Jo chahe ho jaye…

Rebels without a pause yet rooted in tradition, the Hyderabadi youth smartly walk the thin red line as G. ARUN KUMAR finds out

BRAVE NEW BREED: The Hyderabadi youngster is an endearing bundle of contradictions — Photo: P.V. Sivakumar

THERE IS a strange being stalking the cyber highway in the city. Flaunting the absolutely trendiest togs, this creature is wired to the latest greatest in bits and bytes but also has a weakness for biryani, the little irani samosas, mirchi bhajis and chai.

While this creature talks knowledgeably about Super bowl and LA Lakers, it is equally comfortable with hau and nakko. Welcome my friend, welcome to the new Hyderabadi.

The patron saint for this brave new breed could be 25-year-old Arjun who hangs out with friends at Barista. He sports the required uniform of translucent shirt, low-waisted jeans, wraparound shades, studded ear and spiked hair. It could also be twenty-something Sheena, a content writer who calmly trades her mini skirt of last night’s party for a salwar kameez for a family puja.

What’s in a name

They could go by any name Sheena, Meena, Tina, Arjun, Arpit or Laxman but the distinguishing characteristics are the same – trendy and traditional, suave yet simple, hot and cool and religion of course rocks big time.

Our films, the eternal pop cultural mirror, reflects these attitudes as Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan) in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Raj (Hrithik Roshan) in Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon drop in to pay their respects to the Dude Almighty.

“It only goes to show how the MTV generation is both western and traditional,” says Dr. K. Stevenson, Head, Department of Journalism, Osmania University. Youngsters like youngsters in every generation wish to prove they have a separate identity in society.

Like generations before them and surely generations to follow, they drive fast cars, sport the latest gizmos, wear branded clothes, watch films in multiplexes and party hard.

Malini, a professor at NIFT attributes the attitude to peer pressure and the media boom. “What is wrong with it?” Asmita Gunti Marwah, a fashion designer, demands. “Change is the other name for progress. Wearing jeans doesn’t mean disrespect to our tradition. Jeans does not make one less Indian or less Hyderabadi.”

So is the Hyderabadi youngster leading a dual existence? Malini feels, “Some dress just for the heck of it. While there is a good blend of modesty and modernity, there is a great deal of aping the West ” With a speckled set of passions, likes and dislikes, their attention span is like that of a fly.

While they do not worship all that is phoren unconditionally, it does not stop them from haring it across the ocean at the mere whisper of a job opportunity.

Material world

They are the “Just do it types” and live by the mantra of for all ends, you must have means. “Their spending power is high. Awash in fat salaries and disposable incomes, they think everything is tradable,” points out Stevenson. With great freedom comes great responsibility and are they able to handle it?

“The quality of life is such that they tend to go astray. With parents busier than ever, the young adults are left to fend for themselves,” Dr. Jyoti Sangle, a psychiatrist, comments. “They are just running out of arsenal to deal with what is unleashed on them.”

“I don’t blame the parents. It’s just that the youth want to manage themselves,” Malini argues. “As long as we do not lose our individuality, it is fine,” says Karen, a model.

Sangle sees a strong sense of individualism and hence the desire to be above ordinary. Good parenting and proper teaching should take them on the right path, she reasons. But is today’s youth all about Jo Chahe Ho Jaye and Yeh Dil Maange More?

Stevenson feels the “youth have chosen the primrose path of dalliance. And it’s going to be one hell of a road for the MTV generation.” But Asmita differs. “The youth are proud of their culture but at the same time they have to change with the times,”she counters.

It is the story of each generation that has to deal with the earlier generation bemoaning the loss of values and the rest of it. Just hope this bunch of Generation Xers will not cluck and say how different it was in “their” time!

Hindu On Net

Matters of heart

While his directorial debut did not exactly set the box office on fire, Atul Agnihotri is looking ahead with hope

Atul Agnihotri… The promise of an epic one day — Photo: R.V. Moorthy.

HE HAS been sidelined by the film industry and many in the audiences may have dismissed him as a wooden actor. This despite making his debut in Mahesh Bhatt’s Sir in 1993 and then some 10 films from Krantiveer, to Naraaz, to Gunehgaar, Hote Hote Pyar Ho Gaya and so on, but he comes across as a sensible human being, spontaneous, polite, dignified, focussed and intelligent. Atul Agnihotri impresses with his sober demeanour. His answers leave little scope for one to take him for granted.

Talking about his directorial debut Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa, starring Salman Khan, Preity Zinta and Bhumika Chawla, he said, “I had to generate a lot of faith among the people to assure them that this film will move you, make you laugh and cry and set you thinking. I was ready with everything before approaching the producer, even sets and shots. People did think that because I have been a bad actor, I am taking a plunge into direction to save my face. But actually I started as an assistant to Pankaj Parashar for four years. And I always wanted to make a film which I could believe in.” Since he thinks, “comedy and action films have short memories” a sensitive subject was what he zeroed down on.

