Destination Infinity's Blog, page 59

Some Sightings @ Solar South, Chennai ’15

I went to the Solar South Exhibition at Chennai Trade Center today. It’s On from June 19 – June 21, just in case you want to check out what’s available in the solar energy segment for you.

Here are some interesting pics I clicked during the expo,

Daylight Lighting solutions using natural sunlight.

Solar Water Heater

Solar Panels – Different Sizes/Capacities

LED Tube Lights

Solar Hybrid Air Conditioner

Coordinate Measuring Machine

Solar Water Heater/Solar Panel

Solar Panels

Destination Infinity

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Published on June 19, 2015 10:01

Vadivelu’s ‘Eli’ Tamil Movie Review: ‘Hero’ Vadivelu is not a Joker!

Eli Movie Trailer:

‘Eli’ is Vadivelu’s latest spy comedy movie where the master comedian plays the leading role. Therein lies the biggest issue with the movie: Vadivelu, how much ever we might hope & want, doesn’t shine in a movie where he plays the role of a successful hero. I am afraid the movie did not turn out to be a laugh riot I expected, due to it.

Sure Vadivelu can play the role of a Hero. But will a successful Vadivelu make us laugh, irrespective of his funny mannerisms and humorous exposition? Difficult.

There sure are some bright (comic) spots here and there. The bank heist scene is excellent. Why? Because Vadivelu attempts the bank robbery in the most childish of ways and fails pathetically! We love when Vadivelu attempts and fails. That too fails for the simplest of reasons. That’s what makes us laugh — doesn’t it?

But for most part of the movie, Vadivelu attempts to be the Hero, and a successful one at that — well, you can guess the result. The fight scenes, especially in the climax, is totally unbelievable. The comedy, which ought to have taken the center stage in this movie, is woven throughout, but almost as an afterthought. Not very effective.

Disappointing — but not a total disappointment though.

The story and the setting (60s Madras) is good — much better than an average Tamil movie. As I told you, we do get to laugh at certain moments — but these are far too less than what is expected of a movie featuring one and only ‘Vaigai Puyal’. There is no surprise, not that we expect one in a comedy spy movie, but I felt that the story had the scope for it. They could have used the character of Sadha to create a surprise twist, but they don’t.

Vadivelu dancing to ‘Meri sapnon ki rani kab aayegi thu’ is innovative, but he could have instead danced to a popular MGR song and got much more applause from the audience! Vadivelu reading out the cigarrete smoking warning was good thinking, and surprisingly comic!

I just wish Comedy Vadivelu remained a Comedian and doesn’t attempt to become a Hero. What he has achieved as a Comedian is hundred times more satisfying (for the audience) than what hundreds of Super/Mega Star Heroes can ever achieve. Then why this attempt to degrade him to a Hero?

I want the pure Comedian Vadivelu who fails at the simplest of things, back. Because that’s what makes us laugh. That’s what makes us forget our worries, at least for the moment.

The movie is definitely watchable once, maybe in the theater.

But it’s not the laugh riot you might expect.

Sorry to disappoint you guys!

Destination Infinity

PS: For the first time ever, I watched a movie First Day First Show

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Published on June 19, 2015 01:12

If Married, Divorce Speed. If Unmarried?

If Married, Divorce Speed. OK. But,

If Unmarried, speed, meet an accident, and die??

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Published on June 15, 2015 05:39

Kakka Muttai (Tamil) Movie Review

Kakka Muttai is the latest Tamil movie that’s been getting rave reviews on Facebook, so I thought why not see it in theater? I am glad I did!

I guess you all know I love offbeat movies. But now I realize I love offbeat movies that give an unbiased message interlaced with humor. What a debut by the writer/director Manikandan! For once I am glad that a director did not push his beliefs/agenda on the movie watchers, and chose to tell the story as it is in the real world.

This is a story of two slum kids who fantasize on eating a ‘pizza’ from a nearby newly-opened pizza shop. They want to taste it in spite of not having the money, then not wearing the appropriate dress, and then not being allowed inside the shop because the watchman recognizes they are from the nearby slum! How they surpass each hurdle, and whether they get to eat the ‘pizza’ in the end is the story.

The story was somewhat slow until intermission. But after that it picks up pace. The climax is too good. There is mild humor throughout, but since many people laugh aloud in theaters, the effect of humor is amplified. And the humor makes you think — I feel this is the best way to make people think. Not lecturing the audience or trying to create artificial emotions.

The realistic film-making is the Hero of this movie. There is no actual Hero/Heroine, just the kids and a bunch of characters supporting them. Glad to watch a simple but still complex non-judgmental movie in the theater. The audience gave a standing ovation to the movie in the end.

Don’t miss this movie in the theater, especially if you like offbeat movies.

I loved it.

Destination Infinity

PS: I want to watch Piku badly — hopefully it’ll continue to play in the theater next week too!!

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Published on June 15, 2015 05:37

Looking forward to Vadivelu’s Next Movie: ELI!!

Now that we are nearing June 19 2015, the release date of Eli, Tamil Comedian Vadivelu’s next movie as a hero-comedian, I just can’t wait to watch it in theaters!! I firmly believe that there maybe a thousand comedians, but NO ONE, JUST NO ONE can create the magic of Vadivelu. Hopefully, this movie will not disappoint all his fans including me

Watch the trailer of Eli, the upcoming Tamil Spy Comedy movie with Vadivelu and Sadha in the lead:

Destination Infinity

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Published on June 15, 2015 05:32

Should You Share Eatables with Fellow Rail Passengers?

I seriously don’t get this.

Recently when I was waiting in Chennai Central Railway Station I saw a short movie being telecast on a big screen TV. They showed how someone befriends a co-passenger and convinces them to drink a cool drink which was mixed with sleeping pills or something else to make them faint. The person drinks it and finds all their valuables missing the next day morning.

The video was made so dramatically that I was smiling almost throughout! But the message was simple: Don’t accept/eat any eatables given by strangers/co-passengers on the train.

I thought why take pains to make such an elaborate video for it — isn’t it obvious?

I was wrong. It seemed, this wasn’t so obvious.

After I boarded the train, I found two families — one sitting next to me and another sitting opposite to me. There was one small kid in each family. Soon the kids started playing with each other and the families started talking to each other.

The lady on my left took a packet of biscuit (of all things!) and offered one to the kid in the opposite family. The kid had enough sense not to take it and looked at her mother. This mother says, “Oh I have also brought things to eat — No thanks . . .” The lady insists once more that they take. The mother immediately jumps, and takes not one but two biscuits. She gives one to the kid, tells her to eat just one, and eats the other one herself!

I was already wondering what’s going on? Haven’t these people heard stories of ‘biscuit bandits’ in trains who appear like normal families?

This lady then turned towards me and tried to offer me a biscuit. I gave her a razor sharp glance. She immediately withdrew the packet!

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Published on June 08, 2015 03:33

Ranganatha Swami Temple, Nellore

I was in Nellore, South Andhra Pradesh, recently to attend a friend’s marriage reception. I had booked the return train only on next day evening, so I had some time in my hands. I went to my relatives house early in the morning and they told me about this Ranganatha Swamy Temple being close to their house. Intrigued, I decided to visit the Temple.

How to Go: Come out of the Nellore Railway Station. Take a Right, go to the Dead End. Take a left, go to the Dead end. You’ll find the Temple there. (Less than 1 KM from the station.)

The first photo shows the main Gopuram, also known as Gali Gopuram, and the above photo shows the old Tower behind the Temple. Probably this was the entrance to the Temple from the Penna river during the medieval times. The main deity facing the river, towards the west instead of east, is another reason to believe this. This Temple is believed to have been constructed somewhere between 8th – 12th Centuries by the Pallava Kings, whose boundary extended up to the Penna river in Nellore, in those days.

When you go inside through this Gopuram you’ll find workers quarters first, similar to Srirangam Temple. There is another entrance beyond that to enter the Temple. Another thing I noticed in this area is, there are many beggars on both sides of the pathway, but they didn’t ask for alms persistently. A couple of them asked once, and then they stopped.

The main deity, Lord Ranganathaswamy or Lord Vishnu, is sitting in a reclining posture on a huge snake. They give the harthi and place the chattari on our heads. I didn’t buy the ticket for archana, but if you want you can.

This Temple Tower is 70 feet high and is believed to have been constructed during the 19th Century. There are smaller shrines for other Gods also, but I didn’t visit all as I was here almost during the closing time (12 Noon!). The Temple is open from morning 6 AM to 12 PM and evening 5 PM to 8:30 PM (approx).

This is the view of the beautiful Penna river on the bank of which this Temple is situated. There are steps from the back of the Temple leading to the river. I found a couple of boats and ‘boating’ was written on the gate, but not sure if boating is actually available for the public. It was not available during the afternoon time I went.

Actually, I also planned to go to Jonnawada, another famous Tourist place nearby. But since I roamed on the streets of Nellore for almost an hour in the afternoon sun to find ‘tiffin’ (instead of meals) and didn’t get it, I was too tired and decided to sleep. However, I had sandwich, frankie, and an awesome Cassatta ice cream (Rs. 50). Wonder why we don’t get this ice cream here in the cities nowadays!

I want to go back to Nellore just to eat this Cassatta ice cream again

Destination Infinity

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Published on June 03, 2015 02:39

Money Wise: Wealth Management/Investment Book for Indians (Book Review)

Money Wise: The Aam Aadmi’s Guide to Wealth and Financial Freedom is a wealth management/financial investment book written for common middle class and upper middle class Indians. High time someone wrote a book on this topic and I am glad that the popular fiction author Sharath Komarraju, has done it! This book has been published by Harper Collins India.

Once people have figured how to make money, they can’t be content with keeping it in the savings account. Why? Because inflation reduces the purchasing power of the money every year or even every quarter! That’s the reason why sound financial planning/investment strategy is required.

The first thing anyone will think of is Fixed Deposits or Recurring Deposits in Bank. Yes, liquid cash is one effective way of investing the money. But there are other ways too, like Government/Corporate bonds that are relatively safe and stable, Gold that will always retain its value, land/real estate that can appreciate quickly, and stock market which is a gamble.

The author says our investment portfolio should be a mix of all of the above so that we will be covered during inflation, recession, boom & bust. The author takes us through each investment option in somewhat good detail and explains the positive and negative aspects related to them.

I found most of the advise sound, especially as I am clueless on wealth management topics. But I found the suggestions too safe. There are people who may like to take more risks to get better returns, but I guess this book is not for them. It is for a typical middle class/upper middle class family to want to safely explore wealth management options and grow their wealth better than what they maybe currently doing.

I never considered Gold coins/ETFs, Government/Corporate Bonds, Safe Stock market options, etc. as an investment option until now. Hence this book is an eye opener to me. I guess I don’t have to worry about all this now as I have very less wealth to “manage”. But it maybe useful in the future, so good to know anyway

Destination Infinity

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Published on June 03, 2015 02:32

DUNKIN’ DONUTS Chennai @ Phoenix Market City (Opening)

So today I went to the food-tasting workshop hosted by DUNKIN’ DONUTS at The Phoenix Market City, Velachery. DUNKIN’ DONUTS is officially opening to the public tomorrow (Saturday, May 23, 2015) and the first 500 customers get #365DaysOfDonuts: 365 coupons using which one can claim one free donut every day they eat something at DUNKIN’ DONUTS, over the next 365 days. I made one mistake before going to this workshop: I ate my breakfast!!

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Published on May 22, 2015 08:55

The Author’s Master Plan (A Humorous Short Story)

Word count: 1,000 words.

“Abey . . . you can’t commit suicide jumping from the third floor. Try the seven story building next door,” someone shouted on seeing Akshay attempt suicide from the top of a Government office building on a bright Monday afternoon. Akshay was standing on the terrace wall with his head bent down. It was just two months since he met the Sales Head of the Vanity Publishing House. Little did he anticipate the events that followed.

* * *

Two Months Back:

“I thought I’d meet the Chief Editor. But your designation reads Sales Head?” Akshay asked. He had just walked into Srini’s office at the Vanity Publishing House and shook hands with him.

Asking him to take his seat, Srini replied: “Actually, Sales is the thing that makes or breaks a book. Everything else is secondary, don’t you think?” After a brief pause, he added: “The Chief Editor reports to me, by the way.”

