A Conversation with Om Puri

Great actor wasted on stereotypical dominant Pakistani father roles. Despite the humor of ``East is East,`` and the shock value of ``My Son the Fanatic,`` both movies were huge exaggerations of Pakistani families.

Saniya,

I`m still pushing re-unification in the form of an economic community between India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka & Bangladesh. The vegetable seller in Southhall agrees with me.

Do convey if possible to Mr. Om Puri that we`re all brothers and sisters, though divided by history.

Rgds.

Zeemax

Om Puri is a very good artist. One should watch his old Punjabi movies like Chan Pardesi and Long Da lashkara and many hindi art movies of 10-20 years ago. Unfortunately these movies did not get cited in this interview.

I watched a new movie Zubeida by Shyam Benegal and was very disappointed. Good hindi movies have been rare these days.

Zeemax: Good to see you back. At this stage actually India may not be intersested in any form of economic union with poorly performing economies otherwise they could have had economic union with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal excluding Pakistan. Pakistan was more interested in economic union with Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics but without Iran and Turkey, it will be a poor man`s club. Besides, Central Asian republics are not happy with Pakistan due to Afghanistan policy. Pakistan has to come out of economic doldrums before any country, corporation or individual investors will consider dealing with it. At this stage, a normal relationship will be no less than a miracle.

India is more interested in India, BD more interested in BD, Sri Lanka more interested in Sri Lanka and Pakistan is more interested in Islam than Pakistan. Pakistan has to be interested in Pakistan much more than other things. Only then a possibility of economic relations of some form possible with India, which has to be preceded by a very cordially relationship between two Punjabs. Otherwise it will not work!!!!

Om Puri is one great actor.
Loved ``Fanatic`` but did not care much for
``East is East``.

Ras

If it were not for Om Puris, Zeemaxs, Sameers, Illiyas Ghummans, Asif Shahkars, and aah my maama Afzal Randhawa(Does anyone know of the last three?).....I would have let go of Pakistan and India to the reham of Jihadis and ``Phasaadis``@TM(TradeMark of DB:-)). but..but..

the wisdom of sabziwala!!!...he is so right.

I wish you had asked Om Puri why he chooses to act as a close-minded Pakistani whose ugly temper and foul language match Mr. Puri`s ugly face. I have seen two of his movies where he acted as a Pakistani, and after both I regretted spending the time and money to watch this guy. I think the films he has acted in are vastly over-rated by the Western critics and unduly praised by Pakistani movie-goers.

Sameer,

[Only then a possibility of economic relations of some form possible with India, which has to be preceded by a very cordially relationship between two Punjabs. Otherwise it will not work!!!! ]

Check out Jasveer Bhaji`s site on www.sadapunjab.com

Provides the answer to you question.

Rgds

Sameer,

Where`s A Gnostic ? Are you in touch with him ?

REPORT CARD: HINDUSTANI PERFORMANCE IN KASHMIR IN YEAR 2000

Following is the report card representing the performance of Hindu-stani Government in Kashmir for the year 2000. I take this moment to make an appeal to all the good people with good conscience in the world to voice against this genocide of Kashmiri people. I would also request all decent Hindus to act and stop the rabid actions of their government. It is just a matter of time when all of those who committed atrocities will be dragged in front of International Court of Justice. But before that they will have to answer to the Kashmiri people. Now that when practically each and every household has suffered at the hands of rabid Hindus, it is time that all of those with live conscience should wake up. The time to act is now:

Report Card for year 2000:

Kashmiris who gave their lives for their motherland
3401 (ave. 283/mo)

Deaths/Shahadats in Army/Police Custody
363 (30/mo)

Wounded
3844 (320/mo)

Arrested
3058 (254/mo)

Rapes by Hindu Army and police
281 (23/ mo)

Property Damaged (number)
1604 (133/mo)

A month by month breakdown is available at following site:

http://www.jang-group.com/jang/index.html

I would request all people with live conscience who value human life, to forward this link and the figures to your human rights organization.

Thank you.

Why go after hand-to-mouth FP staff when we could all go after these Punjabis! I am so jealous :)

http://www.india-today.com/itoday/20010205/business.shtml

BUSINESS: LUDHIANA

Puppy Paradise

Lifestyles in Punjab`s richest city could put big spenders in the country`s metros to shame

By Malini Goyal



PARTY TIME: The Bectors, Cremica Agro-Foods

The Bector family loves to party, as do their peers in the city. It is normal to spend up to Rs 25 lakh on one bash.

This was no royal wedding. But preparations were no less grand. A stadium for the milni ceremony; 35 Cielo cars lined up to be given away as gifts; flowers worth a couple of lakhs flown in for decoration; Kumar Sanu performing. Mumbai would have stopped for such a wedding. Delhi`s jaws would have dropped. But in Ludhiana, the marriage of Kamal Oswal-of Monte Carlo fame-was just another wedding.

The morning after. Cut to the university grounds in the city where the rich joggers foot it out. Parked outside its gates are the latest on four wheels-Pajeros, Mercs, LandCrusiers, Hondas. If jogger mobility is a barometer of a city`s wealth, then Ludhiana sure is loaded.

Rave parties, rain dances, celebrity nights, impromptu barbecues-nights are happening here, weekends full of surprises. Every festival is grand, every occasion a reason to celebrate. Party talk veers around the latest in Mercs and BMWs. Call them flashy, call them show-offs. Call them hardworking men who know how to enjoy life. From driving rickshaws to running a bicycle company, Ludhiana is full of Puppies-Punjabi upwardly mobile professionals. Their enterprise has brought to Ludhiana wealth that this city is strutting.

Don`t let the potholed roads or shanties fool you. Ludhiana netted the highest number of tax assessees (1.06 lakh) under the Government`s economic criteria guidelines. It has the highest per capita cars in India. Expensive brands like Rado and Bose have many takers here. The rich here spend Rs 50-100 crore during Diwali gambling. The wealth is visible-in palatial houses and pools, jacuzzis and home theatre systems. Enough to make Citibank and ABN Amro open full-fledged branches. Children here go to Doon, Sherwood and Sanawar. Vineet Adya, scion of a hosiery exporting family, echoes the mood here: ``I do not believe in stacking up cash. Those who don`t spend don`t have a heart.`` Adya himself is fond of cars and his latest acquisition is an S-class Merc.



REVVING IT UP

VINEET ADYA, RB Knit With a BMW and an S-Class Mercedes, Adya is not out of place in a city crawling with over 200 imported luxury cars

While in terms of wealth, Ludhiana is comparable to many other cities, it is the free-spending nature of its people that sets it apart. Says S.P. Oswal, chairman of the Rs 1,800-crore Vardhman Group: ``Punjabis are by nature ostentatious and show off more than what they may have.`` Says Ajay Bector of Cremica Agro Foods, a confectionery company: ``There is a race to be better than others.`` From the most talked about party to the most expensive dress, their mind constantly wanders to achieve such superlatives. So you have Jagjit Singh-beating Daler Mehndi night, a Mercedes one-upping the Lancer in this never-ending game.

