Infostretch House: The Glass Round Building On Rajpath Rangoli Road Is A Landmark Of Ahmedabad.
After Calling It Our Home For More Than A Decade, We Finally Say Goodbye To The Lovely Workplace. Emotional Day For Infoneers – Especially Ones Who Were Involved From Day One – People Like Me, Ayush, Kalpana, Vipul & Others Have Been Involved In The Making Of This Awesome Office – A House That We Literally Built Together!
Infostretch House Created Memories Of Lifetime – We Laughed, We Danced, We Fought, We Cried, We Celebrated, We Grew! It Ignited Turning Points & Unleashed Our Growth – As We Emerge Bigger & Stronger As Apexon!
Apexon Moves To A Bigger, Better & Shinier Office In Ahmedabad – Watch Out For The New Address & Pics!
Sharing Some Pics Of The Last Working Day (July 28) & Some Pics Of The Nostalgic Journey. Interestingly, One Of My Cabins Is Now A Forensic Lab
A child forces her single mother to get a father on rent for a month. She agrees to get one but strategises to bring a misfit father that the child will hate. As expected, the plan fails with the father and son getting along pretty well. Emotions emerge, love creeps in and things become complex. How do they navigate this?
A highly predictable movie with nice warm moments and weak screenplay. But it still sticks! Especially due to excellent performance by Manav Kaul – who is charming and impressive and funny! Genelia as a modern single woman and Manav as a closet romantic have a good chemistry! Zidane Braz and Gajraj Rao provide strong anchor to the movie.
Nothing extraordinary! If you are looking for a clean wholesome family entertainer, Trial Period is a good watch!
Bawaal is an interesting attempt where a couple in troubled marriage discover love over a World War 2 honeymoon trip. Arjun is a highly image-conscious and fake braggart who treats his intelligent, pretty and talented wife Nisha like a piece of dirt. Arjun invites trouble at his school job and finds a novel way to change the narrative. Nisha accompanies her and during the European trip covering Holocaust, Arjun realises his follies.
The story of a rustic uncivilised man redeemed by a brilliant and wise woman is an interesting take and explored before. The movie fails to build on a great premise. And zero marks for the attitude towards Epilepsy….
The attempt to infuse Holocaust is a brave attempt but it fails…especially dialogues like – Every relationship goes through their Auschwitz. Or reducing Hitler’s evil to greed. Expect a big roasting here for the movie!
Varun Dhawan is class apart and is the highlight of the movie. He is effortless and impressive. The supporting cast is wonderful. But Janhvi Kapoor fails to exploit the great character.
Bawaal has wonderful music and smart dialogues. Trust Dangal’s Nitesh Tiwary for a great movie but he could have done much much better!
Bawaal is a decent one time watch – Watch it for Varun Dhawan!
‘Achhi kahaniyaan woh hain jisme tark ho, jo aapko provoke karein to ask why’.
Writer of ‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron’ and Director of ‘Hazaron Khwaishein Aisi’, ‘Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin’ brings a dramatic commentary of the modern times! A strong telling of how unverified chat forwards and social media rumours trigger unrest and create destruction!
Mob Lynchings, LoveJihad, Social Media Factory, Chat App Crafted Realities, Cattle Killings, Election Build Ups, Patriarchy, Communalism, Politics Of Hate – All feature in the relatable thriller.
A political rally in Sawalpur, Rajasthan goes out of hand and rising leader Vikram Singh (Sumeet Vyas) faces the heat. His defiant and disapproving fiancee Nivi (Bhumi Pednekar) decides to run away and is saved by a NRI returned Muslim adman Rahab (Nawazuddin Siddiqui). Rahab is on his way to meet his wife’s book launch at a high society literature festival. But the trip becomes a hell of an adventure ride when he becomes the face of LoveJihad, thanks to social media alchemists.
Nawaz is very cool and shines in a very restrained and understated manner. Bhumi and T J Bhanu are the real stars – strong women who fight back, defy patriarchy, listen to their inner voice and keep the moral sanity alive. Sumeet Vyas is stellar and very convincing as suave, polished politician!
