December 2012
1 post
Tale of Suitors # 1: The tale of the mysterious...
In hopes of gathering a little more information on the epidemic that plagues me and many other American Born Desi girls, Saheli shall now bring you the tale of Suitors series.
This story begins with a call from Mother early in the AM.
“Hi daughter, I wanted to let you know you might be getting a call from a boy. Do you know XYZ uncle, their friends somethings something someone’s son....
October 2011
8 posts
Saheli Vents about what qualifies as an "actress"...
Thanks to Namrata Shirodkar for finally saying what has been bothering me for quite a while! The sad sad state of Bollywood Actresses. Sadly we really lack talent esp when it comes to the the “leading ladies” department. It’s sad and scary. What happened to actual talent?
The male department is pretty secure. But a recent movie that really highlighted for me Bollywood’s...
Saheli Reviews: Ra.One
One Line Review: Finally a good, entertaining family film!
One Word Review: Super!
USP: Family relations. This film talks/shows a common dilemma/issue today in families, esp families living abroad (be that in the US, Australia, London etc.). It very nicely shows the differences in family members and how kids sometimes/oft-times have issues with their parents; find them dorky, weird, lame...
Saheli Reviews: Bodyguard
One Line Review: Cute film with a fabulous ending.
One Word Review: Cute
USP: Karishma & Kareena. Salman is Salman. He does what you expect from him, and enacts the role well. Kareena along with her Big Sis Karishma make this movie though. Their combined work make this film work. While Bodyguard may be about Salman, the Bodyguard, the whole movie really is Kareena’s story and she...
Let's talk Internet "Dating"
“Dating is about finding out who you are and who others are. If you show up in a masquerade outfit, neither is going to happen.”
- Henry Cloud, How to Get a Date Worth Keeping
Internet Dating is a somewhat new trend/phenomena/issue. There are clearly advantages and disadvantages from this way of meeting people. The obvious advantage is you have the potential (theoretically at least)...
Saheli Reviews: Magadheera (Telugu)
Disclaimer: I do NOT understand any of the languages of Southern India so reviews for such films are based off of what I see and the subtitles. I’ sure the subtitles aren’t perfect but you get the jist.
One Line Review: It has it all: action, romance, a bit of comedy!
One Word Review: Entertainer.
USP: Ramcharan Teja (who I discovered is the famous Chiranjeevi’s son) is...
Saheli Reviews: Aarakshan
One Line Review: Good social message supported with great acting.
One Word Review: Blood boiling! (In a good way for the film)
USP: Amitabh Bachchan, hands down is the USP. Manoj Bajpai is up there too, but the Big B makes this movie.
Aarakshan is a good film, but it would have been better if they kept it shorter. It is unnecessarily dragged out for no reason.
Saif is useless in this film.
...
Saheli Vents about the status of Garba nowadays!
UGH! So while I try to remain somewhat anonymous, I will admit to being a Gujju (and proud of it) and I need to vent about Garba. Despite being born and brought up in America I am quite “Indian”. That is my ethnicity after all; that doesn’t change simply because of my birthplace (another vent topic for another day). As a kid we always went to Garba and celebrated Navratri the way...
Let's talk Love vs. Arranged
This is a topic most deal with today. I do not have an answer as to which is better, because it’s not a matter of right and wrong. It’s a matter of opinions. I only aim to bring up the pros and cons as I see them and maybe change your opinion on the issue; or maybe you will change my opinion!
So here we go.
Love vs. Arranged
“Western” society teaches us that love should...
September 2011
8 posts
Saheli Reviews Rubric
I realized my scoring system is not clear even to me! That is a problem. So I decided to establish a grading system rubric. I will be going back and re-grading films according to this new system.
Rubric:
A+: A true masterpiece. You have to be Nuts not to watch this.
A: Bollywood at its best. Great.
B: Definitely worth it. Good.
C: Ok. You can watch it once.
D: Just tolerable.
...
Saheli Reviews: Mausam
First of all, I never go to the theater anymore, but for Mausam I made an exception bc of bargain Tuesdays and the fact that it stars my 2 favorites: Shahid (heart) and Sonam (diva).
A lot has been said about this movie. I didn’t want to say anything about Mausam until I saw it for myself. Many “critics” have trashed the film which is okay they are entitled to their opinions but...
Saheli Reviews: Singham
This is my first review!
I hate it when “reviewers” tell you everything in the movie so I will definitely NOT be doing that. I also hate long drawn out reviews - again not doing. My purpose in reviewing is simply to share the “news” about films - the real deal. I will try my best not to be biased, but reviews are almost always a bit biased because it is the writer’s...
Let's talk about Trust!
“Without trust, there can be no tranquil resting of the mind … there can be no belief. No belief in kindness. Or integrity. In anything.”
- Dean Koontz, Velocity
Trust. Trust is confidence and hope in someone or something. It is the foundation for any and every relationship you will ever have. Unfortunately in this day and age, most people (including myself) are skeptical and...
Let's talk Generation Gap.
“Generation Gap: A chasm, amorphously situated in time and space, that separates those who have grown up absurd from those who will, with luck, grow up absurd. “
- Bernard Rosenberg, Dictionary for the Disenchanged, 1972
The separational chasm between generations is natural. For, people form their thoughts beliefs due to nature and nurture. While nurture is not necessarily the same...
Let's talk about the greatest dilemma for Indian...
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
The Dilemma: What is being yourself when you have two different ideas, morals, thoughts/views on life?
This is not a problem solely for Indian Americans. In fact, in this day and age where cultures are so intertwined and there is greater...
Let's talk Desi Momma's!
“A lady’s imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment.”
- Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
So true. When it comes to rushing to marriage decisions no one beats the Desi Momma. Always hunting, looking, and praying to God so that she may announce her happy news: my daughter/son is getting married!
Now there is a difference...
“I always deserve the best treatment because I never put up with any other.”
– Jane Austen, Emma 