Pratik Poddar

Latest movies: Hum dil de chuke sanam 1999 Ahista Ahista 2006 Pukar 2000 Happy Days (Telugu) Asoka happy (Telugu) Nayak - The Real Hero 2001 Mohra Kairee 2000 Loafer 1996 Excuse Me 2003 Risk 2007 Oye Lucky Lucky Oye 2008 Acads ki to watt lagi is semester... but what is important is the moral, intellectual and social benefits of watching a lot of movies and tv series :P This semester: 10 seasons Friends 3 seasons 24 Movie-Counter: (88 Movies) 79 Hindi, 2 Telugu and 7 English

Chokher Bali 2003 Sorry Bhai 2008 Dor 2006 Ek Hasina Thi Shool Oh! My God 2008 Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha (Movie-Counter: 68 Hindi and 7 English since 23rd July 2008)

Harsh ne kaata... koi baat nahin.. movies se hi kaam chalaya jaaye december mein... :) Highjack 2008 Murder 2004 Bride and Prejudice YuvRaaj DeshDrohi Prestige Dil 1990 Apaharan 2005 Aap Ka Suroor 2007 Shabd 2005 (Movie-Counter: 61 Hindi and 7 English since 23rd July 2008)

Just wanted everyone to read this... a gem I thought... As the world’s trade and industry started to change, arguably, into a more global economy in the late twentieth century, it could also be argued that historians altered their opinions on the past, seeming to move away from a ‘Eurocentric’ view of history and encompassing a more global history suggesting a global economy as early as the twelfth century with its centre placed firmly in Peking. The question of why the Industrial Revolution occurred in eighteenth-century Western Europe and not anywhere else for example the Yangzi Delta became global topics for historical debate. Opinion is diverse; however, one can roughly divide it into three groups; Eurocentric determinists, Global economists and a group of revisionist historians who dismiss the validity of any comparison due to the extreme differences between Europe and other areas of the world. Such diversity in opinion is cause for a closer look into the areas of contention; geog

Two GOD movies: Requiem For A Dream Dasvidaniya Must watch Junta... (Movie-Counter: 53 Hindi and 5 English since 23rd July 2008)

I see U Hari Puttar Fashion Heroes Hello Me Myself and Irene Dostana (Movie-Counter: 51 Hindi and 5 English since 23rd July 2008)

Karz Chamku De Taali Just Married Golmaal Returms Qayamat - City under Threat (Movie-Counter: 45 Hindi and 4 English since 23rd July 2008)

I am just writing this blog to forget the time I have had between the last blog and this one. Just to keep the movie ticker going, Movies seen: A Wednesday Drona Haasil (2003) Mumbai Matinee Phone Booth Rock On Saathiya Welcome to Sajjanpur Dil to Pagal Hai 21 I know I would have forgotten a lot of movies in between, but still: (Movie-Counter: 39 Hindi and 4 English since 23rd July 2008) Also, I completed first season of 24. Great season. Thanx to Harsh for "forcing" me to see it. End unexpected tha.

bahut time ho gaya movies ke baare mein likhe hue... sophies ki campaigning mein busy tha... ab free hoon... midsem time sabse jyada lukhha time.. aaj algo ka midsem tha... raped...killed....crucified....DIWANified.... kya fart hai.. kya paper tha.. aahhhaa....aaahhaa...aahaaa..abhi tak dukh raha hai... timeline: paper 2:30-4:30 2:30 - 3:00 read the paper once...ye baad mein karunga..ye baad mein...sab baad mein.. 3:00 - 4:00 nothing written in fair in the copy.. 4:00 - 4:30 ----6 line likha.. sachin aalaa re aala... paper extended till 5 4:30 - 4:45 -- counting ki... 7/30 ka attempt kiya.. god tarah se partial marking kare to 10/30 4:45 ---- give up...paper ditch.... bhookh lag rahi hai... :( raped...killed...crucified..DIWANified.... flashback: 24 hours before the exam.... lets see God tussi great ho...happy ho gaya....tussi great ho... 20 hours before the exam... lets see mumbai meri jaan... yo jaan....luv u... badhiyaan movie... badhiyaa acting... 15 hours before the exam.. lets sl

