Psychology: Some rules for life

 

Movies: Adipurush (2023): A World-Class Superhero Movie Based On Ramayana

I watched the recently released film 'Adipurush' and loved it. This is an animation-based action film based on the Hindu epic Ramayan. It belongs to a genre which is also called "Superhero movies".  

I think there was a huge misunderstanding about this movie on social media and it has resulted in the movie not getting good viewership. First of all, it is important to know that this is not a "remake" of Ramanand Sagar's Ramayana. This is not even a traditional mythological or religious film. This is essentially for target audiences like younger generation and children who love or are used to watching Western animation and superhero films like Marvel's 'The Avengers'. One can find the animation and graphics of this movie in the league of movies like '300', 'Planet of Apes', or many Hollywood war movies. Now, the question is: is it ok to make a "Superhero movie" based on Ramayana? Why not? We have had Ramayana picture cartoons, stage performances and drama, comics, animation films, Japanese anime and what not. If Youtubers say that we can have any other type of movie based on Ramayana but just not "Superhero movie", how absurd is the idea? The beauty of Hinduism is that it allows you freedom, creativity and literary freedom. We should be proud of it. 

The makers of this movie need huge applause for raising the bar of Indian movies and making such a world-class film. 

The movie starts with a wonderful introduction and a wonderful song. Manoj Muntashir Shukla has written wonderful lyrics for this movie and great dialogues too. Few controversial dialogues quoted on social media have already been removed from the movie.   

The movie starts with Sita's abduction and ends with Ram and Sita getting united. This is not the full Ramayana story but it focuses on Sri Ram's conquest of Lanka. 

The visual effects and animation in this film are worldclass. The monkeys, apes and other things looks like straight from the Hollywood movies. Everything is very realistic. 

I am not a fan of Saif Ali Khan in general, but I find that he has done a really powerful role of Ravana. In fact, based on his powerful acting skills, this can be counted as one of his best performances. With animation and computer graphics, he has been given a larger-than-life character and he has lived up to it. Hats off to Saif. 

Prabhas as Shri Ram has also done a great job. I am again not a fan of Prabhas in general, and based on the defamation this movie was subjected to on social media, even I had started feeling that he was not the right fit for the role. But, after watching the movie, all my doubts have vanished. Prabhas has done a great role in this movie and needs huge applause. 

Kriti Sanon as Sita has played it very nicely. We get the feelings of purity, piousness and faith from her performance. Sunny Singh as Lakshman has again done a great job. 

Another important character was of Hanuman which has been played by Devdatta Nage. Again, pictures of his face and expressions were widely circulated on social media to defame the movie. But after watching the movie, I will give him 10/10. One of his first scenes in this movie is of his meeting with Shri Ram and tears flowed from my eyes during the emotional meeting scene when Shri Ram hugs Hanuman.

Given the time-limit in a movie format, the movie could not possibly show all major events and hence they have focused on a few events to elaborate. For example, there is a touching event of Shabri offering 'ber' fruits to Shri Ram. Hanuman's meeting with Ma Sita and "Lanka dahan" have also been covered well.  

Another important aspect which shows wisdom of the movie makers is that they have portrayed Ram as Raghav (his other name), Lakshman as Shesha and Hanuman as Bajrang. Sita is called Janaki here. On the other hand, the Rakshasa characters like Ravana, Indrajit or Ravana got their real name. Why did they do that? I don't know, but perhaps they did it to avoid collecting any sins if they portrayed anything negatively. 

I liked the film very much and I would recommend everyone to watch it. Ignore the social media defamation of this movie. Old people, sadhus and saints should give this movie a skip, because this is not a traditional film. But younger people, just ignore the social media trolls and go watch this movie. 

Jai Shri Ram! 

Late Deepak Varma - Obituary/Tribute

While browsing through today's Times of India newspaper (New Delhi edition), I came across the obituaries / Tributes section on page-6 and below post caught my attention. 

First, the box was in yellow and going by the looks, the man in this B&W picture looked like some industrialist, movie actor or a celebrity. There was something written above the picture in beautiful cursive writing (who sees it in print these days?). I looked at the name - Deepak Varma and could not recall anyone. The date of his demise was in 2014. And then, there was a touching poem written below it: 

It was clear that his wife wrote this poem and published this Ad in his loving memory. That was so touching. 

I searched on the internet to find any news or article about him, but I could not. And then I came across another similar Ad with another poem published by his wife (widow) here on TOI in 2016. 

It should not be, but somehow it came as a surprise that the woman would remember her husband like this and write poems about him. From the years mentioned, it was clear that 9 years have passed since his demise, and he died in an old age of 72. His wife must also be very old now. 

