Vijay awards 2015 - Highlights

August 17, 2015.

I got a chance to watch the Vijay Awards 2015 Live, and thought of sharing the highlights with my readers. As always it was a tremendous events with all the celebrities walking on red carpet. Needless to say, this is the show that has occured only 8 times before in the history of mankind. (Now you should have guessed the intend of this blog). Somehow they came to know that I had come from US for watching, and they made me also to walk in the red carpet. I was elated to attend such a grand show!

Now the high lights:

The show was hosted by D.D & MaaKaaPaa (yes its his name). D.D was asusual energetic, the only thing I did not get was why she was given a mike. Gopinath did not host it this time, as he realized he has got better things to do in life. But D.D doesn't feel so, she was so energetic that she could host this kind, for another 10 yrs!. No comments about MaaKaaPaa, he is an emerging star.

As usual, SRK came for the event, I did not take a chance to see him. Still he has not learnt tamil (as we still don't/won't learn Hindi).

Favorite Hero: It was given to Soorya, for the movie Anjaan. (Remeber the same award given to Vijay in 2014 for the movie Thalaivaa).
Favorite Director: Kamal again, for the movie Viswaroopam 2.
Favorite Heroine: Lakshmi Menon
Favorite Film: Kaththi.
Favorite Actor of the year: Vijay (deal for this year)

(Note all the favorites are selected by Tamilnadu Makkal. But the bus carrying their votes met with a fire accident near vilupuram, couple of days before the event!).

As expected ,Velai Illa pattathari grabbed most number of awards, followed by Kaththi & Anjaan, and then Jigarthanda. Unanimously, Anirudh was given the best music director of the year.

I was waiting for the Chevalier Shivaji Award to be announced. I could sense that there was another Bollywood hero waiting in the line. Then MaaKaaPaa announced the favorite hero of India, the one and only Salman Khan. He gave two reasons why this award is given to him. First is, his significant contribution to the Tamil cinema, by totally staying away from it. The second is, after Gandhiji, he is the one who has appeared most number of times without shirts, in public. (thereby becoming a national inspiration!). And he deserves it, like SRK.

But I was disappointed with the Chevalier Shivaji Award, this year too. Mamooty (3 times national award), Mohanlal (2 times national award), Nagarjuna (wondering why no telugu actor was given a national award yet) were not given this, and quite a bunch of others.

But I was happy that, this time they introduced few more awards, like every year.

"Long time no see" award: This was given to Koundamani. To keep its name, he had not come to receive it.
"I am waiting" award: This was given to Arun Vijay. (He got it man!)
"More likes" award: Given to Anushka.
"More shares" award: Given for the movie Kaththi (only FB users know why they shared it)
"More comments" award: Given to Lakshmi Menon (And FB users play games with the comments section)
"Most retweeted" award: Given to movie "Maan Karate"
"Vada pochchey" award: Given to Prabhudeva.
"Athu pona maasam" award: Given to Nayanthara.
"Aaniye pudunga venam" award: Given to actor Vimal.
"Valikkuthu, naan aluthiduven" award: Given to the TN Makkal.

Disclaimer: Its a silver screen fiction, not to be disputed.

Velaiyilla pattathari

Velaiyilla Pattathari (The jobless graduate) is a recent block buster Tamil movie. Its about a engineering graduate who did not get job for 4 years after graduation, and what he faces. No, I am not going to write a review about it. Everyone will pass this stage in life, and this blog is about my experience.

The first time I came to know about Anna university was during my 11th standard (so was my ignorance). This is the top most engineering school in tamil nadu, and I started aiming for it. After 1 year of hard work I managed to squeeze into the School of Computer Science and Engineering department of Anna university. Then, what I was all said was my life is settled, and I do not have to worry about anything in life!!!! Like, any engineering graduate thinks.

Three years passed, with an average academic score, the placement began in 2001. That was after the doomsday (9/11). And everything was melting. Particularly, it severed the IT bubble and job market was very bad. So it reflected very well in the campus recruitment too. The bad thing about my college is, who ever a company picks, the company could make a safe bet on that guy/girl to perform well for 2 years. (I do not think any Indian IT company foresees more than 2 years). Such was the competitive environment, and such was the desperate situation. Here is the list of companies I attended and my EXPERIENCE with it (the freshers will understand the highlighted EXPERIENCE word).

TCS: This company would always fill the first slot in whichever colleges it want to go. And it recruits in hundreds. But it gave a big blow to all, since they recruited only 7 or 8 members and most of them were the toppers. But I seriously doubt the selection procedure of TCS as most of the questions are leaked well before the interview day. I too attended, but with luck. I said bad luck TCS, and moved on.

Infosys: Unforunately, it came on the same day as my GRE exam, and I did not attend.  I did not know the Infosys dream will end here.

CTS, Texas Instruments: It picked handful of toppers.

HCL: The pre-placement talk was very good. I did written test well, shortlisted. In the interview, I did pretty well. Except for a doubly linked list program where I wrote left for right, and right for left. On a second thought, anyone will say there is nothing wrong in it. But the interviewer did not get impressed.