Koi Mil Gaya Money Hai to Honey Hai: God MAx fatte.. Socials hat gaya warna god inspiration material hai socials ke liye... :) Namaste London (Movie-Counter: 27 Hindi and 1 English since 23rd July 2008)

Umrao Jaan: Awesome Movie. Of course no where compared to last Umrao Jaan. But Watching Aishwariya was a treat (once again). Good acting by Shabana Azmi. An interesting trivia, The role for Khannum Jaan in this movie was played by Shabana Azmi and by Shaukat Kaifi (her mother) in Umrao Jaan (starring Rekha). Johnny Mera Naam (1970) Abhimman Would definitely write a long blog discussing this movie in a week or so. Singh is King (Movie-Counter: 24 Hindi and 1 English since 23rd July 2008)

Its 9:49 in the morning when I am writing this blog. Yesterday at around 12:00 p.m., I was with someone whom I know since an year now. Today I had breakfast with another senior with whom I have worked a lot. But, What is this with me? I felt this way twice before. Both leading to the conclusion that I am not good with girls. I become nervous when I talk to girls. But why this time?? I am talking about my incapability to keep someone engrossed for even a small time. The first time when I realised this was when I went to meet a girl who was an old friend from school. I thought I would have so much to talk about. We would laugh, enjoy and stuff. But when I was with her, I didn't have anything to speak. Uff!! It was so embarrassing. After a brief sad talk for about 10 minutes, when I sat back in the car, It came to back to me-"Dude, you could have asked her about Saawariyaan!! You know girls liked Ranbir Kapoor! Or may be you could have started the topic on where are our common fr

Saw 5 movies this weekend (All Hindi) :) Sangharsh (1999): Indianised "Silence of Lambs". But I liked it even more than I liked Silence of Lambs. The simple reason being everything was in Indian context. For me, Preity Zinta's story was more convincing than the story of the trainee in Silence of Lambs. Akshay Kumar is as usual great. Ashutosh Rana is brilliant. :) Kyun! Ho Gaya Naa: Poor story line I believe. Everything was wierd , yet predictable. Vivek Oberoi's worst performance. Chameli: One of the very few movies where I find Kareena good. Good acting and strong storyline. Gunda: :) Movie made for IITians. :) Rangeela: GodMax!! I think I did not see it before. Road To Ladakh (2002): Irfaan Khan movie. Nothing good except some good Irfaan Khan acting. (Movie-Counter: 20 Hindi and 1 English since 23rd July 2008)

Exact copy of 'My Sassy Girl'. But a terrible movie. Ranvir Shorey was good. But the film was a big bore overall. I actually slept once while watching the movie. :( (Movie-Counter: 14 Hindi and 1 English since 23rd July 2008) A resolution: At any point of time in my 3rd year, Average Number of Hindi Movies I see daily would not exceed 1.0. Its fine today: 14 in 15 :)

Watched these three movies last week. Kismat Konnection: Idea was OK. But two doubts for the director: Why did you take Vidya Balan?? It was like a love story between a kid and friend's elder sister. Overall OK types. Maachis: GODMAX movie. Kuch Tum Kaho Kuch Hum Kahe: Again the same thing, OK types movie. Another boring family drama with a funny script. BUT TODAY I AM WRITING THIS BECAUSE I HAVE "FINALLY" SEEN ALL THE EPISODES OF F.R.I.E.N.D.S IN ORDER (01x01 TO 10x20) (FOR THE FIRST TIME) :). NOW IS THE TURN OF SEINFELD...HE HE

As I mentioned in one of my previous blogs, I enjoy movies showing Hindus and Muslims as brothers and that only few people do all the stuff for their self-vested interests. Can I get anything better than Zakhm? Good movie...But as expected such movies are bound to have "controversies". I read an article which said this: "Zakhm" has been fighting controversy after controversy since its conception, and it is a blessing on the viewer that such a film has valiantly braved each storm in order to come forth onto the big screen. This is a film that not only will make you feel - it will make you think. Be prepared. It really made me think. Think!!!! (Movie-Counter: 10 Hindi and 1 English since 23rd July 2008)