Afwaah has cliches as well as smart moments. The butcher scene and a man begging for his life are clearly drawn from one of the biggest riots of India. The Jaipur Literature festival equivalent where all high talks fizzle or the choice of animal at the end of the movie is finest sarcasm. The movie is a courageous attempt but looses grip in some portions and becomes a drag. Afwaah manages to avoid becoming a preachy sermon. But it fails to deliver the punch that was expected from such a film – blame it on the everyday newspapers that we read. Nothing shocks us anymore!
But if Afwaah makes one think of verifying the social media post before blindly forwarding, sharing and believing it, Afwaah would have done a great service to the nation and posterity!
Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai is a stellar court room drama based on the real-life trial and conviction of Asaram Bapu. The film focuses on how a morally righteous lawyer P C Solanki (Manoj Bajpayee) fights the case of young sexual harassment victim Nu Singh for a period of five years and ensures justice.
The movie depicts how self-styled ‘godman’ prey on gullible victims, how naive parents act as accidental catalysts, how goons terrorise the victims and how rich and powerful find ways to delay and distort justice. Though the movie’s end is predictable, Manoj Bajpayee’s performance and strong writing keep you engrossed.
The Shiv bhakt protagonist is brilliant as he deals with the battery of accomplished lawyers and their legal games. The chant of ‘Har Har Mahadev’ and the use of Ramayana analogy as closing statement are smartly brilliant.
Manoj Bajpayee shines with a riveting performance – not his best but even his average is above class. There is no room for anyone else in the movie – the movie’s title is clear about it! But it could be a lost opportunity to focus on the trials and tribulations of the young child and her parents.
A good watch for fans of court room drama and Manoj Bajpayee.
Modern Love Chennai is clearly the best Indian anthology of Modern Love. All the six stories are amazingly different with their innovative take on love. Beautifully written, all the stories are sensitively and emphatically presented to keep you thinking long after the end. A wonderful eclectic collection of seasoned true love!
Ninaivo Oru Paravai (Memory Is A Bird) is clearly the pick of the lot. It is the director’s version of ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’. A couple breaks up but soon one partner loses his memory and only remembers the positive sunshine of the relationship. What should the other partner do? The visuals are very dark but creatively shot. The entire look of the movie is aesthetically unique and creates a great impact. Wamiqa Gabbi is splendid!
Paravai Kootil Vaazhum Maangal (Deers That Live In A Bird’s Nest) is a radically different take on relationships. An extremely mature wife meets her husband’s new lover to discuss the new and interesting situation. She accepts her husband’s new love and never humiliates the lover as ‘other woman’. She helps the children and her adjust to the new world where all of them can co-exist beautifully. No judgements, only acceptance and understanding.
Balaji Sakthivel’s Imaigal (Blur) is a very moving tale. Young girl Devi has a very rare eye condition where she is eventually going to lose her eye-sight. Her boyfriend marries her inspite of the potential challenges. Life unfolds its obstacles as she gradually looses her eye-sight thereby causing ripples in their life. A new take on ‘Happily Ever After’.
Marghazi is a journey of adolescent romance and ephemeral encounters that uplift the spirits. Love heals!
Kaadhal Enbadhu Kannula Heart Irukkura Emoji is a story of cinephile Mallika (Ritu Varma) who searches for a perfect partner through school, college and adulthood. The larger than life world of cinema defines her love and life.
Lalagunda Bommaigal is a very very interesting tale with wacky characters – how a heart-broken and fiery young working woman finds love amidst prediction by a godman. Watch out for the ‘Jingrudha Dhanga’ song!
Music is an equally important star of the series and master Ilaiyaraaja shines with wonderful compositions. All directors have exploited the freedom to paint their shades of love on the open canvas.
Recommended Reading: Energy & Enthusiasm Accelerate The Journey To Achieving Personal & Professional Goals. A Wonderful HBR Article That Reiterates Timeless Principles For Ensuring All-Round Success & Happiness!
