Rainbow

- Jitupan Talukdar.

Dear cold wind, tell those black clouds....

About the sadness that my song bears,

So that it starts to rain soon....

And can wash away our tears.

The rainbow awaits, for the sun to be coming,

It hides behind the clouds, until it stops raining.

Let the darkness of falseness, be left with those black clouds,

Only the colour of happiness should be brought out.

Raindrops of colours, laughed as they fell....

On these dead souls, bearing fears,       

Their stagnant hearts, silently kissed those drops....

As they ran down as tears.

As the cresent of hues, descended upon the sky....

The folks played with the colours, they were so glad;

But little did they know....

The most used was the colour of red.

As I sit, wondering and watching those clouds rain....

Can this rainbow make our life colourful again?

The JNU Controversy : Everything you ought to know

- Naba Raj Chetri

Date : 9th February 

Students of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi clashed over an event organised late Tuesday on the Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru’s death anniversary. The event was organized by ex-members of a student organization DSU, short for 'Democratic Students Union' a leftist organization, led by Omar Khalid, protesting against what they called the "judicial killing of Afzal Guru and separatist MaqboolBhat" and in solidarity with "struggle" of Kashmiri people for their right to self determination. Democratic Students Union (DSU) is an ultra-leftist group in the campus that believes in the ideology of Maoism. Their name has surfaced in the FIR launched by Delhi Police as the principal organizers of the meet along with "Democratic Student Federation".

Twenty minutes before the meeting was going to start, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad, a right-wing all-India students' organisation, reached out to the administration asking it to withdraw the permission of the meeting as it was "harmful for the campus atmosphere". The administration fearing clashes sent security guards and refused to allow microphones. DSU then asked JNUSU (Jawaharlal Nehru Students' Union) and other leftist student organizations such as the SFI (Students Federation of India), and AISA (All India Students Association) to help them hold their meeting.  "We had earlier granted permission for a cultural evening, because we were not informed about the topic. When we were told it was in favour of Afzal Guru, we had to withdraw. The government of India hanged him after declaring him a terrorist. How could we allow them to organise an anti-Indian programme,” said the registrar Bupinder Zutshi. As campus politics goes, ABVP’s protest saw other groups including the All India Students’ Association (AISA), All India Students’ Federation (AISF) and Students’ Federation of India (SFI) jumping to the spot in support of  DSU.

When the groups began their march to Ganga Dhaba, ABVP members blocked their way even as security personnel tried to maintain order. Police had to be called in eventually from the nearby VasantKunj police station.

Sensing the protest was meant to be symphatising Kashmirs cause of freedom, ABVP started chanting "Kashmir Hamara hai, saara ka saara hai."

What followed this was totally unexpected n boiled the blood of Indians across the nation,

The organizers countered them with the slogan: "Hum kya chaahte? Azaadi!"
The slogan shouting by the organizers did not end there, further slogans like
'Har ghar se Afzal niklega'
"Bharat ki barbaadi tak, jung rahegi, jung rahegi" continued in the campus.

However, this is not the first time that the students have organised an event on death anniversary of Afzal Guru.

As the storm at the Jawaharlal Nehru University intensified overnight with protesters locking horns with the government over the arrest of students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar on sedition charges.

“Kanhaiya was present at the event, where he delivered a speech and participated in an unlawful assembly which indulged in anti-India sloganeering. It was because of his involvement, and the evidence we have collected so far, that he has been arrested under charge of sedition" BS Bassi the Delhi Police Commissioner said.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh citing intelligence sources said that the Afzal Guru event in JNU had the backing of terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba. He called upon the entire nation must speak in one voice when "anti-India" activities take place.

Controversy took a BJP-versus-opposition colour with politicians making a beeline for JNU campus on Saturday.

Leaders with no business in the campus like Rahul Gandhi, D Raja, Sadhvi Prachi, Anand Sharma arrived in JNU. "These are the same people who called Rohith (Vemula) anti-national.They thought that by crushing you, they are destroying Vemula. But they don’t know that they are making you stronger,” said the young Gandhi, known to speak on topics which he had little understanding of. Social media didnot let him off lightly.

"The RSS and its wings don’t have any moral right to speak about nationalism. We don’t believe in Hindutva nationalism, but we stand for a democratic republic, according to the Constitution. The attack on JNU is an attack on the constitutional idea of India,” said D Raja the leftist leader whose daughter was also allegedly present along with the organizers.

Till the filing of this report there was a crack in the JNUTA ( Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers Association) with Pro-Afzal faction falling in minority within the campus.

