Why are Rajputs opposing Jodha Akbar

http://www.saharasamay.com/samayhtml/articles.aspx?newsid=93683 The above news story created a flutter few days back. Rajputs are suppossed to be angry about distortion of historical facts in the film Jodha Akbar. They want to stall the rlease of the film. At the rate people are opposing such trivial issues like a movie, I wonder if we should get the censor board to screen all the proposals that are turned into the film. This is totally, completely, utterly bizzare, Jodha Akbar is not about history. It is most likely an artists impression of facts. I think Rajputs who oppose Jodha Akbar should dig wells in the desert rather than create a fuss over a movie which would be forgotten after it completes its run on the box office.

जोधा Akbar: History is boring.

Bollywood is typically averse to historicals. Shear economics of providing reasonable production value to a project is a massive deterrant. Moreover, there is a strong view amongst filmmakers that Indians are more interested in mythologies than histories. History is boring. In last ten years I can remember of only one historical attempted by any hindi filmmaker -- ASOKA. The only reason this movie actually got made is Shahrukh Khan. In spite of his blockbuster successes, the superstar had been criticised for his lack of versatility and inane performances. ASOKA was his gateway to eternity. Santosh Sivan sold the story of ASOKA, the lover and peace-maker, with greta conviction. What audiences got to see was a lopsided story of a pansy king, strutting coyishly in a carnival in Rio. We don't like our kings chasing dumb-belles outdoors. We would much rather have them fighting tame adversaries, astride their elephants. Unfortunately, Shahrukh and Santosh Shivan were too keen on romance than history. The audiences welcomed the movie with a quiet no--there was not a soul (dead or alive) in the theaters after the first few shows. With the baggage of such a disappoiting precedent, here comes Ashotosh Gowarikar with his Magnum Opus Jodha . Promos look good. After the success of Lagaan, Ashutosh's movies have always been able to create decent buzz. Music has played some role in creating hype. Remember, Swadesh. Rehman was at top of his game. This time around, the soundtrack of Jodha Akbar hasn't really set the market on fire. Feel of the music is in sync with the theme but it lacks the zing. In this one, Ashwarya Rai looks exquisite, but Hritik looks a tad out of place. I am not sure if he would be able top pull it off in Jodha Akbar. I just pray the movie is as good as it promises to be. Jodha Akbar is significant, because ashutosh is making it. If the film succeeds, it will pave way for historicals in bollywood.

Jodha Akbar Songs

The songs of Jodha Akbar are unique and fresh for a period film. Music Director A.R. Rahman has done justice to the songs and lyricist Javed Akhtar has penned lyrics apt to the period. As he had said at the launch of the film's music, the words must seem of the Mughal era but they should also be understaood by the masses of today. With all the remix beats and disco numbers, it might be difficult for the music to strike a cord with the public, it however will appeal to people who like classical based music. "Khwaja Mere Khawaja," sung by A.R Rahman has a Sufi appeal, and can be identified with similar numbers in the past like "Piya Haji Ali." "Azeemo-O-Shaan" is another good number with strong beats or rather battle beats and then in between celebration and praise of Akbar. Sounds cool. Melody wise "Jashn-E-Bahar" is nice and soothing. The lyrics of all the songs are a mix of Urdu and a bit rajasthani-UP dialect. Instrumental versions of songs have also been added to the album. Overall a good one. It will be worth the wait to see their picturisation on the big screen.

Amazing stills from Jodha Akbar

These stills give a prewiew of Ashutosh Govarikar's magnus opus. The trailers on T.V somehow don't capture the grandeur.

$2,500 car: Where to drive & Where to Park?

