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Latest Story

Books Galore!

By Deepak Jeswal

 In the past month or two, cutting through hectic work schedules, maneovering hefty month-end targets and sinking into an ennui (impossible to shrug off), I carved out time for two main activities- one, search and buy a good music system (hi-end, assembled and absolutely a delight) and two, catch up on reading. Thankfully, April served a plethora of holidays to enjoy both. In any case, the sultry and humid weather that swamped Bombay disallowed any activity beyond home. And both IPL & the current on-going tussle between multi-plex owners & producers ensured no release worth watching hit the theaters. I saw two flicks I had missed earlier - on DVD. 13B was engrossing and entertaining. Though not overtly scary, it carried enough drama to hold viewer's interest;  however, the director failed minutes before the climax. Jai Veeru was absolutely disgusting – the premise was so kiddish, I am sure it couldn't have even looked good on paper. Why did they even waste time & money filming it? Coming to books, I finished Jeffery Archer's latest release – Paths of Glory. It's a ficitonalized account of mountaineer George Mallory, who may or may not be the first person to set foot on Mt.... »

Sorting Through Past -1

By Deepak Jeswal

In India, old technology, once advanced, is cruelly thrown into the dustbin. Just the way record players lost their importance, today cassettes are almost on their way out. It's not so elsewhere. While searching on google for record players, I found multitude of foreign sites catering to them, including a Japanese one catering to laser turntable (instead of using... »

The Curious Case of Khatiya & Khatmal

By Deepak Jeswal

Sometime in early nineties, a raunchy song hit the headlines. Choli ke peeche kya hai created an unnerving, albeit a totally unwanted, furore. How dare they! screamed the feminists. How daring! chuckled the men. Battle-lines were drawn - morality v/s creative license drew arms to herald a musical Mahabharat, with our poor ever-pale and ever-threatened Bhartiya Sanskriti undraped and... »


Hi Five!

By Deepak Jeswal

Random Expressions turns five today. I accept this post should have been longer and more introspective. But time is not on my side. And sheepishly, I admit there is a bit of laziness too. Still, like last year, I had... »

Finding a Doctor

By Deepak Jeswal

Monday morning, and I was ready on time. Congratulating myself, I sipped the orange juice contentedly while checking email on my mobile. I sat on a slender but comfortable cane chair, with my back to the window that... »

Aamchi Mumbai

By Deepak Jeswal
Gateway of India

I had shot this picture sometime last year, perhaps on my first visit to the monument since shifting to Mumbai. (Currently it is undergoing renovations) Somehow, after all that has happened, it seems an apt picture to put up -... »

A Wednesday : Mumbai Mayhem

By Deepak Jeswal

Like the film by a similar title (incidentally, a brilliant one on terrorism) Mumbai witnessed a terrifying Wednesday as ten of its most prominent locations came under terrorist seige. Unlike the film, this was for real. And it didn't end... »

A Phone For Mr. DJ

By Deepak Jeswal

I am not a gadget freak - though when I get one I love to explore all its functions- but the point I want to make is that usually I don't crave to own the new machine that hits the... »

Myths & Truths - Bombay - 1

By Deepak Jeswal

Bombay has enveloped itself into so many myths that it took me a year to finally break them free. Often I would reprimand myself for not believing them. These myths & tales are not written anywhere, they are perpetrated and... »

Vinyl Records - A Resurfaced Love Affair

By Deepak Jeswal

A colleague's chance remark brought back memories of the once-upon-a-time ubiquitous vinyl records. And then I read an article which claimed that vinyl records had a 'warm' sound. Voila, how true! As I dived into my hazy memory, I felt... »

Delhi Ravaged…Again

By Deepak Jeswal

They ravaged Delhi - arguably one of India's most beautiful cities and also my hometown - once again in a deadly deathly manner. Five blasts ripped asunder a quiet Saturday evening, two of which incised through its throbbing heart -... »

The Beer Trail

By Deepak Jeswal

In another world and time, a trip to Europe would have meant a detailed blog-entry. But I am back already after a packed week travelling in trams and trains of Austria and Germany (with a short detour into Hungary), and... »

