Am I Anjali from K3G?

I remember watching Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham back in 2001 when it first came out. I remember going there with literally my entire extended family, I think maybe because the movie’s selling line was “it’s all about loving your family“. 19 years later, I’ve memorized the movie that it doesn’t even need to be playing for me to recite the dialogues. So, while Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge reserves the spot of my favourite movie (and still not on Netflix!), K3G comes somewhere in the top 10 favourite Bollywood classics.

In an effort to raise morale and give us something to watch, Netflix recently uploaded all the KJo classics – including Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, and no surprise, I found myself watching it when I had a sudden realization (with a little help from my friends) – am I Anjali?

Anjali is clumsy. She breaks gamlas (vases) whenever she goes to the Raichands.

I cannot even begin to tell you of my adventures of clumsiness – but here’s a read about how i consecutively and repeatedly broke both my feet/ankles – https://swatiness.com/2020/03/06/story-time-mulling-over-mules/

I’m not even going to go into the different Givenchy Beauty (or related) events that I have somehow – with no additional help necessary – injured myself in some way or another. I’m talking hitting my head (and getting a mild concussion) 15 minutes before the event begins, burning my foot from the smoke machine (don’t ask), falling flat in the middle of the presentation and more.

Anjali has NO filter.

It’s like the brain and the mouth do no talking sometimes. I’m often biting my tongue – or wishing I did.

I am constantly asked…

Anjali isn’t afraid of telling the truth through poetic sarcasm and pure sass.

Obviously, I’m elaborating when I’m saying the sarcasm is poetic – but it was witty. Especially the Ek ka vadda dil, dusre de vadde vadde bill and aagayi kamini bachi chodhne.  

Anjali is excellent at mocking people.

Oh hello Mrs. Spritely – would you like some tea? Ask my family and friends – I love copying and mocking people, very lovingly of course.

Anjali thinks she’s funny. But, also, she is!

Anjali’s hilarious, and honestly, so am I. I’m not even going to begin to expand on this.

Anjali’s loud as hell

I’m not saying I’m loud, but I can’t whisper to save my life.

Coming back to the real question – am I Anjali from K3G?

‘Suraj Hua Maddham’ and Some Revelations

As every new year begins, everyone has new resolutions. My resolutions aren’t dependent on the new year, but rather on how far away my birthday is (February 23rd). I get into the full swing to get working on my birthday body roughly about in September/October.

In the gist of that, as Taylor Swift dropped her new album in November 2017, you cannot possibly imagine my excitement to go running listening to the album. It’s my jam. So, come January 2nd, I’m still running, still listening to Reputation. And just as my pace starts to differ and slow down, ‘Dress‘ comes on. It HAS to be the sexiest song on the album.

To recap, my exact emotions when I first heard the song were:

OH.MY.GOD.

This is a very, very sexy song. With an emotional touch. I am at a serious loss for words. I feel like this should be in 50 Shades of Grey.

“All of this silence and patience, pining and desperately waiting.”

As the lyrics mooned on, with all the “ah-ah-ah-aaaaahs”, it got me thinking – this song obviously makes me feel a lot of things. Things that another PR girl (read: Samantha Jones from SATC) will proudly raise a toast to. But, while this does make me “feel” a lot, there are more songs that probably have the same effect.

Taking my thought process as a freaky clue, ‘Suraj Hua Maddham’ from Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham starts to play, making me blush to my cheeks and thanking my stars for it being dark on my track.

It was the year 2001, and I was 8 years old (if you are doing the math, I’m 24 for another month and 21 days), when I first heard/saw the song. And since then, it’s been my ultimate love song. Till date, if I hear the song, I automatically start to blush. In that Egyptian backdrop with those plain effortless sarees and Shah Rukh Khan’s lusty looks, I had my “awakening”.

As a vain kid who didn’t know what sex was, I assumed, when people went on honeymoon – mostly in Switzerland or Egypt, they danced and ran to each other in slow motions and BAM, that was it. I was proven very, very wrong at 12 when I read my first ever Jude Deveraux. But, that’s a story for another time.

So today evening, as I walked back home, blushing pink with a huge cheeky smile plastered on my face from just listening to two songs, it occurred to be – I can’t be the only one who has a few songs like these – the kind that would make one blush in a busy room.

