I Live For Myself Rather Than Living to Prove Myself !!!

            546th BLOG POST -->>

       Being a Blogger and a well-known Book Reviewer, I keep getting many invitations for book launch and other activities associated with it. Today, one of my female friend who is kind-of-organizer of all this asked me to participate in a contest. The contest is about writing a Romantic story in 5000 words. The stories selected will be printed in a book and published in association with a renowned Publishing house. I refused to write a story for this competition. She kept insisting me to write as she feels that I can do justice to a romantic fiction story and it is easy for me to get selected over others' stories which would be sent from wanna-be(s). At last when I told my final decision to her that I am not going to write any story for this competition, at least for this time, she was upset. She asked me the reason for this stubbornness and I told her,"This is not giving me even a bit of excitement or thrill in my heart. I am not feeling any kind of passion to do it. And I don't feel like writing a story of 5000 words when I can already convey a good story in just 2000 words. So I am not interested in doing this just because someone wants it in 5000 words. I can't. Forgive me for now. Maybe, next time, if I'll get that thrill within me, I'll participate". She retaliated,"But you are a good blogger. You can get printed. Why not try? Why not show everyone that "This is Blogger Abhilash"?? " I replied,"I write for myself. I don't write to prove myself." And after listening this, she was surprised about the fact I was living with. She said that this one sentence of mine will change her attitude towards life. I started smiling. I was happy that she understood why I wasn't interested in this competition. And she didn't forced me after that. She wrote numerous thanks after that. 


            And seriously, you see your past and analyse that what have you been doing till now. You will find that there has not been even 10% in your life when you would have lived for yourself. One day, when I was writing my personal diary, I thought about my life. And what I saw was something which shocked me. In all my school days, I studied madly to prove the people in my colony to know that I was better than their child. Then, in the 10th std, I studied with the aim to show others what my percentage is. In 12th std, after failing for 11th, I filled the form for Science even when the world was asking me to join Commerce as they knew I can't manage Science. I selected Science just to show everyone that I am capable of doing what you think I'm incapable of. I struggled badly to cope up with the portion of 11th and 12th both. I know what those 3 months were like when I was mugging up all those Physic's equations, Chemistry's reaction and Math's theorem. I was just experiencing hell. After seeing all this, I realized that I never did what I wanted to. I always did what was needed to prove others about me. 


             Then, my graduation started. I came in with a new thought of doing what I like rather than doing something to prove my classmates that I am capable of doing what they aren't. But then I got a person whom I challenged indirectly that I'll do better than you. She had put her efforts in studies while I kept slogging to score more than her ANYHOW. At last, the first semester's result was out and I was 5% ahead of her. I was again writing my diary and I realized that I broke the promise I gave to myself. I, once again did something to prove others that I am better than someone rather than doing something to make myself happy. And it was the last time when I got involved in any kind of race in regards of marks or performance. I always did everything to keep myself happy. I never tried to prove anyone. I participated in all the College's Competitions from last 2 years and won some and lost many. But I did it because I wanted to. I played Sports in the 2nd year while I excused myself from it in the 1st year. Because, in 1st year, I didn't wanted to play it, in the 2nd year I wanted to play for myself. 


             Even in the field of Blogging(for which I'm mainly known for), I have never tried to prove myself. I never wrote it to challenge my critics that "See, I can write about every damn thing. Either its politics or cricket or entertainment or book reviews or any damn thing." I always wrote anything when I wanted to write it and feel good about myself that I wrote about a topic which I always wanted to. I never wrote anything to prove to any other blogger that my potential is higher and interminable. I always kept myself away from any kind of race in blogging. People keep participating in blogging contests to prove other bloggers that they have more creativity than them but I haven't participated still. Why should I prove this to others that I write well? Why should I prove to others than I am better than majority of bloggers? Why should I prove to others that I am the one with lakhs of followers? I will participate in any such contest only when I will feel good about myself and I'll feel that I should participate in this and see whether I get selected or not.


