Tere Bin Saanu Sohniya

- New Song of the Moment -

I'll have to admit, I've heard it a while ago..but it didn't register for me until I heard Mussarat performing it on SaReGaMaPa Challenge 2007...eventhough he messed up with the lyrics. He sang it beautifully. No clue what all of the words mean (This is before I did a PhD on the song)..my Punjabi (or Five-Jabi) is seriously beyond lacking. Evenso, the words are utterly beautiful.

After listening to it a one-trillion-gazillion times and searchin' the net...this is what I have come up with..

Tere Bin
Music and Performed By Rabbi Shergill
Lyrics By Sanyukta Verma

Tere Bin Sanu Sohniya Koi Hor Nahio Labhna Jo Dave Ruh Nu Sakun Chukke Jo Nakhra Mera Ve Main Sare Ghumm Ke Vekhia Amrika , Roos, Malaysia Na Kittey Vi Koi Fark Si Har Kise Di Koi Shart Si Koi Mangda Mera Si Shama Koi Hunda Surat Te Fida Koi Mangda Meri Si Wafa Na Koi Mangda Merian Bala Tere Bin Hor Na Kise Mangni Merian Bala Tere Bin Hor Na Kise Karni Dhup Vich Chhan Tere Bin Sanu Sohniya Koi Hor Nahio Labhna Jo Dave Ruh Nu Sakun Chukke Jo Nakhra Mera	Besides you my love I shan't find another Who'll give peace to my soul Who'll endure my fickle temperament (nakhra) I have gone and seen it all America, Russia, Malaysia It didn't matter to anyone They all had some conditions Some asked for my time Some were fascinated with my face Some demanded my fidelity No one asked for my demons/flaws Besides you no one else could Ask for my flaws/demons Besides you, there isn't anyone with whom I could Create a shade under the sun Besides you my love I shan't find another Who'll give peace to my soul Who'll indulge me
Jiven Rukia Si Tun Zara Nahion Bhulna Main Sari Umar Jiven Akhia Si Akhan Chura "Rovenga Sanu Yad Kar" Hasia Si Main Hasa Ajeeb Par Tu Nahi Si Hasia Dil Vich Tera Jo Raaz Si Mainu Tu Kyon Ni Dasia Tere Bin Sanu Eh Raaz Kise Hor Nahion Dasna Tere Bin Peerh Da Ilaaj Kis Vaid Kolon Labhna Tere Bin Sanu Sohniya Koi Hor Nahio Labhna Jo Dave Ruh Nu Sakun Chukke Jo Nakhra Mera	The way you paused slightly I won't forget my entire life Looking away you said "You will weep remembering me" I Laughed a strange laugh But you didn't laugh The Secret that lay in your heart Why didn't you tell me? Besides you, this secret of your's I won't tell anyone Besides you, the cure to my ailment Which doctor could possess Besides you my love I shan't find another Who'll give peace to my soul...
Milia Si Ajj Mainu Tera Ik Patra Likhia Si Jis 'te Tun Shayr Varey Shah Da Parr Ke Si Osnu Hanjnu Ik Duliya Akhan 'ch Band Si Seh Raaz Ajj Khulia Ki Tere Bin Eh Mere Hanjnu Kise Hor Nahio Chumna Ki Tere Bin Eh Mere Hanjhu Mitti Vich Rulnha Tere Bin Sanu Sohniya Koi Hor Nahio Labhna Jo Dave Ruh Nu Sakun Chukke Jo Nakhra Mera) - 5	Today I found A Letter of Your's In which you've Scribbled A Couplet of Varis Shah Upon Reading it Fell a teardrop That was trapped in my eyes All the secrets were revealed today That besides you, these tears of mine Won't be kissed away by no one else That besides you, these tears of mine Will wither away into the dust Besides you my love I shan't find another Who'll give peace to my soul...

Ads Vying for the Indian Spending Power

With nearly $254 billion in annual buying power, Asian Americans are a powerful force in the U.S. consumer market. Over the past decade, their spending power has increased 125%, from $118 billion in 1990 to $253 billion in 2001. Over the same time period, the buying power for the U.S. as a whole increased by only 71%.