I can’t, right? 

 

Happiness Collides

Happiness collides,
With a little sorrow and mumbling lies.
Knew you from a time before,
Knew enough, to know you more.
You continue looking,
Straight into my eyes.
Talking in another language,
I couldn’t confide.

I still remember the softness
Of your beautiful eyes.
I miss the way you looked at me,
And how you made me smile.
All those pretty flowers,
On the day things went bad.
I also remember the day,
You left me, sad.

There’s this happiness,
And an old melancholy.
It’s like from another time,
We knew and when we met.
Formality and manners,
Greetings and words.
What have we come to-
From lovers to this?

I hug you tight,
And you hold me close.
We don’t talk of the past,
Just smile at us.
I still feel the fireworks,
The little, that are left.
I still feel the happiness,
And the sorrow, that we fell.

I cannot understand what this is,
What this meeting meant.
I have nothing bad to swear,
Only good feelings to bear.
So, one thing went wrong,
And it was a big blunder.
But, what we had,
I’d cherish forever.

Life Lessons I Learnt from Jab We Met

Don’t know if you know, but Netflix loaded my favourite movie- Jab We Met. The movie starring Kareena Kapoor-Khan and Shahid Kapoor is one of the best and most relatable movies ever made. A first by Imtiaz Ali shows India as the perfect tourist location- highlighting Rajasthan and Shimla.

I’m not going to tell you the plot, because if you’ve stumbled here without watching the movie- I strongly advise that you get a pack full of popcorn and bundle yourself in for an amazing 3 hours. The music score of the movie is top notch- with all my favourite songs ever being from the movie.

Here are a few life lessons that I learned from Geet and Adi.

1. Be your own favourite

   

   Loving yourself is so important- because if you are not your own favourite- then how do you expect someone else to make you their favourite. You know what I mean?

2. Make your own decisions and get ready to bear consequences

   

   Whether it was running away, or staying away- Geet stuck to her decisions. Her reasoning behind everything she did was she didn’t want to blame somebody else and would know whatever life is because of her own decisions. She stuck to her decision of running away and bearing the consequences of the rejection that followed. She could have gone back home but decided to stay.

   “Aagey kya hone wala hai, is pe kisi ka control nahin hai. Toh aise mein main wahi karti hoon jo mera dil kehta hai. Meri life jo bhi hogi, mujhe pata hoga ki meri wajeh se aisi hai. Toh I’ll be happy.”

3. Never settle

   

   Decisions bring me to a third lesson- of never settling. We make our own happy ending- and it’s simply by choosing what really makes us happy- and not giving into thinking what we think our hearts want.

4. Childish madness is sometimes a necessity

   

   Sometimes the best way to dealing with things is through the utter childish madness. Whether it’s burning and flushing a picture of your ex, or you know, casually calling them up and screaming every imaginable swear word you know. Trust me- it works.

5. Keep talking

   

   It’s okay to be that person who keeps talking- even when she’s sleeping. You don’t need a special occasion to keep talking endlessly (and filter-free). Although- do add some filters.

6. Be thoughtful

   

   Be your own favourite, keep talking, make your own decisions but in all that, always be thoughtful about others. The whole plot of Jab We Met revolves around Geet missing her train because she went to get Aditya back to the train. She supports his case in front of the ticket collector in the train and literally stops him from falling to his death.

7. Everything will eventually be okay

   

   This is something this movie teaches me every time I forget, or need hearing it again- that it might take a while till things are better, but they will get better.

9 Signs She Works in PR

Know how to spot a lunatic PR person when you see one.

1. She has a gift of the gab
   
   One of the reasons several people take up PR is because they can talk continuously, for hours. Most of these were labelled “chatterboxes” and given regular time-outs in school for talking too much.
2. She has a knack for creating stories out of thin air
   
   On more than one occasion, you know she has created extremely convincing stories from nowhere, whether it’s to get away from detention or attending a boring invitation.
3. Socialising is actually a hobby for her
   
   There are people who stay away from meeting other people, and then there is her. Socialising ranks pretty high up on her favourite hobbies. She makes an actual effort and enjoys meeting people, and visiting new places, and meeting more people. What a total weirdo.
4. Moderator by cause, on more than one occasion
   
   Crisis communication, in other words, is one of her excelling points. She is almost always the one relied upon to solve any squabbles between family, friends and total strangers.
5. She also moonlights as an Agony Aunt
   
   It’s true that she never shuts up- except when you need her to listen. With a warm heart and ear, she is often entertained with stories of emotional turmoil from those seeking advice on life and image management.
6. She is well-read and up-to-date with all the goss and news.
   