Finally after around 18 hours of hard work, I have been able to put some selected pics of my HK visit. Junta, even after selecting only good pics, the number of pics is still around 400. Although I don't expect you to see them all, but if you do, comments are welcome. http://picasaweb.google.com/pratik.phodu/HongKong6 http://picasaweb.google.com/pratik.phodu/HongKong5 http://picasaweb.google.com/pratik.phodu/HongKong4 http://picasaweb.google.com/pratik.phodu/HongKong3 http://picasaweb.google.com/pratik.phodu/HongKong2 http://picasaweb.google.com/pratik.phodu/HongKong1 Enjoy!!!!!

Watched two movies today.. Bhootnath and Karz Bhootnath Amitabh Bacchaan, the child actor and Juhi were very good. Good movie. The child and his innocence in the first half of the movie is good to attract children, The "Baghban" thing in the second half is also good. All songs are good in some or the other way (some have good video and others have great poetic meanings). Karz Just wanted to see an old movie with good songs. Watched Karz (once again :))

First night-out of the semester....Saw 2 movies Kahaani Gudiya Ki Just two words for this movie: Intolerable movie.... The only good thing that you can find in the movie is that the story is real. Nothing worth writing really. :( Maine Pyaar Kiya Of course it is a good movie. Everytime I watch an old Salman Khan movie, I think he got better roles before. Of course he was the best-looking man in the industry. Its so sad to find such a poor end to a career with that beginning. As far as the movie is concerned, Every single song is good.

Watched two movies today (Aamir and Jab Pyaar kisi se hota hai) Aamir Sometimes big things come with poor packaging. Aamir is definitely one of the finest movie of its kind in recent times. If you are one who sees 5 movies an year, make sure Aamir is on your list. I somehow like all these movies proving that Islam is good (only some people are bad). Some recent ones on the theme were Khuda Kay Liye, Black and White.... A must watch movie. Jab Pyaar Kisi Se Hota Hai Don't ask me why I saw this movie. I just wanted to see a "Twinkle Khanna" movie, thats why.. Everyone knows its good. Songs are good too.

Watched two more movies yesterday night. That makes it 4 in the day. Pirates of Silicon Valley I actually didn't know a lot of things about history of OS business. :) More of a documentary, overall a worth watch. Jannat A typical Emraan Hashmi movie. Not good. But if you think on it, has everything an Indian wants from a film: Romance, Crime, Action, Money and Cricket!!!! Songs were good. Sonal Chouhan is beautiful. Watch the film for her at least.

I came back to IIT today. Watched two movies : Tashan and Sarkar Raj. Just finished Sarkar Raj, hence I would talk about it first. Sarkar Raj Crack Maxx movie. Even watching it in theatre is definitely more than its worth. Almost every actor was impeccable. Amitabh Bachchan was expectedly great. Abhishek Bachchan's work was definitely equal to his father's if not better. Aishwariya Rai was beautiful and good as always. In fact, i felt even the actors with small roles were good. Each and every one. Acting was too good. Music in almost all action movies is great. Sarkar Raj stands no exception. Script was also flawless. The scene where Amitabh exposes the real culprit would be remembered in years to come. Can you face tonnes of unexpected (although logical) twists in the story and that too in a 100 second time lapse. In all, RGV gave a great movie and had a great comeback after Aag. Someone has rightly said that the greatest glory does not lie in the fact that you rise and rise b

Lyrics of the "Lead India Tree Song" Falak Pakad Ke Utho Aur Hawa Pakad Ke Chalo -2 Tum Chalo Toh Hindustan Chale -4 Lagaaon Haath Ke Suraj Subaha Nikala Kare Hatheliyon Mein Bhare Dhup Aur Ujaala Karen Ho Lagaaon Haath Ke Suraj Subaha Nikal Na Chale Hatheliyon Mein Bhare Dhup Aur Ujaala Karen Ufak Pe Paanv Rakho Aur Chalon Akad Ke Chalon -2 Falak Pakad Ke Utho Aur Hawa Pakad Ke Chalo -2 Tum Chalo Toh Hindustan Chale -2 Hindustan Chale Chalo ---- You tube video God maxx video.. really touching. I had seen this video many many times before but wanted to write about it now. "Tum chalo to Hindustan Chale" - So true. Most of us (Almost everyone) wants to do something for the country. 10% are not able to get the answer how? Fortunately, I am in the other part. I think I know how can I do my part. If you do not know, I recommend you to watch other related videos of Lead India. But the problem I believe, at least with me, although I know how can I do