Reflections: Get The Big Picture Work On Core Values Develop Rituals Energy – Body, Emotion, Mind, Spirit
Practical Tips: Focus For 2-3 Hours & Take A Break For 15-20 Minutes Walk & Talk Sleep Well Eat Well Exercise Regularly
Sushri Dhirubahen Patel : A compassionate soul who spread love, warmth, positivity and sunshine.
A literary legend, film writer, play writer, a Gandhian, translator, Gujaratilexicon and Bhagwadgomandal’s inspirational advisor, Gujarati Sahitya Parishad president, Gujarat Vishwakosh Trust’s key figure – she had many identities and she excelled in her role. Ketan Mehta’s famous Bhavni Bhavai was based on her book. She has created a rich body of Gujarati work and won several awards including Sahitya Academy Award. Dhirubahen Patel’s demise is a big loss for the Gujarat and Gujarati world.
I was one of the lucky ones to be blessed by her divine company. Gujaratilexicon was instrumental in our introductions in Bombay and we worked on several projects. Her energy, her drive and her commitment to ensure a successful outcome for our projects was inspirational. Dhirubahen launched our landmark project Gujaratilexicon with her blessings in Jan 2006. The next work Digital Bhagwadogmandal was executed in a record 11 months and Dhirubahen launched it in Jan 2009. I fondly remember the interactions in Bombay, at her Santacruz home and trips to Rati Kaka’s house and our home.
Over the years, we developed a strong bond and I and Komal were amazed by her briliance as well as simplicty. We relished her stories and anecdotes from her rich life – her interaction with Mahatma Gandhi, interesting events, interactions with film directors. Her wise counsel, warm interactions, maternal affection and pure unlimited love is something that I will miss forever. Komal and Dhirubahen spent a lot of time together recently and we cherish these moments.
My final interaction with her was equally enlightening, She asked us to avoid serious talks. We agreed for quick QnA.
What’s the fist thing you want to work on?
Premium Gujarati Magazine
What’s happiness?
Living life thoroughly – Maximize every moment!
What’s purpose of the life?
Shrikhand (She loved it – A foodie at heart!)
Do you believe in heaven?
Heaven is here. Hell is here.
Dhirubahen Patel – A life lived well. A life to celebrate. A spiritual soul.
Dhuribahen – Rest in peace! Om Shanti Om Shanti Om Shanti
Southern Spice was the topic of Bollywood in 2022. Did Bollywood lose the plot to Southern entertainers? Yes and No.
Indian audience has been pampered by best of the global cinema in the last two years of Covid. The mediocrity is shunned. Template movie making is rejected.
Bollywood was indeed outclassed by Southern movies in the big budget masala category – RRR is roaring across India and making an impact at Oscars. Kantara posters are in North India. KGF2 rules. Pre-Bahubali days, no South Indian movie would last beyond a week in North. Today, they are having a golden run. Southern movies have shown that audience will return to cinema – give them worthy content!
Ponniyn Selvan 1, Yashoda, Sita Ramam and Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya He have continued the Southern supremacy. Radhe Shyam proved that audience is unforgiving.
Bollywood’s Brahmastra to Southern challenge was a mixed success – did not live to expectations. The biggest Bollywood blockbuster was also a Southern remake – Drishyam 2.
Remember 100 crore club? In 2019, 100 crore was passe, 200 crore was becoming common and 300 crore club was the new sign of success. In 2022, only a few movies hit the 100 crore club – Gangubai Kathiawadi, The Kashmir Files, Bhool Bhulaiya 2, Brahmastra and Drishyam 2. Clearly, audience is spending money wisely and Bollywood is bleeding with its self-inflicted wounds.
Shamshera, Samrat Prithviraj, Raksha Bandhan, Lala Singh Chaddha, Liger, Ram Setu, Cirkus, Jayesbhai Jordaar – Perfect examples of big names and big banners producing duds.
Bollywood did have amazing movies in 2022 as well – but they did not capture the headlines. The list is showcased below.
Gujarati Film Industry came out of age and had a steady churn of interesting movies.
Alia maintained her numero uno status with Gangubai. She was also a part of Brahmastra, Darlings and RRR. Shefali Shah rose with Salsa, Darlings and Dr G – not to forget Delhi Crime 2 and Humans.