   She knows how important it is to have some substance, than just style to back her chip. She reads often, well and a lot, and try to keep everything that is happening around the world- fictitious and otherwise. Whether it’s Ben and Jennifer’s heart-breaking divorce details or why Indians are currently boycotting Snapchat- she’ll know it all. And it’s very rare she’ll be modest about it. 
7. She can multi-task
   
   She has mastered the techniques of multi-tasking. PR experts encounter several tasks on a daily basis, most of which are solved at the same time. She is somewhat in a  capacity to handle 5 things at once- in what she would call an “organised manner.”
8. She knows her Social Media words and hashtags
   
   It’s a new age, and the social media is here to stay. In a region like the Middle East, where social media is the norm, everyone has a firm handle on Social Media. But trust her to know who is who, and are “in” on the latest social media trends. She knows what works, and “who” is here to stay.
9. She actually enjoys writing too
   
   Well, if she can’t write, her affair with public relations won’t be a lengthy one. She probably got into PR because she likes to write and can crack a well-worded story, whatever platform it is for.

 

6 Most Romantic Places

If you haven’t guessed it already- I love romance. While it might be currently non-existent in my life, a girl can still dream, right? I thought why not share the top 5 places on my list for a little romance! So, if you’re booking your little getaway to catch up on the looo-uve, here’s 5 places you can go! (Future Mr. Swati Jain, if you’re reading, take notes!)

1. Venice, Italy
   This is actually my dream honeymoon destination. In the many romance novels I’ve read, Venice has always been romanticized- even in movies. All those bridges, gondola rides, cheese, wine, sunsets, and the singing gondola rider. The city’s gothic architecture and the little alleyways are literally inviting you and your SO to lose yourselves!
   I mean, come on, picture this- both of you, snuggled together on the gondola, while it sails through the little bridges during the sunset and just as you two are about to kiss, somewhere far away Church bells start to ring… Nice, right?
   And since you’re already in Italy- maybe spare a day for Verona? See the inspiration behind Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet!
   
   

   

   
2. Paris, France
   Don’t I know this one is a total cliche? Yes, I do. Then why am I still adding this? Because it is the perfect place for romance and here’s why: where else will you get the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Disneyland in the same place? With its beautiful lanes, exquisite macaroon flavours from Laudree or Pierre Hermes, and Hot Chocolate from Angelina, the city’s views from the Eiffel Tower after a stroll down the path with the most celebrated painting, Mona Lisa- what’s not to love and about love?
   Picture this- walking, nay running, in Disneyland to your favourite ride with Mickey Ears hat and your partner in tow!
   
   

   
3. Maldives
   There’s a reason why people keep talking about the never-ending waters and beautiful water villas in Maldives. It’s peaceful. Mind you- I went there with my family and I couldn’t help but wonder how amazing it would be to visit with a beau. The blue ocean, the colourful corals, the fun water sports and of course the option of completely disconnecting with the world.
   
   

   

   

   

   

   

   
4. St. Moritz, Switzerland
   Well.. you’re literally on top of the world feeling top of the world. What could be better? Nothing better than to cozy up in the original winter wonderland with a hot drink, good book, a blanket and the SO.
   
   

   
5. The Greek Islands
   Whether you’re jetting off and running around in Santorini, Mykonos, Nafplio, or Corfu- every single island has its own story, and a unique enchantment. Whether you’re exploring the sandy beaches, running up and down the stairs around the city or siting in a little cafe wondering what food you’ve been served- Greece calls for romance!
   
6. Egypt
   You only really have bollywood to blame for this. Ever since I K3G, this one’s been on the list. But, who wouldn’t like endless sands, oldest of the world’s architecture and a lot of romance?
   

