Rajasthan

 Rajasthan unfolded before my eyes like a living painting — full of color, character, and timeless charm. With my camera ready and my heart open, I stepped into a land where every corner told a story.

Pushkar greeted me with its 18th-century traditional mela, a vibrant celebration of life itself. The fairgrounds were alive with colors, sounds, and the rhythm of commerce — horses being traded, goats bleating, reptiles on display, and camels gracefully parading through the dust. Amidst the lively chaos, I was touched by the sight of an animal ambulance, a reminder of compassion amid the crowd. The sacred Pushkar Lake shimmered under the Kartik Poornima moon, as pilgrims gathered to take a holy dip and offer prayers at the only Brahma Temple in the world. The divine aura of this small town — with its mix of spirituality and exotic beauty — made Pushkar truly live up to its name: Push Kar — a place that pushes your soul to feel more deeply.

The desert safari across golden dunes was brief but thrilling — the adrenaline of speed, the dance of sand, and the roar of the engine created perfect frames for my camera. Every shot was a story of motion, energy, and wonder.

In Ajmer, we paid our respects at the revered Dargah Sharif. The experience was both humbling and enlightening — a glimpse into deep faith and centuries-old traditions. Guided by locals’ wise words, we moved carefully through the crowd, completing our prayers and emerging with hearts full and pockets safe!

Jaipur, the Pink City, was a delightful blend of history and innovation. The Jantar Mantar, completed in 1734, stood as a testament to human curiosity and scientific precision. Its 19 astronomical instruments — crafted by visionary Rajput kings — reflected not just architectural brilliance, but a deep understanding of time and the cosmos.

The City Palace was a masterpiece in itself — every corner adorned with intricate details and rich symbolism. The twin flags fluttering atop its pole told a silent story: when both flew, the king was in residence. Walking through its galleries of old photographs and royal artifacts felt like stepping into a living museum of Rajasthani heritage.
The grandeur of Amer Fort (Ajmer Mahal) left me spellbound. The long uphill walk was rewarded by breathtaking architecture, panoramic views, and a sense of awe. The pathways leading up were lined with bustling bazaars, echoing with folk music and colourful crafts — a scene straight out of a Bollywood classic, as many films were shot there.
Our final stops — Hawa Mahal and Jal Mahal — offered postcard-perfect views, blending architectural poetry with natural beauty. We wrapped up our journey with some indulgent shopping and a hearty lunch at the World Trade Park Mall before heading to the airport, our hearts and cameras filled with unforgettable memories.

Six Days in Sikkim - Long ride, scenic windows, chillness and Snow Stories We’ll Cherish Forever

As a creative soul with a deep love for photography, travel for me is not just about places—it’s about moments waiting to be framed. With that spirit, my family and I planned our first-ever trip to the northeastern part of India in October 2025, choosing Sikkim, the green jewel of the Himalayas. Cool weather, dramatic landscapes, and untouched beauty were our expectations—and Sikkim exceeded every one of them.

From Bangalore to Bagdogra - Gangtok: Where Our Journey Began

Our first encounter with Sikkim was MG Road, Gangtok—clean, vibrant, and alive with culture. Walking hand in hand with my family, taking photos, enjoying our food in the cool mountain air, and watching locals and tourists blend seamlessly with the Teesta River

flowing through the state, we were mesmerized by the spectacular view. of Mount Kanchenjunga I felt an instant connection. 

Towards Nathula Pass: Standing at the Edge of Nations

The journey to Nathula Pass was nothing short of surreal. Step by step, we climbed higher into the clouds until we stood face-to-face with the India–China border. The cold was intense yet manageable, but the feeling was overwhelming—pride, awe, and silence all at once. Cameras clicked, but some moments were best captured by the heart.

Nature’s Poetry: Bhimnala Falls

On the way, Bhimnala Falls greeted us with its roaring grace. The water crashing down the rocks, surrounded by untouched greenery, felt like nature reminding us of its raw power and beauty. It was one of those moments where you pause—not to photograph—but simply to feel.

