Changing HINDU with the TIMES??

Overheard by one of my friends at a theatre playing 'Swades'.

P1: Saala, koi masala bhi nahi hai yaar, is movie mein.
P2: Haan chal chalte hai...pak raha hun mai.

I used to wonder how movies such as swades failed at the box office, whereas no-brainers like no-entry do wonderful business. Probably it's not that hard to figure out. Probably it's a national obsession with glamour. Probably people do not want to get in touch with reality. Or probably in this world of extremes, people want to forget reality for atleast those 3 hours when they are in a cinema theatre.

We were still in college, and those were times when the sensex was at 4000 levels (Whether it would head below 8k now is a different question altogether). The only paper we used to get in our mess was the The Hitavada. The guys collectively used to subscribe to The Times of India, Mumbai edition. The 2 business dailies of the nation would comfortably reach us a day late. Forget about The Hindu and the other prominent dailies. I used to love the content of The Hindu purely for its editorial content and the quality of articles. And that was the opinion of many. But I find many people shunning it mainly due to it being very bland. No or very less coverage to glamour and unwanted events, which otherwise we used to find in plenty in The Times. People dying of hunger don't find space, but a Britney spears' garment auction certainly would, just because the daily wouldn't sell. Overdose of sensationalism. It really is a world of misplaced priorites.

Off late, the Hindu too is losing its sheen, atleast here in its Chennai edition. Its moved from its un-biased views to a more partisan outlook. The Times seems to be enjoying the laurels, for the moment atleast, for its reporting and its editorial content. Would a prolonged presence change its views? Remains to be seen...

The wait continues...

What is it with movies like Swades and Rang de Basanti that you never get tired of watching them? I would have Swades at least 20 times and RDB more than 10 times. But each time I sit to watch them again, it seems like a new start and a new experience all over. I discover the finer nuances of the movie with each watch. Probably the fact that the movie deals with the awakening of a new India amazes and enthralls me all over again. I'd really like to give it to many people the way it is shown in RDB [In the face], but alas, India is a free country. The pan-spitters, law-breakers, corrupt officials and other persons who don't have a respect for other lives are enjoying their hey-day. It remains to be seen for how long though! The wait continues...