Saturday, May 9, 2015

House of Cards : Season 3 review

"Did you think I'd forgotten you? Perhaps you hoped I had"

The chilling lines of Kevin Spacey's monologue from House of Cards (HoC). But the much awaited season 3 is a poor show and falls flat compared to the earlier seasons.


For those unaware of House of cards, a little introduction. Its a classic american politics series revolving around Congressman Frank J Underwood, the democratic Speaker of the House of Representatives in Congress. He has helped the President elect in a big way and thus is slated to become Secretary of State. But the President elect chooses someone else and Frank wows revenge. And thus begins a terrifying sequence of politics, maneuvering, outmaneuvering, murder and what not.
The core theme Frank believes in, is Ruthless Pragmatism. He goes to any extent to fulfill his goal. He is determined, resolute and cunning. He is supported/advised by his wife Clair Underwood. 
The first two seasons were known for the class of acting, direction and most importantly the story. It unfolds in unpredictable ways, just like real life. Frank scrambles hard and so do his rivals, with an intense suspense till the last episode.

While I try to review the season, I don't wish to play spoilsport. So, following observations might seem abstract without watching it. I hope they seem interesting after watching the series.

In the third season, unfortunately all of the above-said plus points seem to be lost. Firstly, the season doesn't have a logical story line and a definitive end. Its not necessary to have a definitive end always. But considering the nature and length of the series, one could have hoped for it. Worst, the end of season 3 is not only illogical, but its absurd. Come on! Clair is a/an/the integral part of Underwood's effort.

This seasons seems to be focusing on the human element of the characters. Whether power or despair, it drives them away from insane pragmatism. Remmy Danton, the new chief of staff (Yes!) and Doug Stamper, the earlier one behave in somewhat unexpected way. There has been disproportionate time given to the human relations, which shouldn't be a problem normally. But in this case, the focus eats into the theme way too much. Apart from the normal cast, one is left wondering, why is there an Author included.

The political maneuvering goes almost to the childish level. President Underwood has pinned all the hopes on a program called America Works. AmWorks, aims at dismantling the welfare regime and divert that money to create new jobs. Though radical, this one point focus on a policy keeps the politics at armature level. Frank tries desperately and frantically as always, but this time he seems miserable. Yes, he seems miserable. And that's something very difficult to digest. Franks bid for elections runs into the ground, and frankly it doesn't take off, at least in viewers eyes. 
Either this is a deliberate attempt to set ground for next season. Or more likely, the director has lost the focus. On the whole, one thing is sure. This season is lot less entertaining and gripping than earlier ones.
Tik. Tik.

Monday, April 27, 2015

In conversation with V Radha

After a tiring day at work, recently I got an amazing chance to interact with V Radha, Joint MD, CIDCO. (Well, there are perks of working in Chanakya Mandal!) I had just heard about her so far. As the DC Aurangabad, she was instrumental in bringing realistic solution to its chronic water problem. She helped revive a 30 year old tank, without a penny from government, only through the efforts of villagers. Its so evident that she had to face the ire of Tanker lobby and associated politicians. Then as BMC deputy commissioner, she unearthed a huge scam. She reported that only 40% of the the octroi was being collected by BMC, rest lost due to corruption. She is serving as Joint MD at CIDCO, rightfully so, when it is preparing land acquisition for New Mumbai Airport. The amount of land and money involved is staggering. Having an upright officer there will ensure proper use of public resources.


While I was discussing with her, she candidly mentioned about her study and what happened in the first and then second attempt. (A respite for commoners!) The year she was selected, she had the highest marks in Interviews. She cordially asked me about my preparation as well. 
The amazing thing I found, was her simplicity. In last 2 years, I have seen many people, whose ego shoots up 7 storeys high on getting selected. Despite the enormous media coverage, she seemed to be just another common man. Just look at the adjoining photo, where she stands rightmost. (I remember the great Malini Rajurkar, exceptional classical singer, known for such simplicity).
We talked about the upcoming project, how we can help her and lot more.
I asked her if I could share my frank observations with her, and she said "off course". The people of Navi Mumbai face a Resource Curse. The enormous money that they get from government due to land acquisition is often spent on luxuries, practically ruining any good chance of future. She was equally concerned about it. We discussed how we can get a success story out of PAP i.e. Project Affected Persons, to serve as example to others. If its possible, then choose the motivated students among them to get going first. Also focus on the girl students.
I saw an example in her worth writing and following. 
She told me about the work experiences. How the service makes you rather Alien - that a DC should play in clubs and meet the elites only and so on. She is known to interact with common people directly to understand their problems and seek solutions. Its worth guessing, whether any other officer, sitting in AC office would have accomplished, what she did in Aurangabad by involving the community. 
We discussed Swami Vivekananda, how he's an inspiration for her and me as well. She told me how she prayed to god even after coming from an atheist family. And i told her how i turned a little to god after 3 attempts, being a socialist-atheist despite coming from a religious family. We agreed that UPSC makes one turn to god. (Despite that being a whimsical exam. No Offence)
She was amazed looking at the Chanakya Mandal building, inaugerated by His Holiness Dalai Lama. 
Lastly, i was dumbstruck by the question she asked.
"So Mandar. Apart from work, how much time do you give for self study?"
Still searching the answer...

