Cat In The Box

Aishwarya was at the wedding.

Salman Khan was goofing in KBC.

What happened to Vivek Oberoi?

So have you thought of a name, she asked. I was shaken out of my reverie. What? I guiltily mumbled something incomprehensible. Come on now, you must think of a name, she demanded. I will do that later, I told her. Right now, tell me a few names. I was just starting to get a little irritated now. For heavens sake, it is your child. Why should I think of a name? Not to be so easily put off she insisted that I had to help her with finding a suitable name. You are after all her godfather, she said. Godfather? What is that? What are all the entitlements and duties of a godfather? Who believes in such shit, I wanted to know. She dismissed me like she always does and told me somewhat triumphantly, the first thing a Godfather does is, think of a name. Do I think of a name for a girl or a boy, I asked. A girl, she said with confidence. How can you be sure? Did the doctor tell you something, I asked her suspiciously? I just know, she replied smugly patting at her enormous tummy. Looking at that bulge made me nauseous. I fainted and I woke up on her husband’s bed. Who cares about this godfather nonsense, I would rather have been the father.

Do Bloggers fall in love with each other? Given how insular the Blog world usually is, that is a distinct possibility isn’t it? Where does that leave us? Will a Blogger ever fall in love with a non Blogger? Does merely maintaining a Blog, make me a Blogger? Will she ever notice me - the Blogger? Do I have a better chance of getting noticed as a Blogger than a Non Blogger? Why is the Blog world so closed? Why is that some Blogs never link and dialogue with each other? Are there Blog Camps that exist? Can people cross over from one camp to another?

1. Aji hum se bachkar, kahaan jayega… jahan jayega humein payega

The immensely boring Rajendra Kumar (who sounds like a Blue Line Bus Conductor) and the very very pretty Sadhana, in the 1965 musical romance, Arzoo. If one were to ignore the fact that this was fare doled out by the same chap who brought our favorite mythology into our living rooms every Sunday, this is not a bad movie at all. This used to be staple as far as Doordarshan movies and Rangoli were concerned. This particular song is my favorite. I especially like it for its stalking qualities. Albeit very very quaintly. The utter helplessness of stalking.

Yeh kaisa nasha hai, yeh kaisa asar hai - Na kaaboo mein dil hai, na bas mein nazar hai - Zaraa hosh aa le chale jaaiyega, theher jaaiyega

There is a female version of it, more famous than the Rafi one, with some modifications in its lyrics. But I tend to be partial to this one. I had even sung this one to her, over the phone. This after she told me the thing that every male dreads to hear – It is not you, it is me. Pffft! Jahaan jayega humein payega….

2. Tum agar mujhko na chaho… tum kissi aur ko chaho to mushkil hogi

A little more militant is this one from a movie that was a couple of years before Arzoo – Dil Hi to Hai. Starring the lovable tramp aka Raj Kapoor and the first of my favorite Maharashtrian heroines Nutan. I vaguely recall this film as being somewhat macabre and full of intrigue. This song was also a regular feature in Rangoli every Sunday morning. Years before SRK immortalized the obsessive lover on screen, this song had a nice touch to it. Written by one of the most talented lyricists - Sahir Ludhianvi, the stalking possibilities in this song are endless. What I love in this song is the whole philospohy of – Khud to Dubenge Sanam, Auron Ko Bhi Saath Le Jaayenge.

Phool Ki Tarah Hanso, Sab Ki Nigaahon Mein Raho - Apani Maasoom Javani Ki Panaahon Mein Raho - Mujhko Vo Din Na Dikhanaa Tumhein Apani Hi Kasam - Main Tarasata Rahun Tum Gair Ki Baahon Mein Raho - Tum Agar Mujhase Na Nibhaao To Koi Baat Nahin - Kisi Dushman Se Nibhaaogi To Mushkil Hogi

The film also featured two very famous songs including, Laga Chunri Mein Daag and Nigahen Milane Ko Ji Chahta Hai. Ah, Asha Ji! In a tragic turn of events, a movie by the same title was made and realeased thirty years later. Featuring, errr, Jaggu Da! Need i say more. Bet Ghalib to whom the original line can be attributed to (for making it famous that is), must have turned in his grave.

3. Tu Jahaan Jahaan Chalega… Mera Saaya Saath Hoga

More Sadhana coming up. This time the Raj Khosla 1966 starrer – Mera Saaya. I love this film. In spite of Sunil Dutt. Raj Khosla always managed to get great music in most of his movies. The soundtrack of Sunny continues to remain a favorite. But then, if you have RD, how wrong can you go? Here he had arguably the most under-rated music composer out of Bollywood – Madan Mohan. The same chap who gave us some great music in – Hanste Zakhm, Adalat, Woh Kaun Thi, Anpadh, Dastak, Mausam and of course Mera Saaya. Yes, there was also Veer Zaara. If you ignored the very convenient plot, it wasnt THAT bad. And Lata M doesnt sound like a 75 year old for a change. But Mera Saaya is a brilliant soundtrack. From the popular Jhumka Gira Re to the surrendering Aap Ke Pehloo Mein Aakar to the soulful Nainon Mein Badhra Chahye. Of course, there is the very famous title song, the signature song of the film. Makes stalking such a beutiful emotion:

Tu agar udaas hoga, to udaas rahoongi main bhi - Nazar aaoo, ya na aaoo tere paas rahoongee main bhi -Tu kahin bhi jaa rahegaa, mera saaya saath hoga

4. Pyaar Ke Mod Par Chodoge Jo Baahein Meri

No music list is coimplete if it doesnt have RD’s contribution included. And if it features the origional oomph girl of Bollywood – Mad Dixie, the joy increases manifold. And if it has the voice of Asha Ji it is closest you get to heaven on earth. This from the 1989 Vidhu Vinod Chopra film, Parinda. I was ten years old then, too young to understand the complexities of this film. But many years later, in throes of a heart-break, sitting in front of Lodhi Garden, this song made a lot of sense. It is one of the best love songs actually.

Aisa na ho, aye sanam jaao to fir aa naa sako -Meri ye tamannaa hai, tum mere paas raho - Kyo tumhe bhaatee nahee, aaj panaahe meree

There is very little of expectations here. Unconditional love, perhaps. The only condition being that i will continue loving you no matter what. I badly need a drink now.

Is writing the IIT Exams as I write this. Nope, he does not want to be the next big scientist chappie. Nor does he want to write terrible books that becomes bestsellers. Nor does he want to try and land himself some woman from LSR. Neither is he interested in changing the world. He says, ‘Getting through IIT is the most important thing in my life because where else can I go and legitimately commit suicide. May be Barkha (of Dutt fame) might do a special show on me.’ Mom is very proud of Kid brother. At least, he does not want to be a journalist, she tells me. I am able to view all of this, as if, I am not even part of it.

I am madly in love with this woman, who is a famous female blogger. I have tried to get her attention on a number of occasions, but when we meet (which happens sporadically, because She (henceforth to be referred as thus) is too busy meeting other bloggers) She is busy thinking up of blogposts. Every time we meet I sense her disappointment that nothing blogworthy ever seems to happen. I secretly read her blog and am yet to feature even once in her posts. But when you can’t beat them, you join them. So here I am. And hopefully our Blogs will connect and there shall be no more unrequited love.