A wide majority of Hindi movies look at urban issues. Right from the outfits to the lingo, there’s no denying that Hindi movies also look at West for inspiration. In real life too, burgers, pizzas, sizzlers and colas have replaced sarson ka saag, dal-roti and sherbat-n-gola. But you do crave for desi food when you keep munching non-desi stuff all the while, don’t you?

The fact is, desi stories, with real characters, can never go out of fashion. In fact, a number of present-day film-makers often tell me that they look upon, besides other reputed names, Hrishikesh Mukherjee as an inspiration. On one hand you had Amitabh Bachchan, the reigning superstar of 1970s and 1980s, doing a SHOLAY and an AMAR AKBAR ANTHONY and on the other hand, doing a BEMISAAL and a CHUPKE CHUPKE for Hrishi-da.

Debutante director Rahul Aggarwal also, very respectfully, credits his inspiration to Hrishi-da and his first outing NA GHAR KE NA GHAAT KE mirrors the fact at several points of the narrative. The protagonist in the film is like any other non-descript person you set your eyes on the street, who is as helpless as you and me in a life-changing situation.

A film like NA GHAR KE NA GHAAT KE ought to have a simple, uncomplicated plotline and actors who can pull off these roles without ‘acting’ those parts. While the writing is interesting at times and wobbly at places [the climax is weak], the set of actors are more or less believable.

Final word? NA GHAR KE NA GHAAT KE may not be that small little gem that sparkles brightly even in the dark, but it’s an earnest effort from a first-time storyteller [Rahul Aggarwal] nonetheless.

Devki Nandan Tripathi [Rahul Aggarwal] is a simple, rustic man who decides to try his luck in the city of dreams, Mumbai. He gets a job at the Mausam Vibhaag. In the city, he comes across an array of people who often find his innocence amusing and comical, but Devki realises that they stick with him even in the thickest of bogs that his life hauls him in.

The very first sequence of NA GHAR KE NA GHAAT KE sets the mood of the film and you instantly get drawn into the world of Devki Nandan Tripathi. While major portions of the first hour are plain ordinary, it’s the second half that catches your eye. The sequences between Paresh and Rahul are the mainstay of the film and the subsequent arrival of the villagers to prove that Rahul and Narayani are indeed married brings a big smile on your face.

But the smile transforms into a frown as the film nears its climax. The chase and the subsequent marriage in the police station premises appears filmi and a complete compromise from the writing point of view. A better culmination to the story would’ve only enhanced the impact.

Debutante director Rahul Aggarwal knows the grammar of film-making right, but a little more emphasis on the screenplay would’ve helped enormously. Lalit Pandit’s music is strictly okay. K. Rajkumar’s cinematography is alright.

Rahul Aggarwal enacts the pivotal part with conviction. Narayani Shastri does a decent job. Both Paresh Rawal and Om Puri are first-rate. Neena Gupta is wasted. Ravi Kishan carries off the loud character very well. Ananth Mahadevan is alright.

On the whole, NA GHAR KE NA GHAAT KE is a simple film told in the most simplistic manner. Should appeal mainly to those who cherish the Hrishikesh Mukherjee movies of yore.

Frankly, no one is really in a mood to celebrate Holi in a big way. The lack of enthusiasm this year has plenty to do with the way things are going for the entertainment industry.
An actor on condition of anonymity puts the situation in a nutshell. “Earlier we had grand Holi celebrations in at least 5-6 major filmy families. Now it’s dwindled to just 1 or 2 Holi bashes.”
In the past, film folks had a blast .The film industry chose to celebrate Holi either at Raj Kapoor’s Holi bash(by far the most well-attended), followed by the Bachchans’ warm open-house Holi festivities. Then there were Subhash Ghai, Yash Chopra and the Azmis, Javed and Shabana who hosted and continue to host the annual Holi bash.
But the colourful spirit of Holi went out with Raj Kapoor. The true champion of filmy Holi bashes at R.K Studios in Chembur used to be a riot of colours and festivity every Holi. The entire film industry and all their kith and kin would arrive in spotless white to be dunked into the famous RK colour tank.
Now the equations have changed drastically. Since the passing away of Raj Kapoor there’s no Holi at RK Studios any more. The family’s superstar-scion Ranbir Kapoor is busy shooting in the US . The rest of the family is no mood for Holi. Holi at the Bachchans is also expected to be a subdued close family affair with little or no shor-sharaaba.
Even Akshay Kumar who generally loves the Holi revelry is heading out of Mumbai this weekend. “Just me, my wife and son driving out of the city,” says Akshay implying there’s little joy in being home for Holi this year.
Akshay has a point. Holi ceased to be a source of fun long ago. As Shabana Azmi puts it, “The state must ensure safety and protection for women and men must make sure that the day of celebration doesn’t turn into an occasion for mourning.”

