There is a small philanthropist in me. He comes out frequently and enjoys doing his bit for the needy. But on Friday (June 11, 2010), he got a great opportunity to meet and spend some time at a home for the abandoned old-aged on the outskirts of Hyderabad. It was a part of Deloitte's community service initiative.

To be frank, I was not really excited, but was looking forward to the day. As I live with my grandparents, I understand how desperate elderly people are for support and how much joy a small hello can bring to them.

We were at the place by about 10:30. The whole event started slowly with the caretaker giving us some background. It was followed by personal interactions with the inmates. Everyone had a bitter reason to be there. While some were left alone by their children, some others lost their families. As we probed them more, we discovered mathematicians, talented singers, post graduates, etc.

Fun started in the afternoon as we gathered some of the inmates and some poor villagers around under a shade. Team games, lunch, dancing, and singing followed making it a memorable event. What more! I hosted all the afternoon events, explaining the rules of the games, persuading, and encouraging the crowd to take part.

At about 4:30 pm, on behalf on my team, I bid adieu to the cheering crowd who forgot, at least for some time, that they were the unwanted. The immediate reaction from the crowd was "What's your name? When will you come back?"

Almost in tears, I assured them I will visit again with my wife after marriage. They blessed our team, wished us all the very best, prayed for our success. All this just because we gave them some attention.

A combination of joy and responsibility swept my heart as I walked towards our vehicle.

PS: This is the catalyst I have been waiting for.
Photo 1: Photo with my fans toward the end.
Photo 2: Me dancing to a folk song
                                                                                    Photo 3: Group photo at the end.

 For more pics:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=photographs.vinay&target=ALBUM&id=5483414231730370417&authkey=Gv1sRgCOPvsKKAweHbaA&invite=CJXRq_YL&feat=email

and

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=photographs.vinay&target=PHOTO&id=5483412290983685682&aid=5483410337336790929&authkey=Gv1sRgCM3niYGVw-2xNA&feat=email

My first post will not be something very useful to everyone. But it is my voice against people who have taken the audience for a ride.

I saw Sivaji-The Boss on the fourth day of its release with minimum expectations after being informed that it was an average flick by my best friend Sripathi. It is to be remembered that I saw the Telugu version in one of the best theaters in Hyderabad.

I didn't go to the theater to watch aerobics (dances) or people performing stunts in air (like what air force people do yearly) or cheap comedy but that was what I was offered for three and a half hours with a short interval of fifteen minutes.

It starts on a promising note but just within 20 minutes after the start boredom creeps in. Rajini's flash back should have been cut by at least 20 minutes. His scenes with Shriya were so pathetic that I started feeling for Rajini for trying to do his best to save the film. Rajini was not Rajini in this film. Where did the style, charisma and mannerism that earned him a demi-god status among the masses go?

He was out of sorts in the first half. After about 100 minutes, I was given a break with Rajini ready to take on the villain single-handedly. These fifteen minutes gave me immense pleasure and at the same time I wondered whether I had come to a Rajini movie.

The second half started on an interesting note but even this didn't last long. Just after 15 minutes the tempo went down again and what followed was a circus.

First of all, Shankar selected a wafer-thin plot. Heroine is a must in Indian cinema. Hence added Sriya. Once added, she cannot be left alone. Hence added a love angle which in fact acts as a speed breaker to the film. Similar is the case with songs. Though they are canned using ultra modern technology, the audience cannot enjoy because of their odd timing. Since the story gained momentum only in the second half where Rajini is shown as a macho man, the first half will be etched as a mediocre fare in the minds of the audience. But again the second half had songs and other scenes involving heroine which again dragged the movie. The director found no time to bring out his message in a convincing manner while managing the songs and settings.

On the whole, even a die hard Rajini fan will come out of the theater with a big disappointment.