Wonder where all this money comes from? Ludhiana has taken advantage of liberalisation. As the economy gathered speed, Ludhiana followed in its slipstream and has been ramping up its industrial capacity. The city has traditionally been a hub of industrial activity with textile mills, hosiery plants, bicycle and auto-ancillary companies. It produces over 80 per cent of India`s acrylic fibres, 65-70 per cent of its bicycles and components and 90 per cent of domestic winter wear. There are as many as 42,247 small-scale industries and 160 big industries (investment above Rs 1 crore) employing over 3.2 lakh workers.

There are other reasons for Ludhiana`s prosperity-some geographical, others strategic. Just five hours from Delhi, it provides all the basic ingredients for industry to grow and flourish. The city has ample raw materials, enough migrant workers and virtually no labour problem. Moreover, when terrorism took a heavy toll of business in places like Amritsar, many successful businessmen shifted base to Ludhiana.

``There is genuine entrepreneurship coupled with opportunity,`` says Oswal. Hardworking people who are risk taking, receptive to new ideas and who are ready to learn and adapt make all the difference. Then there is the cluster advantage-one industry feeding another. A hosiery unit needs raw materials like fabric, wool, buttons, chains, spinning yarns and so on. ``You are not alone. You have a group progressing with you,`` says Jaswinder Bhogal of the Bhogal Group that manufactures bicycles. When the Bhogals got into bicycle manufacturing, their relatives set up bicycle component units. ``Punjabis have a good understanding of the Indian system,`` says Rajinder Gupta, managing director of the Rs 600-crore Trident Group.

In this self-evolving interdependent processes, businesses go boom and bust hand-in-hand. The Russian trade crisis saw scores of companies vanish overnight. But despite such setbacks, businessmen here have learnt to quickly shift track and change business with the changing times. For instance, Pran Arora of Ritesh Industries used to run a vanaspati plant but now has got into the more successful hosiery business. Gupta, who started with a small chemicals unit, today has diversified into paper, chemicals and yarn. ``The more the value addition, the more you have to play around with,`` says Gupta.

Despite flourishing businesses, most of the enterprises in Ludhiana are small and mid-level. Only a few like the Munjals, Oswals, Mittals, Bhogals and Gupta have made it big. While the Mittals` Bharti Group has shifted base to Delhi, the Munjals have shifted a major part of their business to the capital. What is it that inhibits the growth of big enterprises? One, the very nature of industry limits them. Hosiery units cater to the fast-changing fashion industry which has a high turnover. Hence, size is a big deterrent. Second, the city is not a good place to attract talent, admits Oswal.

Third, and perhaps most important, most businesses here are family-run. Professionalism is at a premium, business deals are still not transparent and prosperity has not trickled down. Migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar comprising over 30 per cent of the city`s population earn about Rs 2,500 a month. Shanty dwellings, ill-maintained shopfloors and lack of basic facilities blight the affluence. Says a local industrialist: ``The companies haven`t bothered to invest in basic facilities for their workers. They want civic services but don`t want to pay for them.`` No wonder the prosperous clusters are scarred by islands of poverty.

Also as B.M. Munjal, chairman, Hero Group and a giant among Ludhiana industrialists, points out, ``While there is a large number of users of civic infrastructure, the number of those paying tax to the municipal corporation is low.``

For now the absence of trickle down doesn`t seem to bother Ludhiana`s rich who are too busy earning their wealth and spending it.

Re: Tahmed321 #5

Tahmed, I saw the two movies that you mentioned, and I did not like them either. However, Puri is still a good actor (I don`t blame him for the two movies, I blame the director). You may have a better impression of the man if you ever get to watch Aakrosh -- it won the 1981 Golden Peacock award -- I think it is one of India`s highest awards for serious films. The film and Puri had a deep impression on me. I was 20 years younger, and was still ignorant of village/tribal reality in the deep interior, rural, tribal India. Puri played the role of a disposessed tribal at the mercy of the local, two-bit bureaucrats, and the landlords. Try to rent the film -- I think that you will like it. It may be hard to get, but you could try www.netflix.com.

Also, there is an audio interview of Om Puri at

http://www.npr.org/ramfiles/fa/20000406.fa.ram

While you are it, you may find the interview with Writer Manil Suri. He’s just published his first novel The Death of Vishnu (W.W. Norton 2001). The book follows the lives of the many inhabitants of a Bombay apartment building--including Vishnu, the homeless man who lives in the building’s stairwell. Based on the writer’s childhood in Bombay, the book has met praise from critics for its inclusion of Hindu mythology and cinema. When not writing, Mr. Suri is a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Maryland:

http://www.npr.org/ramfiles/fa/20010205.fa.01.ram

Zeemax: I am familiar with www.sadapunjab.com and visit it when feel like listening to old Punjabi songs, particularly of Shamshad Begum and Rafi. The E-Magazine is pretty good. My point is that if people belonging to the same culture do not show interest in the goodwill of their ``co-ethnics``, an easing of tension between the two countries will remain an elusive matter.

A Gnostic does post replies once in a while but he is justly frustrated by the discussions going in circles. I hope he is doing well and visiting chowk once in a while.

Dulla Bhatti: I do not belong in that elite club. You are too kind in appreciation. I recently watched a punjabi movie, ``Khalsa......``, and could not believe seeing Ayesha Jhulka speaking perfect punjabi....SSA

Some people seem to be `blaming` Om Puri for playing a derogatory stereotype. If anyone is to blame, should it not be Hanif Kureishi for shaping the characters? If anything, poor Mr. Puri is to be accused of accurately portraying the characters written by Mr. Kureishi!

Anyway.... Didn`t realize Aakrosh was his first movie. That was a great flick! Naseer plays an idealist and Om an exploited villager. Except for a blood-curdling scream in the climax of the film, Om`s character doesn`t say a word.

Regardless of what Naseer says these days.... despite eventually getting caught up in itself the art cinema movement produced some pretty cool stuff.

Latif Chappu.

P.S: I guess if as a Pakistani, one is offended by Om`s characters in EIE and MSTF, one could hope that he would have rejected those roles. But if Om`s gonna work for Nagesh Kookunoor (Hydrabad Blues - a horrible, amateurish, poorly made film), he is obviously not very selective.

Some people seem to be `blaming` Om Puri for playing a derogatory stereotype. If anyone is to blame, should it not be Hanif Kureishi for shaping the characters? If anything, poor Mr. Puri is to be accused of accurately portraying the characters written by Mr. Kureishi!

Anyway.... Didn`t realize Aakrosh was his first movie. That was a great flick! Naseer plays an idealist and Om an exploited villager. Except for a blood-curdling scream in the climax of the film, Om`s character doesn`t say a word.

Regardless of what Naseer says these days.... despite eventually getting caught up in itself the art cinema movement produced some pretty cool stuff.

Latif Chappu.

