THE REAL SUPER HERO | hguy.blogspot.com

Today you get the facts.

 

There were only a handful of comic book characters that people actually liked. That list is here.

 

Superman, Spider-Man, Batman, Tarzan, Phantom and Zorro.

 

Then you had a second tier.

 

Mandrake, Flash Gordon, Dick Tracy, Hulk, Wolverine.

 

 

And then there was everyone else who no one cared for.

 

Hell Boy, Brenda Starr, Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Aquaman, Wonder Woman.

 

The leader was Superman. No. 1 by far. There was no touching him.

 

 

Why did I have to state these facts?

 

Because we need to find that man. The man who took third-rate comic book heroes and made them worth billions of dollars. I mean today the world is more gaga about Thor than Superman. Please find that man who took Thor, Captain America, and Iron Man and made them modern icons and give that man a Nobel Prize.

 

 

I have left out what we can call Archie-Richie-Rich-Tintin-Disney-Bahadur genre of comics

 

#mcu #superman #thor #ironman #marvel #comics

SWIMMING TRUNKS | hguy.blogspot.com

They were very strict so I had to buy it.

Swimming trunks.

I went to Bombay stores and bought it for 15 bucks. 

Now let me describe it to you. It was brown in color and had a flap in the front. It was 100% cottom no elastic. Yes nadaa type. That flap opened like an umberella every time I jumped in the water. Well I used it for a couple of years till I got a stretchy one.


Years later I found it in with my old things, crips like a papad.

THE TELUGU MOVIES OF KAMAL HAASAN | hguy.blogspot.com

Kamal Haasan is an all-time great in the film industry. Which part you may ask and I will say all India. He is an icon in his home state of Tamil Nadu. At the very top in the Telugu Industry. And well respected in the Hindi Industry. Mostly coz of his marriage of sorts to a middling Hindi actress. But that's another story.

Today I will list my fav Kamal Haasan movies. Believe me, it's not an easy task. He has given many duds over the years. 

But that's his charm. He doesn't shy away from experimenting.

 

Vayasu Pilichindi (1978): It's a complex story of two guys in love with the same girl. And when I say complex, believe me. Those days people didnt shy making such movies esp. in the south and Marathi. Kamal Haasan and Rajnikant had roles - knotty roles - and gave their best. Then came the star system and never again did we again see such pics. This movie had an A certificate.

Guru (1980): A remake of the Hindi hit Jugnu. This went on to become a big blockbuster down south. They say Kamal Haasan hates this movie.

Aakali Rajyam (1980): A fantastic film about unemployment and all that. Set in Delhi. More of an entertainer than a preachy movie.

Maro Charitra (1978): One of the all-time great Telugu movies. It starred Sarita and Madhavi opp Kamal Haasan.  But OMG the songs by MS Vishwanathan was the biggest attribute.

Tik Tik Tik (1981): A Bharti Raja movie that was a big flop but I just loved it. The story, it having 3 heroines and the songs. Loved it.

Oru Kaidhiyin Diary (1985): Well, I saw the Hindi version Aakhri Rasta and liked it. But was zapped when I saw the Telugu dubbed version of the original. It was on a different level altogether. Especially the climax.

Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnulu (1986): This was a fun movie. Full timepass. Lovely songs by Ilayaraja.

Vikram (1986): Another spot-on entertainer. Written by a guy named Sujatha. Track him he's something. 

Nayakan (1987): This movie needs no introduction suffice to say that the pale Hindi version was also much loved. 

Pushpak (1987): This was one of my first black comedies. Not one spoken word in the whole movie. Watch out for Tinnu Anand in this and the one above.

Indrudu Chandrudu (1989): A double role of a young man and an old man. Of course, the older man was more interesting. This was an action comedy thriller and was a direct Telugu movie.

Guna (1991): This is a rare gem. Total flop in those days but is considered a cult classic now. Mind-bending plot, songs, locales make it a must-see.

 

Sagarasangamam (1983): At a time when clean movies were a thing of the past comes this movie and sweeps us off our feet. Was a monster hit in Telugu. The fact that it's about classical dance makes it even more surprising.

