Boxing Day

This is that time of the year where folks go into a romantic mood, holding their hands, walking down the alleys, sharing an ice-cream and would shop till they drop. Singles try to find someone and doubles (I mean couples) will not leave this Christmas undone. Not so strikingly evident in India, but abroad yes. While abroad, you'd feel the pinch of it because you are generally away from your family and it is inevitable to stop you from thinking about your family and the time you spent with them in your heydays. And it's quite natural to go green if you are going out this season all alone to shop something. TIP: If you are alone and don't know what to do the last week of the year, the tip says, don't venture out this season as you would normally do. Very much a logical thing, but the thing is we don't listen to that thing. Definitely not to movies and malls. Trust me it works.

Amidst this chaos, ok, pathos, ok, here we go - Vamos, the next day after Christmas, Dec the 26th is called the Boxing day. Merry Christmas to you folks. Why is it called boxing day? Is it related to that physical sport boxing. No. One explanation is, Christmas gifts and presents are wrapped in boxes and hence it's called boxing day. A quick google might give you a better explanation. The quick thought that comes to my mind on a boxing day is there should be test match played in Australia. In total, three test matches should be started round the world on this day. One is underway at MCG. India did well to restrict Aus to 337 / 9 on day one. Quite an absorbing day's play and this is what I've been looking for. The real cricket bonanza lasts for two and half months. I got up at 5:30 am today to watch the match live before I left for the office. And I think this would be my schedule for the coming four days. The last time when I got up so early in the morning, was............ for a match again. Or tennis I suppose. Not for studies. This year I had been following tennis as closely as I ever did in my life. One last tour of Australia for the best middle order batsmen that India has ever produced. If captain Kumble pulls off a series win here, boy, what a comeback would it be for him at this age. Let's hope the 'Smiling assassin' kicks of the new year celebrations with a victory at MCG.

That's the sports update. And you also have a movie update lying in the store. I preferred 'Welcome' to 'Taare Zameen Par' (TZP) on saturday and I made a mistake. Welcome had comedy, but had this movie been shot a decade back I would have enjoyed it. Now that my thought process is particularly on how the movie is shot, the camera angles and the screenplay, I did not enjoy the movie. The goofy comedy looks copied from somewhere. So Welcome doesn't offer a hearty welcome.

On the flip side, the lesser commercial TZP, is better. This movie is about one kid who doesn't do well in studies and how he is transformed, is the story. First half was lengthy but should keep you hooked. And second half was gripping. Amir Khan, the only natural hero in Bollywood we have has done a great job as a director in this flick, besides acting. Boy and that boy was equally good too. The climax painting scene will evoke your emotions and even Rocks can get shattered. It's a must watch. And taare zameen par means stars on earth. We normally see stars in the sky. This movie has brought stars down to the earth . And when do we see stars in the air? When you go to a five star hotel and order just for a cup of coffee.