Tata Nano has surely been welcomed with eager bear hugs. Ordinary man walking down the street would like to change the way he travels. Industry bigwigs have hailed it as nothing short of a revolution. Still, skeptics have turned their back on this marvel from TATA's. There are some basic questions that have to be answered before 'people's car' begins to zip across town. Where the hell are we going to drive? Where's the parking space? Accordingt o consercative estimates Tatas must sell at least 300,00 cars per annum. No car in India has sold as many units. 500,000 units is what make this 'people's car' profitable. Let's imagine that tat's actually sell close to 250,000 Nanos a year. How is it going to change the way we drive in next five years? Our metropolises are bursting at seams. Traffic movement is slowing down. Moreover, there is no space for parking. In next ten years, the number of private vehicles on Indian roads will increase manifolds. Thanks to NANO! Are we ready for this deluge? I don't think so. It takes me about 60 minutes to travel less than 21 kilometers in mumbai. What's going to happen in next 10-15 years? 10 kilometers an hour. Quiet possible. India's economic growth is increasingly leaving people with more disposable income. You can't stop people from spending that money. They will buy cars, NANO looks a very good product. Is the government doing enough. Is the infrastructure in India ready to handle this torture. Not quiet. This is high time. Indian government creats a long term plan. Planning ahead is the only solution. Plan which takes into account possibilities for next 150 years. It's simply not about building roads. Public transport, creating spaces in the cities, creating satelling cities, distribution of revenue generating businesses across larger areas, strengthening smaller metroplitan cities etc. Let's stop worrying about planet earth. At the rate we are destroying nature in the name of development we're doomed for sure. I have started building an ark, and hoarding life saving stuff. Let's raise the toast to NANO.

Tata Nano: Best small car?

TATA Nano: 1 Lakh Car Source: The Times of India 10, Jan, 2008 Dimensions: 3.1 metres (10.23 feet) long, 1.5 metres wide and 1.6 metres high. Can seat four to five people. Engine: A two cylinder 623 cc, 33 horsepower rear mounted, all aluminium, multi-point fuel injection petrol engine can power the car to top speeds of 105 kilometres per hour (65 miles per hour). Fuel Efficiency: 20 kilometres per litre, or 50 miles per gallon is claimed. Pollution: Exceeds Indian regulatory requirements and can meet strict Euro IV emission standards. In terms of overall pollutants, Tata says the car is better than two-wheelers manufactured in India currently. Safety: Car exceeds current regulatory requirements with a strong passenger compartment, crumple zones, intrusion resistant doors, seat belts, strong seats and anchorage. Initial Annual Production Target: 250,000 units to rise later to 350,000. PRICE: Basic model price 100,000 rupees (2,500 dollars) plus tax and transport costs, which will bring on the road price to at least 120,000 rupees. The price of two deluxe models that will include air-conditioning and other features to be announced later. Nearest Domestic Car Rival: Maruti 800, part of Japanese-owned Suzuki Maruti stable whose base model sells for about 4,800 dollars -- nearly double the price of the Nano. Nearest International Rival: China's Chery QQ which retails for 3,600 dollars. Sales: Tata will focus on selling the car in India for the next two to three years, before eyeing Latin American and Southeast Asian markets. Market: India's car market is a huge draw because car penetration is just seven per 1,000 people, compared to 550 per 1,000 in such countries as Germany or 476 in France, according to the Society of Indian Automobiles. Company Details: Tata Motors is India's largest vehicle company with revenues of 7.2 billion dollars in 2006-2007. It is the leader in commercial vehicles, such as trucks and buses, and the second largest in passenger vehicles. There are over four million Tata vehicles on Indian roads.

1-Lakh Car

Tata Nano was launched today. Mr. Rata Tata drove in to uncover one of Indian auto industry's best kept secrets in recent times. There has been a lot of hype around the lanunch of this car, and justifiably so. Standards of living have been raised; why should only the rich have all the fun.

However, I am not too excited. I am a lazy person. I drive a bike these days but ... it is more of a avoidable necassity.

Environmentalists are worried. More cars means, more fuel consumption, and more pollution. I don't think we should worry too much about depletion of natural resources or the harm we are causing to the environment.

Let's worry about how we are going to fit in an AC inside a one-Lakh car!