I found a remarkable point between India and Pakistan in my trip to Hong Kong. We are fighting against each other all the time. Our favorite topic of discussion on coffee table is India vs Pakistan. We take Ind Vs Pak Cricket match very personally and winning against Pakistan in World Cup is considered more important than winning the World Cup. But you find things different when you go to other countries. I found a restaurant "Halal- The Indian and Pakistani Restaurant". :-o Dude, its like joining two completely different things together, say The salty sweet-dish ;). Moving ahead, the bank in the university had a Pakistani watchman. He was talking with phrases like - "appan log", "hamara", "hum bhaiyon ka". Hey..Hey..Hey..wait a minute. You are freaking me out. But indeed that is the case. That man told us about his son, that we were of the same age as that of his son, told us his and his son's salary, gave us some souvenirs and helped us in

I have been reading a lot in forbes.com and wikipedia these days. Here is what I realized. Most of the top people in tech business today are drop-outs. They did it all without some big education thing. I have read articles which say that 30-40 years back, to start a tech company, you were supposed to have a Phd in solid state physics or some degree in programming.But here is the actual situation. Bill Gates (Microsoft) - Bill Gates is the co-founder of Microsoft and the third richest man in the world. He dropped out of Harvard University. Steve Jobs (Apple)- CEO of Apple and Walt Disney Company's largest individual shareholder. Dropped out of Reed College in Portland, Oregon. Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook) - Mark Zuckerberg is the youngest self-made billionaire in the world ever. He dropped out of Harvard University. Richard Branson (Virgin Brand) - He dropped out of high school. Paul Allen (Cofounder, Microsoft) - He dropped out from Washington State University. Michael Dell (Dell) -

Face Off at IMDB I saw this movie yesterday. Very good one. Nicolas Cage cannot disappoint anyone. I just felt that "Mithya 2008" was in some way inspired by this movie. At least the scenes were. (Mithya at IMDB) I could also feel the similarity in personalities of Ranvir Shorey and Nicolas Cage. In all, a good movie. Has everything, sci-fi, thriller, action, crime...

My idea on reservation issue: I am in full agreement with my friends who say that OBC's need to be treated with special powers to help their upliftment (Thanks to the healthy discussion I had with some friends that helped me realize this). But I have a few questions for our 'great' Arjun Singh. a) Don't you think the idea of reservation should be modified in a way that one person can only use the reservation criteria only once or may be twice in life. Is there any point in the idea that I get in school by reservation, get into IIT by reservation, get into IIM by reservation and even then I need reservation to get me a job. :-o This is insane man. b) Is there any point in faculty reservation? Dude, minimum requirement to become a professor in IIT is a Phd. If you are finding it difficult to get a job even after getting a Phd, how dumb are you? In fact, currently, there is no competition to get into IITs as professors (most of the best guys go to US, Hong Kong, Europe). I

I saw the movie Jaane tu ya Jaane na (2008).. Great movie.Matching the standard Aamir Khan has set for himself. This is the lyrics of a song: Hai muscular, hai popular, hai muscular, hai popular, spectacular, he is a bachelor Paapu ki gaadi tez hai, Pappu kudiyon mein craze hai Pappu ki aankhen light blue, pappu dikhta angrez hai Rado ki ghadi haathon mein perfume gucci wala But Pappu can't dance saala, Pappu can't dance saala Pappu naach nahi sakta Tirkit tana tirkit tana teeri tana let's dance Tirkit tana tirkit tana teeri tana let's dance Paida Pappu hua to kismatein chamki Aur uske muh mein thi chandi ki chamchi Hey hey hey Pappu ke paas hai paisa Hey ye.. ye.. haathon ke mail ke jaisa Hey hey hey Pappu yaaron ka yaar hai Hey ye.. ye.. Pappu hot hai and smart hai But Pappu can't dance saala, Pappu can't dance saala Pappu naach nahi sakta Tirkit tana tirkit tana teeri tana let's dance Tirkit tana tirkit tana teeri tana let's dance Papa kehte hain bada