Meeting Jeffrey Archer

By Deepak Jeswal

Well, not so much 'meeting' as it is 'seeing' him. But to think & imagine, that I'd ever be in the same room as the author I have adored, revered and often emulated, was - till a few days back... »

Bhoothnath - Film Review

By Deepak Jeswal

God bless Juhi Chawla! The actor keeps getting more beautiful by each passing day. The grace & maturity with which she has handled age & motherhood is a rare phenomena in our industry. Not only is she looking absolutely stunning,... »

Tashan - Film Review

By Deepak Jeswal

There is absolutely no harm in showing attitude. This year's top hit Race had oodles of it. Problem happens when there is no substance to support the style. Tashan - like Musafir - fails because the sexy swaggers and svelte... »

Reality Blues

By Deepak Jeswal

I have nothing against the prolifiration of reality shows on Indian sattelite channels. After all, everyone will try to encash on a successful formula - and frankly, if people are watching, what's wrong in it? It's the lack of creativity... »

Maid In India

By Deepak Jeswal

If there is one woe common in India (and extended to Nepal since I have stayed there too) it's that of the maids - especially those who work for bachelors, staying alone. I know the NRI's will snigger that... »

‘Dil Dance Maare’ : Tashan Rocks!

By Deepak Jeswal

Another thumping return:- Udit Narayan makes a resounding comeback! And how! In 'Dil dance maare' he simply lets loose his vocals, and his enjoyment in singing those bizarre lyrics, is more than audible and palpable and perceptible. Though Sukhvinder... »

Comeback Season - Abbas & Mustan and Jeff Archer

By Deepak Jeswal

It is the comeback season. Not mine. That is still time away. (I will continue to visit this space off and on for some more time). But two of my favorites have come back with a proverbial bang -... »

Of Travels and Celebrations…

By Deepak Jeswal

Look at life's irony - there was a time, on this very blog, when I had wanted to give it up all and walk away. During those crises-ridden days, I sought escape routes that were not available, and as lazy... »

Top Songs - 2007

By Deepak Jeswal
Tara Rum Pum

It's the time to rewind and assess the music that hit the charts this year. As in the past four such compilations, the below list is my own choice and does not in any way reflect the fate at the... »

I Will Return…

By Deepak Jeswal

...and very soon. But just a quick update to those who have actually ventured into this space the past few days: I am still home-less. More than me (after all, the company guest house is so comfortable) it's my packers-and-movers guy... »

Shat shat pranaam - Lata Didi

By Deepak Jeswal

It is the second consecutive year when, on this auspicious day, I am in a new town, without a consistent source of internet to type out a full-fledged message. But the solace is that I am breathing the same air,... »

On the road - Pune,Nashik, Shirdi

By Deepak Jeswal

I am back to what I am best at - travelling the road. This time, it's the interiors of Maharashtra. Pune is an old haunt, but this time it felt a tad too far off as the Volvo bus driver... »

Bombay

By Deepak Jeswal

That's where I pitch my tent, in yet another career and city move. I came here a couple of weeks back, and since then, I am caught in an immense whirlpool, where time is suddenly so short and distances so... »

Taj Mahal - Seen From Mehtab Bagh

By Deepak Jeswal
Taj Mahal - From Mehtab Bagh

Mehtab Bagh is a finely laid down garden, right opposite the Taj Mahal, across River Yamuna. From here, one gets a beautiful view of the monument, while resting in a shaded and cool atmosphere. The garden, built in a typical... »

Farewell, Agra

By Deepak Jeswal

The gypsy is ready to move on. The tent has been folded, the bags packed and the caravan ready to trudge to yet another new place. I left Agra - and my job - in the early evening of 31st August,... »

Heyy Babbyy

By Deepak Jeswal

For someone who has spent a lifetime on television making fun of other's movies, I had expected Sajid Khan to churn out a whacky and whopper comedy - even if it were superbly slapstick or insanely double-entendre laden! Alas, Khan... »