Just reviewing: Jab Tak hai Jaan.

Of course a love story, attempted to be presented in a racy way. But I rather laughed off some scenes that were supposed to appear intense & romantic. Anyway, the other half had a satisfying twist to it that kept me anticipating. It's after the interval that the storyline got a head-start.
The climax was unpredictable - which I liked. Choreography was up to the mark & the dialogues were contemporary enough to keep the Gen-X hooked.

Katrina's role had a slight stint of what she played in Namaste London(NRI in London), though she's a completely different person in this movie. Her performance is convincingly appreciable.

Anushka Sharma happens to appear as a zeal of life. Fresh, chic, young and care-free.

She has amazingly pulled off the role of a laid-back girl with a mature understanding.

I loved watching the two together on screen! 

Shah Rukh Khan, on the other hand,  could have been more innovative & fresh with his performance. 

Id est, All the three gave you performances not really beyond what you'd expect from them, yet not disappointing.

Not to forget would be a charming part of the film - the song 'Challa ki labda fire' sung with enticing vocal intonations and élan by Rabbi Shergill. His voice is magical, tells a story apart from the lyrics!

In a nutshell, wouldn't say the movie offered you something unprecedented. If you're a 'Yashraj films' buff and like watching stories of love, destiny & coincidences, go watch. Else, you can give it a miss!

THE NIGHT WE KISSED IT.

It was the ultimate chaos, as I LIKE to call it.

There was a barrage of vehicles in every direction. People were all around you. You hardly knew any of them. A Traffic Jam so huge - even a snail could move faster.If you had somehow entered the Bandwagon, you Hardly had any chance of escaping it before a matter of few hours.

You could not go home. There was noise. People were rambling frantically; Disoriented.There was nowhere to go. There was hardly a human who wasn't shouting their guts out.

Screams-Jumps-Louspeaker-Police-Barricades.

The kind of a situation that could make you believe we were on the verge of a WAR. A

thousand cars tailgating each other.

But the irony ?

There was no honking, no fear, no haste. Any noise was being music to the ears. You just wanted to lose it, to let your hair down and live it, knowing that this could be the first and the last time you could possibly experience it.

There was a WORLD around India Gate, yet you felt like you were in the cozy comfort of your home. The people around you, whom you'd otherwise just surpass sans noticing, were suddenly your Childhood friends.

The amity oozing out of every heart was infecting the air. Loud MUSIC, Dance freaks, Smiling faces of the police force(Something you don't witness so often).

It was like a mammoth party in the middle of the night. The entire Lutyens' Delhi being the club, the sky being its roof, The DJ being the cars' music systems, the street lamps giving the effects, and the roads being the dance Floor.

You really didn't mind if people swore or fell walking because they were drunk, or climbed truck-tops and jumped like Tarzan,or just escaped falling off a jeep, or rolling off the roof of a Land Cruiser - Why ? Because you knew they were happy,and so were you.

People wouldn't mind if you cracked jokes on them that could otherwise invite you their wrath. They didn't mind if the side mirror of your car smashed against theirs and rather insisted on thrashing it down cuz it was alright for them. Why ?Because they were on the top of the world and couldn't mind such 'petty' issues.

After all, That very moment, they were in love with you, as you were in with

everyone else.

The aunties seemed to have resurrected from their Kitchens and errands, to give themselves a breather by joining in the middle of the night some random, chaotic, childish fun. Unable to resist sitting out on the car windows, some of them wearing funny caps and holding pom poms. Because for them, the night was never returning.

The uncles didn't mind if their kids jumped to no end on the car's roof, denting it beyond measure - because even the Dads were once again kids, behaving in a way that could even put a child's clandestine naive desires to shame.

Little and large groups spread around on the huge roundabout encircling the respect-worthy monument - while it seemed to have silently taken pride in what the nation it was dear to achieved.

The dance groups would pull you in, they never knew your name, and probably never will, but you spent some unforgettable moments with them - the kind you may not spend with most of your near and dear ones. All you could think of was screaming, expressing your joy, and sharing it with others, while others multiplied theirs by sharing them with you.

It was like a nuclear Chain reaction that just got triggered somewhere in the Land of Mumbai, that abruptly threw the entire nation in a rapture, making people lose control in a way that could NOT harm anyone but augment love, your love for the nation, as Inspired by the Indian within you, seeking instant connections with the Indian in the others.

Making the most cricket-averse go gaga at the Ultimate triumph - The quenching of a 28 year old thirst, that of a forlorn Cup that India kissed last only in 1983.

In a matter of 4-5 hours, you high-fived and hand-clasped a zillion people you never knew and will most certainly never run into again. People congratulated each other halely and with the purest smiles and uplifting eye-contacts, living an indescribable, nameless,effortless, INJUSTIFIABLE but a strong bond of limitless attraction, inebriated by Euphoria.