Penfreaks opinion : While we don't support the #shutdownjnu campaign completely (presently trending at no.1 spot), as many students with sole purpose of studying are still in campus,  the fringe elements on campus needs to end. Ending campus politics may not be a solution but taking politics so low that people are out there to defend anti india chants is a shocker. Freedom of expression is guaranteed (section19) to every citizen and anti govt protest is a sign of a healthy democracy, but when the protester starts chanting anti India slogan, it is nothing less than sedition. India at present has stooped so low that the PM is called a psychopath and terrorist called Afzal Guru Ji (by Cong spokesperson). The present India has a widow of a soldier asking the nation, how it could defend her husbands killer. When soldiers die, hardly any politician reach the spot, when a terrorist is hanged there is mourning in campuses and thousands attend the last rites (yakub mamons funeral was attended by around 15000 people).

Isn’t it ironical that in the same week that 10 Indian soldiers have died in the freezing heights, these men who have been funded for education by the same Indian state are asking for its break up.

The BJP which has taken a strong stand here did allow its leader to take law in its own hands ( as MLA O.P. Sharma was seen hitting a CPI(M) supporter, actions against the lawmaker needs to be taken to send a positive message). The Congress meanwhile for once needs to wake up from its slumber, their sole motto should not be to oppose whatever the BJP does, forgetting political differences it is high time it knows that nation is before party and not the reverse way round. Rahul Gandhi needs to understand the sentiments of the common people or the Congress will be at receiving end of peoples wrath. 

While the present #antinationals seem to have taken advantages of the weak definition of sedition, it is high time, India unites together to show the world that a few fringe elements can't break the Indian within us. We are not Hindus, Muslims, Christians, neither we belong to any party. We are all INDIANS. United we stand, divided we fall.

As someone rightly said " Toothpaste may namakh ho ya na ho, deshvakti ka NaCl har waqt ragon main dourta rehta hai" 

#stopantiindiacampaign

- inputs from huffintonpost and Indian express

Neerja

- Sidharth Sharma.

Neerja- An Inspiring Tale of Gallantry, which will leave you tear-jerking!

Cast- Sonam Kapoor, Shabana Azmi, Yogendra Tiku, Shekhar Ravjiani
Direction- Ram Madhvani

Verdict- 4/5

One of the highly anticipated movies of 2016, ‘Neerja’, released on 19th February. Based on the life of Neerja Bhanot, the youngest recipient of Ashok Chakra awards, ‘Neerja’ narrates the real-life heroic tale of Neerja Bhanot, who died while saving the lives of 359 passengers on the Pan-Am Flight hijacked by Palestinian terrorists. Will it be able to strike gold at the Box-Office?

Neerja Bhanot, a 23 year old Air Purser-cum-Model and a die-hard fan of Rajesh Khanna, boards the Pan Am Flight as the Chief Purser, which gets hijacked by terrorists at the Karachi Airport. The rest of the movie shows how Neerja saves the lives of passengers on board, with her sheer determination and presence of mind.

The highlight of Neerja is its taut story and screenplay, which engages the audience from the start to the end. There is not a single dull moment in the film. The use of flashbacks fortifies the narrative and improves the characterization. The best thing about ‘Neerja’ is realism; nothing has been exaggerated or tempered with. Also, hand-held camera work and an excellent Background Score build up the much-needed tension during its two-hour run!

Sonam Kapoor excels as Neerja. Once she gets into the skin of her character, she simply nails it! She displays just the right-amount of fear and tension in the hijack scenes. Clearly, one of her finest performances till date! Shabana Azmi and Yogendra Tiku, as Neerja’s parents deliver a splendid performance. Not to forget, the terrorists, who look absolutely convincing and deliver a first-string performance! Debutante Shekhar Ravjiani, as Neerja’s love interest performs well in a special appearance.   

Final Verdict- A must watch! Miss it at your own risk

Adieu

- Prakash Das.

It laid motionless
Its stillness shaking me
To the abode above
Was approaching he.

The pyre was set
With the voyager upon
Soar it will in no time
Like a lark or a heron.

Rituals stepped in
And attired him in flame
Aid befooled; agony came
At the moment same.

Tamed emotions
Discovered an outlet
Endless sea poured
Droplet after droplet.

The ablaze thing
Drew out the visions
Of gloom and gleam
Ah! Delirious emotions!

The chain of kin was
Set firmly haywire
With each sobbing drop
With each chuckling fire.

A demon was dead
Of who I was fond
Joined will forever be
This man and the man beyond!

Your Scent

- Snehal Deb.

Your scent is what I love to feel,

As if my own version of marijuana.

Oh! Takes me to a lovely land,

Where joy and pleasure go hand in hand.