DeShaw: I remember I did not clear the written test.

i-Nautix: By the time I attended this, I was pretty comfortable with written tests. Hey, there are 10 different patterns of C questions, some difficult OS questions (even the topper of your class does not know the answer, so no worries), easy analytical questions (like A has a brother B, then how many children does A's dad have :-p ). But..... I got stuck at Group Discussion. I did pretty well, I spoke well, I gave some valid points which would have changed the fate of India. But the arbitrator did not like those. The interviewers gave offers to others, and to one guy who did not even utter a word for the whole Group Discussion!

Iflex: Every one of my seniors told the written test is going to be the toughest of all. Its not going to  have any computer science related questions, but only analytical and mathematically. I took this as a real challenge, and prepared well for the written test. The whole of the college (~600) attended this. And only 9 got selected for the interview. I was one among them, then there was a girl (crush, crush!), and 7 more guys. Later, I came to know the 7 guys also had prepared well for the written test, but in a different manner. They had splitted the questions among themselves and shared the answers. The Five point some ones, yuck!. I did not clear the interview, since she got the offer, she had better academic score (obviously) than me. But only that girl got the offer. When I was going to bed that night, I was thinking about these things that are happening, embarrassing to the core! I burst into tears; first time in my life!(atleast, I know off).

Dell: It was a good interview. But I had a tough competition from my best friend, who was out of the box, and he grabbed it.

Emmeskay, Sonata Software etc. These are the companies, where you have some consoling results (like your best friends with lower GPA gets it!).

Trilogy: The only thing I remembered about this interview was, they gave good snacks, and their offer was 10 Lakhs per annum offer (the best for a fresher, till now!). The questions in written tests were so tough to be remembered ;-) ( I have to give credits to who cleared them, you see!)

I got a interim offer for 2K in SCSE, research Lab for a month or so. But I did not stop hunting, seeking...

HCL Again: It was June 2002. By now, I was graduated; no offers from campus (almost one year of no job), a poor GRE score, not-so-good GATE score (not enough to get into IISC, but IITs), a good score from ISI. (hey Indian Statistical Institute dude). I was working in learning lab of SCSE (for the only reason I know Sanskrit) for a month. And one of my co-workers told me about the fresher openings in HCL and I applied for it. I got short listed for interview, and I started to Nelson Manicam Road from kottur puram. I started with 20 Rs in my hand. I did pretty well in the first half and had a luxurious lunch (of those days) for 10 Rs, and was left with just 5 Rs for the return bus. I impressed a guy in the second half too. I did not know he was going to be my future manager. Then, the HR round. I cleared it too. But, everyone asked, why I did not get selected so far. (Again, an embarrassing question). I managed to answer them, somehow, and I got the offer. Atlast. I did not have even had money to inform my parents, so I took the bus to kottur, with 0 money in my wallet. I stayed in HCL for 2 1/2 years, in the mid of rejecting the I.S.I calls.

Overall, its definitely not a good experience to be jobless. Too much of pressure from society, parents etc. Though it was just 2 months for me, I could easily empathize and correlate the state of the job seekers. (the freshers, I mean).

THE END.

Wait, wait... I do not want to end the blog here, since its not the real end. The following has happened to me so far, which is what I can convey in this blog!

1. the HCL guy who rejected me first, was the one who worked with me in the same floor as I did. And I bet, I will be doing as good as him now. In terms of, quality of work, and money, of course.

2. In HCL, I realized the m.tech guy is earning just 500 Rs more than me!!!!!! So,  do not worry about the other opportunities (like P.G., school) you missed, it does not make major difference, atlast.

3. After I quit HCL, I got 100% raise in salary. I am not bragging here, but to say things will always get better. It will be better.

4. Work hard and try to excel in whatever you do. This has helped me.

The job hunt is a painful process in life, so is any phase in life! Try with sincerity, and continuing effort. It helps

Nalanum Nandiniyum

I personally took time in watching this movie, as it was from my friend's team. I am highlighting my opinions about the movie.

Lead actress: Nandhitha has done a good job, becoming a fan of her. She reminds me of Anjali's early days.

Lead actor: The lead actor has done a good job overall, but could have been more expressive at many places. (particularly in the second half)

Jayaprakash: The important character in the movie, I would say, since he drives it at many places. He has his screen presence, and proves again that he handles his characters in a matured way. The only thing, I did not find it appropriate was his appearance. (Or atleast the brothers should have been made looking/dressed like him).

Renuka ma'm: Good acting, wondering why she is doing only few movies. Definitely, a good potential candidate for amma/akka characters.

Story & Screenplay: I felt the first half is better than the second. I was not that happy with the story of the second half, where the hero becomes successful (as a director) with his movie debut. I am not saying its impractical, but the plot looked like a cliche.

Music: Very good music, both the BGM & songs. Advantageous for the movie to get all the leading good singers!

Aravindh: (Given the fact that he is my friend) he has done very good at the screen. And his intro scene was good! Was just wondering how he got that executive look ;-)

Overall, its a good movie to be watched. Leaves a good feeling after the watch.