P.S: I guess if as a Pakistani, one is offended by Om`s characters in EIE and MSTF, one could hope that he would have rejected those roles. But if Om`s gonna work for Nagesh Kookunoor (Hydrabad Blues - a horrible, amateurish, poorly made film), he is obviously not very selective.

Some people here think I am blaming Om Puri for ``accurately portraying`` some director`s character.

To that, I have this to say:

South east Asians actors/actresses (Indian or Pakistani) should not accept stereotypical roles just to satisfy the Hollywood/Popular media agenda, no matter what the director says or who he is.

Om Puri`s artsy movies made in India were much muchhhh better and representative of desi culture and problems.

Why settle for less just to gain popularity within the West?

Yes, he`s not very selective at all of his roles lately.

tahmed,

Ompuri is really a great actor. Give him another chance to convince you. Rent out Ardha Satya (Half truth?) if you can find time.

Dara: Thanks for posting a very informative piece. I never knew Ludhiana to be the most prosperous Punjabi city. I would have guessed Chandigarh. Famous poet Sahir Ludhianvi must be turning in his grave for the success of capitalism in his hometown.

Sameer ji, is there a way I can contact you via e-mail?

Even better if you can drop me a line or two at jgsingh@yahoo.com so that I can respond back.

Thanks.

Re: Scout

``Why settle for less just to gain popularity within the West?

Yes, he`s not very selective at all of his roles lately.``

Perhaps, he too is a weak man in terms of turning down his personal economic situation, by being less discerning in his choice of roles. Can you blame him.

Besides, He has not played the role of a sterotypical Hindu Brahmin, for which he ought to be congratulated. Or any Hindu. One does wonder, as to why the erstwhile prolific Mr Kureishi(notice the K as opposed to the Q in his surname), was unable to find a single good Pakistani actor, and that too in UK, where Channel 4 productions is replete with reasonable Pakistani talent, along with the ubiquitous indians. Could it be, that the subject matter had been distorted dso much by the movie makers that no self respecting Pakistani would touch this hogwash with a nine foot pole, regardless of economics, or the reason for this fellow having to ask an indian to play a Pakistani, is more esoteric than that.

Rest assured, in about three weeks time, the said author is visiting my neck of the woods, for a screening of the ``My Son the fanatic``, and has been generous enough to allow an informal question and answer session post viewing. I shall let you know what were his reasons in employing an indian, granted a good actor likle Om Puri to do the ``stereotypical part``, soon enough!

As an aside, I am an avid admirer of Mr Kureishis`s works. His last anthology of short stories, entitled,``Love in the blue times`` was well received both her and in UK. The film, My son the fanatic, is based on his short story from this collection. Some of you might not know that the original short story was much more poignant, precise, and memeorable, as opposed to the rendition of the movie. For starters, the bit about the servility in front of the english police officers family by Om, done ever so shamefully in the movie, was never a part of the original short story. There was no repugnant nudity, in the story, as opposed to the debacle in the film.

The short story was alos adapted by Channel Four productions of U.K for a TV play. If you want to see a good clean rendition of his story, devoid of filmy twists, may i recommend trying to get that play on video.

I had gotten the Americanised Movie rendition of ``my Son the fanatic``, last summer on video. Foolishly, i had insisted that my dad watch it with me and my brother, all the while saying that i had read the short story, and it must be a good movie. Needless to say, half way through the movie,..my father got quite upset, and said,..``Yeh kia bayhiyaaee dikha rahey hain`` and he left in disgust.

East is East was much more fun, though once again dwelling on the theme of Pakistani mens abusive syndrome, which they tried to pull off, as if all Pakistani men are wife beaters, and abusers of children. The thing which ranked me even more was how the british wife was shown in such a positive light, once again promoting stereotypicla charcaters, ``We british were good for you, natives . See what happened to your countries when we left. See how we still take care of your filthy, third world posteriors. Our women take you in, and are good to you, and yet you despise us``.

Mr Kureishi has a lot to answer for. I shall make sure, he gets to do some of the answering inshalah, in three weeks time!

Welcome back Zeemax, where have you been?

Tahmed, if you can watch ``Satgati``, a telefilm by Satyajit Ray where Om Puri acted as an untouchable, you will have some feeling how good this man is. If Bolywood can be proud of some actors, Om Puri is definitely one of them. You complain about his look, but somehow he looks perfectly fit for all the characters he played. I don`t think with a very heroish look he could do that. Recently he made a comic appearance in one TV show called Gubbare, he was just fabulous. I could go on and on...

Regards

cheraym

Om Puri is wonderful.

But who let that dog-faced midget Shah Rukh Khan into the film industry?

Re: scout

My impression of Hanif Kureishi`s (most of his work) and Ayub Khan Din`s (East is East) themes is that they write and portray the environment in which they have perhaps grown and know well. The portrayal of Pakistani families in their work is the portrayal of their own (childhood) experiences. Their themes reflect a segment of Pakistani society which probably exist and which us, the middle-class, urban, and English-speaking desis, have not experienced and do not know. In my view, their themes in no way reflect Pakistani society in its totality, but only the writers` own environment. I recently saw East is East. I liked it, but could not relate to it at all because that environment is totally alien to me. I did not see it as a ``Pakistani-society movie.`` I don`t think most movie goers would.

And as far as Om Puri playing assoholic Pakistanis, well, he is just an actor who plays his roles well

REPORT CARD:

First Prime Minister of Pakistan was shot dead By ``Vested Interest``

The Constituent Assembly was dissolved by Governor General

The executive cum Juidiciary

invented Law of neccesity which legitimise all future coup, and milliatry take over

Agricultural land in sind( Ghulam Mohd Barrage) Was alloted to Punjabi settlers

East Pakistan`s(Now Bengla Desh) wealth was looted and the bengalee were persecuted indiscriminately by the majority province of W.Pakistan.

War was raged against Baluchis, Mohajir, Pathans

The first elected Prime-Minister was executed.

Secterian ( in the name of religion)& Ethinic violence Has killed more people than the casualties suffered during 1965&1971 war put together

The sub- content issues are very complex...Serious and honest thinkers... the like of Jay Parkash Narian,Maulana Azad,Dr Radha krishan,Faiz...And in younger generation Few `REHANS` are required to help to resolve the miseries of sub-continent..both countries are wasting their wealth in preparing a war machinery ..in a place where clean water and primitive health care is not provided ..where 80% of the population are living in sub-humane condition....

MORE LATTER...

Saniya:

Thanks for the transcript. And welcome to chowk.

scout #1
sameerJB #3
ras #4
tahmed321 #5
Latif Chappu #11
shammi #13
Asim Hayat #19
cheraym #20

He is a versatile character actor. A lot of questions raised here are answered in an interview by Michael Sragow at the following site.

http://www.salon.com/ent/col/srag/2000/04/06/ompuri/

(approp) love and rgds,

t

Om Puri is one of my favourites. I like him for his superlative performance in a TV serial ``Tamas``. His performance in the movies like ``Ardha-satya`` and ``Drohkaal`` was simply great.

Cherayam

So how is the new semester going!

