Robot. Dot.

In all my naivete, I used to once think that film-making is an art. Till I watched Robot, that is.
It was then that I realised that sometimes, film-watching is a greater art, requiring sublime patience to endure and sift through a three-hour (okay, leave out that last 45minutes) gaudy, kitsch-filled ordeal, in the name of hero-worship.

Robot, I am being told, is the costliest Indian film to-date, having sucked in a whopping Rs. 150Crores. To show for it, it has admittedly some of the best technical & digital effects, which have yet to be seen in any Indian movie. Specially the last 30-45 minutes do remind one of a Hollywood movie and are truly a treat to watch on the big screen.

But surely, a film is not just technology, is it? Even if it stars the biggest phenomenon called Rajnikant, it would do well for a film to have some decent emotional content, even passable music, and at least some semblance of acting from the supporting cast. Not here, unfortunately. Scratch the surface sheen and you would find, what I suspect, would be a purely run-of-the-mill Tamil film were it not for Rajnikant. Is that a strength of this top-grosser till date, I do not know.

I have to say that even though I am not sold on Rajni antics, and have not followed him in Tamil movies, Rajnikant is one genuine & honest actor, who I have always liked - right from Geraftaar and Andha Kanoon up to Hum. Somehow, he rises above the context. Which is why he is a superstar that he is.

Robot is all about Rajnikant. And some more. Rest is, as Chitti says - dot.

Out on the streets - ये गलियाँ, ये चौबारा

In this final instalment of photos, I present a random collection clicked while on the roads of Rajasthan:

Colors

इक लुक, इक लुक.....

इंतज़ार 

फुर्सत 

फेविकोल का जोड़?

लशकारा

Closer indeed  

हवेली, yet again

झरोखे 

दूर का राही 

Sunset, what else?

Havelis of Shekhawati - राजपूताना के रंग

During my recent trip to Rajasthan, when I passed through Shekhawati, I was lamenting the fact that I had not been able to see the famous havelis of this region. If you do not know, these havelis are private mansions of old Rajasthan - Rajputana, typically with intricate wood-work and beautiful al-fresco designs.
Imagine my pleasant surprise then, when the meandering road through the town suddenly brought me to a beautiful haveli, resplendent in the sunlight, calling out to us with its open doors. How could I resist its charms then?
Here below are some images:

I have resolved to take out a week-end for a haveli tour in the near future.

More travel photos to come in the next post....

पधारो म्हारे देस - Bikaner

This Deepawali took me to my hometown Bikaner after a long time.
It is difficult to look at one's hometown from a tourist perspective but I tried this time. And, the result is for you to see:

The Kacheri - Court Premises

Maharaja Ganga Singh Ji

Bikaner Collectorate in Diwali finery

Bikaner Collectorate, again

Keerti Stambh

Surreal - Collectorate, yet again

Baba Ramdev guarding over the street

Diwali Bazar

Labhoo Ji Ka Katla

Barber Shop Series - Kote Gate

Kote Gate

    In the next part, some travel photos..