10 Times you MUST absolutely listen to Blair Waldorf

Take my word for it, Blair Waldorf is always right. I’ve even got a giant frame on my desk that reads- ‘What would Blair Waldorf say?‘ Needless to say, I find myself asking that question more often than I’d like to admit. The woman has something appropriate to say for every occasion. I’ve just listed below the 10 times her advice is spot on!

Also, if you still haven’t seen this show or know who Blair is- I have no words to say to you.

1. When it comes to following your dreams

   

2. When you think of wearing Tights with a Baggy shirt.

   

3. When you think you should settle for something less than what you deserve

   

4. When you keep waiting for things to happen without actually doing anything about it.

   

5. When just because you love something and know it’s not good for you.

   This really takes the cake though

   

   

6. When you think it’s just you that the feelings confuse.

   

   

   

7. When you need to realize self-worth.

   

   

8. When you need really keep your cool.

   

   

9. When you are wondering whether or not you should buy that $400 dress.

   

10. When you actually fall in love

    

23 Rom-Coms You Must Watch

Right, so since we are all thinking and talking about love and romance, and I am a self-acclaimed romance enthusiast, who loves watching romantic movies, there are some favorites that are ALWAYS on my list- and with an obvious reason, they are amazing.

While there is a long list of movies that I can watch again and again, these ones are when I want to feel some love and giggle through my tears.

Tell me some of your favorites!

1. When Harry Met Sally
   

   

   
2. Love Actually
   

   

   
3. Pretty Woman

   

4. Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge

   

5. Silver Linings Playbook
   

   

   
6. Breakfast at Tiffany’s
   

   

   
7. 50 First Dates

   

8. Sleepless in Seattle

   

9. 13 Going 30
   

   

   
10. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
    

    
11. Dirty Dancing
    

    

    
12. Pride and Prejudice- Colin Firth one. He is the ONLY Mr. Darcy

    

13. Sweet Home Alabama
    

    

    
14. The Notebook
    

    

    

    
15. Letters to Juliet
    

    

    
16. You’ve Got Mail
    

    

    
17. My Big Fat Greek Wedding
    

    
18. Barfi!
    

    
19. Jab We Met
    

    

    

    
20. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
    

    

    
21. Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na

    

22. Hum Tum
    

    

    
23. Hasee Toh Phasee
    

    

    

    

18 Life Lessons from Gilmore Girls

I just binge watched Gilmore Girls and in less than a month- and this is something I’m very proud of- finished the entire series. Yes, that’s right. I watched 7 seasons and the Year in Life Netflix special and I finished it all- in less than a month.

There were several things I enjoyed about the show- Kelly Bishop (Emily Gilmore) being my favorite. There were several moments when all I wanted was to stop watching it, I’m thinking Season 3 between Jess and Dean and Dean and Jess (if you are asking, I was Team Dean all the way- but that Logan fellow was pretty much meant to be). Although, in the revival, I was all about Team Jess. Never thought that would happen- but he’s turned out to be a pretty amazing dude, I would say. Anywhooo. 18 important life lessons I learned from Gilmore Girls:

1. Life is really short, so talk fast.

   As somebody who talks really fast- I really enjoyed watching Lorelei ramble on and on and on.

   

2. When in doubt, or when bored, or when uncertain- drink.

   

3. Dirty jokes are never not funny.

   

4. Sometimes you need to stop planning the future and just live in the moment.

   

5. Look out for silver linings

   

6. Be yourself.

   

7. Never be afraid to voice your feelings

   

8. Take time out for yourself- to discover yourself and to find contentment within you.

   

9. Just because you love him doesn’t mean he is good for you.(Read: Jess, then Dean and then Logan)

   

10. Coffee is everything.

    

    

11. It’s okay to hurt sometimes and cry into ice cream.

    

12. Do not steal a yacht.Repercussions are your mother bailing you out of jail.

    

13. Stop and smell the books!

    

14. And always bring a book – wherever you go!

    

15. Snow makes everything magical.

    

16. Pop-culture references are EVERYTHING!

    

17. You can’t control who you’re attracted to (Read- Jess, then a married Dean, then Logan, then an engaged Logan).

    

18. Make sure your best friend can bake.

    

La La Land- “What If”

What if. 