Swathi Muthyam (1986): Another off-beat movie doing good at the box office. Thanks to the capable direction of K Vishwanath and exceptional music by Ilayraja.

Indian (1996 film): This Tamil movie was dubbed into many languages. It became a hit in all of those. Again a dual role. Young man old man combo. Full entertainment. With two Bollywood heroines.

Panchatanthiram (2002): An out-and-out comedy with well-liked themes. 

Andamiyana Anubhavam (1979): I don't know much about the story but loved the songs. I was too young to focus on the story. It had two new actors Kamal Haasan and Rajnikant singing and dancing away to glory. Who won't like it. 

Vasantha Kokila (1982): Remade as Sadma in Hindi. Why did they not just dub the original? For one it was a frame-to-frame remake. Second, it was a big flop in Hindi. But another offbeat hit with exceptional acting by Kamalhasan. And for the first time Sridevi has shown her acting chops with a terrific performance.

Vichitra Sohadurlu (1989): Another dub movie. Another double role. But no old man this time. A dwarf. Yes and by god. what a role it was. To date, i can't figure out how the hell did Kamal Haasan do that role. Again lots of comedy, action, songs. And features an actress I like Komal Mahuakar who went to Madras and changed her name to Rupini and became sort of a hit there.

Idi Katha Kadu (1979): A heavy movie with crying and all that. But has a song called Junior where Kamal Haasan and a puppet entertain Jayasudha. That's the part of the movie I remember.


What is your favourite Kamal Haasan movie?

#kamalhasan #kamalhaasan #sarika #tamil 

TOP TELUGU CHARACTER ACTORS | hguy.blogspot.com

Jaggayya : I believe started as a hero but gained fame as a character actor. He is known for his booming voice. He played the role of Pontious Pilate in Karunamaydu and Rutherford in Aluri Sita Rama Raju. I remember him from Chiranjeevi's Nyayam Kavali where he played a lawyer.

Gummadi: Seen in many social and mythological movies, he is one of those taken-for-granted actors. I can't name one movie where I remember him - maybe Maya Bazar where he played Balrama - even though it says he worked in 500 movies.
 

 

Satyanarayana: So talented that he was specially asked by Subhash Ghai to debut in Hindi in his film Karma. He first made his mark as a villain and went on to become the top villains of the day. From there he moved to positive and humorous roles with great success. He was a perfect fit for the place vacated by SV Ranga Rao. He is most noted for playing Yama in a couple of movies. 

Rao Gopal Rao: A great actor with a unique dialog delivery. He took villainy to new heights and mixed it, surprisingly, with humor. I remember him from Mutyala Muggu, Yamudi Ki Mogudu and Gang Leader.

Kanta Rao : He has been seen in hundreds of movies as a character actor but go back and you see him as a hero in many swashbucklers wearing those tight pants and with pencil-thin swords. 

Dhulipala Seetarama Sastry  : One of the great actors of the Telugu screen best known for the many time he played Shakuni on it. He owned the character.                                                                                                                    

THE PIGEON STORY | hguy.blogspot.com

One day I was sitting peacefully doing nothing. You know me na. It is then I hear my neighbour shoo shoo-ing.

Who was she shooting? I thought and quickly opened my door.

Now pay attention.

She was shoo shooing a pigeon that perched itself on our eye-level windowsill. 

I was taking in the sight and failed to notice a cat sitting quietly right next to us taking in the sights too.

After realizing that her shoo shoo was not driving away the brave pigeon, I stepped in.

I shooed twice. Once small then other big. 

The bird decided it was time to leave but to my surprise and went over the edge.

To my surprise, instead of flying away, it fell. Just then the cat leaped and caught the bird midair.

The bird started flapping its wings and was now two times the size of the cat. In a flash, the cat and bird vanished leaving me and said neighbour blank staring at each other.

What had just happened?

Did we cause the death of a bird?

Well, I was sad and went back and continued binge-watching 'Two and Half Men. 

Hee hee. Those guys are so funny na

TALE OF THE NAUGHTY FELLOW | hguy.blogspot.com

 

I HAVE TO MARRY AN AMERICAN BORN CONFUSED DESI | hguy.blogspot.com

Remember 'A', 

my dear Delhi friend...

Well, he wanted to go to USA.

At any cost.

I was staying in his barsati near Delhi's border. It was cold winter day when he informs me he is getting married.

To this US girl (ABCD). Congrats bro I said.

Two days later, he says, small problem...

What...

The girl is a hunch back...

I keep a straight face. He then shows me this awkwardly big E ring. Sent from there.

The marriage was a fortnight away on 26th Jan. So preparations begin albeit on a low key.

Two days later, he says, girls is coming alone from the US, no parents, on 25th Jan.

Two further days later, he says, small problem. The girl is having second thoughts about all this.

From here on things move fast. And 26th came and went with no marriage.

Some months later, 'A' got married to girl from here.

And his US dream did come true. Riding the Y2K-bug gravy train he reached there.

THE BOSS IS ALWAYS RIGHT | hguy.blogspot.com

My boss to me : 'Hemant, this is an important project. Give it your best. It could mean a promotion for you.... Good we took the metro... The traffic here kills'

Me: ' Dont worry, sir, I am ready but...'

Crossing the road into the clients office....

He: 'But what, Hemant... shoot'

Me: 'Wouldn't have it been better if you wore trousers'.

IF I WROTE 'THE KING OF QUEENS | hguy.blogspot.com

Doug and Carrie

Carrie, 'What do u mean 'I am not a whitefish'

Doug, 'Not whitefish... wife'ish....You dont bring me hot soup or a warm jacket when its cold'

Carrie,'And what will you be doing... watching sport central eh'

Doug, 'But I am tired.....'

Carrie, 'Hey tired man, but I wear the pants ...remember .. I earn more than you'

Doug,'Why do u always bring that up'

Carrie,'And you are at you career peak. And I've just started'

Doug,'You dont have to rub it in'

P

THEN WHO DID WE BURY ? | hguy.blogspot.com

 

BIRYANI HYDERABAD STYLE - NOT A RECIPE [hguy.blogspot.com]

 

Been thinking a lot about Biryani today. And the day I ate the best biryani ever. At home.

What happened was there was this family get-together. Dad called his Muslim friend to help in the kitchen. This gentleman came at about 10 in the morn in a typical Hyderabadi-style lungi. More surprisingly he walked past the kitchen to the backyard and announced that’s where he will cook the biryani.

We were not prepared for outdoor cooking. In fact, this is the first time I was witnessing one. He arranged the whole thing. We just managed to provide him with 4-5 bricks to make a make-shift kiln. He went and brought coal and wood from god know where. And then he started. Then rolled up the lungi as only a Hyderabadi could and got down on his haunches (now I know why he wore the lungi). Lit the fire and use a metal pipe to blow into the fire now and again. Finally, put a lid on it. He then put a big stone on the lid and scooped up some burning coal and ambers and put it right on the lid for two-way cooking….

 

Everything in one big vessel, in layers. And by 1230 we had tasty biryani for our guests. It served us well for the dinner too.

This man was dad’s childhood friend who came all the way from city to BHEL to make the food and left. He was soon posted in Delhi where he, a couple of years later, retired as Chairman cum Managing Director of LIC of India.

#biryani #hyderabadi #royal

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THESE WHITE SQUARES ARE? | hguy.blogspot.com

When I first saw it being drawn, I was like zapped.  The country is in lockdown and the Govt. is drawing boxes on the road. I thought BBMP and Bangalore Police are going to play thukudbilla to welcome Unlock1.

 

Then I got to know.

 

The Govt. painted these squares both sides starting from every liquor shop in Bangalore till about 200 meters away.

 

That was the groundwork done by the Govt. before opening those shops.

 

But that's not the point.

 

 

On the day of the unlock of liquor stores, I went for a walk early at 5 in the am. And believe me, every square was occupied by the most decent behaving folks, including some women.

 

Wow, I thought.

 

I came back at 10 and ...

 

The shops were now open. Not one was on the square. A big big crowd with peeps pouncing on each other were at the counter. And police at the periphery yielding lathi.

 

It was a sight to behold….