Source

This is probably why I'm seeing a lot of Ads being geared towards the Desi viewer lately.

Before the K-Fed Superbowl ads, Nationwide Insurance had the South-Asian centric ads on Desi Channels...these are my favorites (meaning there are more).
My Fav: Uncle Ko Bye Bolo


Others-
Mirror Mirror On the Wall

Hi, Cutie, Hello, Beauty

Nationwide isn't the first, but they are better to watch than the ones I've seen done before by New York Life Insurance, Wal-Mart, or others.

Facts and Figures
More Asian-Indian Americans (58%) hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, versus all Asian Americans (47%) and the U.S. population (27%).

What if...Sheel Does Bollywood

As I sit here in my cubicle, which I share with another coworker, masquerading as a diligent employee, staring at the corner time display of my computer screen, which is still showing 2:46 PM, I am left to ponder what if I hadn't taken the plunge into the overwhelming thrill ride that is Information Technology. What would I have done? Could I have been an Indian film Star..or at least a C-list "altu-phaltu" (nobody)? Hey, a girl can dream can't see, and so this one does...

I abscond from this constant state of lethargy known as work and land on a couch of a room in the Port of Bombay now called Mumbai. I look around the room as the door across the couch opens up and in comes a 40-something man who seems to be inebriated. He plops down on the couch uncomfortably close to me and he says, "Thanks for coming to my Madh Island bungalow, 'Ruchi', I wanted to get to know your "acting" skills on a more personal level." Looking outside the window at the dark of night, I know for a fact that he is not going to ask me to sing bhajans to him. Before I could say, "Ruchi who?", he places his arm around me. I immediately freeze up, not saying anything, while debates go off in my head. What am I doing?, so can I get a role out of it?? Unbeknownst to me, the glimmer of character that I didn't know to exist burst out of nowhere and I pushed him off and sprang out the door.

My daydreams truly suck with negativity oozing out of every bubble. Most people fantasize of super-stardom and here I am imagining obscurity. Ah well, I'm back at work its January 2007 and I still have a December 2006 calendar on my wall. Looking at my lackluster cubicle, I'm already looking forward to my next What if....

Underappreciated Films

After I wrote about the worst Indian movies..I thought I would write about those that were underappreciated...

Movies that should have been more popular...

Iqbal (2005): I believe this movie was a critic's favorite, but it just flopped. In my mind, it shouldn't have flopped. I can't get enough of Nagesh Kukunoor and Iqbal.

Yeh Tera Ghar Yeh Mera Ghar (2001): What an unbelievably funny movie! I think people will watch this one over and over on DVD/TV but just refused to go to the theater to see it.

Muskurahat (1992) : I watched this movie and I really liked it. I came across it years later and thought I've never heard of it..and watched it again..I fell in love with it over again. Of course, it is a Priyadarshan film so its gotta be funny!

Khel (1991) (Anil Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit): It was a good film that flopped. I found the following on BollyCat (http://www.bollycat.com/movies/khel)
So its a copy...but the film was interesting.

Rules: Pyar Ka Superhit Formula (2003): I love how some characters you think having nothing to do with the plot are introduced and each of them get weaved into the storyline leaving no loose ends behind. This movie was a hit, however whenever I mention this film no one knows about it. Leaving me to believe it is underappreciated. Milin Soman is so hot and Meera Vasudevan makes me wish I were her.

Khakee (2004): This was another great film by Raj Kumar Santoshi...that was so had a box office of just result of just Average (Box Office India) The storyline was gripping, the climax was intense and the ending was simply satisfying. There was many many memorable scenes in between. It had it all. Akhshay Kumar was funny, Aishwariya was sharp, Ajay Devgan was good - bad cop goonda, and get this Tusshar Kapoor was tolerable.