Friday, April 24, 2015

सांस्कृतिक भाडोत्रीपणा बंद करा !



महाराष्ट्र शासनाच्या ‘फर्मानशाही’ फडणवीस परंपरेची पुढील आवृत्ती म्हणजे सांस्कृतिक मंत्री रा. रा. विनोदजी तावडे यांचा नवीन आदेश. सर्व मल्टिप्लेक्सेसना ६/९ वाजता म्हणजे ‘प्राईम टाईमचा वेळ मराठी चित्रपटांसाठी राखून ठेवावा लागणार आहे. सरकारच्या एका जुन्या आदेशाप्रमाणे सर्व वेळांमध्ये मराठी चित्रपट दाखवणे बंधनकारक असले तरी ६ वाजता, ९ वाजता गर्दी नसते ही सबब पुढे करून अनेक मल्टिप्लेक्स सिनेमा दाखवत नाहीत. त्यावर शासनाने या निर्णयाची कठोर अंमलबजावणी करायचे ठरवले आहे. 

            महाराष्ट्रात सांस्कृतिक उत्थानाची जबाबदारी ही इतर कोणाची नसल्याने मायबाप सरकारने ती स्वत:कडे घेतलेली आहे. त्यामुळे साहित्य संमेलने, नाटके, सिनेमे यांना जनतेच्या कष्टाच्या रकमेतून अनुदाने दिली जातात. या अनुदानांमधून निर्माण होणारे सिनेमे तद्दन भिकार दर्जाचे असतात, हे सर्वश्रुत आहे, शासनाच्या कृपेने हे थिल्लर सिनेमे मराठी रसिकांना बळजबरीने बघावे लागणार आहेत. मुळात भाषा/संस्कृती टिकवण्यासाठी कायदे व नियम करुन काहिही होत नाही हा गेल्या ६५ वर्षांचा इतिहास आहे. पण इतिहासातील चुकांपासुन शिकण्याएवढे शहाणे सरकार आपल्या नशिबात नाही. आणि स्वत:च्या हिमतीवर उत्तम सिनेमा बनवून तो प्रेक्षकांपर्यंत नेण्याची कुवत निर्माते-दिग्दर्शकांमध्ये नाही. म्हणून त्यांनाही सरकारी कुबड्यांची गरज पडते. 



सिनेमा ही कलाकृती आहे. त्याला एक कलामूल्य असते आणि एक व्यवसायमूल्य. दोन्हीही गोष्टी चित्रपट व्यवसायासाठी महत्त्वाच्या असतात. अप्रतिम कलाकृती असणारा बाबूजींचा (सुधीर फडके) ‘वीर सावरकरफारसे उत्पन्न मिळवू शकला नाही. पण कालपर्यंत पोनोग्राफीची स्टार सनी लिओनचे सिनेमे तुफान कमाई करतात. कला व व्यवसाय दोन्ही जपणारे अनेक सिनेमे या देशात तयार होत असतात. अगदी मराठीतील उत्कृष्ट उदाहरण म्हणजे बालगंधर्व किंवा देऊळ. अशा सिनेमांना मराठी रसिक गर्दी करतो देखील.
 मात्र ‘पहिली शेर, दुसरी सव्वाशेर, नवरा पावशेरकिंवा ‘सालीने केला घोटाळाअसल्या भिकार सिनेमांना प्रेक्षक बघायला येतील ही अपेक्षा का ठेवावी? आणि कुणासाठी? चित्रपट बनवणे, हा व्यवसाय आहे. तो व्यवसायासारखा चालावा. अकिरा कुरु सोवा, स्टिवन स्लिपबर्ग, शेखर कपूर यांनी कधी मंत्रालयाचे खेटे घातल्याचे ऐकिवात नाही. त्यांनी त्यांच्या पद्धतीने सिनेमे बनवले आणि व्यवसाय केला. ज्याला तो जमत असेल त्याने करावा, नसेल तर करू नये. सरकारने नियम करण्याची काहीही गरज नाही. सिनेमा चालला नाही म्हणून कधी कोण्या अभिनेता, अभिनेत्रीने आत्महत्या केलेली नाही. सरकारला एवढीच हौस असेल तर शेतकऱ्यांकडे (गाईंनंतर आता शेळ्या, मेंढ्यांकडे) लक्ष द्यावे. 