Urmila Matondkar, however, is not daunted by the safety factor. “Holi isn’t unsafe for women provided you’re cautious and play Holi with people who are known to you. In any case I’m not much into Holi , bhang and masti.”

For Shabana the Holi spirit never dies. “It’s always an open house for friends and family on the occasion of Holi at my parents’ home in Janki Kutir. There’s a generous flow of non-toxic colours, gaana-bajaana, and khaana…a long-standing tradition in our house as part of India’s ganga-jumna tehzeeb.”

However even the never-say-die Shabana is out of town this Holi.

RAWALPINDI: The month-long heated election campaign for NA-55 came to an end on Monday, with rival candidates showing their strength by holding rallies at different places, Geo news reported.

Pakistan Muslim League –N (PML-N) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) concluded their election rallies on time but however, long after the end of campaign time, chief Awami Muslim League (AML) Sheikh Rashid and chief Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) Imran Khan continued holding rallies.

Pakistan Muslim League-N chief Nawaz Sharif and Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed traded allegations. Sharif was critic of those who betrayed him while Sheikh Rashid accused the Punjab government of supporting ‘land mafia’.

Security personnel and supporters of various political parties were on their toes till midnight in the city as eight major public gatherings were held to woo over 300,000 people before they cast their votes on Wednesday.

Sheikh Rashid chose the historic Liaquat Bagh for holding his final show while Sharif addressed a rally at Committee Chowk in support of PML-N candidate Shakil Awan.

Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf, Jamaat-i-Islami, Awami National Party, Awami Party Pakistan and independent candidates also held separate rallies.

As many as 22 candidates are in the run for NA-55. However, the closest contest is between Shakeel Awan and Sheikh Rashid.

Sheikh Rashid said he would get the work restarted on multi-billion rupee projects he had initiated in the city. He accused the Punjab government of deliberately shelving these projects.

In an apparent effort to win support of PPP voters, Rashid announced that Benazir Bhutto Hospital would be made a state-of-the-art hospital and said he would himself approach President Asif Ali Zardari for funds.

Nawaz Sharif said his party would try all dictators in the people’s court if elected to form a government at the centre. Without naming former president Musharraf, he said ‘Ali Baba’ had fled the country but his 40 thieves were there.

Meanwhile, the contingents of Frontier Constabulary (FC) and Rangers will patrol in the NA-55 constituency during by-polls on February 24 to ensure peace as well as fool proof security, said Minister for Interior A. Rehman Malik.

“ Rangers and Frontier Constabulary will conduct patrolling during election timings in NA-55 on February 24,” the minister said talking to journalists here at the inauguration ceremony of provincial headquarter of NADRA at sector G-10/4.

After security concerns expressed by Sheikh Rashid, the minister said he himself contacted Chief Secretary Punjab and provided him security after consultation with him.

Mumbai: The National Research Agency (NIA) on Monday asked Rahul Bhatt, son of film director Mahesh Bhatt not leave Mumbai, as a restraining order.

The NIA has also told Rahul that if he wants to leave the city, should report their travel plans.

The NIA began interrogating Rahul later discovered that he had met David Coleman alleged Lashkar operative Headley, who was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to plan a major terrorist attack in India.

Headley also in Mumbai for five days before the 26/11 attacks.