This has been my favourite phrase for as long as I can remember. With everything that happens, the trail that leads to “what if” always stirs a doubt in my head. It’s good to know I’m not the only one who wonders “what if…”.

La La Land is a movie of dreamers and for dreamers. When I watched the trailer the first time, I knew then that I wouldn’t miss this movie- mostly because it had my favourite, Ryan Gosling in it. And anything that Ryan Gosling does- can’t be bad. I mean come on, I watched that horribly violent movie, “Drive” for his sake. He looked so cute in that horrible violent movie. SOO- I couldn’t have missed this.

Anywhoo, after a month of the movie’s release, I found myself standing outside the cinemas, with my bottle of sparkling water and a big bucket of popcorn.

A musical- La La Land is a definite see. Especially, if you love Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Jazz, LA and just old school retro romance.

My favourite part was when they are sitting in the cinema- their romance just beginning- and they’re slowly trying to touch each other’s hands. It was so cute and reminded me of how love and romance starts in most relationships- in the cinema, holding hands in the dark and grinning like fools. Although, not many first kisses get interrupted by a burning film roll.

If you don’t want jumbled and confusing spoilers- do not read ahead.

It doesn’t have your regular happy ending- it doesn’t end with Mia and Sebastian together. But, it isn’t sad. I’m not going to explain the plot of the movie- because I am going to press on the point where I’d rather you watch the movie than just read about it.

It’s about regular people, who meet, fall in love, and move away- metaphorically and literally. But, years later, when they see each other again- what if haunts them. That haunting might have been only the last 5 minutes of the movie, but it was enough to make me watch it all over again.

I might be the only person, but the idea of haunting what ifs is quite poetic to me. To me, this movie ended on that note. It made me wonder, why do we spend so much time pondering over what if when we could have done that in the first place. Is it always too late to do anything? Or is it relative to what is being discussed?

With the girlfriends dancing in sync in the beginning (where did they go in latter half- is still a mystery!).

Or the running in giddy realization- and hoping it’s not too late.

And it’s not too late…

Or the first kiss all over again…

Oh wait- did I tell you there’s John Legend in it? John Legend singing and acting?

For the first time, even without the happy ending, I walked out of the theatre with the biggest smile on my face- it could have something to do with Ryan Gosling- or just to do with a really good movie.

Okay, watch the trailer again here: La La Land Trailer

Gossip Girl and The Holiday: Two for the cheer

It’s been a weird week. Long, weird, hard, messy week. I’ve been trying to take my mind off things and into more writing and productivity and watching a lot of movies and chick flicks and reading.

Here are the two favourites that made me smile, or I could relate to, or just nice to hear when you’re literally in the middle of a storm.

Iris (The Holiday)

This is the perfect reminder of how our definitions of “love”might not be what actually suits us. While, the Cameron Diaz/Jude Law adventures cracked me up, Kate Winslot’s piercing words made me think. My favourite being the below:

“I understand feeling as small and as insignificant as humanly possible. And how it can actually ache in places you didn’t know you had inside you. And it doesn’t matter how many new haircuts you get, or gyms you join, or how many glasses of chardonnay you drink with your girlfriends… you still go to bed every night going over every detail and wonder what you did wrong or how you could have misunderstood. And how in the hell for that brief moment you could think that you were that happy. And sometimes you can even convince yourself that he’ll see the light and show up at your door. And after all that, however long all that may be, you’ll go somewhere new. And you’ll meet people who make you feel worthwhile again. And little pieces of your soul will finally come back. And all that fuzzy stuff, those years of your life that you wasted, that will eventually begin to fade.”

Blair Waldorf (Gossip Girl)

I don’t know how she isn’t the first person mentioned in the post- because Gossip Girl is literally my favourite show. I’ve watched it religiously and felt all the love, disgust, anger, heartbreak, and perhaps some sassiness along with Blair (and often Chuck, Nate or Serena).

“Once men have tasted caviar, it baffles me how they settle for catfish.”

“The thing about new beginnings is- that they recquire something else to end.”

“I followed my heart all last year and it led me nowhere.Now, I need to follow my head.”