            मराठी भाषेचे संवर्धन सिनेमांमधून होऊ  शकते का? या प्रश्नाचं उत्तर निश्चितपणे हो असे आहे. पण त्यासाठी ती कलाकृती जागतिक, किमान राष्ट्रीय दर्जाची हवी. मराठी सिनेमा जागतिक दर्जाचा ठरतो तो ‘श्वास, सिंहासन यांच्यामुळे, ‘दे धक्का, ‘उलाढालयांच्यामुळे नाही. मराठी चित्रपटसृष्टी जागतिक दर्जाची आहे ती निळू फुले, जब्बार पटेल, अरुण सरनाईक आणि विजय तेंडुलकरांमुळे. आजच्या पिढीतील दात वेंगाडत, फालतू पटकथेवर अर्धवट नाचणाऱ्या नटांमुळे ना मराठी चित्रपटांचा विकास होतो ना मराठी भाषेचा. 

अलिकडच्या काळातील सिद्धार्थ जाधव, पंढरीनाथ कांबळे, संजय नार्वेकर, सई ताम्हणकर आदी मंडळींनी काढलेले सिनेमे प्रेक्षक सोडा, त्यांनी स्वत:देखील कसे पाहिले असतील, देव जाणे. शून्य विनोदमूल्य असणाऱ्या प्रसंगांना भडक स्वरूप देऊन स्वत:च हसणाऱ्या या नटांसाठी शासनाने एका अक्षराचीही मदत करण्याची गरज नाही. माजी मुख्यमंत्री पृथ्वीराज चव्हाण यांनीही या निर्णयावर टीका केली आहे. त्यांच्या काळातच हा नियम झाला असला तरी विरोधासाठी विरोध हे तत्त्व त्यांनी इमानेइतबारे पाळले आहे. मराठी निर्माते दिग्दर्शकांनी निर्णयाचे (अर्थातच!) स्वागत केले आहे. एकूणच काय, सांस्कृतिक भाडोत्रीपणाचे हे पुढचे पाऊल आहे!

Thursday, April 23, 2015

The Fall and Fall and Fall of AAP



"Democracy", said Plato, "is the rule of ignorant fools." He could not have predicted better. The rise and fall and rise of Aam Adami Party is a strange phenomenon. But Indian democracy is deep and complex enough to breed (and withstand) such ridiculous ideas. It was democracy that led Hitler to power. Never mind. We are still on safer side of history.
In a rally opposing the Land ordinance, a farmer committed suicide yesterday. The shocking part was to see a farmer commit suicide in front of a huge gathering, who just stood by and did nothing. The poor fellow was hanging there for 23 minutes and no one came to support him. The worst part was Arvind Kejariwal (or HH  Arvind) continued his rally after the incident. That is sheer non sense.
Then AAP leaders go on wordily rampage. The Chief Minister has a famous excuse for every single issue. "Police is not under him."
Mahakavi, the Second Kalidas, His Literary Majesty Kumar Biswas asks, "Latak gaya?".
As if, one had to hang a banner. Oh yes. It has been hanged.
Ashutosh asked whether Kejriwal was supposed to climb up? (Oh yes. He was. The savior of Mankind. "AA Gaya hai dushman ko maranewala! HH Arvind!!!!!)
And Somnath Bharati said this was a conspiracy against AAP.

We are a nation of goddamn fools. Here is a Chief Minister - under whose watch the National Capital is supposed to run - oversees a suicide, later calling it conspiracy. If this is conspiracy, shame on you Brutus and Mark Antony. You are just in Junior KG.

P Chidambaram in a column had congratulated AAP on recent Delhi victory and had advised HH Arvind to focus on Delhi before going national. But ambition is like gravity. All you need is little push. Now he wants to be a contestant to next Lok Sabha elections. The brutal majority of 67/70 has not only clouded AAP's judgement, they are rapidly evolving into a 'Khap Panchayat'.
This AAP phenomenon is nothing but a bloated version of populism, stemming around a man, squarely incapable for the job. That, AAP is not a mature political party was proved when the rational voices within party were expelled. It goes a step forward now, proving Plato right at every corner.

Even 3 years after the formation, no one knows what is the ideology of AAP.
They do not stand for anything. They stand against everything.
It is nothing but extreme Populism. So, HH Arvind has hijacked 'Opposition to everything' from left and 'Rally on rally' from Congress. Rahul baba seems to have finally got the direction he wants to take his party to. But his way is no different than opposing every single item.

I am no Modi sympathizer or AAP hater. Its just plain analysis.
Modi is way too smart for these people. We need someone intelligent enough to keep check on his power. The strategies used by opposition have the same entertainment value that a joker in the circus has.

In this mess of political spectrum, AAP seems to be consistent in one thing. Make fool of oneself and stay in news. Do whatever it takes to stay in media.
The worst part is, people have to pay for it. In this case, India's democracy.

May the poor fellow find peace!