I thought it would be interesting to write my Orkut's Today's Fortune as or when I get time.. I would also post some remarkable event in the day and compare with the fortune :) 11th July's fortune: A cheerful letter or message is on its way to you 14th July's fortune: Your happiness is intertwined with your outlook on life 15th July's fortune: You never hesitate to tackle the most difficult problems

I made this image...kind of cool... but I would like people to know that this was done not in photoshop, but in paint.. you can do some real cool stuff in paint... post if u have some suggestions..

Mong Kok is a famous shopping area in Hong Kong. Its the best place I have ever been as far as checking your bargaining skills is concerned. Here is my bargaining experience. Me: How much for this T-shirt? Vendor: 39 HKD Me: It is very costly. I will take many T-shirts..many..many... how much then?? Vendor: How many?? Me: 10?? Vendor: (Takes out a calculator and starts typing as he says) 350 Me: Sorry.. Not more than 180.. Vendor: What 180??? Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo..... (Believe me..its very very long..they say it all the time..no is something like they are practicing Om or something...). Me: Sorry..bye.. Vendor: Take it today. If you come again tomorrow, prices will rise. Then it will be 400 or even more.. Then dont come to me. Me: (Oh really!! I am really thinking...Shut up and let me go.) Ok fine.. but I dont need them. (As you move each step, prices go down by 30 HKD. So, after 5 steps, it was 210. Ah..perfect for me. Me: Done 10 for 210. :) Deal done. Feeling satisfied, (cele

Copied from here I loved the article-- Never Mind the Years. What Did You Do? Sitting at your desk plugging away with your head down is not the way to boost your Wow! factor. Getting out and making things happen is ... By Liz Ryan I got a call from a young man who said, "I really hate my job, and I want to make a move. But I don't think I'm as well-prepared as I should be." "How so?" I asked him. "Well," he said, "I've been in my job for eight years, but I haven't learned all that much. I wish I'd spent more time on this job acquiring new skills. I've got eight years of experience, but only three or four years worth of good stuff on my résumé to show for it." Not Much to Crow About Digging further, I learned that he had been promoted once in eight years. That's respectable, but he feels that his job duties really didn't change with the promotion. And, he's not being challenged. He's not sure he's ever

In the beginning there was Aristotle, And objects at rest tended to remain at rest, And objects in motion tended to come to rest, And soon everything was at rest, And God saw that it was boring. Then God created Newton, And objects at rest tended to remain at rest, But objects in motion tended to remain in motion, And energy was conserved and momentum was conserved and matter was conserved, And God saw that it was conservative. Then God created Einstein, And everything was relative, And fast things became short, and straight things became curved, And the universe was filled with inertial frames, And God saw that it was relatively general, but some of it was especially relative. Then God created Bohr, And there was the Principle, And the Principle was Quantum, And all things were quantified, But some things were still relative, And God saw that it was confusing. Then God was going to create Ferguson, And Ferguson would have unified, And he would have fielded a theory, And all would have

A Prof's idea of Happiness (This is a mail an IIT prof sent his class after he taught them the course. It's an amazing read.) Here are some comments on the Happiness assignment. I will begin by describing some of the major issues raised in your essays. I will then describe why I gave this assignment -- why I think more students should relate happiness and academics. Then I will talk about job satisfaction and competition. WHAT YOU WROTE: SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS First, the most important source of happiness reported by many, many people were family ties -- happiness in just being with your parents/siblings as well as enjoying specific family events and get togethers. As it turns out, this also tops the list of what makes me happy. A number of people did say that academics/solving problems gives them a kick and in general makes them happy. Several also said that accomplishment makes them happy. These two are of course different -- you may be happy with accomplishment because it is