After all, every Indian on the road was in hight spirits, passing enlightening smiles like we had the world at our feet, ready to hug you if you didn't mind. Such a spirit that could make the most shy people run around sharing pleasantry with others in a way that could otherwise officially prove them lunatic.

All under the street lights we

re people bursting crackers, creating a helluva, blocking your way, opening their car boots, playing loud music, and pulling you out of your car to join them for dancing as if you were their esteemed guests.

Gorgeous faces, frivolous antics, Careless attitudes, Blithe environment, The absence of a past or a future, the 'feel good' experience, and the suddenly acquired ability to not get annoyed at anything.

It was marvelous. In fact the word 'marvelous' goes mundane. The reality of that night makes it so. You did things you never knew you had the gut for, or the stupidity for. You might be reserved otherwise, or mostly busy criticizing the nation for its malaises, but that night you lost your inhibitions to Patriotism.

Everyone around you was your own, your own India beloved fellow. Ladies, Girls, Uncles, boys, Kids, teenagers - all were there. There was No upper Class, No middle class, No lower class. All were being JUST Indians.

Sikhs, Muslims, Hindus, Christians; South Indians, North Indians, Chinese, American, European and who not - formed a melange of cultures in the Country's Capital.

Foreigners came running out of their '5- stars', watching what the Indians were upto, observing cars and people running past with the Indian tricolor help up high in the Air, quickly responding to your calls, gestures and victory signs, and clicking pictures to take away the memories of what they had a chance to witness for real.

Rarely seeing a non-exalted face and poking them by asking if they were Sri Lankans for being so serious, and inviting a spurting laughter from them and an affirming wide grin to justify they were not.

The whole of India gate was then the safest place on Earth - a place which even the heavens could envy for a while, reflecting the amity that even the most friendly nations could learn from.

Utter Excitement.

The attention one got for being a proud Sardar with that mighty turban on one's head - inviting calls like 'Singh is King' and "Sardarji assi Jitt gaye"(Sardar ji we won).

*Indiaaa Indiiaaaa* being on every mouth, people could just not help shouting slogans, and those who didn't know what to say, simply screamed - yet were understood.

The Night of the Contagion: When fraternity spread like an epidemic, Strangers became friends, Grown-ups became kids.

The night I'll never forget, of which I still feel I couldn't express well. Only if you could be there to experience it just the way I did, so could you know how much that night was worth dying for.

The night I'm not sure when I'll see again, the night that never ended and the night that had no tomorrow. The night that witnessed a dream, the night we were taken by love, the night we all were together, the night we all cheered for India, The night we owned the CRICKET WORLD CUP 2011.

On January 6th 2010 ...

January 6th 2010 –

I woke up to an appalling reality. My eyes opened, unusually tired. I checked the

time. It was 3:45 AM – too early and unlikely for me to wake up.

I was excited for having gotten up so early. But that excitement didnt last for long. As soon as i came out of my room, I noticed dad & mom’s room with lights on.

Seeing that I headed in to greet them. It wasn't long after I entered the

room that my eye fell on Donzie – my dearest pet dog. I lowered a bit, intending to give him a

morning caressing, to pull his cheek and see his eyes that never failed to give that cute vulnerable

look. I lifted the quilt he was in, and before I could love him with my best heart, I saw something

that sent shivers down my spine. I got a body blow. That was an uneasy feeling.

I didnt want to believe what i saw. I just wished I was dreaming. But alas, I could see & I could feel, that he was

dead. His face had frozen, his jaws ice-cold, eyes open but lifeless. His nostrils were no longer

moving. They didnt have his breath. He wasn’t breathing. I was not used to seeing him like this. My

own cute kid, whom we had nourished with our own hands was seen dead in front of my eyes.

Donzie has left us forever. It was as if he had come to share some happiness with us for his life span

of 10 years, and then leave us crying for him. My baby has gone. I used to love him so much. He was

such a sweetheart dog. I would always enjoy spending time with him. I used to bring him to me,

make him sit and caress for long. And he used to wag his little tail in response. It was like he

understood me completely. I just had to give him a call, just a single call, “DONZIE !!” and he would

come running to me from any part of the house, get his share of love and then tip-toe away

childishly. Walking like a lion from one part of the house to another, he used to keep a tab on

everything. Always kept strangers at bay, intimidating them, intending to defend us. No one could

dare pop into the house in his presence.

For us he was not just a dog, but a family member. We never minded his sitting next to us. He would

enjoy sitting right in the middle of us all. He got all his love from everyone. He used to look ferocious

to others, but we knew he was as innocent as a kid, hungry for love and warmth.

His presence never let me feel alone at home even when others were out and he would make it a

point to keep following me wherever I went.

I still remember his childhood. The flashback of his first day in my house is still as fresh & clear as

glass. He was so tiny, as little as my palm. How worried I was about his care-taking. I didnt sleep his

whole first night at our house. I would keep putting him in his bed and he would, stubbornly come

out and jump around. So concerned I was about his food and his care.

