Aadat

1st Day at ‘Gym’

Asim — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 06:27:17 +0000

Recently I planned to join a local gym not far from my home, infact that’s the main reason why I joined the gym, apart from something to keep me fit. We had joined the gym on 23rd April and decided to workout from the next day, one friend on mine called Moiz played the main role to get me up to the gym. We were working in 6.30 PM to 3.30 Am shift, had a home drop at 4:15 AM, it took nearly one hour for us to reach home. We already decided that we will pay the fees after coming back from the shift, and we did. The gym’s name is Raymond’s Gym, I entered the gym, an instructor pointed out at the my slipper’s as gym has a strict rule for no footwear inside the gym, I removed my slipper’s outside and then reached, the desk, here came the owner of gym, a man in his 50’s I believe, he said "Rs.400 per month, and Rs100 as the admin for the first month, for extension we would have to pay the same 400 per Month" we paid the fees’ he gave the id-card’s and said a strict voice "Get your own towels" we gave a strange look at each other. The next day Moiz called me, but I had a tiring day was fast asleep, usually I come home and sit on my desktop to watch movies, or may be connect to internet, if I can. (I still do not have a regular internet connection) I use the Mobile Office from Airtel (its suck’s). So back to business, we didn’t go to Gym on the 24 that is the next day when we paid our fees for the gym. Vice Versa the next, no we did not go the gym, the caller was me, Text Msg to Moiz "U R an Asshole". Called him the same after noon, it was Saturday, I had an off and he was working, he finally replied that we would be regular from tomorrow. The day proceeded and it was 6.04 Am 25 April, received a call from Moiz, he was back from shift, I got up did the usual stuff. This is the first day to Gym, ever in my life I was excited, how would it be?, what would I be doing?, will the coach help me?, I was wandering between these question’s and Moiz asked "Hey did u get the towel?" by the time we were half way to the gym, and I was not in a mood to go back, I said "no, what if he send us back?" Moiz showed he his and laughed, and we kept on moving, I was carrying my mobile and wallet in my hand, Moiz said "oh I forgot my id-card" now time for me to laugh, we shared something in common, he didnt want to go back. I was back wandering through my question’s who? Why? How? And what? We reached the gym "Sunday Closed" said the big board in front of the gym entrance; and slapped in our faces. We looked at each other and then started laughing to the core. We didn’t go to the gym but had a good time; we also went to favorite school time cafe "Mastan" for Lassi and finally back to home. (I think this was a prank played on me by Moiz.)

Have you ever been a Hostage?

Asim — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 00:50:52 +0000

Answer to the above question would have been no, but after this day when the terror striked mumbai and i just finished my shift solving computer problems of stupid americans, was thinking of grabbing the first transport of 4.15 ofcourse AM, and you thought PM, well anyways, was going trough the missed calls all were from home and my brother, and message from friends. I went ahead and asked the transport manager for a cab to kalina, “Sab aap ko ghar jan eki padi yaha mumbai ki lagi padi hain”, “aaj transport nahi jayega, bade saab ne kaha, jise jana hain apne risk pe jaye”. WTF man you are out of fu**ing shift and then denied transport for security, and apart from that you want us to come to shift on time the other day. And here i came back to the cafeteria and luckily we have two PC’s in our cafeteria for public use, with fu**ing speed of 2mbps, got a coffe, plugged the earphones of my New Mp3 player and started posting this. So what you say about being a hostage with terrorist is good or with your own employer. So this is story of a straight from the hostage point, Any nEwS PeRsOn there.

Pink Ball makes it way

Asim — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 07:29:34 +0000

Cricket is changing and so is the ball, cricket changed a lot from the day it came into existence. Earlier used to be only test version of criket, then came the one-dayers and lately the 20-20 which is very popular across the nation, the came ICL and now IPL, may be in future we could see some other version or form of cricket. But we could in near future see the cricket ball chaging its color, and now its flourscent pink; this could definitely increase the no. of female spectators, may be if not hit them on the face by as was did by Jaysurya during the Mumbai Indian’s clash with Banglore Royal Challengers.

The pink ball was tested its way in a match between MCC and scotland, where its was smashed all across the ground, the Marylebourne Cricket Club will go through the reports of the match and said the ball can be used in one-day form of cricker if the England and Wales Cricket Board agrees, also the ball has more visblity than the usual withone when feilding in the deep. Let’s not get more into it, the Jury will decide the future.