             So, I just want to say -Start living for your moments, your happiness, your excitement rather than proving others that your life has more moments, more happiness and more excitement than theirs? Only you can review the best about yourself. No one else can know you better than you know yourself. So, why do many of us try to prove others that I am the better one or I am the best? Be yourself and do anything only when your heart persuades you to do it. Else, if you think that you have to prove others, don't do it. Because others can never feel good about what you do or what you are going to do. They'll keep judging you and they'll keep behaving judgmental by analyzing what you are by seeing what you were in your past. So, for me, I study for myself. Not to prove others that I am good in it. I write for myself. Not to prove myself to others that I am a writer with lots of potential. I live for myself. I don't live to prove anyone that my life has more prosperity than them.


   Thanks. 




 ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU

Few Things Left Unsaid by Sudeep Nagarkar !!!

            545th BLOG POST -->>

       It has been a long time since I completed a book in 3.5 hours. I did it today. :-) I am done with another bestseller- "Few Things Left Unsaid" by Sudeep Nagarkar. I kept on seeing this book in the Bestseller charts of Flipkart, Infibeam and many other online sites, finally I got a chance to pick the book today. Sudeep Nagarkar is a debut novelist. He never had ambition to be a writer but he ended up writing this story after one of his friend pushed him to. He started forming sentences and he ended up in writing this successful love story. It has not been 1 year still and the book has gone for reprint for many a times. Sudeep is one of those writers who haven't promoted his book in the way other writers do it (by launching it in several cities back to back). After writing, he got busy in his job again. But, destiny had good news for him and his book became Bestseller. He is an electronic engineer and he started writing during his college days. :-) 

             Coming to the STORY, FTLU is about the story of two collegians- Aditya and Riya. They meet through common friends and then, they see love in each other's eyes. They take time to express themselves but as soon as they get intrigued into the relationship, they don't wait much. They keep on stepping into the next level of relationship in every few days. They even take 7 promises as couples take during their wedding. They keep falling deep into the heavenly thing called- Love. Finally, a break-up takes place due to some twists and turns. They get back together again. But, something happens again which changes the life of Aditya. Riya's life changes too. But, they get together again. But do they remain together till the end? Their story is unpredictable. To know what it is, get the book. :-)

            Coming to the REVIEW, Sudeep has used a very safe game by using only short sentences in the first 40% of this book. The insecurity can be understood as he was writing for the first time. But later on, with time he improved and his best can be seen in the next 60% of the book. Some porn writers(I hope you understood about whom I am talking :-)) in our India should understand how to carry intimate stuffs from Sudeep. It never seemed to be vulgar, it only made the book more romantic. As everyone is writing love-breakup-love-breakup-and-finally-love, you don't abuse Sudeep when you see that the protagonist is breaking up with his girlfriend. He has broke them off at a very strange moment. I have liked Sudeep's writing in the second half of the book. He has showed his talent perfectly. 


            There are certain parts in the book which I would like to mention- When Adi starts talking to Riya, he picks up cheesy lines, but later on when he gets her, he directly starts showing fondness for her body. I liked this part as Sudeep hasn't dragged this thing a lot in the name of True Love. :-) The first kiss in the auto is sensuous and wonderful. The birthday celebration of Aditya is one epic part of this book. Adi's mother's shade in the story is shown in a perfect way. When Adi thinks of breaking up with this sweet girl-Riya, we, the readers support him rather than feeling bad for it. Amazing part of the story. :-) The confession part of the book where Riya speaks in her own voice is where you get to know the potential of Sudeep Nagarkar. :-)


            Coming to the Drawbacks, the friends of Aditya are just used for sake of showing that there are friends too. As Aditya's mom got a good focus, even his dad should have got. He is mentioned only for once in the book. Sudeep's insecurity with the language is clearly visible initially which doesn't give you a good feel about the book. That's different k later he has used a proper language. Love is described too much in the book. Rather, Sudeep should have tried to keep it little more shorter. The Epilogue plays a very bad part in the book. There are some movies in which you love every bit of it but you end up abusing it because of a useless and dragged climax. Few Things Left Unsaid ends up being a book with a bad epilogue which could have been easily avoided. I was sure to rate this book 3.5 but just because of these last 4 pages of the book(Epilogue part), I have to cut .5. So, my rating is 3 out of 5 for FLTU. My recommendation is- Go, buy this book but don't read the Epilogue (Without Epilogue, rating is 3.5). And Yes, wait for few months as the Sequel is coming soon. :-) 


       Thanks.


 ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU

Kya aap Filmfare ke Red Carpet pe chalna pasand karenge?