Godot:

These artsy-fartsy ``movies`` are nothing but cathartic purgatory exercise for Hanif Kureishi & Ayub Din kinds.The miserable wretches do not know whether they just returned from the loo or are supposed to still visit.If `done` then why the stomach is gurgurating & if NOT done then why the toilet paper is still in hand.

These hash-brownies,chips and over-done burgers have a few more years to go.They will AIDS-themselves out soon.

__________________________________________________

wassalaam

Shammi #13, Dara #16, Cheraym #20 I see that I threw one rock at the Puri Tree, and three movies fell out, one from each of you kind people. I shall add this to the list (yes, we do actually have one at home) of Indian movies to see. The list keeps growing, but self and spouse shall keep chipping away at it...

Asim Hayat #19, ``Could it be, that the subject matter had been distorted dso much by the movie makers that no self respecting Pakistani would touch this hogwash with a nine foot pole, regardless of economics, or the reason for this

fellow having to ask an indian to play a Pakistani, is more esoteric than that.``

Exactly! At least it`s good to know that no Pakistani would play a Pakistani man who`s portrayed as a supporter for prostitution (in Fanatic).

By the way, I had the pleasure of viewing a UK based Pakistani serial with some great Pakistani actors in it. Though the play itself left much to be desired, the actors were remarkable. I`m thinking they are based in UK because I`ve never seen them in any Pakistani serial.

``I shall let you know what were his reasons in employing an indian, granted a good actor likle Om Puri to do the ``stereotypical part``, soon enough!``

That should be interesting. Don`t let him get away with it. :)

Godot #22, ``The portrayal of Pakistani families in their work is the portrayal of their own (childhood) experiences. ``

That could be the case with East is East, but some of the scenes in ``My Son the Fanatic`` were truly horrible and denigrating. The basic idea of the movie was good, but I think the director lost out on the addition of useless nudity and the prostitution aspect of the movie.

Pankaj, don`t ask about the semester. Pretty tough as two courses to teach on top of the regular supervising students. But chowk is such an addiction! have to come back at least once in lunch time. This is the only way to know your ``Dushman Kaun``....

Bye buddy!

A Valid Question to all the intellectuals and pseudo-intellectuals:-

Om Puri played the role of Pakistani in East is East and as required by his role, he abused India and India`s Prime minister using colourful language. That movie got rave reviews in India and not even Shiv Sena and Bajrang Dal came out to condemn him with their own special brand of Patriotism. Great! Is not it?

Now if a Pakistani Artiste who is resident and citizen of Pakistan had played a role of an Indian and as per his role had abused Pakistan and its leadership for Kargil and Kashmir, WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN HIS PLIGHT?

Urstruly

Tussi thoraha thande dil-dimag naal jawab dena jeh dena pasand karo te pher! Ehve ration paani le ke larhai da nagaara na vajhana shurhu kar dena ji. Vaise Punjabi to Thande dil dimag di umeed karna hai te galat par thande mulq vich rah ke shayad punjabi da dimag der saver thanda ho jaaye!

Humsab #31:

[...A Valid Question to all the intellectuals and pseudo-intellectuals..]

---The former are forever debating the latter at Pak Tea House.

Can one who has neither of those two allegations leveled at him by anyone sober, and in recent memory, and one who also detests the use of the said word, and one who refrains from the company of such described individuals, attempt to answer your query?

[...Now if a Pakistani Artiste who is resident and citizen of Pakistan had played a role of an Indian and as per his role had abused Pakistan and its leadership for Kargil and Kashmir, WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN HIS PLIGHT?...]

Probably the same treatment as meted out to some Indian cricketers upon returning back to India after a loss to Pakistan a few years back. Some players received life threatening letters and one’s house was set fire or damaged.

rgds,

t

Re: scout, #29

I haven`t seen My Son the Fanatic. But I know what you mean (also see my response to Farangi below).

Re: Farangi, #27

Self-loathing and self-hatred is not a new phenomenon, and certainly not limited to Islamic society: witness the painting at the Brooklyn Museum where the artist painted Virgin Mary and smeared elephant dung all over it, or the painting of Cross with Christ on it in a bucket full of piss. To these people -- ie, Salman Rushdie, Hanif Kureishi, Ayub Khan Din, and those who belong in that worm-group -- the excrement that comes out of the body is far more important than the food they eat. They love to smell it, play with it, and then they hate it and themselves for it.

The above mentioned people write garbage to gain publicity and respect from their unsuspecting Western masters. Since they don`t have an iota of a talent of someone like Vikram Seth, they figured that if they run around naked they are bound to be noticed from those who wear clothes. Now, look at Salman. His `Midnight`s Children`, a halfway decent book compared to `Satanic Verses` did not get him far in terms of publicity. On the other hand, a blasphemous garbage did wonders for him. He`s now a ``celebrity.`` Any low-life worm-of-a-person with no morals seeking publicity on questionable talent would do that. Can you blame him

i think om puri`s character`s in both MSTF and EIE were right on. i guess its based on how much you can relate to the characters. in MSTF, om puri and the writer did a great job of conveying the father-son dynamic of subcontinetal immigrants, and in the second, om puri gave a much more layered performance then one would believe by reading the pakistani posts here. although the father in EIE was abusive, i thought he was a pretty three dimensional character, and not one that you can simply dismiss as a low class thug. based on my own personal experience, i actually think the EIE portrayal was not only accurate but sympathetic. i didn`t leave the theater hating the character. and coincidentally, i saw the movie with a pakistani friend who felt that there wasn`t anything inaccurate about the portrayal either.

since both of these movies were written by pakistanis, i think the attacks posted by some on chowk have more to do with pakistani insecurities then legitimate criticisms of om puri as an actor. would the same criticisms been leveled if EIE was about an Indian muslim family in england? i don`t know.

humsab # 31

``Now if a Pakistani Artiste who is resident and citizen of Pakistan had played a role of an Indian and as per his role had abused Pakistan and its leadership for Kargil and Kashmir, WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN HIS PLIGHT?``

if the pakistani played an indian who voiced opinions about pakistan similar to that which is portrayed in bollywood movies -- that pakistan is religiously intolerant and filled with extremists and terrorists -- i honestly don`t think he/she would suffer any plight (in india) b/c, that`s a fair assessment of what the avg. indian thinks of pakistan. in the same manner, it was accurate for the pakistani father in EIE to berate india. its accurate b/c a dislike or even hate of india does seem central to the pakistani identity, does it not? without this, what`s the difference between an indian and a pakistani?

A desi expatriate `supporting prostitution` by nailing a white whore??!!

What an outlandish concept! Shame on Om Puri for accepting a role that depicted a Pakistani in such a bad light! And glory be to all those Pakistani actors who refused the role citing moral repugnance.

And also shame on the following:

Shame on Amjad Khan for accepting that Gabbar Singh role which shamelessly exploited the negative stereotype of a Chambal daacoo! Thank god all those actors from Chambal didn`t accept that role!

