Midnight Musings On Film and Television

Posted on Sunday, May 2, 2010 by Deepa

Ok, so the title is cliched. In my defense, it is close to midnight and I am musing!

I learned from a show I was watching tonight that Shilpa Shetty is a 'trained Bharatnatyam dancer'. I remember reading somewhere that even Lara Dutta is a 'trained Bharatnatyam dancer'. Apparently the ice maiden Aishwarya also lays claims to the same distinction. Dance requires application, dedication and a whole lot of self discipline. So I wonder - can this really be true? Call me prejudiced, but I'm pretty sure the ladies are fibbing. Being known as a 'classical dancer' probably lends credibility to their otherwise bump and grind dancing style. I mean, I could also claim to be a 'trained Bharatnatyam dancer'. I took classes as a child. It is another story that everytime the master arrived, I locked myself into the bathroom and refused to come out till he left!

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NDTV good times airs a show called 'Cooking isn't rocket science'. The show is presented by 'one of Britain's most popular chefs Manju Malhi' - not my words, this is what the channel website claims. Now this so called popular chef is dreadfully annoying with an affected British accent that simply grates on my nerves. If you ask me, the show is really a cheap imitation of 'Kylie Kwong Cooking With Heart and Soul'. This Manju woman dresses like Kylie, wears similar spectacles and even has similar red highlights in her hair!!

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I saw this Telugu movie 'Ye Maya Chesavey' last night. It is the Telugu version of the Tamil film 'Vinnaithandi Varuvaya'. Made by Gautam Vasudev Menon, the Telugu version stars Nagachaitanya (son of actor Nagarjuna) and a new girl called Samantha. My feelings about this movie feature on my status message on facebook also. But it it bears repeating - what a drag! For starters, the lead pair cannot act. Second, the chemistry between them is conspicious by its absence. I suppose the music was ok. But I was so irritated by the movie that I didn't notice. So, without wasting more time and space on this washout of a movie, my verdict: Learn from my mistakes. Avoid!

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13 Responses to Midnight Musings On Film and Television

  1. Anonymous says:
    May 3, 2010 at 2:18 AM

    Maybe we need to figure out what it means to be a "trained" dancer? Maybe they just took one course or danced in the form for one day and got some made-up certificate?

    Nice breezy read as usual. :)

  2. Deepa says:
    May 3, 2010 at 8:17 AM

    milkmiracle.net: When I think of trained classical dancers in films, I think Padmini, Vaijayanthimala, Hema Malini. True dancers have a sort of regal carriage, stand very straight and upright and their hand movements are very graceful. The last one who embodied these qualities was Madhuri Dixit.

  3. Sandhya says:
    May 3, 2010 at 2:04 PM

    As you say, only trained dancers, that too, should have learnt for at least 3-4 years, will have the grace in dancing - any type of dancing. You forgot to mention Waheeda!

    I watched '7 Pounds' - a beautiful, soulful movie - very good (My son compelled me to watch it!). Otherwise, somehow, I don't get to watch movies at home at a stretch, so am not able to concentrate. So, have stopped watching!

  4. Roshmi Sinha says:
    May 3, 2010 at 6:52 PM

    I'm in complete agreement with you... regarding these self-proclaimed 'trained Bharatnatyam dancers' or 'trained classical dancers'.

    "I mean, I could also claim to be a 'trained Bharatnatyam dancer'. I took classes as a child. It is another story that everytime the master arrived, I locked myself into the bathroom and refused to come out till he left!"

    This bit takes me down memory lane...

    While @ school... we were required to attend P.T. classes... first thing on friday mornings.

    Years of this routine finally got to us... when we were in the 7th grade. We petitioned the Princi... to substitute the P.T. classes with anything else.

    She came back to us... stating we could learn Bharatnatyam instead.

    So... the following friday morning... Bharatnatyam it was.

    You can imagine how it went and what finally happened to our petition against P.T. classes ;)

  5. Deepa says:
    May 3, 2010 at 11:11 PM

    Roshmi: I think your principal was a wise lady! Sure knew how to handle teenage girls :)

    Sandhya: Oh yes...Waheeda Rehman. Epitomised grace.

  6. ~*. D E E P A .* ~ says:
    May 4, 2010 at 1:01 AM

    true true .....

    these days, it's like u learn a few dance steps and you can proclaim yourself to be a trained dancer. I see the same happening in music too ... people learn for an year (prob till geetams ) and are invited for shows .... it's diff if they are genuinely talented, but otherwise ....

  7. AMODINI says:
    May 4, 2010 at 11:02 PM

    I've watched that cookery show - and I so totally agree about Manju. I sort of don't get her whole presentation style, not very appealing - it (and she) needs a makeover.

  8. Deepa says:
    May 5, 2010 at 10:07 PM

    Amodini: And she comes up with these weird "British" receipes for a (I think) primarily Indian audience! Why on earth would we want to eat that 'feeka' khana?!!

  10. Roshmi Sinha says:
    May 21, 2010 at 2:38 PM

    Still knocking :(

    Its nearly 3 weeks now...

  11. Deepa says:
    May 22, 2010 at 8:20 AM

    Roshmi: Your grievance has been addressed!! :)

  12. radha says:
    June 4, 2010 at 4:58 PM

    I think they learn a few steps to get by. And yes the rocket science episodes are annoying. I did try one of her recipes. Her cooking is not a pleasure to watch either.

  13. Deepa says:
    July 20, 2011 at 10:14 PM

    milkmiracle.net: When I think of trained classical dancers in films, I think Padmini, Vaijayanthimala, Hema Malini. True dancers have a sort of regal carriage, stand very straight and upright and their hand movements are very graceful. The last one who embodied these qualities was Madhuri Dixit.

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