Real life portrayal

Conviction he had in this idea, which was mooted after he read certain medical journals and books. In the film he defines as a “soul-stirring journey of human love and conflict,” he talks about a heart ailment Bhumika is suffering from and how despite growing weaker, she copes with life, cheerfully. He talks about a married man, played by his brother-in-law Salman Khan, his sensitivity towards two ladies and the vibrancy exuded by Preity Zinta despite a disease forming its backdrop.

“None of the scenes in the film are just imaginary acts. They are taken from real incidents being mentioned in medical journals, and happened in peoples’ lives. Since the subject was sensitive, I gave ample time to my actors to sink in. For instance, I did not narrate what they had to do in next shot on the sets. Most of the direction was done off sets.

This way the actors too feel confident. Since I myself had been an actor, I knew what goes in the mind when a director directs you on the sets and expects you to give the best shot instantly.”

And guess what this sensible man who also acted in a few TV serials including Mritydand and Tanha, is jealous of? “I feel envious of people who can source episodes and characters from history. This has been my earnest desire to make an epic film. One day… .” he promises.

RANA SIDDIQUI

Hindu On Net

Style king

THE STYLE king of Hollywood, Quentin Tarantino, returns with his revenge-andredemption epic “Kill Bill 2″. It is not to be mistaken as a sequel as it is only the post interval part of the action film, which on completion had a running time of 242 minutes. So the film was spliced into two and the second half released almost a year after the release of the first half. In the new film, Uma Thurman continues with her bloody quest to wreak revenge on her former colleagues from Bill’s all-girl assassination team. Not much of a story here, but it’s Tarantino’s slick execution of practically every scene and Uma Thurman’s great performance that score.

SREEDHAR PILLAI

Hindu On Net

It’s now good guy

R.V. MOORTHY

HE’S Hindi cinema’s original “bad boy”. And if one believes in destiny then SALMAN KHAN is destiny’s child. Despite being bogged down by controversies of all kinds, Khan is not one to let things deter him. “I’m not one to celebrate my success or mourn my failures. I believe in working hard because nothing is for keeps,” he said. Even though his name has been linked with various co-stars, Khan said he is not thinking of marriage yet. “I’m instinctive about these things so don’t complain when it happens.” Like his attitude to work. Khan is now keen to take on only “good guy” roles On not even thinking of doing passionate scenes in his films, Khan reacts, “Parents and grandparents watch these films at home.” That sounds a bit coy but that’s Khan unplugged for you.

SUCHITRA BEHAL

Hindu On Net

Run For Roses in fine nick

HYDERABAD,

SEPT. 26.

Run For Roses, who is in fine nick, runs with a good chance in the S.N. Reddy Memorial Cup (1,400m), the chief event of the races here today.

False rails (width about 2 mts from 1,400m to 900m and 5 mts from 900m to the winning post) will be in position.

1 1-45 S.N. Reddy Memorial Cup

1,400m, Cat. I, 3/y/o & over (Terms)

1*413Run For Roses (L. D’Silva) Christopher4 55.5

2*113Shakhtar (Rafaat) Ravinder1 55.0

3*020Bar-At-Lawn (Srinivas) Gallagher3 53.5

4*231Sugar Mine (Raju) Suresh2 53.5

RUN FOR ROSES: As a favourite finished third to Shakira (1,400m); warrants another chance. BAR-AT-LAWN: Looks fit. SUGAR MINE: A comfortable winner over 1,600m; retains form.

1. Run For Roses, 2. Sugar Mine

2 2-15 Jatprole Cup

1,400m, Cat. II, 3/y/o & over, rated up to 75

1*223Treasure Gift (Raju) D. Singh5 60.0

212*2Tallahassee (L. D’Silva) Christopher1 52.5

30*00Bonzsingh (Rafaat) Ravinder3 50.5

4*000Line To Conquer (Faiyaz) Sk. Sharookh4 50.5

5*212River Angel (Satheesh) Gallagher2 50.5

TREASURE GIFT: A failed favourite in Skara’s 1,100m; deserves another chance. TALLAHASSEE: Has stripped fitter after his second to Suryarath’s 1,400m. RIVER ANGEL: After winning a 1,100m, finished second to Camarero (1,200m); working attractively.

1. River Angel, 2. Treasure Gift

3 2-45 Raja Saheb Of Challapalli Memorial Cup

2,000m, Cat. III, 4/y/o & over, rated up to 50

10*00Miraculous Ruler (Rafaat) Suraj Narredu5 60.0

2*010Spirit Of Success (Deshmukh) Rutherford3 59.5

30*00Land Of Royalty (Srinivas) B.V. Krishnan4 59.0

4*041Arizona Wild Cat (Srinivas) D. Singh8 55.5

5*000Gold Of Honour (Habibullah) Ravinder6 55.0

60*13Royal Guest (Faisal) Shoban Babu2 52.5

7*040Port Royal (Silvester) A. Joshi1 51.0

8*044Grey Mirage (Raju) Suresh7 50.0

MIRACULOUS RULER: Has come down a class; weight may not prove a stopper. ARIZONA WILD CAT: A gutsy winner over 2,200m; maintains form. ROYAL GUEST: Comes into the reckoning on her third to Arizona Wild Cat (2,200m). GREY MIRAGE: Appeals on weights.

