DHURANDHAR.. it’s about the choices we make..

There is a movie that Bollywood has brought us called “Dhurandhar” recently.. it translates to something “intensely powerful.. and that’s exactly what this movie WAS.. intense and powerful in addition to being extremely gory violent and chock a block full of foul language..

I didn’t go in expecting a fairytale.. and was told that I should just close my eyes during the gory scenes so I went mentally prepared (or so I thought).. The movie basically traces a trail of terror attacks launched by Pakistan on India beginning with the Kandahar hijacking..

The movie started and very soon the violene started and then the gore and it just kept getting more and more intense until it got to a point where one of the heroes (?) picks up a 5 kg weight from a vegetable cart and smashes someone’s head to a bloody pulpy mess with it! That was the point at which my friend and I walked out of the theatre and came home.. it took a good twenty minutes of sitting quietly holding hands and waiting for our heartbeats to slow down and our pulses to normalize before we could affirm to ourselves that “NOW.. all is well.. all is well”..

When I spent some time reflecting on the experience.. I realized that the film disturbed me perhaps a little disproportionately (because of my close call on 26/11) but also for other reasons.. I would just like to share my reasons here and of course I would welcome other opinions as well but this is a sort of catharsis for me..

First and foremost.. I go to a movie to be entertained.. The way I see it is that we all have stress in our lives.. so why would we want to spend money and go to be frightened out of our wits and be disturbed out of our minds? My idea of entertainment is a nice “happy-clappy chick flick” that has a happy ever after ending.. or else smething truly inspirational that brings me a message..

I am truly amazed at the number of people who have loved the movie.. the special effects and cinematography may be wonderful but SO GORY.. is it possible to walk out of the theatre unmoved and unaffected when it ends? Am told on good authority that the sequel to this movie which is expected to release early next year (2026) is ten times more intense than this one.. that that is scary!

I know it’s a very “guy thing” to enjoy watching violence and action.. but who enjoys gore and bloodshed? It was shocking for me to see the absolute depths of cruelty that human beings are capable of inflicting on each other! Maybe I am too much of a “softie” but I want to know what makes us choose to watch films like these..

We are pleading stress at home.. pressure at the workplace and challenges in relationships.. shouldn’t we be watching reading and listening to things that inspire us.. enlighten us and uplift us? Somewhere along the way.. these scenes and dialogues stay in our minds and play on our minds too.. and pulling ourselves out of those feelings becomes difficult!

Life is full of choices.. and all I want to say is that I choose gratitude.. kindness.. compassion and “karuna” over anger greed violence and cruelty every time! That is my “mantra and I believe in it so strongly that I have had it tattooed on my forearm so it’s an unspoken gentle reminder every time I look at it and am reassured that “all is well”.. The choices we make are what define us as human beings.. and that’s very important food for thought..

Thank you as always for reading and do please share your name along with the comment (if you should choose to write one).. Feedback is always welcome too and once again I reiterate.. these are simply MY thoughts!

 

 

A MAGICAL DAY.. is made of this..

 A MAGICAL DAY.. is made of this..

Daydreaming is always a fun thing to do.. and it's very interesting to know what people like to daydream about.. a big house in the mountains.. getting an unexpected windfall of 1 crore rupees and wondering where to spend it.. giving to charity etc.. Basically most of us daydream about things that would bring us joy and make us happy..

I believe that daydreaming is something truly magical and perhaps we manifest much longed for and cherished hopes and wishes.. wants dreams and desires when we do this! 

Today was a wonderful day that I would love to share with you.. I am in Shimla (at the legendary and much sought after Wildflower Hall in Mashobra actually) with a dear friend from Mumbai.. 

Almost everyone who comes to Shimla definitely goes to Kasauli for one of two very lovely experiences.. either a 14 course tasting menu at the much acclaimed fine dine restaurant NAAR.. or then shopping for heavily discounted bedlinen at the equally well known and loved Kasauli Export House..

Kasauli Export House is owned by the very friendly Sahil Sood's family! Knowing my default Girl Guide nature of "Be Prepared" I had spoken with Sahil from Mumbai to let him know I was planning to visit and he said to me "You can only come to the shop on one condition.. you have to eat lunch with me! Ghar ka asli Punjabi khana aayega.. bata do aap kya khaoge!" We agreed mutually on Rajma Chawal and Aloo Parathas and that was it!

We reached the shop at 1 pm and were given the warmest welcome with glasses of the MOST DELICIOUS fresh orange juice we have ever tasted.. in true Punjabi style with a dash of the much loved ""kaala namak"! Super refreshing and just what we needed after the 3.5 hour drive from Mashobra.. 

His band of boys overwhelmed us with a seemingly endless stream of dohars bedspreads bedsheets tablecloths and whatnot! They were extremely patient and smiled laughed and joked gently with us which was such fun!

After more than an hour and a half we met Sahil's wife Nishi and their son Shaurya both of whom were charming and very nice! We were mentally finished by the time bills were made.. addresses were given and bags were weighed and filled to be dispatched by courier.. and all of this was done super efficiently and quickly!

We were then escorted to a very small and clean restaurant for lunch and washed our hands in what felt like literally liquid ice water from the tap! Hey presto! almost like a magician.. Nishi and Sahil both served us hot Aloo Parathas with piping hot Rajma Chawal.. Boondi Raita.. homemade Mirchi ka Achaar and a scrumptious secret recipe Onion Salad with a farm fresh salad of white radish beetroot and tomatoes! Dessert was a decadent Chocolate Brownie with Vanilla Ice Cream.. of which 2 portions were shared between the 5 of us!

There was warm cozy chatter at the table.. lots of smiles and laughter and sharing of stories.. absolutely family vibes! What made it even more special was that I have met Sahil only ONCE in my life before today and he and his family were so warm  hospitable and loving! Tell me honestly.. who DOES this?? 

We came away overwhelmed with gratitude for the warmth and simple joy we had experienced! People have no time for their own friends and families these days and to take so much trouble for just a customer.. all I can say is that both of us felt very lucky and completely blessed!

We had a very nice drive from Mashobra to Kasauli and back with a very patient driver called Kishan in a super comfy Innova Crysta and even the Shimla traffic wasn't a dampener on our wonderful spirits! 

What I'm wanting to say is that there are magical moments that fill our days.. and if we stop day dreaming and see them.. acknowledge them and are grateful for what they are.. life will be magical and our day dreams will come true too!

Sahil Nishi and Shaurya.. thank you so much for being the magical blessings of today and wishing you the very best for your hotel.. can't wait to come and stay jaldi-jaldi! Always stay the warm generous and caring family you are today! ❤