aman ki asha

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I have always liked campaigns by Times of India, and this one seems to be the most interesting and biggest of them all. I liked the idea on the very first day of its release (or launch). I, or actually, most of us have always appreciated and enjoyed pakistani music and singers. So why not do it in a more open and positive way? Isn't it great to accept and acknowledge what is undoubtedly good about someone, be it a country mostly looked upon as an enemy? Art follows no rules, it knows no limits, it reaches hearts and hearts know no LOCs. The way these intangible aspects are put on paper by TOI, is just amazing and convincing, from the very first print saying 'LOVE PAKISTAN'.
And this matrimonial ad above, just made me appreciate the efforts and detailing gone into executing this campaign. I am not aware about Lead India outcome but Teach India campaign has very clearly positive responses and outcomes. 'aman ki asha' also shows a similar promise. And like some projects/ campaigns, the cause and execution is so nice that you are actuclly not bothered so much about the outcome! Good going TOI. Though I missed one performance in Ahmedabad, I would make sure I don't miss any such rare opportunity in future, rather I hope such opportunities will not be 'rare' anymore!
:)

Natarang

'NATARANG'
based on marathi novel 'Natarang' by Dr. Anand Yadav
Produced by Zee Taklkies
Director: Ravi jadhav
Music: Ajay-Atul
Singer: Bela Shende
Actors: Atul Kulkarni, Sonali Kulkarni

'Guna' a farmer cum wrestler from a village near Kolhapur in maharashtra, has a dream, to play role of king in traditional marathi theatre 'Tamasha'. After loosing their jobs in farms, his friends decide to form a tamasha group to keep earning money to support their families. But Guna has a much bigger dream than just earning money. He is an artist! After they have arranged almost everything including a dancer girl, they realise thay don't have someone to play role of 'Nachya' a typical feminine comedian character played by male actor in tamasha. This turns the whole story and Guna's future also!
Atul Kulkarni has taken immence efforts to play role of macho farmer in pre-interval part and the typical feminine 'Nachya' in the second half. The efforts aren't just restricted to gaining and losing 16kg in a time of 40-50 days, but also a great level of observation and acting, especially for the role of Nachya. (video link at the end)
On the music front, Ajay Atul and Bela Shende have done a very good job. All the songs are great. Sonali Kulkarni (no, not the Dil Chahta Hai wali) has used all the opportunity to showcase her dancing and acting skills to the fullest. The opening dance by Amruta Khanvilkar (a Zee music anchor) is also amazing. I will actually like to watch this movie again in movie hall for this song and dance experience! Excellent.
The movie keeps viewers stuck to their seats till the last line of end credits! The instrumental played for end credits has some magical effects!
An excellent Marathi movie after a long time.

A version with English subtitles will be released on 22nd Jan. Worth watching in movie hall. Till then you can enjoy these youtube links.
To watch efforts taken by Atul Kulkarni click here.
Amruta Khanvilkar lavani dance here.
Sonali Kulkarni performing on the amazing music here.

The inner voice

The inner voice is always right, at least when it says,
1. boiling milk has already found its way to kitchen sink from the gas stove, run!
2. Now stop reading that news paper and switch off the heating coil, water has become too hot to bathe.
3. finish your bath and look at mobile, you are already late for office.
4. now that you are leaving office on time, you will meet your boss before you reach the gate. (inner voice continues saying something which you don't want to hear! You are anyway going to experience it!)
5. Now that you have decided to call home after dinner, mom will call you within 5 seconds and you will as usual say ' I was about to call you mom!!'
6. Today was probably the last day to pay your vodafone bill. (the voice says this precisely after 6pm if you don't pay online).
7. (after your 500+ km journey has started, it says) may be you have forgotten something important, check your underwears.... in the bag you stupid! Ok forget it, no use now.
8. The last concept, which you made just to increase number of concepts, will be selected!
9. May be the water bottle in your bag is leaking.
10. keep your finger on 'snooze alarm' button, it will start shouting in a second! ok good morning! May be you have kept the phone on table not bed tonight! :)

सकाळ

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