Shame on Tinky-Winky for accepting a role that exploits all gay stereotypes by having him prance around in a tutu while twirling a handbag! Thank god all the real gay tubbies rejected that role!

Shame on Bruce Lee for accepting those karate roles... there`s a stereotypical role if ever there was one! Thank god all the real chinamen desisted!

Latif Chappu

P.S: In plain English therefore... no one is rejecting any roles.... those who are perceived to be talented are `asked` to do the roles. The fact that Om Puri gets `asked` to do these roles means that he is regarded to be better than anything that the Pakistani talent pool has to offer. Similarly it is a bad sign that Kingsley & Lee get to play Gandhi & Jinnah and not the local talent.

P.P.S: And please don`t make this into an Indo-Pak thing... I am not suggesting that Indian actors are better than Pakistani, just that Om Puri is the best of the whole lot.

Re: t

``Probably the same treatment as meted out to some Indian cricketers upon returning back to India after a loss to Pakistan a few years back. Some players received life threatening letters and one`s house was set fire or damaged.``

People are stupid!

In the 87 world cup penultimate group match versus Zimbabwe, India chasing 190 achieved the target with 7 wickets and 8 overs to spare. A very comfortable victory by any stretch of the imagination! Only, the people thought that Gavaskar slowed down when he neared his fifty and booed him!

So the next game Gavaskar hit the fastest (his only) hundred in world cup history (75 balls) against New Zealand. The crowd went delirious! All anybody could talk of was how he was the greatest ever.

The game after that (semis against England), Gavaskar gets cleaned bowled by Defreitas for 4. And just like that, the talk was rife with allegations of match-fixing etc. Boos galore!

That`s how they treat their heroes there!

Re: Harish

``since both of these movies were written by pakistanis, i think the attacks posted by some on chowk have more to do with pakistani insecurities then legitimate criticisms of om puri as an actor``

I like the way you kept such a staright face while passing such summary judgement about Pakistani insecurities. For your kind information, Mr Kureishi is not a Pakistani, He is a British national, striped sports jackets, public school, ragging, cricket and all. He can hardly speak Urdu, and talks about India where he migrated from. See the irony!

Asim

Latif Dumbo #36,

It wasn`t the ``nailing a white whore`` that I was referring to. I think you missed a major part of the movie. Watch it again.

``The fact that Om Puri gets `asked` to do these roles means that he is regarded to be better than anything that the Pakistani talent pool has to offer.``

If you looked outside your of your limited world, you`ll discover a world of Pakistani serials with actors of a much higher calibre than most of the new generation Indian movie dorks out there.

True acting shines when it doesn`t have to rely upon half naked girls running around dancing to stolen beats and stolen story lines. I suggest you rent some Pakistani serials and see for yourself.

Yeah Om Puri`s talented, and he`s asked to do (and accepts) token stereotypical desi roles, which to me represents the desi bad habit of chamchagiri towards the West more than expressing talent.

But hey, money talks.

`` I am not suggesting that Indian actors are better than Pakistani, just that Om Puri is the best of the whole lot.``

Well arent` you a bagful of contradictions. You just said in the same post that there is no better actor in the Pakistani pool, and now you`re taking it back?

Funny how all your posts are full of such contradictions. One minute, you`re bashing Pakistanis, the next minute you`re warning the reader not to make the issue into a mudslinging match.

Please refrain from posting ambivalent messages.

Champu #37

Are Chappu Chalao Mahia. Ye Pakistan Se Wapsi Ki Baat Hai.

Champu Re Champu.

Re: scout

You are so full of ..... well, let`s just say you are so painfully predictable. The only dimensions your mind works along are:

- Anyone who doesn`t agree with your twisted definitions of morality is trying to be white

- Any woman who doesn`t prescribe to your dress code is a hootchie

- Any form of entertainment that others enjoy but you don`t is morally wrong

Now if Om Puri had played the part of a half naked Indian girl or even himself(a typical chamcha-of-the-West Indian actor), now THAT would have been an acceptable stereotype...

Alas, the first is beyond his talents and the second is awaiting a financier, I`m guessing. He did get away with playing a stereotypical Urdu teacher sharing the last days in stereotypical penury of a stereotypically debauched Urdu poet in `Muhafiz`, though.

IMO, he is able to carry comedy without resorting to buffoonry. In `Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro`n` I found him and his accent extremely funny, bless him. He has done some interesting roles in a few TV serials,too, `Kakkaji kahin`? and `Raag Durbari`, I remember from a few years ago. The `Bharat Ek Khoj` series, too maybe?

Sadhana

Re: Tahmed321 #25

Here is a description of one of Om Puri`s first films, Aakrosh (note: not to be confused with a newer movie with the same name starring Sunil Shetty). It was truly a touching movie (warning: no songs or dances):

Aakrosh (Cry of the Wounded) colour, 144 minutes, Hindi, 1980

Production: Krishna Movies Enterprises/ Direction and Camera: Govind Nihalani/ Story and Screenplay: Vijay Tendulkar/ Music: Ajit Verman/ Art Direction: C.S. Bhatti/ Editing: Keshav Naidu Cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Smita Patil, Om Puri, Arvind Deshpande, Mohan Agashe, Achut Potdar, Nana Palsikar, Bhagyasree Kotnis, Mahesh Elkunchwar

Lahanya Bhiku, an illiterate tribal, is accused of killing his wife. For his defence, the court appoints a young upper-caste lawyer, Bhaskar Kulkarni. This is Kulkarni`s first major independent case, and he is anxious to win it. But Lahanya refuses to cooperate. He refuses to speak. Exasperated and intrigued by Lahanya`s seemingly stupid and stubborn silence, Kulkarni decides to investigate on his own the truth behind the case. He soon discovers that there are hidden complexities that cannot be resolved easily. He is threatened by strangers, but helped by a young leftist social worker who takes him to the tribal village. But here too, Kulkarni meets with obstinate silence, mingled with a long history of fear and distrust. Probing further, Kulkarni learns that Lahanya has been falsely accused. His wife was raped and murdered on a night of obscene revelry by a combine of local officials, politicians and businessmen. They form the power elite beyond the reach of the law. The police protect them, not their victims. Kulkarni`s involvement with the case gradually changes from a professional to a social commitment. It brings him in conflict with his mentor, Dussane, who himself comes from tribal stock but has had the privilege of a middle-class education. Dussane values his hard-earned social and professional status, and though aware of the truth, chooses to keep silent, reacting with mixed feelings to the late night telephone calls that regularly aim at him a stream of invective and threats. But all Kulkarni`s determination cannot save Lahanya. His only supporter, the social worker, disappears suddenly, presumably eliminated by the forces he fought against. At his father`s funeral which the shackled Lananya is allowed to attend, the young tribal breaks his bonds and hacks down his helpless sister. As long as his father was alive, Lahanya`s silence could perhaps protect the family from persecution. Now alone in the world, his young sister too would be an inevitable prey to the same exploitative system. Lahanya breaks his long silence with a last cry of anguishÑhis final protest. Bewildered by the turn of events, Kulkarni attempts to come to terms with his own helplessness in a society where the corrupt are protected and justice is a pawn in the hands of the powerful.

