I love Tigers

Tiger, I get excited when I hear this word. It's a beautiful, alluring, cute...... I believe mere adjectives won't help define this majestic cat. I am not an environmental consultant. I ain't a member of WWF nor I a friend of Valmik Thapar or Latika Rana. Wondering who they are? Good. They are wildlife experts and conservationists. I hung my head in shame when I see the committed efforts of people like them.

Somtime back, I wrote an e-mail to the then president of India, his excellency Mr APJ Abdul Kalam. Rediff.com had given me the privilege to wish Dr Kalam on his birthday. Seizing this opportunity, I wished him a happy birthday and also conveyed him a message to do something to save Tigers. Still wondering if my message was read? I don't know.

I once asked a famous film actress, also a founder of an Animal rights organisation, about the fate of Tigers. "We will not see Tigers in future" pat came the reply. Though I anticipated this reply from her, I once believed that the world for sure knows this truth. What and how could someone have heart to kill an animal? I feel helpless for those animals, slaughtered for meat. I say this not because I am a vegetarian. Perhaps, if you witness the way these dumb, innocent little animals are killed for delicacy, you'd change your mind. Their cry makes me cry. I am emotionally strong, but this is an exception.

India boasts, as the only country in the world, to have Tigers and Lions. (wondering what about Africa? Well, Africa has Lions, but no Tigers) Sadly, the world Tiger population doesn't exceed 2000. The fickle Tiger count gives miserable figure year after year.

So far, I have done nothing to save this animal. I am trying. I would want to visit Kanha National Park, where Kipling wrote Jungle Book. I wish to see a tiger in the wild. Someday, somehow.

Here are some of my creations. Please feel free to distribute these messages.

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Me a Movie Buff...

It started with those days when we had a VCR. I used to watch cartoons, sci-fi, horror, drama and other genres that never stopped me from thinking. As a 10 yr old kid, I watched Sam Raimi's-Evil Dead part 1. At school we discussed how this movie made people pee in their pants while watching. Surpringly, I pee'd after the movie was over (?!)

To narrate a filmy incident, Years ago, my Dad, an ex Defence personnel, was posted in that ARMY area of Ramgarh. He promised to take us to movie one day. It was a boon for us, because my dad never fancied to take family out. We were actually going to an open air theatre. I had no idea then how an open air theatre system works. I thought there lies a different world behind that huge wall. Late evening, we went to the theatre which was not far from our home. We struggled hard to find the seat. We sat among Sardarjis, Army men with their families. I thought every Sardarji was a "Jail Singh". He was the only popular politician I knew those days! It was a different feeling watching a movie. All of a sudden the hero Rishi Kapoor appears on the screen and I look at him with my eyes wide open. I had no idea whether my family was liking the movie, but I was thinking on how a woman like Sridevi could turn into a snake! My mind was left out on that pmovie. However, I didnt realize that I'd sleep so soon after the interval. I slept in my mothers lap caring a damn about the movie! That's it! If you think whats so filmy in that, then jerk off!

Over years, I watched many films, good, bad, ugly. I have always liked films which are natural, witty, powerful. I like raw characters which have sweat and not mascara. Somone like Bhiku Mhatre in Satya.

I don't like to watch films that showcase the characters as wealthy, lavish and pompous. I avoid Sanjay Leela Bhasali. He lives in world of imagination and expects the audience to step into his shoes. I laugh and also express my sympathy for Karan Johar and Sooraj Barjatya. I was 13 when I saw Hum Apke Hain Kaun- that family melodrama. After watching that film, I realized that I had then become very matured. I could make a better movie.

What fascinates me about Ramgopal Varma is his attitude! I love the way this guy experiments with his films , a rare breed quality that you get to see among these commercial oriented directors. Nishabd in one my Favourite films of 2007, followed by Chak De India( because Shahrukh Khan didnt act in the film) and Johnny Gaddar( I have been a fan of Sriram Raghvan since Ek Hasina thi). I had fallen in Love with Sridevi after watching Kshana Kshanam. I could not ask for a better performance from an actresses who seldom have a role to play in the movie, minus dancing for belly shaking numbers and shredding glycerine as and when instructed by the director.

I have a conventional and an unbiased approach towards Hollywood movies. I am very fond of animated classics too. I watched the Good bad and the ugly with my cousins and after the movie, I made my own assumptions. I'd rate Tom Hank's role in Forrest Gump as the finest ever role, standing ovation for Sylvester Stallone in Rocky. The list is endless. Mind you I am not writing the list of my favorite movies here. Over years, I have developed a cult for Jack Nicholson. I love his care-a-shit attitude in his roles.

With a thought and hope that one day I'd be directing a full length movie, albeit the conditions are not favourable, I rest my views in this essay.

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Being Abhishek

At dawn, on August 9th, 1981, the birds chirruped and conveyed the arrival of a divine incarnated child. The word 'divine' represents holiness of the mother. It was the day of bliss, elation and celebration! The mother's happiness was impossible to explain in words. Of course! Would that be possible?The child never knew about the celebrations happening around!

Heh heh...I just cannot portray an brag about me. I was born just like all of us. I am no special and that poetic description can be ignored...royally!

That was some history about my birth. However, every year when the calender shows August 9, I wish I had the power to go back, sit on a cloud and view some memorable moments of my years! I never was obsessed with techonology as a kid. Little did I realize that one day I'd be sitting on my chair and writing this blog?

I have certain weirdo instincts in me. I react to situations that could best be when left alone, and do not react to situations that need my involvement. I cannot excess love anyone or shower my affection except my mother. My care does'nt include hugging or kissing or giving a materialistic view of affection. Its very raw and when people knew that I care, they'd realize it..somehow! There is another reason, a genuine reason why I escape these celebrity moments. It’s because I’m awkward at expressing. For example, to my sister, I am not a traditional brother and I don’t make the periodic phone calls inquiring about her health and family. But its not because I don't care. Somehow after the initial niceties, I’m at loss of words about how to pursue the conversation.

I am very lazy when it comes to traditions, beliefs and formalities. I do not greet people like good morning, because I don't understand what's so good about the morning? However, If someone greets me, I'd be quick to reciprocate. This attitude of mine has led to several problems, for people. Not me. They want me to think their perspective which I cannot. Perhaps I’m too selfish to be duty bound. Or perhaps I’m just too shy. Strangely, I’ve remained detached from the worldly anxieties.

I was never sure what I wanted to become in life, While I was the restless soul driven by fleeting obsessions - at one time comics, to become a cartoonist, then fire crackers. I was a good student at school, However, after my 8th standard I had realized that family and life teaches everything. I do not blame the education system and not because my parents couldn't afford to out me in an posh boarding school. I am glad for what I am today.

Life was never a bed of roses for me, Thankfully! I grew up from being a coy, ackwardly dressed boy without any direction. I had a vast friends circle to whom I am grateful. Even today, I feel at ease when I am with my friends.

I am spiritual. But to me, spirituality is not about getting up early in the morning to do pooja or breaking coconuts in the temple or chanting mantras. I may be biased in saying this, but how could I possibly believe a priest who mutters mantras seem to convey my prayer to god? How many of us understand the language that he uses to communicate with god? I believe that the biggest spirituality comes in the form of trust and that trust need not be specific to mantras and rituals. I do not close my eyes while praying and my prayer doesn't even last for 2 minutes. Once in a month or two, I visit only Hanumanji temple.

I end this here, because I could possibly go on writing to eternity about me and my sensless character- if deemed.

© All rights reserved with Abhishek Naini. No form of this may be reproduced without prior permission from the author.