And when you not in vision’s range,

Your scent still sparkles like a wand.

I do hear you scent with a smile.

I do see your sweet voice with a tinge of pride.

I can sense your cute smile and after a while.

I say “Your scent is what I love to feel,

Desired medicine for past’s wounds to heal.”

The moment you seriously thinking,

Funny isn’t it? The way my grammar is playing,

O dear! Let me tell you something,

Am nether insane nor flattering,

It’s just silent truth pouring,

“Your scent ... A reason for my well-being.”

Deadpool (2016)

- Anonymous.

Bloody, rude, vulgar, stupid, SOOOOOO Awesome! P.S. Don't take your Kids to see this

Stars: Ryan Reynolds,  Morena Baccarin, T.J. Miller 

Director:Tim Miller

Recommendation level: 8/10

A superhero movie has never been funnier than "Deadpool." Or more outlandish – or obscene. That should come as quite a relief to fans of Marvel Comics' “Merc with a Mouth” anti-hero and especially Ryan Reynolds, who labored a long time to get Deadpool's his own solo adventure on the big screen, a process that entailed – according to Deadpool, at least – fondling 20th Century Fox's prized asset whose name "rhymes with Pullverine."

Deadpool is one of the very few characters in the Marvel universe that can break the fourth wall,making pop culture references, and slicing up bad guys and is self aware. And the movie really got because it is rife with meta-humour which can be seen in the very beginning with the best opening credits scene ever.

The action scenes are also a lot of fun. From the sword fighting, to the shooting, to the acrobatics, they were all filmed really well. It delivers on the violence too, which is cartoonish enough but it doesn't go too much into Blade territory. As touted during the opening credits, “the real heroes here” are writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick (ZOMBIELAND). While the narrative is a fairly straight-forward origin story, even with its use of flashbacks to add interest, the spark that ignites is found within their insanely snappy, witty dialogue. They even blessedly get in a few jabs at X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE and GREEN LANTERN.
The story is quite simple here. Its a love and revenge story. It is well paced though as it is told in a non-linear style.

This movie is so refreshing. I thought I was too jaded by superhero films but when you pick the right character to adapt, you can have so much fun with him or her. Deadpool brought us something different and it was awesome.

I had little interest of watching it in theatres but with the marketing team releasing all the crazy, cool lame posters got my attention. And i am thankful to them. 

You come to a movie like Deadpool for the comedy and action, but you get swept up in the love, the horror and the drama, ending up with quite a well rounded flick. In fact, it's one of the heftiest superhero origin stories told on film in recent years. This is a dessert with something for everyone to enjoy. But please, do not bring your children to see this movie.

P.S. Its a Marvel movie, so don't just leave the theatre after the movie. Wait for the end credit scene. Its Hillarious.

Fitoor

- Sidharth Sharma.

Fitoor- A Visually Captivating affair, but not upto the mark!

Cast- Tabu, Aditya Roy Kapur, Katrina Kaif, Lara Dutt, Rahul Bhat, Aditi Rao Hydari, Akshay Oberoi, Ajay Devgn

Direction- Abhishek Kapoor

Verdict- 3/5

 “There is never a time or place for true love. It happens accidentally, in a heartbeat, in a single flashing, throbbing moment.” The makers of Fitoor seem to have established this fact brilliantly in the first few frames. But what happens thereafter is a complex chain of events which leaves the viewers confused, frustrated and finally uninterested!

Young Noor (Mohammad Abrar) falls in love with Firdaus (Tunisha Sharma) at first sight. However, fate separates them when Firdaus is sent to London by her mother, Begum (Tabu). Few years later, a grown-up Noor (Aditya Roy Kapoor) moves to Delhi to pursue his artistic career, where he meets Firdaus (Katrina). He gets closer to Firdaus, only to realize that she is already engaged to Bilal (Rahul Bhat). Will Firdaus reciprocate her love for Noor?

Based on Charles Dickens’ novel Great Expectations, Fitoor had the potential to be an intense and interesting love story. Yes, it starts off on a great note but loses steam midway and becomes clumsy towards the end. The screenplay loses its pace at parts and becomes somewhat unconvincing towards the end. The introduction of too many sub-plots and plot twists seems to be unnecessary. Begum’s back-story tends to disrupt the build-up to the climax. The movie boasts of some high-voltage Dialoguebaazi, which does no good to the film!