            544th BLOG POST -->>

       I don't think that there is anyone who is reading this without watching Filmfare few hours ago (except some hosteler, hostelites and other unlucky people who don't have television around them). I am crazy about these award functions every time I hear on news channel that it is been shot and it can be on television in next 3 weeks. Earlier this year I have already enjoyed Screen Awards and Zine Cine Awards. Today, I am done with Filmfare and now my next stop is IIFA which will be shot and broadcast in May or June. I have been watching these Award Functions since I was in 5th standard. In my school days, I liked watching which stars are friends and which are not. I used to judge this by seeing who were sitting together and who were not. It was a nice observation from my side then. :-) Later, when I grew little more and I understood what Superstar is, I started dying to see the Dance Performances of the actors and actresses who used to fire the stage with their performance. Salman Khan was my favorite initially. Then, I moved on to Hrithik Roshan as his dance was something which was never seen before. And he is the only one who rocks even today. 


            Award Functions were an eye-opener to me sometimes when a movie which I used to think the most useless movie ever made used to win awards. Then, I used to watch them. And I learnt that there is something called Art Cinema which is too sensible to get the awards for Best Film in these award functions. Then I got an idea that may be these award shows are scripted. But I didn't gave this a second thought as I enjoyed watching it. I didn't wanted to doubt it. As, we all love watching Cricket but if we will see every match as its fixed, we can never enjoy the excitement of a nail-biting match. (Like the one we saw recently when India-SL tied :-)) I remember the day when I was going to watch 2012 movie in the theater. I promised myself that I'll not watch the movie as every scene is graphical and animated. So, I watched it quite emotionally and it screwed me. I was unable to leave my parents for many days as I thought Earth may blast anytime and I'll lose them. (It's not even good every time to see things as real :-)) So, till today, even when I have heard many news about the award shows being scripted, I don't watch it by being judgmental about its credibility. :-)


            But after watching these award shows from last 3-4 times, there is something which is eating my head. I am unable to digest something. I am unable to bear something. I feel that there is something wrong which should be corrected. I feel that expectations are being fulfilled but the essence of award shows is missing. We have seen the hosts and different actors coming on stage and making fun of several disaster movies and superstars who failed to impress the viewers in spite of the hype generated all around. Even if some stars feel bad when they or their movie is being targeted hears it with smile. We have witnessed an incident when Ashutosh Gowariker shouted at Sajid Khan for insulting a singer or a lyrics writer. I felt it too aggressive at the moment but later on, I realized that Ashutosh Gowariker was right. Sajid Khan should not have insulted that lady on the stage. There is a limit and extent to everything. 


            Award shows are meant to felicitate someone. It is not for calling all the good artists and performers at one place on the name of felicitation but ending up by giving awards to few and humiliation to many. If some day a Blogger awards would be organized and I would be called, I will never feel it nice if they would create my fun on the stage in front of crores viewers(if broadcast on television). So, in the same way, I don't like some actors being snubbed on the stage. And they can't retaliate back because its the Baadshah of Bollywood- Shahrukh Khan doing it. There are not many Ashutosh Gowariker in the industry and world. There are very few who can raise their voice in front of the mighty. In short, when an award show is being organized to honour the people who have performed extremely good in the field, there should not be a quota of even a single minute where someone's failure should be made fun of. The youth and children who sees SRK as their idol or in that respect to anyone who hosts the event, they'll think that its good and funny to make fun of the people who are failing in their lives. 


            It would look so good if you will arrange everything properly and give a tribute and honour to everyone who works in Film industry. One of the best moments of any award function is when the Lifetime Achievement Award is being given to a legendary. And it is because they deliver a speech through which we get either one or many things to learn and apply in our life. For a long run, people remember the best dance performance or the best speech in an award show, but they forget all the nuisance you created by making fun of failed film artist in that particular year. Rather, you can motivate some of them by pointing out the best part of their flop films. Organize and create something of this kind. Why to make an award show where humiliation is done in ample and felicitation is done in scarce. Many of you may say that I am a narrow minded person and hence I'm minding this too much. But seriously, when I see myself in the place of those stars on whom the most jokes are made, I feel it awkward and uncomfortable. 


            It's my take. What is yours? 


 Thanks. Waiting for your reply. 


 ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU