A Beautiful Life (4) - Shayeza Mughal

It's a lazy Sunday morning. I'm still in bed, scrolling through messages on my phone. 
"So you're a teacher?" I ask by way of small talk.

"I'm actually a student, Api. I just teach some kids in my spare time. Some of them have special needs, you know..."

"What?" I sit up. I'm wide awake now. "How old are you?"

"I'm twenty, Api."

Twenty. She's only twenty. Takes time to sink in.

SHAYEZA MUGHAL.

Most of us know her as a diehard fan of Sonu Nigam. But what most of us do not know is underneath that star-struck exterior, lies a generous heart, an intelligent mind and a very mature and responsible individual. 

"Since when have you been teaching?" I ask.

"Sixteen, Api," she replies. 

What was I doing when I was sixteen? I tax my brains. Ah yes - cribbing about the hostel food, watching cricket and reading Mills and Boon. Suddenly I'm ashamed. Ashamed of all the time I've wasted over the years.

I try to conjure an image of Shayeza. A serious, geeky girl with her nose buried in a book 24/7, comes to mind. I couldn't have been more wrong. 

She's a typical teenager with strong passions and interests. She's passionate about music. She adores,reveres, idolises Sonu Nigam. She cries buckets when a glass of water spills over a painting she's been making for him. But unlike him, she's not afraid of cockroaches. She can't afford to be. She's a Science student and has dissected them ever so often. She recently completed her graduation and will soon be studying for her MSc. 

Like a lot of girls her age, she loves nail art, sketching and painting. But there's a small difference. Unlike them, she doesn't while away her time watching telly and yakking about clothes and jewellery. Instead, she teaches those less fortunate than herself. 

When she first started teaching, she gave tuitions to children from wealthy families. Then she realised there were a lot of worthy students who could not afford to go to school because of the exorbitant fees. So she began teaching them instead. For free.

Currently, she's teaching fifteen kids, most of whom are from poor backgrounds. Three of them have special needs. One of them doesn't have any fingers on his right hand. "Each one of them is klose to my soul," she tells me with motherly pride. 

The kids in turn, adore her. 
Once one of her students asked her - "Baji you are our spiritual mother, right?"

"Yes," she replied.

"Then I will call you Ma from now."

Shayeza recalls how moved she was when he said that. It is one of the most cherished moments of her life.

And she's not even twenty-one. Not even an adult.

"Api, I have a dream..." she confides in me shyly. "To set up an institute for all those who need help, irrespective of whether they are men, women, kids, old, transgender, Hindu, Muslim or Christian..."

I smile at her with affection. She reminds me of my favourite lines from a song sung by Abba:

I have a dream, a song to sing...

I believe in angels,

Something good in everything I see...

I believe in angels.

When I know the time is right for me,

I'll cross the stream,

I have a dream.

Inshallah her dream will surely be fulfilled one day. And this Api's support and blessings will always be with her.

There's so much to learn from youngsters these days. My kids taught me patience, creativity, ahimsa. Shayeza taught me how to give. She reminded me of my own childhood dreams which have lain forgotten by the wayside for years. But more than anything else, she taught me love, music and friendship have no boundaries - be it age, religion or country. Just like:

Panchi, nadiya aur pawan ke jhonke,

Koi sharhad na inhein roke...

Shayeza means Noor. Roshni. Light. May she continue to spread light in the lives of many little ones for a long time to come.

What a gentle soul. What an angel. What a beautiful life.

RELATED POSTS:

A Beautiful Life (1) - Sonu Nigam

A Beautiful Life (2) - Neelam Kalia Sudhir

A Beautiful Life (3) - Sandeep Maheshwari

Keep smiling friends. Keep ROFLing. Life is Beautiful :)

Ek Anokhi 'Mauke ki Dastak'

Auditions for a singing contest are taking place. The panel of judges consists of Sonu Nigam, Anu Malik and Farah Khan.

Anu Malik takes a sip of his tea.

Anu Malik - Ah ha ha. Mazaa aa gaya.
                     Ek garam chai ki pyaali ho,
                     Bagal mein Sonu aur Farah ho.
                     Gaane waala ho ya waali ho,
                     Bas awaaz mein ek magic ho.
                   
First contestant enters.

Nahida - I wanna play Pokemon with you... boy
                I wanna catch Pikachu with you...fella.

Sonu - Khel Pokemon mere sang soniye,
            Khel Pokemon mere sang jaaniye,
            Khel Pokemon mere sang heeriye.

The judges dance to the beat of Chiggy Wiggy. Nahida joins them.

Nahida leaves. Next contestant enters.

Pallab - Chal Sonu mere bhai,
              Tere haath jodhta hoon,
              Haath jodhta hoon,
              Tere paun padhta hoon,
             Add karle bhai...

Sonu - Tu jaaneman hai, jaane jigar hai,
            Tere liye fb kya, jaan bhi hazir hai...

Pallab & Sonu - Chal chal mere bhai, chal chal mere bhai, chal chal...

Pallab leaves. Next contestant comes in.

Milana - Jhappiyon sa desh hai mera
               O Sonuji, jhappiyon sa desh hai mera.

Loud clapping.

Anu Malik - Le gai dil, gudiya Russia ki,
                     Paagal judges ko kar diya.

Milana takes a bow and leaves. Next contestant enters. Sonu recognises him instantly.

Sonu - Arsalan bhai. Mere Arsalan bhai.
            Dubai ka chashma,
            Karachi ki shirt,
            Aur Lahori tie...

Arsalan - Tera chehra, qayamat hai,
                Bollywood ki, shaamat hai.
                Tere gaane, qayamat hein,
                Bollywood ki shaaan hein.
                Sonu bhai...

He leaves. Next contestant.

Vishal - Pyaar aaya, aur zyada,
              Aur zyada, pyaar aaya.
             Dekha jitni baar tumko,
             Pyaar aaya, aur zyada,
             Aur zyada, pyaar aaya.

Farah - Bas bas. Shaadi ho gai?

Vishal - Nahin, abhi sirf engagement hui hai.

Farah -Tabhi.

Vishal leaves. Next.

(Created by: Shayeza Mughal)

Shayeza - Ruki-ruki thi Fbing,
                 Phatt se chal padhi,
                 Hui Sonu se dosti.
                 Mazaa le le har ghadi.

Sonu - That's right. Kyunki...
            Har ghadi badal rahi hai roop zindagi,
            Chaav hai kabhi, kabhi hai dhoop zindagi.
            Har pal yahaan, jee bhar jiyo,
            Jo hai sama, kal ho na ho.

Shayeza - Shukran Allah...

Shayeza leaves.
       
Auditions are finally over. All the above contestants have made it to the next round.

The judges are exhausted.

Farah - I have to rush. My kids are alone.

Sonu - Kiska hai yey tumko intezaar, Mai hoon na.
            Nevaan ne mujhe itni practice di hai na...
            Khamosh kyun ho, jo bhi kehna hai kaho.
            Dil chahe jitna, utni baby-sitting kara lo.

Farah - How sweet Sonu. You'll do that for me?

Sonu- Of course, you work too hard. You need a break.
           Just chill, chill. Just chill...

Sonu's phone buzzes. It's a voicemail from Richa.

(Photo Courtesy: Nataliia Teselkina)

Richa's message - Dil ne yey kaha hai dil se
                               Fangiri ho gai hai tum se
                               Mere Sonu mere idol
                               Mera aitbaar kar lo...
                               Meri fangiri ko samjho
                               Mujhe Fb pe add kar lo.

Sonu - Oh no, I got to go.

Farah - Arre? Suddenly? Kahaan?

Sonu - Notifications aate hein,
            Mujhe tadpaate hein,
            Messages aate hein,
            Ki pooche jaate hein,
            Ki online kab aaoge,
            Ki online kab aaoge,
            Login kab karoge,
            Ki tum bin Fb
            Soona soona hai.

Farah - Kya hua, tera vada?
              Woh kasam,
              Woh irada?

Sonu - Abhi, mujh mein kaheen,
            Bahut thodi si hai energy...
            
            Bachon ko sambhaloon,
            Ya soh loon zara?
            Fb jaun,
            Ya ga loon zara?
            
I think we should let Anu Malik take care of the kids and let Sonu chat with us. What say guys? 😉

Hope you enjoyed these special auditions. Until next time, Khuda Hafiz. Rab rakha. Hasta la vista.

RELATED POSTS:

Nagmo ki ek Shaam... Sonu Nigam ke Naam

A Beautiful Life (1) - Sonu Nigam

Keep smiling friends. Keep ROFLing. Life is Beautiful 😃

A Beautiful Life (3) - Sandeep Maheshwari

I chose Science in class 12 because my teachers expected me to. I did an MBA because my dad wanted me to. I joined a Ph.D. program because my husband was doing one. And all these important decisions had nothing to do with what I actually wanted to pursue in life. Was it because I was clueless as to what I wanted as a career? No, not at all. For deep down in my heart, I'd always known that I wanted to be a writer. Then? Was it because I did not have enough faith, confidence and the courage to follow my dreams?

Maybe. But the real reason was - I did not have:

SANDEEP MAHESHWARI.

A name that is synonymous with the words AASAAN HAI. A businessman, whose business is to motivate and inspire the youth of today. An entrepreneur whose enterprise is to help others succeed.

I came to know about him just recently. Like the police in Bollywood movies, always arriving on the scene after the hero has already vanquished all the villains, I came to know about Sandeep after he had already dispelled age old beliefs, shackles and obstacles that have bound our middle class society for centuries and had won the hearts of zillions in the process.

The very first time I heard him speak, I was immediately sucked in. He spoke simply. None of the lofty jargon that most intellectuals and gurus use, which goes right over my head. I actually understood what he was saying and it made sense.

So who exactly is this Sandeep? He comes from a middle class family. A college dropout, he started his career as a model. Failed miserably. Got up. Became a freelance photographer. Failed again. Again got up... In a nutshell, he kept trying again and again and again until finally he succeeded. And how!

Today he is the founder and CEO of ImagesBazaar, the world's largest collection of Indian images. He holds a world record in fashion photography. He is hailed as one of India's most promising entrepreneurs and has won several accolades like the Star Youth Achiever Award, Young Creative Entrepreneur Award and Pioneer of Tomorrow Award.

Not just that, he is also a motivational speaker and a spiritual leader whose aim in life is to teach others what he has learnt. He is no sadhu-mahatma, yet he speaks like one. He's no superstar, yet millions flock to listen to him. 

We all know that the future of our country rests on our youth. They are the leaders of tomorrow. Hence it is very important to show them the right path. And that's where a lot of educators, politicians and parents fail. The youth of today rebels against its parents, is disillusioned with the politicians. But it listens to Sandeep with rapt attention.This is because they can empathise with him, identify with him, connect with him. He looks like them, dresses like them, talks like them. He uses examples from day to day life that everyone can relate to. And his talks are generously sprinkled with a brilliant sense of humour, preceded with a killer smile that comes from the depths of his heart and reaches his eyes 😊

Just listen to this life-changing seminar and you will understand what I'm saying:

Did you notice how he engages with his audience? How he connects? How he owns the stage? Who'd believe that he was a shy kid, the type of schoolboy who eats his tiffin all by himself because he has no friends? Who was teased mercilessly because he had an "unbendable" finger.

His aim in life now is to share with everyone, whatever he has learnt over the years. This zeal, this passion to help and share with others is evident whenever he speaks. Moreover, all his motivational, spiritual and life-changing sessions and seminars are free. 

Apne liye jiye toh kya jiye...

Tu jee ai dil zamaane ke liye.  

As he celebrates his birthday on the 28th of this month, I pray that he continues to be a source of enlightenment and a beacon of hope for a brighter future. May his vision for an India where there is no starvation, guide us, for a long time to come. Best wishes. And a big God bless. Dil se.

What a speaker. What an inspiration. What a beautiful motivating life.

RELATED POSTS:

A Beautiful Life (1) - Sonu Nigam

A Beautiful Life (2) - Neelam Kalia Sudhir

Keep smiling friends. Keep ROFLing. Life is Beautiful :)

A Beautiful Life (2) - Neelam Kalia Sudhir

It's past midnight. A young couple are driving back home from a party. The wife has an 8 months old baby in her arms. Their sons, 4 and 6 years old, are sleeping at the back.

"Mazza aa gaya aaj, nahin?" The wife asks.
"Haan, even Shikha enjoyed so much. Did you see how she was laughing when I was dancing with her?" the husband replies.
As they near the house, the wife speaks again. "I have to change Shikha's nappy. You'll have to carry the boys inside."
"Yes dear. I'll take care of them. Tussi chinta matt kar."
A little later, the wife calls him from the top of the stairs. "Pass me a nappy. There aren't any upstairs."
"Here... catch," says the husband chucking a diaper.
"Aren't you coming to bed?" she asks, as she catches it.
"I'll just watch the news and come."

Next morning the wife comes downstairs and notices the husband asleep on the sofa. "You slept here all night? ... Want some tea?"
There's no answer. The wife realises he's not snoring. She senses something's wrong. Panic begins to build up as she notices he's not moving or breathing either.

He's no more.

NEELAM KALIA SUDHIR.

I get to know her through JJKN forum on IF. Once while sharing memories from our childhood, I joke about a particular nursery rhyme.  Neelam has no clue what I'm talking about. "Didn't you learn it in kindergarten?" I ask.

"I went to a Punjabi medium school. It was a government school, attended by slum dwellers and the poorest of the poor."

Say what? I'm intrigued. I want to know more. Neelam tells me her parents used to live in Pakistan. They came to Jalandhar  in 1947 as refugees. She is the 8th child out of 9 siblings. As a kid she's a bit of a tomboy as she spends much of her time with her 3 brothers. She plays cricket on the streets with them and falls in love with the game. A love that is very much alive even today.

Neelam's father and family in Hoshiarpur, India

In class 10, Neelam tops in her class, is ranked 4th out of 150 students and wins a scholarship for higher studies. In class 11, she receives the Brown Belt for Judo. Her father does not want her to go to college, but thanks to her mother's support she completes her Masters in English.

It is while doing her B. Ed that she gets married to an NRI and moves to Canada with many a dream in her eyes. Okay, this woman definitely has supernatural powers. Remember, she has already done her Masters. And now, after marriage,  she takes up a job with an accounting firm, studies accounting part-time as well as takes care of her home and kids. Hats off to you Neelam! I couldn't even cope as a full-time mom.

Then comes that fateful night on the 9th of April 1995, when her husband dies in his sleep and her life is changed forever. Neelam is devastated. As she herself says - "Mere pairon talle zameen khisak gai."  She feels her life has no meaning  anymore and cries all day. She neglects her kids, her work and herself. She shuns social gatherings as she feels everyone is staring at her.

It takes Neelam a couple of years to come out of her shock, stop mourning for her husband and take stock of her life again. Her salary is a little more than minimum wages and not enough to survive on. Her siblings want her to re-marry but Neelam decides not to, for the sake of her children. Instead, she goes back to her full time job and continues her studies by attending night classes. In June 2000, she completes her CGA and gets promoted to the post of Controller.

Time moves on. When her husband died, Neelam "used to get so terrified just by thinking how I will raise a girl in this country without a father. I used to dream that she is grown up and has ears, nose, lips, eye brows, belly button pierced and has so many Tattoos and ugly hair and dresses. But thank my Lord Krishna, with His Blessings and grace, she turned out to be a nicest young woman who can be a dream of any mother."  Not just her daughter, but the boys too grow up into charming individuals, each with a distinct and endearing personality.

Fast forward to 2011. Another blow. Neelam's boss sells his shares in the company and the department in which she works is moved to the headquarters. Result - Neelam is now jobless. But does that make our Punjabi sherni, with a never say die attitude, throw up her hands in despair? Of course not. She's the type of person who transforms misfortunes into opportunities. So what does she do while she's looking for another job? She does an MBA.

To say she had a difficult life would be an understatement. But it has not made her bitter or cynical. On the contrary, those who know her will agree that she's full of life and a very positive, supportive and warm person. She believes that "when we love someone and that person is not with you, a part of you dies but no matter what, love never dies and it teaches you biggest and most important lessons of life. Life’s greatest tragedies can be life’s greatest gifts, and it teaches us to redefine our beliefs and it helps us grow and move forward in life."

Neelam Kalia Sudhir. An ordinary woman leading an ordinary life. And yet EXTRAORDINARY. She started her education in a Punjabi medium government school. She lost her husband when her daughter was only 8 months old. Today she has a Masters in English, a CGA as well as an MBA. She's currently working as a Controller for Nexcycle Plastics, which is the largest recycling company in North America and is also a licensed real estate agent. AND the mother of three kids whose accomplishments would make any mother's heart burst with pride.

What a woman! What an inspiration!! What a beautiful life!!!

RELATED POSTS:

A Beautiful Life (1) - Sonu NIgam

Keep smiling friends. Keep ROFLing. Life is Beautiful :)

The World Beyond

When my script, An Indian Ballad, based on my novel The World Beyond, recently made it to the top 7 finalists in an European competition, I was told that it is an Indian Romeo and Juliet with a happy ending. Yes, it sure is a love story between two people who inhabit two very different worlds, and are yet drawn to each other through a mutual love for music. But it is not just a love story. It is also the story of one of the most beautiful and prosperous cities in the world, which is annihilated in just 3 years and then forgotten.

I've received a lot of feedback and reviews ever since the book was published. Many have even said that it reads like a movie. But this piece which was written just a couple of days back, is unique in that the reader has not only visualised the book as a movie, but has even gone a step further and done the casting. 

Want to know which actors Helen Shan from Malaysia would like to cast as Salim or Ahmed or Chutki? ... Over to you Helen:

Here is something I would like to share about an experience I had … watching KKK’s next movie. The story also gave a major role to our Guru, Jijibua and a little of grown up Nanhi.

When I mean watch, it was a movie that was created in my mind, induced by a wonderful book written by our own Hansa T. Dasgupta “The World Beyond”. A book which gave immense satisfaction of watching what we have all been waiting for, but of course visualization…not real.

It was a book about the struggles of a young patriotic Indian prince and a gentle English girl, fighting for their love in the midst of the war that was going on between the local Indians and the British. It was a lovely story with so much intricate details that it was easy to imagine each and every scene in your mind while you read. Even the battle that was going on went through my brain with such clarity. The costumes, gestures, places, feelings, surrounding air, the moments of the lovers were all described so perfectly that one can’t fail to create a the scene in his or her mind.

There was falling in love at first sight, Kunal kind of romantic moments, Mohan Bhatnagar kind of protective and strong love, pain of separation and all things that lovers from different world would endure. Above all the battle that went on within the prince between his love and his loyalty to his people.

One quote that was said by the prince, which depicted Mohan Bhatnagar very well was when the prince's god mother suggested he had a row of girls waiting for him after he thought she deserted him, was -

“No. She was the love of my life. No one can love me like she did. What we shared was beyond this world.” It totally made me lost in the story.

Apart from the love affair that was going on, there was the painfully depressing battle that was going on. I being a foreigner know very little about what happened between the locals and invaders in India in the 19th century, so reading the minute details given by Hansa made me very disturbed that as I type this my eyes welled. The story did leave me troubled thinking how much sufferings that was felt.

The story has touched me and has also created a loss that I have newly come across. It may probably be due to my nature or otherwise, but it was a great experience for me.

Now, the reason I am writing it here, in our group!!! As I have mentioned earlier the story went on my mind with the people we knew, mainly Kunal Karan Kapoor and Dushyant Wagh. This story momentarily made me forget the wait for KKK’s return and more or less gave the satisfaction of watching him again. After watching KKK in so many expressive moments it was natural that I started seeing him in any emotional scene. Conceiving the scenes in my brain on how KKK would have portrayed that particular scene. Not only him, even Dushyant Wagh’s scenes were rooted in my mind.

Both these actors fell into place perfectly as a prince and his cousin. If only there was such a movie made, I am sure KKK would be the perfect fit for the role of the prince, with his touch of romantic moves and the look of royal blood. The courage we saw in Yudi and Vaasu would very well apprehend the patriotic part of the prince. The thought itself is so overwhelming, can’t imagine the effect if it became true.

A snippet, just imagine Kunal Karan Kapoor in this scene…

“We’ll call it Dooja Jahaan, the world beyond. A world beyond the reach of ordinary human existence. A world created out of love. And only lovers will be allowed in the garden,” Salim said.

Rachael laughed.

He watched her as though hypnotised. Subhaan Allah! Why was she so perfect? Even her laughter was so pleasant, like wind chimes.

“Why are you looking at me like this?” Rachael asked.

“Nothing. Just hoarding memories. They’ll be useful when you get engaged to someone." ...

Salim’s eyes held hers. He continued to look into her eyes as he lifted her hand and pressed it to his lips ...

Thank you so much Helen. I can imagine how much time it must have taken to pen this lovely write-up and I really appreciate it. 

You can order The World Beyond online from Flipkart or from Amazon. 

Hasta la vista guys. I'll be back... And so will Kunal ;) 

Keep smiling friends. Keep ROFLing. Life is Beautiful :)

They Killed It... Allah... Maar Daala

I love actors and have been fortunate to have worked with some of them.  What amazes me always is how they not only understand the scene but also grasp the sub-text and get under the skin of the character within minutes. I remember watching them emote and thinking - OMG, that's exactly how I had visualised this particular scene.

So how do they do that? How are these actors able to get the scene spot on? By giving it their damnedest. And more. As IMTIAZ ALI has rightly said - "It is not the time and effort that the actors give. They give it their heart."

So can you guys think of a scene where the actor killed it with a single look? Yupp, you got that right. A SINGLE look.

I closed my eyes to think of one and the following scenes flashed across my mind instantly:

1. SACHIN PILGAONKAR:

He was one of the most adorable child stars. He has done some fantastic movies over the years, each very different from the other. I have loved all the roles he has portrayed, my favourites being in Ankhiyon ke Jharoke Se, Nadiya ke Paar, Balika Vadhu, Satte pe Satta and Aisi Bhi Kya Jaldi Hai.

But there's this one scene in Ankhiyon ke Jharoke Se, that will remain implanted in my memory forever. It is the scene where Arun (Sachin) and his friends challenge Lily Fernandes (Ranjita), to represent the girls in a Hindi poetry competition. The moment Lily starts singing Bade Badhai Na Kare, the way Arun's expression shifts from one of over confidence to shock, to "wow, I'm impressed," to well and truly smitten, within a matter of seconds is commendable. Hats off to one of the most lovable actors of Bollywood.

2. SONU NIGAM:

Okay, this one is not reel but real. But I had to include it. For the simple reason that ever since I saw this video, I cannot get the look on Sonu's face, out of my head. The expression on his face when his son Neevan is singing, cannot be put into words. You have to watch the video to feel it. It is not just the mixture of immense happiness, pride and "I love you so much, I could squish you like a tube of toothpaste," but the intensity of his love, so evident from his face that leaves you staggered. And overwhelmed.

3. KUNAL KARAN KAPOOR:

Several scenes come to mind when I think of Mohan Bhatnagar. How can one choose a single scene for this man? After much deliberating, I decide to go for the cutest hug ever seen on Indian television. It is the scene right after the 'kis haq se' scene, when Mohan comes back to Junna Mohalla. He ruffles his hair self-consciously, then looks at Megha, pouts - "yeah yeah, I know I said I'm not coming back, but how could I leave without my heart?" Just a single look that says it all. And Hansa kow-tows to the undisputed king of expressions.

Mohan, Nanhi aur Megha

4. APURVA AGNIHOTRI:

Armaan Sir. Sigh!!! Wherefore art thou Armaan Sir? It's been twelve years since Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin was first aired, yet I can still recall this particular scene with absolute clarity. It was the scene when our Sheru is busy clobbering Nandu and Jassi slaps him. The look of incredulity on Armaan's face when Jassi slaps him - inimitable, unparalleled, priceless. Apurva and only Apurva could have nailed it with a single look. What more can I say other than - Jai Sir Armaan!

watch from 10:00

5. OSMAN KHALID BUTT:

I loved his acting in Aunn Zara. But it was as Wali in Diyar-e-Dil that he knocked my socks off. Totally. Charon khaane chit kar diya bandhe ne Hansa ko.

I have watched this scene from Diyar-e-Dil a million times. It's the one where Farah mistakes Wali's room for Agha Jaan's room and sleeps in his bed. The soft warm glow of the candlelight, the even softer ta na na of the background music and the way Wali's shocked expression gradually gives way to a slow smile filled with tender love is so exquisite, it makes your heart go mmm... One of the most romantic scenes ever. Allah... Osman ki mind-blowing acting ne... maar daala.

Mark my words, after Ali Zafar and Fawad Khan, this guy is going to be the next big import from Pakistan to Bollywood.  Osman Khalid Butt... aaahhh!!!

That's all for now folks. Khuda hafiz, Rab rakha, hasta la vista. Don't forget to share your favourite 'killer look' in the comments below. Can be any actor, not just the ones I've mentioned. And a big thank you to Mamta Kumari for uploading the scene from NBT.

Keep smiling friends. Keep ROFLing. Life is Beautiful :)

Sonu aur Monu ki hai Jodi Ajeeb

A fun post based on the famous lift scene in the soap, Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha:

INSIDE A LIFT

Two Mannequins. One is of HRITHIK ROSHAN and the other is of MEGHA VYAS.

The lift is stuck.

Stuck in the lift with the mannequins are SONU NIGAM and MOHAN BHATNAGAR.

Sonu (sings) - Abhi, mujh mein kaheen...

Monu - Abbe, yey lift hai, plane nahin.

Sonu - Toh? Mere gaane se teri naukri chali jayegi?... Waise ja bhi sakti hai :(

Monu - Sunn na. Tu tension matt le. Prabhat Laher mein kaam karta hoon. Kissi piddi se Jet Airways mein nahin.

He presses all the lift buttons randomly, but nothing happens.

Sonu starts drumming on the floor.

Sonu - Sandeshe aate hein...

Monu (glares at his phone) - Arre yaar, sandeshe nahin aa rahe. No network.

Sonu - Oonchi hai building, 

            lift teri bandh hai, 
           kaise mai gaun, 
          dil razamandh hai.
          Aa ja Aaa ja...

Monu (whoops with delight) - Aa gaya. Connection aa gaya. Ab Ma nikaalegi hamein yahaan se.

Punches some numbers on his phone.

Mohan's mom answers.

Ma - Monu, tu ab tak ghar kyun nahin aaya?

Monu - Ma kitni baar kaha hai, mujhe sabke saamne Monu matt bol.

Ma - Sabke saamne? Meeting mein hai?

Monu - Nahin Ma. Sirf hum do..

Ma - Sirf hum do? Tu Rashmi ke saath hai?

Monu - Rashmi nahin Ma. Sonu ke saath hoon.

Ma - Hai Ram. Satyanaash ho. Ma ka Monu bigad gaya...

Ma starts sobbing and hangs up.

Mohan bangs his head on the lift wall.

Sonu - Yey Rashmi kaun hai?

Monu - Hai koi.

Sonu - Ee toh hai bhaste of time, 
            Love is a bhaste of time...

Mohan tries to pry the lift doors apart with his fingers, then gives up with a sigh.

Starts rummaging through the contents of his shopping bags.

Sonu - Panchi, nadiya aur pawan ke jhonke,
           Koi lift na innko roke. 
           Yey lift toh insaano ke liye hai, 
           Socho kya paaya...

Monu - Mil gaya.

Sonu - Mil gaya?

Mohan pulls out a bottle of jam from one of the shopping bags. Opens the lid. Dips his fingers in.

Offers his fingers covered in jam to Sonu.

Monu - Khayega?

Then without waiting for Sonu to reply, starts lapping up the jam as though he hasn't eaten in years.

Hirthik's Mannequin - Dude, you know how many calories and germs there were in that mouthful?

Sonu and Monu stare at the mannequin, then at Mohan's hands.

Sonu - Tumhare haath kaale kyun hein?

Monu - Maine subah se dhoye nahin.

Discards the empty jam jar.

Sonu - Inn lamhon ke daaman mein, 
            Pakeeza se rishtey hein...

Mohan starts dancing with the mannequin of Megha.

Megha's Mannequin - Haath dhone ki toh tameez nahin, chale Akbar style ishq farmaane.

Mohan leaves the mannequin abruptly.

Monu - Sonu, kuch kar. Jaldi bahar nikaal yahaan se.

He shows Sonu his little finger with a desperate look.

Sonu - Ok. Sochne de.

He squats in a yogic lotus position and closes his eyes.

Mohan gives him a WTF look.

Sonu - Meri arzi maan le maula... 
            Tu hai sab kuch jaan ne waala, 
            Mujhko bhi tu lift kara de...

Monu - Lift... Idea. Mai tujhe lift karta hoon. (Points to a button on the ceiling). Tu uss button ko dabba.

Mohan lifts Sonu up.

Sonu presses the button on the ceiling.

The lift door opens.

At the door is Megha. She sees Sonu in Mohan's arms. Faints.

Ma ka ladla bigad gaya starts playing in the background.

(All in good fun guys. No offense meant to anyone. And a big thank you to Belicia for the awesome photoshop. Credit to the uploaders for all the other images).

RELATED POSTS:

Na Bole Tum Par Maine Toh Bahut Kuch Keh Diya - Part 1

Na Bole Tum Par Maine Toh Bahut Kuch Keh Diya - Part 2

Yaadon Mein Kitni Dafa... Na Bole Tum Revisited

A Beautiful Life - Sonu Nigam

Keep smiling. Keep ROFLing. Life is Beautiful :)

Na Bole Tum Par Maine Toh Bahut Kuch Keh Diya - Part 2

Hello Peeps. Ki haal chaal? Sab khairiyat? How was Christmas and New Year? Ab tak toh do-char resolutions toot bhi chuke honge, kyun? ;)

NBT celebrated its 4th anniversary this month and we got a unique video to mark the occasion from the hero himself. I wanted to share the video link here, but couldn't figure out how to :(  Help... anyone?

So continuing the celebrations, here's the list of some of my posts, after NBT went off air. They're all fun posts, so if you're feeling low or missing Kunal, check them out:

1. JUST 2 WORDS:

A picture paints a thousand words. Kunal Karan Kapoor does it with just two words :)

Kunal's two-worders - Sirf do Shabd

2. TERI YAADEIN:

Yaadon mien kitni dafa

Tumhare yellow laces,

Brown bag aur 

Red checked shirt pukarte rahe...

Yaadon mein Kitni Dafa

3. AN INTERVIEW WITH KUNAL:

Now this one - I had no problems writing Mohan's dialogues because, let's face it - we all know him like the front of our hands ;)  But writing Kunal's dialogues was a toughie. After all, I don't know him personally. SIGH!!! So I stuck to what he has said in some of his interviews and this was the result -

When Kunal met Mohan

4. WHERE IS IT? WHERE IS MY...

I Lost it... Kunal Bhao

5. MOHAN, MAHABHARATA AUR SHOLAY:

And if that wasn't enough, Narad Muni saunters in as well :D

Mohan ki Mahabharata ke Sholay

Ramchandra keh gaye siya se,

Aisa kalyug aayega,

Sanskar ka ssn2 aayega,

Aur NBT choo mantar ho jayega.

Well, NBT may have vanished from our screens, but it'll continue to stay in our hearts... forever.

6. AUR INTEZAAR KHATAM HUA:

Finally the day came when Kunal was back on our screens with a bang, as Shaurya in Doli Armaano ki. All the characters of NBT gathered together to congratulate him.

NBT Team Congratulates Kunal

7. RAMAYANA, KUNALIANS' STYLE:

Ramayana ki aisi shooting - na kabhi dekhi, na suni. Narayan. Narayan.

On the Sets... with Kunal

RELATED POSTS:

Na Bole Tum Par Maine Toh Bahut Kuch Keh Diya - Part 1

Yaadon Mein Kitni Dafa... NBT Revisited

Keep smiling. Keep ROFLing. Life is Beautiful :)