Start Slide Show with PicLens Lite

Move over multiplexes - now megaplexes are here

Asim — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 07:02:02 +0000

You’ve heard of multiplexes. But now entertainment conglomerate Adlabs Cinemas has drawn up a plan to build 12 megaplexes in India where you can not only see movies but also cricket and soccer matches on screen!Unlike five to six screen multiplexes, the megaplexes will have 11 to 15 screens with a seating capacity to accommodate 4,000 to 5,000 people in each of them.

Tushar Dhingra, chief operating officer of Adlabs Cinemas, told IANS in an interview that content available for viewing would not necessarily be movies all the time.

‘Anything that makes for enjoyable viewing will be screened. The customers will even be able to watch a cricket match or a soccer game in these megaplexes. We will offer a variety of content and something for everyone,’ said Dhingra.

Adlabs Cinemas currently operates 151 screens in 43 locations in India.

With the film entertainment segment poised for further growth that will spawn a new generation of cine-goers, Adlabs Cinemas, a subsidiary of the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group, has conceived the concept of megaplexes.

This new endeavour of the company will set a new benchmark for the exhibition outlets of the country.

‘India has the maximum number of film viewers compared to the Western world and the number is growing. But the number of cinemas per thousand people is still less in India. So there is enough room for growth and we plan to fill the gap.’

Dhingra said in the metros and other large cities, cinemas have already ceased to be seen merely as exhibition outlets for films.

Cineplexes, according to him, have become virtual entertainment hubs where film viewing is only a part of the outing for a family.

‘Apart from movie viewing auditoria, each unit will also have gaming zones, specialised kids zones, food courts and other value-added services to draw in crowds,’ said Dhingra.

He said five locations with massive sites have already been identified. To start with, while two of these megaplexes will be built in Mohali, Punjab, one each will be in Delhi, Lucknow and Hyderabad.

Dhingra added the locations have been carefully chosen, keeping in mind the high spending capacity of consumers in these key cities.

The company is now in the process of identifying seven more prospective locations across the country for building megaplexes. It will be fitted with the latest exhibition technology. High-end digital technology will be sourced from overseas to make film viewing enjoyable.

The company, which recently bought three properties in Mauritius that has a concentration of people of India origin, clocked an annual turnover of over Rs.1.66 billion in the fiscal year that ended March this year.

Rivals

Asim — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 16:27:59 +0000

It is really difficult two differentiate who is better when you compare thing who are almost identical, take the case of SRK and Amir Khan, both are actors with immense talent, and when someone says who is good or a better actor you are lost or nowhere, what should I say and what should not?

Media created a furrore of Amir Khan’s statement when he was approached by the mobile company, Samsung, to promote their brand; he seemed to challenging the King Khan, who endorses a Rival Company, Nokia. Amir Khan when asked by journalist that he may perceive competition from SRK, grinned and said “As always, SRK prefers to come second” to which SRK the very next day replied “I consider it a compliment for him, oops sorry, compliment for me, that was a genuine slip of tongue. It is indeed a great compliment that he at least considers me second to him. We are very good friends and we both have a good sense of humour. So I understand his jokes and so does he. He is a great man and an intellectual, while I am more instinctive. He does more of the thinking and I do more of the acting.” All this would have led to many polls, SRK fans blaming Amir, and Amir’s fan blaming SRK, However I say both are good actors, if one says Amir is intellectual so is SRK. Both have great acting talents and many things which make a good living personalities. And they are actors they need to hype controversies, that how they sell. And if you have not read my earlier post of Amir Khan, how he hypes controversies to get the media attention. Well I think you all are clear what I mean? If not you don’t have good hyping skills.

Start Slide Show with PicLens Lite

Aamir Khan’s Ghajini sold for Rs 900 million

Asim — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:17:59 +0000

Pre-release of movie rights have become hot property. Take the case of the Hindi remake of the Tamil film, Ghajini, starring Aamir Khan, which has reportedly earned an estimated sum of Rs 90 crore (Rs 900 million) by selling its distribution rights.Last year, Shah Rukh Khan’s Om Shanti Om was the top grosser in distribution rights. It sold the rights to Eros for a reported Rs 73 crore (Rs 730 million).

Amir Khan – Hyping controversies

Asim — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:36:24 +0000

Amir Khan the name says it all. He being one of my favorite actor, I keep a track over his moves. Amir Khan landing in controversies before release of his movie has is nothing new. Though he does not attend any desi film award functions or events, there is always an exception, and that too if it’s an ‘exceptional’ event like the Oscars!

Well what ever be the reason, I am in favor of Amir Khan. Not because I like him, because he is a celebrity and has to be in controversy. Before a product is being launched, it has to marketing which promotes the product. And for marketing himself he has to create controversy, I know many of you would oppose my view. Now let’s have a look over the controversies he has been through.

No. 1

Amir Khan started the trend of controversies from the film Mangal Pandey in 2005, when one TV channel splashed the news of his alleged link up with a British Journalist called Jessica Hines, “Jaan” added fuel to the fire their allegedly illegitimate child, who was termed “Phoenix” by Jessica.

No. 2

Few months later, it was the time for the release of his movie “Rang De Basanti”. And this time he messed up with Animal Welfare Board, The board has asked the unit to remove a horse racing scene from the final version of movie. The shot was Traditional Festival of the “Nihangs”, a sect of Sikhism. And before this was over, Amir was involved yet again in a controversy for his second marriage.

No. 3

The third controversy was with movie “Fanaa”. Just before the release of his movie, Amir invited TV Media at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and pledged his support for the poor families of the four states that were to be displaced because the construction of Sardar Sarovar Dam on Narmada River. And religious fundamentalist made sure that “Fanaa” will not be released in Gujrat. Amir Khan earned loads of criticism from the national and international media. And with the help of this controvery the movie remained in news for quite a long time and grossed among the top earning movies of the year.

No. 4

This one was something which an Amir Khan fan could not believe; his brother Faisal Khan accused Amir for keeping him in prison in his own house and forcibly giving him medicines, thus enunciating him a mentally ill person. And the scene became more filthy when the whole family matter became public, and was dragged to court for justice. The court gave the custody of Faisal to his father, but presently his father has now told Amir to take custody of Faisal. And after this he was involved in controversy about Big B’s movie, he said that the he did not understand the movie, and the movie showed no sympathy for handicap person. And on the eve of his maiden home production “Taare Zameen Par”, he had Big B in his opposition saying that “Lagaan also showed a handicap person playing cricket”. So how can Amir accuse him”? The war is still on between the two, to which Amir said he wants to meet Bachhan and get the thing sorted out.

Despite all these controversies however, Aamir still remains reigning superstar of Bollywood delivering consistent hits.

Start Slide Show with PicLens Lite

Muharram and Ashura

Asim — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 00:01:00 +0000

Muharram (Arabic: ????) is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is one of the four months of the year in which fighting is prohibited. Since the Islamic calendar is lunar, Muharram moves from year to year when compared with the Gregorian calendar. Muharram is so called because it was unlawful to fight during this month; the word is derived from the word ‘haram’ meaning forbidden. It is held to be the most sacred of all the months, excluding Ramadan. Some Muslims fast during these days. The tenth day of Muharram is called Yaumu-l ‘Ashurah, meaning, ‘the tenth day’, and it is a day of voluntary fasting. Fasting differs among the Muslim groupings; mainstream Shia Muslims stop eating and drinking during sunlight hours but do not fast until the evening. Sunni Muslims also fast during Muharram and on either the ninth or the eleventh day, the choice of which additional day being at the discretion of the individual.

The word “Muharram” is often considered synonymous with Ashura. Ashura, which literally means “tenth” in Arabic, refers to the tenth day of Muharram. The religious significance of Ashura, as is relevant to Sunni Muslims who form the majority (85%) of Muslims, can be summarised from a report regarding Prophet Muhammed as follows:

” Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) arrived in Madinah and found the Jews observing fast on the day of ‘Ashura… They said: “It is the day of great (significance) when Allah delivered Moses and his people and drowned Pharaoh and his people, and Moses observed fast out of gratitude. And we also observe it.” Then Prophet Muhammed responded: “We have more right, and we have closer connection with Moses than you have”; so he observed fast and gave us orders to observe it.” [Reported by Ibn Abbas, Ref: Sahih Bukhari and Muslim]

Further Details on : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_Ashurah

Salam at Madame Tussaud … Finally

Asim — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:18:17 +0000

The latest tinsel in the town is that Salman Khan’s wax figure has been unveiled in the famous Madame Tussauds London, and he will be 4 Bollywood star to be placed in the museum after Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai and Shahrukh Khan. Salman Khan beat nine other Indian megastar - including Madhuri Dixit, Hrithik Roshan, Rani Mukerji, Karan Johar, Kajol, Lata Mangeshkar, Abhishek Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra and John Abraham to win a place at the world famous waxworks museum after a public poll conducted last summer.

