Bawarchi (1972)

When the golden threads binding each relationship gets tarnished  with the dust of ego, arrogance and unforgiveness, the resulting lack of communication and misunderstandings that arise thereof leave in it's wake a dysfunctional  and unhappy family. This movie is about the Sharma household, residing in Shanti Niwas, in other words an 'abode of peace',  which is anything but peaceful. This joint family is notorious for not being able to retain a cook  or a bawarchi for more than a month. Unexpected and a welcome surprise is Raghu's (Rajesh Khanna) smiling face early one morning, knocking at the door seeking employment. He is intelligent, a jack of all trades and bubbling with wit and humor. Raghu soon wins over the family and peace and happiness descends on Shanti Niwas. But hiding behind all the laughter and cheer Raghu seems to have a hidden agenda. An Indian take on the affable Mary Poppins.

A light, delightful movie, inspired from a Bengali film, this movie was directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee.

My happy number -

Word for the day :-

effete - over- refined

Julie & Julia (2009)

"Is there anyone out there who's reading this?", says novice blogger, Julie.

Julie and Julia is a beautiful tale of two women who couldn't be more different. They hail from different backgrounds, different worlds and even different time periods but both lives are inextricably intertwined by one common passion, their love for food. 

Julie Powell (Amy Adams) has  moved to Queens and is not loving it there. The apartment that she and her husband are renting over a pizzeria is small with a tiny kitchen and that doesn't help. She feels stuck in her job that seems to be going nowhere, cramped in a cubicle day after day, listening to heart-rending stories of callers reeling from the 9/11 tragedy. To break the monotony that's become her life, Julie takes on a bold project of cooking 524 recipes over a period of 365 days - all recipes inspired from her favorite cook, Julia Child.
Going back many years we follow the life of Julia in her youth. While Julia (Meryl Streep) was in France, while on one of her sojourns with her husband, she starts culinary school to become the only woman to join Le Cordon Bleu in the 1940's. She became an accomplished cook and published author of  "Mastering the Art of French Cooking". Her passion and perseverance making her a legend.
This movie is about love - the love for food and sharing it with the ones you hold dear and of course butter, something that defines good French food. 
Kick back with a lovely glass of red🍷, roasted garlic with some brie on baguette and as the French say, "Bon Appetit"!

Word for the day :-
carrion - dead and decaying flesh

The Bridges of Madison County (1995)

Could you possibly live a lifetime in four days? That's what Francesca and Robert did.

Francesca (Meryl Streep) an immigrant housewife from Bari, Italy is now residing in rural Iowa. Carefree and free-spirited she feels imprisoned, living a predictable and drab life. Fate plays a hand when her husband and kids take off for a few days to attend the Illinois State Fair. Alone and not sure what to do with herself Francesca has a chance visit from Robert Kincaid (Clint Eastwood), a footloose photographer for the National Geographic. Robert is on an assignment to shoot covered bridges in the neighboring area. What follows is a whirlwind romance that lasts all of four days but one that forever changes the lives of these two individuals. Heartbreakingly gorgeous Meryl and the ever dashing Clint ...

So come, fall in love!

Doe Eyes - Love Theme

This romantic drama was directed and produced by Clint Eastwood himself . A definite collectible!

Word for the day :-

fusillade - a series of shots fired or missiles thrown all at the same time or in quick succession

Taare Zameen Par (2007)

An outstanding movie made by an exceptional actor, who has proven himself to be a brilliant director. Kudos to, Aamir Khan!
When I watched this film, my cousin accompanied me to the movies. He was to join a boarding school that academic year and interestingly, in Panchgani too (the same place this movie was shot).  Going to boarding school was not a thrilling prospect having lived an extremely sheltered life thus fa. Did the movie help, I'll have to ask him ...

This movie has explored the unchartered waters of ‘dyslexia’, in India and revolves around eight year old Ishaan Awasthi (Darsheel Zafry), the younger of two children in the Awasthi household. Ishaan is so adorable, with soulful eyes, two buck teeth and brimming with talent when handed a paint brush and an easel . But, and that is a big one, while Ishaan's  older bother is good academically and is an accomplished sportsman, Ishaan is a poor performer in school. His life is filled with colors, dancing alphabets and numbers. Frustrated beyond measure and hoping to straighten out his "way ward" son, Ishaan’s father decides to send him to a boarding school in Panchgani. This decision is a blessing in disguise. Ishaan's substitute art teacher, Ram Shankar Nikumbh (Aamir Khan) is a god send and he is able to secernate Ishaan’s inherent problem. With a well of patience  and love, Ram Shankar brings out the best in the little boy. After the many tears shed, Ishaan now has a reason to smile.

The movie is touching, gripping. and a definite must watch. 

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012)

Outsourcing? We all know what that is! But wait - retirement?

A group of British retirees have chosen to take flight into the unfamiliar and though the prospect is daunting, a sense of adventure could spin a different perspective on embracing life and grabbing what is on offer.
Welcome to India - The land of snake charmers and elephants, the Taj Mahal and beautiful forts, the yogis, the vibrancy of color and music ... Meet Sonny (Dev Patel), who decides to use his business acumen and converts the old and crumbling but beautiful family home in Jaipur into a hotel. He hopes to make it a success and  eventually marry the girl he's in love with. But in all things he must stick to his guns, stand up to his overbearing mother, and trust his instincts despite all odds.
Here is a movie about seeking and finding love  - age being no barrier. One may have spent a whole life loving someone who has now passed and left them to pick up the pieces. It is not easy to sum up the courage to find love again; Could you travel miles to seek the love of a past life after spending a lifetime in the closet?; you could be married for a long time, but could you sum up the courage to walk away from a relationship that has left you feeling trapped and that threatens to suffocate you?
Walk into the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and find out.

Word for the day: -

syncopated - displace the beats or accents in (music or a rhythm) so that strong beats become weak and vice versa

Saudagar (1973)

At the crack of dawn, Moti is awake every morning harvesting toddy from the date palms he rents. The hard work pays off as Moti earns a name for selling the best jaggery (gur) in town, making him a household name. Saudagar in Hindi means 'Trader' and this is a story about Moti (Amitabh Bachchan), a jaggery trader. Mejuben (Nutan), a widow, prepares delicious gur from the toddy that Moti collects, earning a humble amount as a means of livelihood.  However there are a triangle of characters - Moti is in love with Phoolbanu but he is unable to marry her just yet as her father expects a handsome dowry. Being a shrewd and manipulative businessman, Moti arrives at a solution. Moti marries Mejuben intending to save the wages he otherwise has to pay her. Having taken on many more trees he is soon able to collect the agreed amount and without any qualms, he divorces Mejuben to marry the girl of his dreams.

But it can't be as simple as all that now, can it? How will fate intervene? Will there be redemption for Mejuben?

A simple portrayal of the complexity of relationships, greed, the lack of scruples and the resulting havoc, ruining lives in the bargain.

A must watch on a rainy Sunday afternoon, with a bowl of popcorn and steaming hot bhajjis

Word for the day :-
orotund - (of a person's voice) resonant and imposing