Re: Tahmed321 #25

Here is a description of one of Om Puri`s first films, Aakrosh (note: not to be confused with a newer movie with the same name starring Sunil Shetty). It was truly a touching movie (warning: no songs or dances!):

Aakrosh (Cry of the Wounded) colour, 144 minutes, Hindi, 1980

Production: Krishna Movies Enterprises/ Direction and Camera: Govind Nihalani/ Story and Screenplay: Vijay Tendulkar/ Music: Ajit Verman/ Art Direction: C.S. Bhatti/ Editing: Keshav Naidu Cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Smita Patil, Om Puri, Arvind Deshpande, Mohan Agashe, Achut Potdar, Nana Palsikar, Bhagyasree Kotnis, Mahesh Elkunchwar

Lahanya Bhiku, an illiterate tribal, is accused of killing his wife. For his defence, the court appoints a young upper-caste lawyer, Bhaskar Kulkarni. This is Kulkarni`s first major independent case, and he is anxious to win it. But Lahanya refuses to cooperate. He refuses to speak. Exasperated and intrigued by Lahanya`s seemingly stupid and stubborn silence, Kulkarni decides to investigate on his own the truth behind the case. He soon discovers that there are hidden complexities that cannot be resolved easily. He is threatened by strangers, but helped by a young leftist social worker who takes him to the tribal village. But here too, Kulkarni meets with obstinate silence, mingled with a long history of fear and distrust. Probing further, Kulkarni learns that Lahanya has been falsely accused. His wife was raped and murdered on a night of obscene revelry by a combine of local officials, politicians and businessmen. They form the power elite beyond the reach of the law. The police protect them, not their victims. Kulkarni`s involvement with the case gradually changes from a professional to a social commitment. It brings him in conflict with his mentor, Dussane, who himself comes from tribal stock but has had the privilege of a middle-class education. Dussane values his hard-earned social and professional status, and though aware of the truth, chooses to keep silent, reacting with mixed feelings to the late night telephone calls that regularly aim at him a stream of invective and threats. But all Kulkarni`s determination cannot save Lahanya. His only supporter, the social worker, disappears suddenly, presumably eliminated by the forces he fought against. At his father`s funeral which the shackled Lananya is allowed to attend, the young tribal breaks his bonds and hacks down his helpless sister. As long as his father was alive, Lahanya`s silence could perhaps protect the family from persecution. Now alone in the world, his young sister too would be an inevitable prey to the same exploitative system. Lahanya breaks his long silence with a last cry of anguishÑhis final protest. Bewildered by the turn of events, Kulkarni attempts to come to terms with his own helplessness in a society where the corrupt are protected and justice is a pawn in the hands of the powerful.

Rsuxena #41,

I know you have something against me, but is generalizing all my posts really necessary whenever I interact? I don`t really mind, because I can deal with negativity, but it`s getting old.

``- Anyone who doesn`t agree with your twisted definitions of morality is trying to be white``

Obviously you have ignored the posts where I have said positive things about Western culture. And you fail to read the context in which I say things.

``- Any woman who doesn`t prescribe to your dress code is a hootchie``

Where did this come from? When did I say anything about dress code or lack there of in my posts here? ARe you just trying to be derogatory for the sake of being derogatory?

``- Any form of entertainment that others enjoy but you don`t is morally wrong.``

I AM ENTITLED TO MY MORALS, and I will express my opinion about them. I dont` know how your statement fits here though. By the way, what kind of entertainment are you referring to? Drinking and screwing around? If that`s the case, then you have a very limited span of entertainment.

It seems to me that I`ve ruffled quite a few Indians` ``patriotic`` feathers by criticizing a couple of roles (NOT the acting) of an Indian actor.

Paranoia runs deeply East of the border.

Your entertainment artistes are not perfect you know. They are like every other in this world.

There is no harm in admitting imperfections, I know this is hard for many Indians, but try it someday.

Pakistani film and drama?? You`ve got to get your head out of your....

Millions and millions of Pakistanis are pirating Indian movies and songs. Millions and millions of Pakistanis are turning away from Pee-TV to Zee-TV....

Yup, it`s quite clear what type of quality cinema and drama Pakistanis are capable of.

Re: Spout

You said: Well arent` you a bagful of contradictions. You just said in the same post that there is no better actor in the Pakistani pool, and now you`re taking it back?

And I say again, ``There is no better actor than Om puri in the Pakistani talent pool``. Of course this is my subjective analysis. This - by the way - is also the subjective analysis of people who know far more about acting than you and I. And that includes Kureishi.

The fact that you take a statement of mine proposing that Om puri is the best actor in India and Pakistan combined; as `Paki-bashing` does not surprise me at all. It`s very predictable!

And don`t make presuppositions about how `limited` my world is. I have seen plenty of Pakistani TV serials in my time. And no... I haven`t seen anybody better in those than Om Puri.

Now... in order to better understand how stupid you sound, consider the following scenario:

Say a few years ago a Pakistani interactor makes the following statement:

``Jansher Khan is the best squash player in the sub-continent. I am not suggesting that Pakistanis are athletically superior to Indians.... just that Jansher`s the best squash player of the lot.``

Well, if an Indian interactor responds by accusing the Pakistani interactor of `being a bagful of contradictions` and a `India-basher`; he would sound really stupid, right?

Well, that`s how stupid you sound!

Latif `Not as dumbo as you` Chappu.

P.S: Interestingly enough, from a position of total dominance barely a decade ago; Pakistani squash has declined so much that the only Paki in the top 20 is Amjad Khan at no. 13. But oops! I guess I just indulged in some `Paki-bashing`! Maybe I should add one more bit of trivia. NO INDIAN HAS EVER BEEN IN THE TOP 20! There.... after counter-balancing my Pakistani bashing with Indian bashing of equal of greater measure, I have now qualified myself to be considered `objective & unbiased`. Pathetic!

Re: Krashid,

Bhai Krashid MiaN. Is your condition congenital or was there an accident?

Regardless, my condolences.

Re: Sadna,

His best ever serial was Mr. Yogi where he plays the `sutradhaar`. Remember that scene where he turns himself into superman but cant fly? So he has to get an auto! So there he is in the `ricksha` chasing after Y.I. Patel all across Ahmedabad in his ill-fitting superman costume with his chest hair sticking out from under it? That was so funny!

Latif

P.S: But wait... that role shamelessly exploited the negative stereotype of a `sutradhar`. Thank god no `real sutradhar` accepted that role! Shame on Om Puri for taking that role!

Latif Chappu #49

I also seem to remember Om Puri played a key role as a `chamaar` in the beginning of the TV movie `Tamas` based on a novel? by Bhishm Sahni about Partition. Not a comedy role at all.

scout #46
Base your criticism on something more relevant to Om Puri as an actor than your moral outrage at his acceptance of a couple of roles which you happen to find negative stereotypes.