The NIA Headley and suspected Pakistan-based Lashkar agents may have seen the familiarity with the trainers of Rahul as important to their plans of terror in India.

According to research organizations, Headley Rahul had met during his visit to Bombay. His name also appeared in several email conversations with co-defendants Tahawwur Rana.

Police in Mumbai, Rahul contacted Vilas Headley through working in the gym Moksha at Breach Candy area of south Mumbai. (ANI)

ISLAMABAD: People in most of the areas of the country are still facing sugar shortage.

Even after the announcement made by the government the sugarcane crushing has yet not been started.

Reports from diverse areas say that the commodity is not available even at the utility stores and sale points.

Officially 40 sales centre and 200 sale points have been set up in the city of Gujranwala, but the essential food item is not available at these points.

Like several other cities, Multan, Sialkot, Mianwali, Sheikhupura, Hafizabad and Mandi Bahauddin are also facing scarcity of sugar.

In most of the towns and cities, shopkeepers are selling sugar upto Rs80/kg, the reports added.

Meanwhile, Rabitta Committee of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has strongly condemned the ongoing sugar crisis.

ISLAMABAD: People in most of the areas of country are still facing sugar shortage.

Even after the announcement made by the government the sugarcane crushing has yet not been started.

The commodity is not available even at the utility stores and sale points.

Officially 40 sales centre and 200 sale points have been set up in the city of Gujranwala, but the essential food item is not available at these points.

Multan, Sialkot, Mianwali, Sheikhupura, Hafizabad and Mandi Bahauddin are also facing scarcity of sugar.

Shopkeepers are selling sugar upto Rs80/kg.

KARACHI: Light earthquake jolts have been felt in various areas of metropolis.

According to Chief Metrologies Mohammad Riaz, light jolts of quake have been felt in Landhi, Korangi, Quaidabad and Malir areas of Karachi Sunday morning, however the jolts were so light that they could not be recorded on Richter scale.

Meanwhile, devices to measure any possible quake in future will be installed in theses areas, Riaz added.

PESHAWAR: Peshawar is still in the grip of sombre atmosphere one day after the Pashta Khara suicide car bomb explosion, whereas security measures have further been stepped up in the metropolis.

Twelve people including innocent children lost their lives in the attack, while 27 other injured are under treatment at various hospitals in the city.

Peshawar police have lodged the First Information Report (FIR) in Pashta Khara police station against Amir Lashker-e-Islam – an outlawed outfit of Khyber Agency - Mangal Bagh and his seven other accomplices including Wahid, Saifor, Syed Noor, Taiyab, Satana Gul and Fazal Ahmed.

Meanwhile, security measures have further been stepped here after the blast and additional policemen have been deployed at check-posts.

PESHAWAR: The gold price of a tola has reached record Rs36850 in Peshawar, Geo News reported Saturday.

According to Peshawar Sarrafa Association, the gold prices are persistently on the rise, as tola was Rs35850 a week ago in the city, which rose to record high at Rs36850 at present, thus, posting an addition of Rs1000 to the tola price of gold.

According to Sarrafa Association, rupee depreciation and dollar rise are the reasons for the burgeoning gold price, adding the gold prices may go further up in the upcoming days.

PESHAWAR: The death toll in suicide car bomb blast in Pushta Khara area has climbed to 10 while 20 more were wounded here on Saturday.

The powerful explosion rocked the city at 4.15 PM when police stopped a suspected vehicle and attempted to search it at Ring Road.

The blast was heard across a wide radius in which over 20 persons were also injured while four vehicles were badly damaged.

The wounded have been rushed to Lady Reading hospital, Khyber Teaching Hospital and Hayatabad Complex. Emergency has been declared in these hospitals.

The law enforcement agencies have surrounded and sealed the explosion site, prohibiting irrelevant persons to enter the area.

Police authorities have declared it a suicide bomb blast, while the engine of vehicle used for explosion has been recovered from the scene.

President Zardari, PM Gillani, Foreign Minister Rehman Malik, chief ministers and governors of all the four provinces along with MQM Chief Altaf Hussein has strongly condemned the loss of innocent lives in Rang Road check post explosion.