1. Miraculous Ruler, 2. Arizona Wild Cat, 3. Royal Guest

4 3-15 Nawab Sultan Ali Khan

Memorial Cup

1,200m, Cat. III, 4/y/o & over, rated up to 50

1*320Cheslind (Deshmukh) A. Joshi3 60.0

2*013Royal Shine (Faisal) Shoban Babu10 58.0

33*01Bulbasaur (L. D’Silva) Joseph8 56.0

41*00Royal Franchise (Satheesh) Qazafi4 55.0

5*002Royal Grey (Raju) Suresh11 53.5

6*134Light Cannon (Habibullah) Abhinay12 52.5

7*001Flawless (Satheesh) Chary2 52.0

8*240Classic Bird (Shamsuddin) Sk. Farokh1 51.5

9*214Math Mario (Shamsuddin) Sk. Sharookh9 51.5

10*401Ballistic (Netto) K. Anil6 49.5

11*001Gran Canaria (Sk. Kassam) Ruzaan7 49.5

12*000Law Minister (Faisal) B. Shinde5 48.0

BULBASAUR: An easy winner over 1,200m; retains form. ROYAL GREY: Ran Ne Tlus Ultra to one length over 1,400m; in fine fettle. FLAWLESS: Won in a close finish over 1,200m; may repeat. CLASSIC BIRD: His nowhere in Ne Tlus Ultra’s 1,400m is best ignored.

1. Royal Grey, 2. Classic Bird, 3. Bulbasaur

5 3-45 P.V.G. Raju Memorial Cup (D. II)

1,400m, Cat. II, Md. 3/y/o only (Terms)

1*000Dames Bond (Vatsalya) Ruzaan5 56.0

200*0Guardian (Srinagesh) Chauhan1 56.0

3*000Mombasa (Netto) Christopher4 56.0

4*233Rocky Of Chicago (Rafaat) Suraj Narredu6 56.0

5*3Whoz Who (Deshmukh) A. Imran Khan7 56.0

6*204Zindabad (Srinivas) B.V. Krishnan3 56.0

7— Carradale (Thompson) Lawrence8 54.5

8*423Milesworth (Satheesh) Kariappa10 54.5

9— Rock Dancer (Vatsalya) Madhu Kumar2 54.5

10*000Seattle Star (Vatsalya) Ravinder9 54.5

ROCKY OF CHICAGO: Improved since his last run. WHOZ WHO: Seen finishing on well in Queens English’s 1,400m; may raise a winning gallop. ZINDABAD: Working well in the morning try-outs. MILESWORTH: On the board in her last three starts; in fine trim.

1. Rocky Of Chicago, 2. Milesworth, 3. Whoz Who

6 4-15 Major General Nawab Khusru Jung Bahadur Memorial Cup

2,200m, Cat. II, 4/y/o & over (Terms)

1*033Profile (Rafaat) Ravinder1 58.0

200*1Turbanator (Rafaat) Suraj Narredu3 58.0

3*200Clear Zone (Raju) D. Singh5 55.0

4*123Eyes Right (Netto) Christopher6 55.0

5*000Danzero (Srinivas) Pavan Kumar4 53.5

6*110Welhams (Vatsalya) Madhu Kumar2 47.5

PROFILE: Working well. TURBANATOR: Justified the favouritism by winning a 2,200m; retains form. CLEAR ZONE: Improved since his last run. EYES RIGHT: Deserves following on his consistency. WELHAMS: Well in at the weights.

1. Turbanator, 2. Eyes Right, 3. Clear Zone

7 4-45 P.V.G. Raju Memorial Cup (D. I)

1,400m, Cat. II, Md. 3/y/o only (Terms)

1*000Big Budget (Faiyaz) H. Moses11 56.0

2*0Flying Knight (Srinivas) B.V. Krishnan1 56.0

30*02Gun Rock (L. D’Silva) Christopher2 56.0

4*000Pearl City (Deshmukh) Rutherford8 56.0

5*002Time And Again (Habibullah) Ravinder4 56.0

6*300Al Falujah (Srinagesh) Chauhan10 54.5

7*0Nectarine (Rafaat) Suraj Narredu6 54.5

80*44Palace Girl (Netto) B. Shinde3 54.5

9000Ritual (Vatsalya) Madhu Kumar9 54.5

10*004Simple Wish (Satheesh) Gallagher7 54.5

110*22Star Valley (Vatsalya) Ruzaan5 54.5

GUN ROCK: Looks fit and well. PEARL CITY: Ignore his previous runs; may upset. PALACE GIRL: Fourth in her last two starts; may run a decent race. STAR VALLEY: A close second to Queens English over 1,400m; can make a race of it.

1. Star Valley, 2. Gun Rock, 3. Palace Girl

Day’s best: Star Valley

Double: Run For Roses — River Angel

Jkt: 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7. Tr (i): 2, 3 & 4; (ii): 5, 6 & 7. Tla: Will operate on all races where there are five or more starters.

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