There were rumours in the town that, Salman has said “No” to Madame Tussauds as they already had Aishwarya Rai’s wax figure there, and I also read an article that mentioned the same thing. Well “Better late then Never” I always wished that he be placed in the Madame Tussauds … and so finally he has been. What do you think about this? Whom you think deserved the 4th place for Madame Tussauds? Do write your views.

Salman’s statue has been plced in a special Bollywood section alongside those of three other Mumbai greats - Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai and Shah Rukh Khan. Salman Khan steps into the limelight at Madame Tussauds. Wearing his signature jeans and T-shirt he looks just as cool as on the big screen. The museum hopes the installation of the new statue, reflecting Salman’s popularity in the West, will attract many more South Asian and British Asian visitors.

The heartthrob actor was measured and photographed by expert sculptors in Mumbai last October to kick-start painstaking work on his wax double. He personally chose and donated clothes for the figure to wear. More than 10,000 people voted in the poll to choose the “Next Bollywood Star” conducted last August. Ben Lovett of Madame Tussauds said recently: “The Asian market is critical to our attraction and our association with Bollywood, particularly the launch of Shah Rukh Khan, has seen a dramatic increase in the number of Asians, from both the UK and abroad, visiting and enjoying Madame Tussauds. We hope to build upon this exciting relationship with the unveiling of Salman.”

Its good to see indian making moves and capturing the british land. Well apart from this whom do you think deserved to be placed instead of Salman Khan? do comment.

Start Slide Show with PicLens Lite

Atif is Back

Asim — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 10:24:43 +0000

He came, He sang and He conquered. 2004 was the arrival of Atif Aslam, 2006 was the year for Doorie and now once again he is back with his magical voice, which makes everyone go mad. Come 2008 and the unprecedented superstar of music is back with a new video and an album to start the New Year.

The marketing for Meri Kahani reminds one of the days of Doorie. The video aired with promos in tow and one day (Saturday night to be precise) the album was out. But this time, the shock value was less. In these strangely grim times, press conferences for album releases don’t just happen. And even if they do, like Jal’s press conference in Lahore for Boondh, they aren’t noticed as the nation gears up for elections. Benazir Bhutto’s assassination has put a damper on all things and it will take time for things to return to normal, but the release of Atif Aslam’s Meri Kahani will help.

Atif’s album release has thrown everything into a tizzy. His fans are storming shops for copies of Meri Kahani. Albums have been released in India and Pakistan. And it is supremely interesting is to see how many of Atif’s fans have reacted to this comeback. When Instep Today searched for reactions to the new video, one came across Pakstop forums and this time around, fans are not pleased with the video. Quite a few of them anyway.

Atif Aslam’s album is the first major release of 2008 and we all know how pervasive Atif mania is, but if things go as planned, this year will give him some fierce competition. There are some exceptional albums lined up that will give him a run for his money. They include Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s Charkha, Strings’ Dhoop and Ali Azmat’s Klashnifolk. And then there are the long-awaited debuts of Zeb and Haniya and Kaavish as well as the new Fuzon album (with Rameez Mukhtar on vocals). For right now, fans just can’t wait to get their hands on the copy of Meri Kahani.

So the wait is over and Atif Aslam has launched his new album (Officially), with 12 rocking song’s. I have already heard the album before its launch, but the tracks I downloaded were not good quality, the site also mentioned that these songs were unofficially released by his Girl Friend, whom he met in Norway. This album was much awaited as this is related to Atif Aslam’s life. I dont know wether he has mentioned the incident of he robbing a “Samosa” and getting caught by a girl …, well to know what happened next just read the article and comment, i will mail you.

Start Slide Show with PicLens Lite