Sadhana

Scout,

I can`t understand why everyone here has gotten after you. May be it is because Om Puri is a quite popular with lots of people (including me!). I too have a real soft corner for the guy (imagine what he could have done if he didn`t have those ugly looks). Beyond that, just grit your teeth, and dodge all the bricks flying your way :). I agree with you about Pakistani serials, though. Most of them have very good storylines and their acting is just superb.

RSaxena,

Why are you always so mean to Scout?!

Om Puri & Satyajit Ray are certainly very great names of the Indian movie industry.Some more can also be mentioned if one goes back in time.

What is the commonality among them?----they are NOT Ba Ba Blacksheep.They are firmly rooted and steeped in their religion & culture.

They all walk,talk,and behave Indian and not like those stupid Follywood bhaands and kanjars who fancy themselves as actors because they know english antics(With due apologies to real bhaands and kanjars who never get the recognition which they truly deserve simply because they cannot ACT OUT the Follywood role in real life)

These `Midnight Children` have never seen the freedom light(if at all it shone).Their cultural cousins live in Pakistan too,who pride themselves in not being able to speak,read or write their own language.They ALWAYS write `literature`(poetry & fiction)because it is the easiest form of exposition which can get away because of its ambiguity & `mystique`.It is very difficult for them to write essays,anything to do with brains & thinking is not for them....here they stand a chance of geting exposed.

Sadna:

Yeah, the role in Tamas was more up his alley. That was an awesome show too. I was kinda young then and didn`t realize the ramifications of how the show implicated RSS. I remember that initiation scene with the chicken vividly. You know who was great in that show? Veeru Saxena as the sardarji!

Rsuxena #50, ``Millions and millions of Pakistanis are pirating Indian movies and songs. ``

OH PULLEASEEEEEEEEE don`t even get me started on how many Indian movies and songs are direct copies of Pakistani dramas and songs. Mehdi Hassan`s songs have been blatantly copied. Nusrat Fateh Ali`s songs were copied extensively, till his popularity in the West forced the Indian entertainment industry to bow down to him.

Noor Jehan`s songs have been copied. Even a pop group such as Vital Sign`s songs have been copied.

I recently had the displeasure of watching a new

Indian movie in which a whole scene with dialogue was copied from a Pakistani drama called Unkahi.

These are a few examples. I can name more but won`t.

And yes, Pakistani films DO copy Indian movies, and copies of crappy movies are even crappier, such as the ones made in Lahore.

``Millions and millions of Pakistanis are turning away from

Pee-TV to Zee-TV....``

Anhaan, and that`s because ``millions and millions`` of Pakistani men are getting a rise out of watching half naked women strut their stuff around meaninglessly in front of the camera.

By the way, did you just learn a new word today: millions?



``Yup, it`s quite clear what type of quality cinema and drama Pakistanis are capable of.``

So does your taste revolves around the cheap cinema and crappy dramas produced in India nowadays?

I agree with you on the poor quality of Pakistani cinema (quality is nonexistent in new Pakistani movies), but when it comes to dramas/serials, Pakistan has THE BEST writers and actors. There is no comparison. You can say whatever you want to say.

Re: scout

``I know you have something against me...``

Oh come on, I thought we had an understanding. We can be as mean as we like as long as we are willing to take it in return. I think we have lived up to the deal fairly well.

Re: scout #55

ok ok, calm down. I don`t care about this stuff enough to argue anymore. It`s all meaningless crap anyway.

Champu Bhaiya #48

Condolence accepted.

Chappu Chalaiey Chappu. Itne Dimagh Ka Kam Aap Ke Bus Ka Nahin.

Champu Re Champu.

Latif Chappu #47

Bhai Kia stupid Lafz Aap Ne Bohat Suna Hai. Lagta To Aisa Hi Hai.

Waisey Aap Ki Zaat Paat Kia Hai.

Kuch Pata Chaley. Chappu Chalane Wale Mahiya.

....thinking out loud

reply 55

``

``millions and millions`` of Pakistani men are getting a rise out of watching half naked women strut their stuff around meaninglessly in front of the camera.

``

reply 39

``

Om Puri`s talented, and he`s asked to do (and accepts) token stereotypical desi roles, which to me represents the desi bad habit of chamchagiri towards the West

``

so if Om Puri is acting/presenting an extension to the actual life of (quite a many of those) millions and millions of men that is a token stereotypical desi roles?

huh??

scout,

way to go beti! Saxena is waving the white flag.

NOBODY messes with the cute little jalapeno & gets away with it!

Dear all,

Om puri is a brilliant actor. Eklavya said that he was ugly…even better because when I see him act, I actually think that he’s a real character as opposed to a Hollywood, Lollywood, Mollywood (Bombay was changed to Mumbai in Jan 1996 by Shiv Sena-when are you guys gonna change the name of your film industry) actor in a film.

Strange thing about My son, the fanatic, as to the responses generated by people. Whilst many of my English mates felt sorry for Om Puri and disliked the son, many of my Desi mates had mixed feelings towards both. I personally could not see what was wrong with the lad (with a few minor exceptions) but did feel that Om Puri was a downright loser.

Yes Scout, Pakistani dramas are Theee best in the world. Full stop. Can’t say much for the cinemas which cater for the needs of the mazdoors. I was quiet annoyed when a UK programme called Network East (anyone heard of it) showed how they make Pakistani dramas by pretty much ‘extracting the urine’ out of the subject and taking the Michael. I did send them a letter of disapproval but never received a reply.

PS, I wonder why they called it Zee TV…probably ‘cos it makes everyone go to sleep.

Dear F_K and everyone else

I’d just like to expand on Farangi_Kush’s post. With the passing of all time greats as Sabri, Noor Jehan, Mian Aziz and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, the great (and I mean it in two manners) Qawaal nawaz, there remains a hole in the Pakistani musical cultural scene and guess what it is being rapidly being filled by…the burger culture. Yes boys and girls, Pakistani ‘tinky winky’ and ‘dipsy’ boy bands are sprouting out like weeds, squeezed tightly in their denims, so much so that if you shoved a piece of coal up their ass, they would produce a diamond within a week. And even the Ammah Ji’s and the gals from diamond market are getting in the act. What do you need, a crappy voice, a need for some extra cash, two or three cushions, a camera and a microphone and voila…a musical genius is born.

No music; more importantly, no lyrics. Man, Pakistan is losing out on its economy and infrastructure, let’s not lose out on the positive aspects of our culture too.

Take care

Omar Phoenix.

Re: krashid #59

``Waisey Aap Ki Zaat Paat Kia Hai``

``What is your caste/creed?``

That is about as insensitive and rude a question as I have ever come across on this board. It reflects on the narrow-mindset of the questioner, who is so anchored to his primitive worldview that he constantly needs to hark back to another person`s origins to regain an understanding of his world. Changed, complex cirmumstances seem to put the questioner in a state of confusion and bewilderment.

Latif Chappu, it would be best if you desist from answering such impolite and rude questioning.

RE: shankar

``Cute jalapeno?`` What a pervert.