I also remember how he used to hide himself behind the bed, or under the table , get stuck there

and then cry for help. We just used to laugh at him and his antics.

We would tie a dupatta with the fan and make him jump for it to get it. This used to go for many

minutes while we would enjoy seeing him jumping up and then falling down, just in order to prove

himself.

We trained him ourselves, taught him that he didnt have to litter in the house. We used to strike a

newspaper on his petite nose when he would get fresh in the house and he would come to us, trying

to bite, but helpless with his tiny new teeth that couldn’t harm. He learnt very fast. And it worked.

My kid was very intelligent.

He knew how to convey he was hungry by standing outside the kitchen with

a raised neck.

Till his last breath, he made it a point to keep it clean in the house, even though he couldn’t walk &

was in deep weakness.

We spent the best moments of our life with him. Cuddle him, snuggle with him, make him sleep

occasionally on my bed when he was still young, even though dad mom would object to it.

I never thought he could die. Didn’t even think of it ! Didn’t even want to !

Until he fell terminally ill and was declared incurable. The doctors told us he won’t survive for long.

We had spent the period thereafter in deep pain & misery. Watching him limp around, struggle to

make it from one place to another. He gave up food. He gave up barking. He didn’t care who came

home, or who left. He was losing life day by day. He would seldom walk. He stopped joining us

during the morning/evening tea, wherein he would get his share of bakery items, which he relished

& drooled for earlier, but had now even refused to smell.

He was literally dad’s beloved. Wagging his tail and following him everywhere. And dad never left

any stone unturned in making him feel extra-special. He used to get his car-rides too, sticking his

face outside the window, enjoying the wind & looking all around.

He was fun to watch in the park where he would meet his fellas and have a gala time with them. And

sometimes, running back home from the park without notice. He had the naughtiness that you could

love. He’d recognize me from a distance and coming running to meet me whenever I showed up. He

used to jump up on me, pressing his paws against my chest and I would kinda start doing ball dance

with him that he could never get & would fret over.

Those cute little eyes, that showered love with their looks still don’t escape me. That black & brown

face will live on in my mind forever.. That velvet touch of his skin, especially the face is what i’m

yearning to feel.

I did touch him last when he was in his grave. That nostalgic last touch, which I never wanted to end

filled up my heart. I knew that in a matter of few minutes, he'd be gone under the ground and I’d

never see him again. I wouldn't touch him again, wouldn't have him to play with me anymore. This thought

made my heart bleed. I am feeling so lonely, so lost.

How could I just leave my donzie out in cold ? Put sand on him with the same hand that once used to

protect him from bigger dogs and other risks ?

The same hands that used to pull his cheeck, fiddle with his flappy years, tickle him under his neck , bathed him, dressed him up in funny costumes, hug him, feed him, caress him, took him out for walks, cover him with quilt in winters, pat him & ensure his care-taking were now arranging to bury him far away in a lonely ground. He never stayed so away

from home in his life.

I now wonder who’ll greet me so lovingly when I come back home, who’ll wait for mom to come

back from Gurdwara so that she puts the karah prashad in his mouth, who’ll wait for dad to come in

the evening at go gaga on seeing him. The house is so silent now. No sound of my doggie now. None

of his footprints are around to be seen. In a reflex, I still expect him to barge into the room or stare

at me from the lobby or bark ocassionaly. I miss his sight & sound & touch.

He’s gone, but will live on forever. He has left a void in the house. He’ll never come back and it will

take time to come at terms with it. I still think i’m dreaming. A part of my heart died. I’m broken.

My Donjii, Can’t you just come again for just a while again ? I'm missing you so

much. I’m bereaved without you. Where are you? How are you ? What exactly happened ? Was it

tough to leave your body ? Do you have any complaints with our care ? why you fell so ill ? What

were you thinking at your death ? Why did you stop responding to my loving call ? Were you

helpless ? Was it tough ?

I wish you stay in peace wherever you are. You’ll be deeply missed. My heart’s crying. I’m dying to

meet you but am helpless. You died, I can’t believe, because you were lively and charming. How could

you go all numb in a matter of minutes ?? You’re my BABY. You did give me a raised eyebrow look a

few hours before going, but i never knew it would be the last.

I hope you’re in peace. Mom did paath sitting next to you when you were breathing your last. She

recited japji sahib. Dad joined later to do sukhmani sahib. I hope that helped, That relieved some

suffering and made it easy for you. I wish your soul rests in peace and you go under Waheguru’s

sanctuary & his blessings.

May you unite with the Supreme being and never fall into the cycle of birth & death again. This is my

wish. Thank you for spending your life with us. You gave us your life. We give you our love &

blessings. Thank you so much. We’ll miss you forever. God Bless you. RIP . Bye Donzie, Bye Forever.... I LOVE YOU....

This happened exactly a year ago. This account was written a year ago, yet the feelings are as fresh as those of a recent event.