Katrina Kaif looks stunning as Firdous and doesn’t disappoint with her performance. Aditya Roy Kapur does full justice to his character and he performs with utmost sincerity. His chemistry with Katrina is something to watch out for. However, the film actually belongs to Tabu, who delivers a stellar performance! She steals the show with her terrific performance, especially in the pre-climax scene. Young Noor and Firdaus, played by Mohammad Abrar and Tunisha Sharma respectively, deliver a phenomenal performance. Lara Dutt, as the curator and Rahul Bhat, as Bilal seem to be wasted in this movie. Ajay Devgn’s cameo is impressive. Aditi Rao Hydari, as the Young Begum, lends good support to the star-cast, inspite of her voice being dubbed by Tabu. Akshay Oberoi has almost nothing to perform in this movie!

However, the real hero of the movie is its cinematographer, Anay Goswamy, who manages to grasp our attention with his startling camera-work. The astounding visuals of Kashmir, the breath-taking scenes of Dal Lake make the first half of the film, a visual delight! He imparts an artistic touch to each and every frame and makes the film look extremely beautiful!

Director Abhishek Kapoor is known to have a class-appeal but this time, it backfires! He tries to stay true to each and every detail of the book, but in the process creates too many unnecessary plot-twists, getting entangled in its own web. Coz what looks good on paper, doesn’t always translate into a good film!

Final Verdict- Watch it if you are a die-hard Katrina-Aditya fan or you have nothing else to do this Valentine’s Day!

HOpE

- Jitupan Talukdar.

Pic credits: Shutterstock

Like a kite with a broken string,
Was the story of mine...
Wandering on the path of life,
Unsure of how long I'd survive.

Still somewhere inside me,
There was a little life remaining...
I realised that I am still alive,
As my body kept on breathing.

Like the smile of an angry kid,
That came back on a little cajoling...
As if some comfort applied on those year-old wounds,
Something like that, is what my heart is feeling.

As if the body that was burning,
Got the shade of a tree...
Some tenacity, is there in this moment,
Now that my soul felt free.

A new voice calls me from inside,
Why is the worry for tomorrow troubling?
Such prickle is there in this moment,
Unsure, whether should I kiss the joys, or cry a little?

Nayan Jyoti Bora

A Family of Tree

Nayan Jyoti Bora

The Seed of Life

Airlift

- Sidharth Sharma.

Airlift- Bang for the Buck!

Cast- Akshay Kumar, Nimrat Kaur, Purab Kohli, Prakash Belawadi, Abida Hussain

Direction- Raja Krishna Menon

Verdict- 4.5/5 
2016 seems to be a Golden Year for Bollywood. With movies like Wazir, Chalk ‘n’ Duster and many more releases lined up this year, Bollywood seems to be marching more towards content-driven cinema rather the regular ‘masaledaar’ Bollywood crap! And adding to that list, we have a movie which redefines the way thrillers are perceived in Bollywood, a movie called ‘Airlift’!

Airlift, one of the highly anticipated movies of 2016, hits the theatres on January 22. Based on India’s Rescue Operation of its Citizens from War-torn Kuwait in 1990, this film promises to be an enthralling affair! Does it live upto its expectations?

Yes, it does!

Ranjit Katyal (Akshay Kumar) is a Kuwait-based Entrepreneur who lives with his wife, Amrita (Nimrat Kaur) and daughter (Abida Hussain). His life turns upside down when Kuwait gets invaded by Iraqi forces under the leadership of Saddam Hussain. The rest of the story is about Ranjit’s quest to safely evacuate the Indian Citizens of Kuwait and whether he succeeds in it or not.

Airlift’s biggest strength is its riveting screenplay. Raja Krishna Menon does a great job by making the film neither too commercial nor too artistic, which works completely in the film’s favour. The pace is well maintained throughout the film and Menon gives it a touch of realism, which is worth applauding!

Akshay Kumar delivers a stellar performance. He gets into the flesh of the character and adds life to each and every scene. It is hard to imagine anyone else perform this role with such intensity. Clearly, an award winning performance it is! Nimrat Kaur, as Ranjit’s wife, performs at par with Akshay. Despite being just two films old (Peddlers and The Lunchbox), she performs like a seasoned actor. Her altercation with Prakash Belawadi truly deserves applause. Purab Kohli and Prakash Belawadi put up a great performance and portray their characters brilliantly!

Cinematography by Priya Seth (Yes, a female cinematographer in Bollywood after a long time!), deserves a special mention. She successfully portrays the dark shades in her canvas and gives us some great shots! She adds intensity in this thriller-drama and captures every moment perfectly. Editing is crisp and helps to maintain the pace better! Background score builds up the much-needed tension in the film.

Raja Krishna Menon’s direction is accreditable. His understanding of the subject matter and translation of the same on the big screen is commendable! Hope to see more of his works in the years to come!

Final Verdict- Just go for it. You won’t be disappointed!