Re: Mullah Omar

I also wondered about Zee-TV`s name. But I wondered even more about Pee-TV....it can`t be that bad, can it?

lassie #60,

Listen, I am flattered that you obsess over my words so much (since I do not see you interact other than to me), BUTTTTTTTTTT I`m straight ;)

shankar bhai,

Thanks, but look what you made suxena say :)

Re: Rsaxena!

``But I wondered even more about Pee-TV....it can`t be that bad, can it?``

Touche`. Great neutraliser.

Sincerely,

Asim

Dear Saxena,

Ha ha, God, you are predictable. I knew you were going to post that particular message at which I would say...stupid...P stands for Pakistani.

Durrgh!!!

Shammi #64

The reason I asked was because of simple reason.

If you don`t see massacre and rape of human with human eyes in Kashmir. You must be an Indian probably a Hindu.

What is wrong. If you don`t want to answer you are not forced to do so.

And leave this enlightened BS for enlightened.

Your Enlightenment is already fully evident from your interactions.

You can fool yourself all your life. But your thoughts as evidenced by your interactions are not able to fool others.

Shammi #64

Waisey Tumhein Apne Bhaiyya Champu Mian scout to spout or stupid Kehte Nazar Nahin Aaye.

Apni Aankh Ka shehteer Hai Kaise Nazar Aaye Ga.

Saxena,

{{``Cute jalapeno?`` What a pervert.}}

Sigh..does`nt your small mind live anywhere but the gutter?! Ok ,if you insist, these are my psychodynamics re scout (& why, unlike you, I have nothing but the most honorable designs on her).

I`m happily married to a beautiful woman for 20+ years. She`s not only my wife, my lover, my best friend, but also my Office Manager. I take care of the clinical part of the practise & she manages the administrative part. We are the perfect team. I also tell her that ``at least at work I get to be your boss``.

She tells me ``you just treat your patients & I`ll collect the money``. Now, doesnt she have the right to spend most of it?! On my birthday, she buys me a Jag, but she insists on driving it 99% of the time because ``she looks better in it than I do!``. God bless her.

On the other hand, I`ve never had a sister. Always wanted one, esp to tease. Scout fits the profile to a t. She`s young, short, cute & full of tikha spirit like a little jalapeno mirchi. At the same time she has a great sense of humor. She can take on a bum like you blindfolded with her hands tied behind her back. Mess with her & all you`ll be doing is waving white flags, pal.

Lastly, EVERY brother hopes to God that his sister is a prude. Otherwise who knows what that cute little thing would be up to in sincity NY?

shammi #44 Just saw your description of Aakrosh. Thanks for taking the trouble to describe it. It is sad that Indian (and Pakistani) movies and plays so often depict the judicial system in a negative way. What is much much worse of course is that this is reality. Hopefully, things will improve with the rise of the middle class and other trends, since there is no reason why things should be like this.

I hope to see the movie too some day...

Re: shankar #74

Thanks for sharing your life story with us...very touching. Safaai pesh karne ki zaroorat nahi...tum jaano aur tumhara kaam jaane.

Re: Stupid #70

``P stands for Pakistani.``

Oh really, genius?

shankar bhai #74,

:))

i hope this means free psychotherapy.

Omar Phenix #

It is PTV for us.

For RSaxena it is Pee T.V. That`s where he goes after seeing it.

Sometimes he wets even the carpet of his living room.

That is why you can smell his house from Brooklyn bridge.

And from that time he uses the word in such form.

His other ``Hawaij Zarooria`` needs horror movies and he calls them sh-it movies.

So don`t worry about blabbering of the Londeys.

Considering this conversation is starting to go slide into a ditch, I guess it is OK to change the topic a bit: How about American movies? Anybody seen some good ones lately?

Hi guys,

I have a question mainly from Pakistani friends on this forum.A few years ago when I was in New York, my good friend from Karachi who did residencey training with me (and with whom i have seen many movies,including some Hindi movies)recommended some Pakistani plays. One such play i saw was a comedy and goes by the name of ``Bakra kishton mein``. It had Umar Shareif and some other famous actors in it. I thought it was funny but not classy. May be someone here can post a list of really classy plays. I would not like to miss them if your pakistani plays are half as good as some people in this forum seem to think.

rsridhar

tahmed,

{{How about American movies? Anybody seen some good ones lately?}}

Just came back from seeing Hannibal. Heheh, my kind of psychiatrist.

Saxena,

{{Safaai pesh karne ki zaroorat nahi...tum jaano aur tumhara kaam jaane}}

Et tu, my everlasting friend?! O lord this hindi/urdu kick is catching more & more.

OK let me tell you something,guys. Even 20something years ago I could barely carry on a fluent conversation in hindi. You goddamned Northies & Pakistanis think you own the whole frikking subcontinent:)

Please understand that people who live from Bombay downwards to S India study hindi only because you bums from the north are a majority & want to force your language down our throats. OK OK may that language is the greatest in the world for poetry & metaphors or crap like that. Hey, I cant speak it well & I`m proud of it! So sue me!.

Besides I`m proud to proclaim that the GREATEST poem ever written in the history of human civilisation is BABA BLACKSHEEP!!-yeeaah, way to go, baba! The F_K`s of this world can take a hike, for all I care.

In conclusion, O best friend of mine, at least write a bloody translation.

rsridhar #80,

Some excellent ones are Waaris (great story, award winner), Unkahi (my personal favorite), Tanhaiyan (awesome female power drama), Dhoop Kinaray (you`ll enjoy this one if you`re a doc), Dasht (ethnic), Sunehray Din (army cadet humor), Parosi, Anarkali, Tansen (if you like classical story lines), Babar(great historical drama), Angan Tera (funny as hell), Khuda ki Basti (based on the novel, if can find it), Uroosa, Nangay Paon (twisted story line), Aanch (family drama), Ahat (family troubles),

there are many more, cant` remember them just now...

I`m sure other people can add to my list here.

tahmed,

``Rugrats in Paris`` was an excellent movie. Great dialogue, great story, great characters.

Best of all, it`s rated G for Good.

Anyone watch ``Crouching Tiger: Hidden Dragon?``

tahmed321, #78

American Beauty. I guess it is not a new one anymore, but I saw it recently. Loved it. I very strongly recommend it.

Re: scout

{Anyone watch ``Crouching Tiger: Hidden Dragon?``}

It`s good if you like the Bruce Lee action genre. The dialogue (in Chinese) is cacophonous to desi ears.

saxena #86,

I liked those special effects that I saw in the trailers. If the whole movie is like that, I`m in for it.

cacophonous?

scout # 84

{``Rugrats in Paris`` was an excellent movie. Great dialogue, great story, great characters.

Best of all, it`s rated G for Good.}

hmmm.....your favorite TV show would be ``Power Puff Girls``?

The content is a bit mature so the rating might not be G

yours

MoJo JoJo

Re: scout

``I liked those special effects that I saw in the trailers.``

The special effects are really well done...it`s worth watching just for that.

``cacophonous?``

Ye