It is also interesting to see that she chose this picture of his for the Tributes Ad where he looked at the prime of his health and wellbeing. Even I have kept a younger-days photograph of my grandfather at my home instead of his older days photograph. Though I did not see my grandfather in his younger days (since I was not born then) and I have his older images in my memories, but I thought it won't be fair to him to keep only his old-age image alive in this manner. 

Anyways, in this world where we come across cruel and ungrateful people so often, it was wonderful to come across this couple. Let them unit in next life and beyond if those wish to. May God bless them both. 

- Rahul 

Travelogue: A Garden in Muzaffarpur, Bihar

 

- Rahul 

Travelogue: Mahadevapura Lake Park, Bangalore

 

Travelogue: Phoenix Marketcity Mall, Bangalore

 

- Rahul 

Travelogue: Bhubaneswar Airport (Biju Patnaik International Airport)

 

- Rahul Tiwary 

Travelogue: Rameshwar Mandir, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

 

- Rahul Tiwary 

Travelogue: Shatrughaneshwar Mandir, Bharateshwar Mandir, and Lakshmaneshwar Mandir, Bhubaneswar

The Shatrughaneshwar group of temples are a trio of 6th century A.D. temples built during the Sailodbhava rule, consisting of Shatrughaneshwar temple, Bharateshwar temple, and Lakshmaneshwar temple. They are located immediately opposite the Rameshwar temple in Bhubaneswar.

(C) Rahul Tiwary

Travelogue: Bhubaneswar Wall Paintings

Some wonderful wall paintings in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, capturing many aspects of life:  

- Rahul Tiwary

- Rahul 

Travelogue: Airport Road, Bhubaneswar

One of the most beautiful roads ever. And I shall not forget the solitary walk down the road on a beautiful morning. 

- Rahul 

Travelogue: Some Places in Bhubaneswar

- Rahul 
 

Pictures: MS Dhoni's CSK Win IPL 2023

 

IPL 2023 Final was pitched as Dhoni Vs Gill; where extremely talented batsman Shubman Gill of Gujarat Titans was at the peak of his performance and MS Dhoni was playing as world's best Cricket Captain. It was old Vs young; experience Vs power; and news headlines in all major newspapers told how new blood was expected to deny old champion Dhoni a chance to win supposedly his last IPL. During the final match, in an ironical moment worthy of a movie script, Dhoni stumped out Shubman Gill in the Finals at only 39! What were the chances of Dhoni Vs Gill turning out to be exactly literal? And for this stumping, Dhoni was hailed for his exceptionally short reaction time, which was a saving grace since he disappointed with bat during the final. 

Ravindra Jadeja did a miracle by hitting 6 + 4 in last 2 balls of the CSK innings to win the match. Shivam Dube who had two consecutive Sixes in second last over, played an instrumental role in the this IPL too. Looking at Shivam Dube's power hitting and his ability to hit Sixes (Dube hit maximum Sixes for CSK and only one less than Faf Du Plessis who was in tremendous form), I have become his huge fan. 

Gossip channels were after Dhoni and Jadeja, writing conspiracy stories about a rift between these two. But gods of Cricket showed unique bonding where Dhoni picked up Jadeja in his arms after the match was over

MS Dhoni rarely shows emotions; but this was an exceptional time. Dhoni showing gratefulness to Ravindra Jadeja for winning the final match for CSK

Dhoni in post-match interview

Hardik Pandya showing his heart made of gold by appreciating rival captain Dhoni

"Those were the best of the times": Dhoni with Rayudu and Jadeja

MS Dhoni receiving an award from the Tatas

CSK: The Ultimate Champions! 

Team CSK with IPL 2023 Trophy  

CSK team members celebrating with the trophy while MS Dhoni stands in the background; don't know if this was planned or impromptu. Dhoni is known for skipping the highlights after winning any tournament

Future generation: Daughters of some of the CSK players enjoying with the team 

Dhoni Family 

Ravindra Jadeja picked up Dhoni's daughter Ziva

Sea of crowds come out of Narendra Modi Stadium after the final match. Note that a large number of CSK supporters are seen in yellow jersey 

Poster of Tata IPL 2023 Champs! 

I think the best thing about IPL is not the game or the trophy but how it allows us to witness genuine display of players' individual characters, their struggles, their grit, the ups and downs during the tournament, and how the best team and players come out on the top by the end. It is more interesting and honest than any piece of fiction; and until great players will be on the field, IPL will keep reaching greater glories every year! 

- Rahul