Lachung and Zero Point: A Dream Painted in White

The long drive to Lachung was a visual feast—winding roads, dramatic mountain terrains, and endless valleys. Each turn revealed a new masterpiece. Then came Zero Point—an exotic panoramic view, an otherworldly destination where snow covered everything in sight.

For the first time in my life, I touched snow. Snow everywhere. Falling, freezing, magical. The cold was biting, our oxygen can sadly fail us, and breathing became slightly difficult, lucky one of the tourism family helped us with their oxygen can and we managed to survive in the snow for long hours—but none of that could stop our joy. We laughed, froze, struggled, and still took countless photographs. The feeling of snowflakes hitting our faces, the silence of the mountains, and the sheer beauty around us—it was unforgettable.

Surviving the Cold in Lachung

Our stay in Lachung tested us. The room we were initially given was disappointing, and the freezing temperature made it worse. But we stood our ground, fought for a better room, and finally managed a change. Even then, the cold was relentless. Only the next day did we manage to get a heater—but by then, we had already learned to laugh at discomfort and turn it into a memory.

Back Home, But Forever Changed

Soon, it was time to leave—driving back to Bagdogra Airport, carrying heavy luggage and even heavier memories. From there, we returned to Bangalore, physically tired but emotionally full.

A Trip to Remember

This 6-day journey to Sikkim was more than a vacation—it was an experience that bonded us as a family, challenged us, thrilled us, and gifted us stories we will cherish forever. From bustling MG Road to silent snowfields, from freezing nights to warm laughter, Sikkim gave us memories that no photograph can fully capture—but I’m glad I tried.

Sikkim, you were cold, challenging, breathtaking—and absolutely unforgettable

Jailer movie review

The Hindu Newspaper said : 

‘Jailer’ movie review: Rajinikanth, Nelson make a captivating comeback that majorly works

Though far from perfect, the towering presence of Rajinikanth — along with Nelson’s fortified writing, unique sense of humour, and fan service — make ‘Jailer’ a commendable comeback for both the actor and filmmaker

The Times of India said : 

It’s director Nelson's show in the first half, and Superstar Rajini takes the baton in the second half

In the 1999 film Padayappa, after an intense display of power play, Neelambari aka Ramya Krishnan tells Rajini, "Vayasanalum un style'um azhagum unna vittu pogala" (Even though you have aged, your style and charm has not left you). Twenty-four years later, we can still safely say the same about Rajini in Jailer.

https://youtu.be/1F3hm6MfR1k?si=ZvZcAA8l_VsCZ_kC 

VIKRAM - movie review

 

In the year 1986, Kamal Hassan acted in “Vikram” Tamil movie which was a failure. The plot of the film was adapted from a novel written by Sujatha with same name. The screenplay was written by Kamal Haasan and Sujatha. The film collapsed in the box office as its unrealistic climax was not accepted by the audience then, though it was the 100^th film celebration of the popular star Kamal Hassan.

 

In the year 1986, Lokesh Kanagaraj was born, and turned to become a movie director from being a bank officer. His short films and proven track record in his 3 movies from the year 2017 was a great success. 

Logesh Kanagaraj being an adrent fan of Kamal Hassan's violent stunts and crying in dark.. inspired to use the title and make a movie in the year 2022,. 

“Vikram” (2022) released with massive promotions right across the globe and all over India as it was released in multiple languages...in Tamil it became a great success! (Second chance given for the movie to make money....though old...Kamal Hassan got a second chance to count his money and to buy house in Boat club instead of going to settle in USA. 

Vikram (2022) is a star studded movie was a dark thriller about drugs smuggling, cops, bad guys..guns and lots of killing, do not get me wrong. Everything about Vikram is good — except for Kamal Haasan. Why do you even need the man for this film? Why make a film with Kamal when you don’t even get to register and feel his presence? Why Vikram (1986) ? It could have been any other film. Of course, we get the logical reasoning behind using the brand Vikram. But does Kamal’s original film have any relevance to the new one? Absolutely not. You could have shown Kamal as an Agent and the film still would have worked big time. The new Vikram could have still been a standalone film where Amar (Fahadh Faasil who is absolutely terrific) carries on the legacy of Vikram, like in the James Bond movies. The open-ended climax hints at that possibility.