Akshay smiled in satisfaction as he sat down. “Great. I want to submit my manuscript to your Vanity Publishing House. I hope you consider it for publication,” He said and handed over his manuscript.

“Is this your first novel? How many words does it total up to?” Srini asked.

“Yes. The word count is around 80k,” Akshay said in a matter-of-fact tone that bordered on boastfulness. “You know what, I completed the book in seven days.” He had a tinge of a smile on is lips.

“What? You wrote 80,000 words in just 7 days?” Srini almost shouted.

Akshay confidently nodded in agreement. Srini smiled once again and asked, “How long did it take for rewriting, editing-“

“Oh, I just finished writing the novel yesterday,” Akshay said. Srini’s shoulders and jaw dropped as Akshay added, “I think the manuscript is perfect in its current form. There is no scope for rewriting or editing, really.”

“Maybe you could opt for our in-house editing service,” Srini suggested in an earnest tone.

“Nah, that will not be required.” Akshay said while he looked at Srini with razor sharp vision. He pointed towards the manuscript on the table and said, “When I said my first draft is PERFECT, I mean it is P.E.R.F.E.C.T.” Akshay said spelling out each letter. Srini’s jaw dropped even more. “I’d prefer to invest my time and money in marketing. Not in silly things like rewriting and editing,” Akshay said.

Srini relaxed a bit and said, “That’s a great idea. We have three types of marketing options: Newspaper ads & paid reviews, sponsored radio programs, and TV reality-“

“I want all of them,” Akshay interrupted. “I want to get the maximum exposure for my book. I want to become the next bestselling author of India at ANY COST,” he said as he banged on the table with his fist and looked at the Sales Head with fiery red eyes that spewed wildfire.

Srini smiled. He knew his bonus was assured.

* * *

Present Time:

Akshay looked down, towards the crowd. There were some 30 – 35 eager people waiting for him to jump. They were all holding their cell phone cameras up, not wanting to miss even a bit of the action, when it happens. He had hoped that the press, TV channels and news websites would have arrived in huge numbers, but there was no one with a professional camera in sight.

All this could have been avoided had he not spent 50 Lakhs of his father’s hard earned money for his book marketing. His returns from book sales was around 0.1% of his expenditure – not a good Return On Investment by any calculation! Now he not only wanted all his money back, but he also wanted to become a famous author overnight. The suicide drama was his master plan to achieve all this without spending another rupee.

The heat of May was making it impossible to stand there any longer. He looked at the five rows of empty card-board cartons arranged on the top of one another, in the shape of a cube, directly below. He had arranged it on the previous night to ensure his safety when he jumped. But he didn’t have time to test it. Would the cushioning system, generally used for people performing stunts in movie sets, work if he jumped? Would he survive?

He took a deep breadth. Closed his eyes. And jumped.

* * *

He woke up in the hospital after a few hours. He was informed by his friends that the attempted suicide cell-phone videos had gone viral in social media. Since they had informed people standing below that lack of book sales was the reason for his attempted suicide, that information too spread quickly. His book had already started selling like hot cakes. The Amazon server that hosted his eBook had crashed unable to handle the traffic. Flipkart and Amazon.in were planning a ‘flash sales’ for his book.

When Akshay was contemplating if his drama worked and if he had indeed become the best selling author, he got a call from the Chief editor of EastLand Books, a popular publisher.

“I am not selling the rights to my Best Selling book to anyone,” he rejected the offer before it was even given. It was his way of negotiating the best deal.

“No son. We cannot associate our brand with the crappiest piece of literature ever written,” the Chief Editor replied promptly.

“Why did you call me, then?” Akshay asked.

“We want you to become the head of our marketing department. Our authors and books could benefit with all that buzz you managed to create,” the Chief Editor said.

“Do you want me to jump from a building every time you release a book?” Akshay asked.

“Well, there are other ways to attempt suicide. We can brainstorm more ideas,” the Chief Editor said and offered Akshay a hefty package. Akshay thought it was not a bad deal, especially since he liked the job profile. Perhaps he had realized his life’s calling . . .

Destination Infinity

PS: I don’t know if the story was actually humorous, but this is just an attempt

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Published on May 18, 2015 10:29