Its raining crap

For some reason, I have always been a supporter of people who downplay their attractiveness, who despite their good looks are modest about it. It could stem out of an insecurity of not figuring in the top 100 of the ‘People’ magazine or it could be my angst against vanity. So much that I have been a great advocate of using un-model like faces in advertisements and films. But on careful introspection I have realized that mankind is almost maniacal in its desire to change everything around them into attractive elements. While almost all design improvements are about making functional products, there is a huge stress on it being aesthetic as well. That is about product designs. But the industry who has gained most from this predilection for looking good are the liquids, potions, lotions, soaps, gels, scrubs, masks and what not that adorn your wardrobe. Not to mention the clothing and fashion industry…and many more such ancillary industries who work towards ‘appreciating’ the beautifu...

Was part of a very enlightening discussion with an acclaimed Hindi film director who had come to office. What he spoke about, in the course of an hour was disturbing. It was not anything new but a reality that … “cinema today is often dictated by rules of the marketplace. People want to see what they aspire for… Images those are not disturbing…but pleasant.” What he said is very close to the dictionary meaning which provides the following meaning: “ Something that amuses, pleases, or diverts, especially a performance or show.” My definition is somewhat different. Otherwise how could so many ridiculous movies become chart-toppers? Many visit a cinema hall expecting something more. Some look for meaningful cinema, some look for sex, some look for humour, thrill, SFX and many more. Genres and niches get created on the way. In India though, we would not be happy with just one of these. So since the least common factor would demand a mix of these, what you get is a hotchpotch of a...