As fans of the original film and Kamal Haasan, you feel let down. The disappointment comes from the fact that Lokesh has failed to realise the true potential of his idol — both as an actor and action star.  Nevertheless, there is a lot to chew on.

“Vikram” has an unusual opening. Definitely unusual for a Kamal Haasan film. Commerically too… It begins right with ‘Pathala Pathala’ song, which feels like an afterthought that was inserted just for the sake of it. Except for this oddly-placed song, the film gets going and there is not a single wasted moment in the long-drawn first half. 

Lokesh must be as much a fan of Christopher Nolan as he is of Scorsese. A lot of scenes remind you of Nolan’s film. We, in fact, get a Tenet-like sequence and a Bane-like voiceover in this one. There are lots of references to masks and unmasking of identities. The man in-charge of this unmasking is Amar, who heads an uncounted team of Black Squads. They are assigned by the Police Department to investigate a series of high-profile murders in the department that leads to one man Santhanam (Vijay Sethupathi, who is, of course, terrific). Santhanam runs a drug empire. He faces the heat from a recent drug bust, which is a hark back to Kaithi. Anything more would spoil the fun.

There’s a certain taste, visual flavor and a certain style to the way he writes and directs. He accomplished this cinema experience with ease in the terrific Kaithi, that had the flavour of a wholesome Hollywood thriller. Like Speed on drugs. 

Vijay Sethupathi, on the other hand, is remarkable as Santhanam, helps the online sellers to sell all the old fashioned strips shirts….the real fun is when he takes the pills in between his teeth’s he gains the same power like Chota Bheem after eating laddoos…but at last he is also taking many peoples along with him to face the canon..

The usage of guns, canon can’t be compared to that of legendary efforts of KGF, which is far more superior and amazed us to the core…in this movie, the guns and canon are not as effective…the thrill factor of carrying the big machine is not like Kaithi or KGF..,missing the X factor!!! …nobody is finished with the massive bullets and canons as it been used many times, the child that was carefully carried by scarifying life’s to take away from the war field was bought again to the same place by Fahad Fazil??!!! Wondering why so? What’s the logic?!!! Wastage of bullets!!!

Funny is the entry of villain in the climax like school assembly… following the cliché by killing the person carries the bad news…come on boy. Its age old practices done already by Nambiyar in 70s…and even by Raghuvaran in 90s way too many times….when the crowd disperse…who is going to clean the corpse??!!

Let’s wait for the sequel….

Year 2020 - Covid19

 There is more to say about the year 2020, but photos and hints of happenings will fill this page...

With its beginning in a grandeur manner with the family get together. Trip to SriLanka, Madurai and Kancheepuram happened with the new experience in Yalpanam and meeting of family members for the wedding in Madurai. And later part of the year which happened to be parted away due to no flight services and the pandemic Covid - 19 at its peak made people to stay home.

Deaths within close relatives were shocking and Covid-19 at the residence opposite to us made things worst. Besides the entertainment of terrace planting, walking and watching TV nothing was notable besides cooking..Restriction even to go out for buying groceries were counted. The ritual of going out and coming back to home had many things to do like washing hands, taking bath, not touching anything... Work from home culture were made mandatory and kept us busy.

 

April 2020 & May 2020

 

 August 2020

 

 

Come November, flight to Bangalore was booked to make it as the reunion day after such a long delay...the announcement also came on the same day for reopening...which was again postponed... but all our plans happened luckily. When the work from home were happening with the visit once in a

 while officially...

December 2020

Rajinikhant was about to announce his political party on 31st December 2020 but went sick and declared no politics hereafter - due to the pandemic situation and his health condition. Disappointed Rajini fans were able to understand his condition, with so much of support and capable of making the change in politics, the sudden set back was shocking.....bold decision indeed in Rajini style.