Agra
Mai hoon ik khanabdosh
Saara jag mera watan
For those who wonder the reason of my prolonged absence, the above quote and the post’s title will give away the reason. Yes, I am now in Agra - once again away from home, and in yet another historical town.
Things happened quite suddenly. At least, the shifting part. Even though, I can’t claim I have fully done so because I am still living in the company’s guest house and have only brought one travel bag. I plan to go back to Delhi sometime next week, once I have the possession of the flat, which I have selected.
The flat is an awesome one, providing a beautiful top-angle, wide-panaromic view of the Taj Mahal.
But first things first - how did I end up here? Frankly, even I wasn’t too aware that the interview I had given was for Agra’s position. When the HR lady called up to give package details, and other stuff, she casually mentioned that the place of posting is here. For several seconds, I was in a dumb stupor. And the lady had to repeat thrice to confirm that she had understood my shocked grunts as an affirmation to the offer.
After that, things tumbled over each other. Joined at the Delhi office and then made one trip to Agra last week to finalize the house - a gruelling one indeed, as I couldn’t find anything suiting my taste and my pocket. I drove a whopping 170 kms within this small city, in those two days of house-search, and yet the one that I zeroed on in was shown by the property dealer the third’s days morning - the day I returned.
Barely had I set foot in Delhi, when the office confirmed the final shift as well. At first, I was in a whirring confusion. To be honest, I still am! The transition has been anything but smooth. But, I will not crib much here on the official lacunae.
In between, I managed to view Karan Johar’s bullshit of a movie called Kabhi Alvida Na Kahna. I enjoy the so-called ‘Johar-Chopra escapists’ fare. But this one just didn’t hold on its own. The story’s premise is flimsy, and none of the characters are real. Nay, they are thinner than cardboard! Had it not been for Amitabh Bachchan’s sizzling presence, the film would have been a total washout. Karan uses cliche upon cliches, not only in his narrative - but in his shots as well. The scenes where the hero and heroine part ways, in a top-angle shot, with a soft chorus humming the theme music (the kind that saw its pinnacle in Hum Tum) drew only bored yawns. Not done, Karan - has your imagination grown thin already?
In an interview, Karan said that it his most mature movie. Perhaps it is- because *wink wink* there are two ‘lovemaking scenes’ - stuff that do not find place in his movies! And before you rush to call up the nearest theater, the shot is as bland as the film, with Rani ending up with a tear in her eye (a la Aishwarya Rai in Shabd). Unfortunately, by the time the film climaxes, the audiences have tears….of frustration and boredom!
Anyways, I won’t be able to do a full fledged review now. But the end result is, please (and a double please) don’t waste your hard earned money on KANK - and coming from a fan of such films, this is a monumental statement!
Signing off now; will try to fill in details as and when I can.
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August 20th, 2006 at 10:36 pm
Ohh Mein First
August 20th, 2006 at 10:43 pm
ahaan Agra..Suprise…
can relate very well with ur house-hunting exp. as we had a bad one here in Chennai…drove 100kms on sat n some 70kms on sun…to finally choose one apt.
Good that those 170 kms have been fruitful…a good view of the Taj Mahal
No comments on KANK as u have already read my take on it……
ROFL @ Karan said that it his most mature movie. Perhaps it is- because *wink wink* there are two ‘lovemaking scenes’
Keep us updated from Agra.tc
August 21st, 2006 at 7:06 am
sahi hai DJ, ab agra mein !
I too found an apartment here, with modestly driving (sorry riding with my colleague driving his car) 5-6 miles. It’s a bit expensive but i was in want of a shelter anyway.
Good luck to you .. new job, new apartment badhiya hai
August 21st, 2006 at 9:00 am
Nepal.. now Agra.. awesome…guess now its time for you to pen down some romantic verses or stories.. btw all the best
August 21st, 2006 at 10:27 am
Oh-ho… so this is the Agra connection!!! well, congatulation on the new job and on the flat with a view of the Taj!!! did that cost a bomb or wht???
And KANK, well I saw it yesterday…and only because I got free tickets… and for the first time in my life, I was more interested in chatting on my cell than watching a movie (that too in a theatre)
August 21st, 2006 at 10:41 pm
hey DJ,
wow! man a house across the taj?! from a view of the himalayas to the taj now, you do choose big, don’t u mate?!
howr things other wise….
cheers!
August 22nd, 2006 at 6:39 pm
good good, like I said, you have constant inspiration so when is the next story coming?
August 23rd, 2006 at 1:33 pm
hey.. thts great.. so, u’ve moved to Agra..
Abt KANK, what to say.. have already seen tht and experienced the pain of sitting in a movie hall for close to 4hrs without any interest..
barring a couple of songs n some light moments in the first half, the whole movie was jus soo ordinary… full of cliches as u rightly said..
August 24th, 2006 at 12:25 am
woahh.. all the best settling in the new city!! envy u for having that view of the Taj Mahal *siigh*.. n ofcourse, that was an absolutely brilliant review of KANK.. i was soo disappointed, it is unbelievable! definately not worth wasting 3hours on.. even the songs weren’y a relief from al the crap happening in it..
good luck once again!
August 24th, 2006 at 9:46 am
I have suggested an alternate ending on my blog. drop ur comment.
August 24th, 2006 at 9:49 am
Aap ke naseeb mein dilli kyun nahin. kisi ex-girl ki bad-duva lag gayi shayad
August 24th, 2006 at 9:52 am
Hi,Deepak…that’s good news..u’re in Agra….and,viewing the Taj daily..wow…grt.
August 24th, 2006 at 12:15 pm
Mehak - Gold aapka
Sure, willl keep updating as and when i can. And KANK, ufff!
Invinci - Good to see u commenting here. Finally the problem seems to hv got resolved…on its own , that is LOL. Anyways, even i hv taken up a slightly expensive house, only coz i wanted sth that was safe, secure and independent. The Taj view is just an added bonus!
Jay - LOL, ya sure… pahle kisi ko Mumtaz ko hum pe marna hoga na ;-P
Anks - Yep yep, this was the Agra connection
The flat was slightly expensive, but its ok. The locality is good, and the building is neat and clean with a proper working lift that doesnt seem to be a leftover from some bygone era!
Ramya - Distance wise, the house is pretty far off (by Agra standards) from Taj. It’s some 10-11 kms away. But since it is on the 7th floor, the passageway gives a clear view. Things are fine. Still in the process of settling down, so very hectic and major confusion right now
Pri - Settle toh ho jaaoon yahan pe
Prasad - Yeah, another new city for me
And about KANK, the less said the better!
Reema - It’s a feeling of deja vu. Only two years back i was shifting to Kathmandu. And now Agra. Thanks for the wishes. About KANK, its really uff! And me didnt like the songs either.
Dhoop- Will be there at your blog soon. And kya karein, apne pairon mein chakkar hai jo ghuma rahein hain idhar se udhar. But frankly, i dont mind it one bit!
Amit - Seems you can comment here too. Good good!
Mere Agra aate hi problem bhi solve ho gayi LOL. Still not viewing the Taj daily as I will get the possession of the house some time at the end of the week.
August 26th, 2006 at 5:03 pm
hi Deepak.
ab aap bhi UP waale ho gaye..:-) join the club.
August 28th, 2006 at 10:46 am
Vandy - Bilkul jee
August 29th, 2006 at 5:50 am
Agra… do I see some beautiful description of the Taj coming my way? Altho… be sure to blog about the city and the people and how it is to move in there… would love to hear what a guy who’s been living in a metro say about moving to Agra… and yes, definitely a photo of your house and the view from your house