Lajja (2001): One word- Awesome! Of course it flopped. This was a multi-starter..unlike Jaani Dushman (also a Manisha starer)..so incredible to watch. It's the story of how Manisha Koirala witnesses the plight of Indian women in different parts of the country as she tries to escape her husband. Some incredible lines delivered by Madhuri Dixit, Mahima Chaudary, and Anil Kapoor. All three of them and Manisha's act really well in the movie. I've fallen in love with Raj Kumar Santoshi films..this movies story comes from a newspaper article that RKS read about a women named Raamdulari being burnt alive.

Teen Deewarein (2003) Nagesh Kukunoor is one of my favorite directors..I just wish he had the popularity of Karan Johar, since he has more talent than that guy has popularity.

Kaun! (1998) Ram Gopal Verma directs this incredible film with - can you believe - only three actors. Brilliant performances all across - Urmila Matondkar, Manoj Bajpai.

House Full - Or not so full...Really Bad Hindi Films

janasheen

WORST INDIAN MOVIES EVER MADE
..that I've seen. Yes, the worst that I've seen, it will not include movies such as Paisa Vasool, Trimurti, Haseena Maan Jayegi, Sandwich (includes all Govinda movies), Khushi, Boom, Love at Time Square, Neal 'N' Nikki, Gajagamini, the Dev Anand directed movies, etc. I guess I didn't fall for those movies...but nonetheless I have fallen..and pretty bad..

I believe this is one of the most popular blog topics for Indian movie watchers - The top ten worst Hindi movies you have ever seen..and this is my version. Had I the strength to see the above mentioned movies, the below list would change a little..but here it is...

10) Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (2006): KANK as they call it. What is worst Shah Rukh Khan's over acting and arrogance or Sam, Amitabh Bachchan's male whore of a character in the film? I'd say Shah Rukh wins that one. He's usually over the top and I guess his fans love him like that. I usually can't tolerate him but even other people I was watching the movie with were losing their patience with him. The eternal looming question inside me--why do you guys like Shah Rukh? Anyways, the movie is about how two ex-spouses get two cheaters together and wishing them nothing but the best. Huh?

9) Hum Aapke Hai Kaun...! (1994): I believe HAHK started the whole acronym thing...as annoying as it is. It's one more reason to hate the movie. Don't get me wrong...as I watched this movie for the first time--like everyone else I loved it. I started hating the movie around the thirty-sixth time I watched it. The movie has a great soundtrack, but can we just kill the movie and call it a day? Then they made Hum Sath Sath Hain which is HAHK Part II. Was that really necessary?? Like do we really need non-realistic films about ideal subjects like living as a big happy family in a big house...how about living like a big happy family in a very small house and getting smaller by the day as more more family members come out of no where -- now there's a challenge!

8) Khel (2003): Ajay Jadeja - Just 'cause the whole cricketing thing didn't work out - no need to go into acting.

7) Ram Jane (1995): Lately, whenever I see Shah Rukh Khan at award shows (where else do you think I see him) and other places he seems so full of himself (King Khan)...someone should make him sit through this one!! Ram Jane is his name in the film...The orphan kid, Shah Rukh, goes to a Sadhubawa and asks, "What is my name?" The Sadhu replies, "Ram Jane (As in God only knows)" The dumb kid actually thinks that is his name and thats what he is called from that point on. This movie should be called...the movie where Vivek Mushran is a better actor than Shah Rukh.

6) Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon (2003): A really bad remake of an orignal which they completely dissected and ruined. Hritik should get an award for the Best Actor - One which Obliterates the enjoyment of a Moviegoer. One of my cousin's had a very apt theory,that acting as a Mentally Challenged person in Koi Mil Gaya made Hritik perform like a neurotic person in Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon (this movie seriously cries for an acronym).

5) Veer Zara (2003): One thing I always say about this movie is that its a Punjabi film pertending to be a Hindi film. Imagine this, the day after Diwali when the majority of Gujaratis are celebrating the new year's with Ankoot at the temple...going to the theater after the Mandir to watch a Hindi movie that turns out to be entirely in Punjabi. I feel sorry for those illiterate Guju bastards that couldn't read the subtitles fast enough...haha. Oh yeah and Shah Rukh's speech at the end sucked like I don't know what...those of you who liked it..stop pretending! The courtroom scene was lacking and so was Anupam Kher. I believe Paresh Rawal was ten times better in the courtroom scene in Aitraaz. Veer says to Zara..after she decribes her country..your country reminds me of my country...Nah Duh! It belonged to India...like yesterday!!!

4) Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Ghum (2003): I love how they just stuff the song Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham, whenever they feel like it...it complete wrecks any mood the director, Karan Johar, is trying to establish. The only redeeming thing within this movie was Kajol...who saved me from getting up and out of my seat and smacking Shah Rukh in the face. Kareena needed to be slapped as well. Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham...Na Jooda Honge Hum... (I thought I'd stick it in...)

3) Mohabbatein (2000): Any movie that is this close to my Numero Uno worst movie has got to be bad. I have to say this -the best thing about this movie -- Jugal Hansraj is too cute. Back to the point, it's so contradicting...the movie is supposed to be a family oriented film, then why does it have so many half-nacked girls.. Could the relationship between Amitabh Bachchan and his daughter, Aishwariya Rai, be any bad...that she has to kill herself because she fell in love with some guy... They just weren't able to show why AB had a big problem with Love...Why am I trying to find reason in such a nonsensical film?

2) Janasheen (2004): What's worst Fardeen Khan in Speedo bikini shorts or Celina Jaitley in a bikini while she plays the violin??? It's a toss up. All those Urdu words used to decribe Fardeen Khan by Feroz Khan's character, were they really necessary? I know Feroz Khan won't understand, but there is nothing so special in Fardeen Khan and he just doesn't get this..


1) Jaani Dushman - Ek Anokhi Prem Kahani (2002): This happens to be THE WORST movie ever made. Sheer 'Bakvaas'. Their is no other way to put it. Filled with a great amount of "star" power - Manisha Koirala, Sunny Deol, Sunil Shetty, Akshay Kumar, Sharad Kapoor, Raj Babbar, Armaan Kohli(not really star power). What were these people thinking???
It's a remake of the orignal, which supposedly was a hit. The Director till date can't figure out why the remake didn't work as the orginal had.. My guess..people aren't big on rape scenes anymore...not to mention crappy story lines with Nags and Nagins...

Interesting Links @ Swadhyaya

http://www.swadhyayee.org/

I came across this site when I researching swadhyay, it is quite interesting.  It says its a website for people hurt by swadhyaya and for followers of real religion and philosophy.

Update: The site is down. I don't know why.
Try this forum, which discusses Swadyaay heavily - http://vmehta.conforums3.com/index.cgi?board=Religions

Forget about Rainin' Men..its Rainin' Money Tonight!!

June 11:
What started as an fun evening turned into something we would remember forever..

Some friends and I had planned to meet at Sequoia's in Georgetown for a bite to eat and drinks..
We chilled there and walked around a bit on M St., until we finally decided to go to Modern.

Modern is a nice place with a caved in bar area. The club is underground..so I was a little scared that the roof would cave in..but I had a great time regardless.

We left the club at 2 Am..passed by Prince Cafe..were commenting on Prince Cafe and the hookahs when suddenly people bust out of the restaurant towards a building across the street.

We looked in the direction, they were going..someone was throwing what looked like paper confetti from the building of a 6-8 floor building. Priyanki or Rima shouted its money but I didn't believe them. Just as I said, its probably fake..they left to go closer to the building.
I knew that any minute now they would come back and say that it wasn't money or it was Monopoly money..and I could laugh at them. So I didn't go far...But then I heard someone say it was a dollar bill. Contemplating whether I was too classy to pick up dollar bills, I climbed a hill near the building, which had a lot of bills on the ground.

Ended up with more than $40 bucks in my pocket that night. Our entire crew ended up with approximately $200 in paper...we estimate that the dude must've thrown out $500 to $1000 that night. What a night!

The guys ended up throwing money in 3 batches. The homeless people were jumping the air to catch money..not noticing the cash around there feet..I would swoop in after they had moved on..to collect the dough on the ground.

Some homeless people left after the first batch..so surprised..we kept goading him to throw more and he did..until the police came and stopped it all..why oh why?? Was this a crime??