A Strange Case of Billy Biswas

We, a group of friends, visit the Sunday book market at Abids on a regular basis. The reason being to rake in as many good books as possible before they vanish off the streets. Book hunting, for professionals haulers, is a game. Unfortunately, I am a greenhorn.  But, a few band members have become so adept, they could spot a phony from the genuine in a jiffy. They could spot a famous author among thousand unknown writers in no time. Call it talent. Or honed skill. Believe me, they are on a different plateau.

 

So, it wasn’t a surprise that Vinod, a good friend and fellow blogger, spotted ‘A Strange Case of Billy Biswas’ that was selling for a mere Rs 50 in a heap of books. I once read that this particular Arun Joshi’s title was listed amongst 100 books one must read before dying. I made a mental note but never thought could come across one so easily and at so cut-rate. I leapt at the opportunity. Vinod obliged even though he wanted to keep the copy. So, I traded fifty rupees for the book with the seller.

This was my first Arun Joshi’s book. I would say his writing isn’t exceptional but his thought line is near genius. In some places, I liked the description where he talks about a storm brewing and describes how people are running for shelter and details out a description of a paper twisting and turning in the air and eventually splashing in one’s face. You can’t overlook the author’s eye for such detail.  He is a writer who knows how to pick such things and string them in a story to give it profundity as well as a pleasing tint.

Moreover, the story grips you. You know you are being led into unknown territories throughout. Mental asylums, Anthropology, wild forests and other unfamiliar stuff. All through the book, he keeps the thread of suspense hanging and you end up taking the bait by reading few more pages even though you have other pressing engagements.

As for me, if possible, I like to read books at one go. Since I started the book late in the night, I could only finish one-third of it. Later, the book started pulling at my heartstrings. I was wondering how it will end, the story so far has been as weird as it could it get. Even though I was talking to my boss or the clients, my thoughts kept wandering back to the book wanting to know how it will end.

I tell you, if the curiosity killed the cat, mine almost murdered me! Anyway, having finished the book, I now feel at peace with myself, with the world and with Arun Joshi’s story. Phew!

 

 

Yesteryears' American Idol

I had hunted high and low for ‘Coming to America’, an Eddie Murphy starrer, on youtube but couldn’t put my finger on it. But some blessed soul decided to upload the movie recently, and I was treated to the most delightful time of my life yet another time. It’s a 80s movie, that had drama, romance and one action scene (If one may call whacking a robber with a cleaning stick, any action). A few parts of this movie, were actually plagiarized by our reputed Bollywood directors. But knowing the Bollywood directors, you can’t expect much either.

 

So, what makes ‘Coming to America’ interesting?! Hmm…the heroine was pretty! Of course, which heroine isn’t?  But this one was different in a way because a similar looking girl had a huge crush on me when I was in my teens. She made it quite obvious of this thing on many an occasion. For my own safety, I acted as if I haven’t noticed it, the girl got disappointed; must have thought I was deaf, dumb and mental and went away to a world where humans behaved like humans. The girl wasn’t bad either. But that was long ago. The film actually made me almost recollect the incident and I got lost in the labyrinth of ‘reminiscing of love’ for some time.

The movie stands a tad different because it stars our own Eddie Murphy, who wouldn’t hesitate a second to show off his pearly whites. That apart, he looks so young and dashing. The movie’s plot too was fresh as a rose. I could unravel the mystery of the movie in a jiffy but it wouldn’t be as good as watching it. So, I’ll spare you the trouble.

However, there’s this particularly lovable scene where the now famous actor Samuel Jackson walks in to rob the cash register. And presto! Armed with the most potent weapon any man could ever design – cleaning broom – our hero threatens the robber who’s actually holding a double barrel gun. And warns the robber in an impeccable English ‘Please refrain from using any obscenities in front of these people’ and further suggests, ‘I would be forced to thrash you’. Stupid guts.

Anyways, I am not going to break the suspense, if I hadn’t actually done it. But that’s some food for thought. Eddie Murphy knows how to turn a boring, drab, staid role into an appealing, beautiful and energetic one. The magician of the silver screen actually knows how to hold his audience under his spell.  So, don’t just stand hypnotized. Go watch his other movies that are equally arresting!

The Charming Debonair

An article I wrote for Hans India - a reputed daily in Telangana.

There’s a certain charm to his personality that holds the power to arrest the heart. At the same time, has the power to breathe life into a heart, dying for some adventure - spicing up the whole viewing pleasure to a decent degree. Ironically, James Bond dons all his traits like a true gentle man. How could we miss out on his standard attire – the black and white suit? And every time he cheats death, we know someone’s going to pay for it. As a viewer, you know it’s a big ‘bang’ for money.

Ever since James Bond took to the silver screen, we have had a string of gentleman, of significantly capricious personalities, impersonating him. Tersely speaking, Bond all these years might have had close shaves with death but in reality he never waxed old or deceased cold. He simply changed names… Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig.

So the onus of discovering who the best remains as unresolved as the Bermuda Triangle mystery. Although a decent line of actors have efficaciously donned the James Bond role, a close look at the contemporaries, will provide for a clearer perspective as to who’s the best. Of course, the oldies are goldies, but we are turning a blind eye to a few. Sorry folks!

A jog down the memory lane, and you have Sean Connery with his suave charm and mercurial wit. As James Bond, he displays a cunning personality with which he charms the enemy or charmingly outwits him. Of course, he doesn’t leave that decision to his foe. The call is entirely his. The former boxing champion-turned-actor hogs the limelight for his impeccable impersonation of Bond. An actor, who remains at top as the best Bond ever.

Roger Moore, fondly reminisced as the old Rog, had to fill the shoes of Sean Connery, who masterfully fleshed out the Bond character for a good many years.  The onus was not merely cumbersome but almost unattainable. Yet, he brilliantly side-stepped the aggressive bond attitude and lent his eye-brow raising one-liners, making Bond look shrewd with his sarcastic humour. His first four movies, if simply put, were awesome! As a Bond, he may not be a winner, but definitely is a strong contender.

Timothy Dalton, an accomplished actor, though he put on a spectacular performance in two movies, his career as James Bond got cut short. Certain other factors of 80s had adversely affected his movie career. His third movie which was on the cards then, just didn’t materialize. So, Dalton had all the charm but no firepower to prove his mettle! Great talent, sheer loss, since two movies can’t vouchsafe for the world of talent hidden inside a promising actor.

Pierce Brosnan, in a way, resurrected James Bond who was actually pretty much dead on his feet. His debut ‘Bond’ role in the flick ‘Goldeneye’ hit jackpot. Girls might have pulled their hair and swooned at this new OO7 as he had everything - charm, ingenuity and dynamism. In fact, he was the best Bond to grace the silver screen after Sean Connery. But somehow his other movies didn’t make the cash registers ring as much as his debut movie. Unfortunately, his charm eroded proportionately to his age. The directors were soon left hunting for the new cast.

When Daniel Craig was chosen to play Bond, the internet was ablaze with lot of hue and cry about the choice. Some cried he is too short, a few screamed he is too blonde, and a few others murmured he is too bland. There was unknown chaos. But guess who laughed his way to the bank?! Craig, of course. His portrayal as the bond had leveraged the bond quotient to new heights. Made him look mean yet real. Fortunately, both at the same time. This new role of ‘Bond’ was connected with the audience across the continents.

After donning the role for three successful movies, Craig is perhaps on the way to carving a niche for himself. With his new movie ‘Spectre’ on the cards, nobody knows whether he will soar the skies like an eagle or sink like a stone. But one thing, we all aptly know: he is still a strong contender for ‘The Best Bond’ ever. 

For quick review of the e-paper follow the link below...

http://epaper.thehansindia.com/492138/SUNDAY-HANS/03-May-2015#page/8/1