world revolves around the person she has loved since her early childhood days, a man much senior to her. Unaware that the same man had once loved her mother, her world changes once she steps on that truth. Not a movie anyone can miss, a very simple storyline, and excellent performances by all its stars. Also known for its music, “Kabhi main kahoon” from this movie is one of my favorite romantic duets.

Blunders to avoid during sale

• Not trying things on because of rush. Even at half price, fit is what matters the most in the outfit.

• Buying too many things from the same store. In my experience, at least half of it will remain forever folded (or hung)

• Picking fashion items which may not be in trend the next season. You of course cannot wear those animal print tights to the gym too. 

• Hoarding stuff you would not otherwise buy. Trust me, with the rising real estate prices, space is of essence.

• Not checking the item for defects. Many stores will try and sell away their junk in Sale baskets.

• Buying stuff which may fit you someday. The only day to know is today.

Spot turbulent times at work early

• Decreased work responsibility, like your individual responsibilities being split between your immediate seniors and juniors, should indicate that you are not adding any value

• Withdrawal of employee benefits like company provided transport, medical cover limits etc. hint trouble

• Sudden downsizing in the team size, specially letting go of contractual workforce

• Frozen hiring, specially if it is the hiring season is On

• All-travel-on-hold, unless approved by all up-line managers until one below the CEO. ;)

• Resource shrink, be it hardware, software and even simpler things like coffee, food, stationary

Make your drive fuel effecient

With the ever increasing fuel prices, many people have moved towards public transportation. And then, there are some (like me) who cannot bear to stand for the two hours of work commute that the Delhi Metro takes from Delhi to any of the organizations in NCR, nor can I line up to get my car fueled with CNG every alternate day. Need I mention, the nearest CNG station from my home is six kilometers away (~3 miles), and there is none on my way to work. (are the authorities listening?!) So I looked up the internet, discussed the topic with people who have been driving for over a decade, and came up with this list to drive fuel efficiently.  Hopefully, it may help you, the way it has helped me. Putting all these ideas to practice, I managed to extend my tank full from five to seven days - ain't that so cool. (Saving of about 600 INR in my world!!)

• Fuel your car en-route on your trips instead of making separate fueling trips

• Switch off the ignition on a signal greater than sixty seconds or in a traffic jam

• Try to maintain a constant driving speed

• A manual weather check (by poking your hand outside) may help you decide whether you Really need conditioning

• Up and tight tires get a better average (miles or kilometers per liter) for your car - get a weekly air check and a monthly wheel alignment done 

• Drive at the prescribed gear for each speed - referring your car manual is a good idea, though usually its first until 10, second until 20 and so on.

Happy Birthday, Bapu!

• You must be the change you wish to see in the world.   

• Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is the truth.

• An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.

• Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.
  

• First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.

• A 'No' uttered from the deepest conviction is better than a 'Yes' merely uttered to please, or worse, to avoid trouble.

Tomorrow, October 2nd is Gandhi Jayanti in India. Some names are so great that they evoke respect at the mere mention. Gandhiji, fondly known as Bapu is Father of our Nation. He lived as an example, practicing and professing peace and harmony at a time when the country was witnessing violence all across in the angst against the British Raj. 

Today, he is the biggest brand ambassador for my country, India. I have seen his teachings at numerous places in my visits outside the country.

I dedicate this post to him today. Happy Birthday, Bapu!

Organize your Closet

• Section out your wardrobe by categories like tops, bottoms and dresses or color coded from light colors to dark ones.

•  Place those clothing categories in order by the season. Now for the fall, put your cardigans and pullovers to the front and your shorts and rompers in the back.

• Make good use of any shelf space by  keeping your shoe boxes and labeling each box with the image of the shoe inside. This way, you can see what's inside each box, and boxes are much more easiy to stack than shoes by themselves.

• Take your bags and purses off the shelves (or floor) and hang them on the closet walls to utilize the space in the best way.

• Use a small dresser or Ikea type storage for clothes that don't need to be hanged, like undergarments, socks, etc.

• Donate or throw out any clothing items that you haven't worn in the past six months to clear out the closet clutter.

Today is the guest post day, and today's was brought to you by Cheryl of Oh to Be a Muse, a fashion and style blogger who focuses on inspiring style.

A very warm welcome to you, Cheryl. You are my first friend from the blogosphere. 

Ain't a new blog world friend the most wonderful gift I could have got on the first month birthday of AllThingsSixx. :)