2013 and The American accent

When I look back at 2013, I question myself what I had changed or learnt in 2013. This blog is about it.

The major change i have always seen in an US return is his/her fake american accent. I have teased my friends for accenting so, reminding them about the past. And after living here for more than 18 months I realize the change in accent does not occur by choice but by the system.

I still remember the first day in US when I called up for getting a new connection. I had to spell my full name over phone, and spelled it one letter after other. The guy at the other end got surprised at my name once he finished and he told me that he has never heard my name or of that sort. First I took it as complement, but in a few seconds it stroke me. I asked him to repeat my name. He told he has "arihnha rkm kudube jayarkm". Wow, what a name!!!! then I had to tell in "A for apple, B for boy..." style. And by the time I got my phone connection, internet connection, tv connection, mobile connection, electricity connection, car, loans .... I refreshed all of my kinder garden knowledge and was very happy for it. But it did not stop here; now it's an automatic answering machine on the other side of the phone, I have to tell yes, no, correct, right .. before the call goes to the representative. Most of the time the machine itself try to service our requests and it's pain. Once I had to call up a social security site for which i had to feed my whole name for a lookup. and I gave up after 10 tries... but the machine did not, it kept telling me "I do not understand what you say".

With so much of such occurrences, atlast I have got to a stage now where my accent has changed to ease the listener, for machines too. Aawesome right?

And of course there are other changes too that has happened in 2013. I am used to searching google and do enough analysis even for buying gundu oosi (ball pin). I think a lot before spending every dollar( many a times I had converted to indian rupee and found how cheap it is). started complaining about the peak 80 farenheit weather, which is the winter weather in Madurai. (my place).

And the good things now. I have started following traffic rules. Much better and efficient at work place. Plenty of time at home(when compared to India; but end up doing house keeping works). Lots of places to explore; exciting to see the growing son. Admire the way the natural reserves are preserved here. I have been to 4 national parks and have covered four states. and many.

Welcome 2014!

Ilayaraja - My favorites

My childhood days went without listening any good music, or I was not matured enough to appreciate any oliyum oliyum songs. But not during the college days; Particularly after getting my first computer, which has 256 MB hard disk, full of songs. The first thing anyone would do after buying computer is dump bunch of movies and songs. Me too. End up having full of Ilayaraja songs. The more I listened the more I became his fan. I am sharing few of the songs here; all these refreshes me, whenever I listen.

                                     
and it goes on...

Next blog: I have always felt proud and happy for being born and brought up in Tamilnadu (though my roots point somewhere to the western India)......

Expectations

I am cleaning up my e-garage, and found these funny matrimonial expectations which I had stored in my mail box! (inline comments are mine)

expectations from girls:

He should be working in IT industry(BE/MSC(Comp.Sci)/MCA).

>>>>> ada paavigala, IT industry iruntha thaan kalyanam nadakkum polae..

Working in a MNC Company with hand some salary, smart, good understanding and adjustable type with clean habits. 

>>>> sorry no chance!

 

he is a good character and he do the good job. he look personality. he was studied degree.

 

>>>> then he is your husband!

My Sister doesnt have more expectations. As far her the mate should be good one matching her in all ways.

>>>> a lovely brother posted for her sister. but has higher expectations than the sister :-p

B.E,should be working in a good software company with salary Rs/-35,000 and above per month.he should be fair and good looking,should be working in Chennai or Bangalore.his age should lie between 24 and 28.

>>>> what you mean by good software company? and how much tax paid per month? :-p

expectations: M.E,B.E,MCA,MBA,MS,M.SC,B.TECH

Name  Will be told over phone

>>>> ithukku, evalo build upaa?

Iwant one degeree and good adjustable type to my family,,

>>>> you need go to collee for one degree (Maths joke: acute angleaa? romba konala irukkummaa)

expectations from guyz:

 

I am looking for a life partner with a positive attitude towards life apart from being the usual fair, slim, beautiful, caring, loving, kind, etc. etc. person :). Well, she too can expect all these things from me in return...! Should be a native of MADURAI

 

>>>> kadavul paathi, mirugaam paathi thaan unakku kedaikkum, kavalye padathae..

SRK's over (re)action?

SRK in news, for a humiliating reason (probably for the first time). He has been interrogated by the Immigration officers in US. For two hours.

Many of us who go to US face similar kind of security checks, sometime because of wearing turban, somtime because of wearing dhotis, sometime because of carryingpickles along with us! Last when I travelled abroad, I got stopped in one of the transit airports because I carried a nail cutter, now a days they stop for any liquid food also. It has always made me sense for these checks, after all, these checks make sure we are in a safe zone (country).

Now given these facts, any US entrant will go through these checks, and it doesn't matter to them whether he/she is "larger than life" icon of his/her country. So I feel SRK has over reacted to what had happened to him, which happens/happened for many of us. He has to understand the following:

- US in the past has done similar things to famous icons. Even Narendra modi faced visa issues (though he doesnt belong to "M" community, but because of the communal violence in gujarat).

- US is a country which cannot afford frequent terrorist attacks, unlike India. The security check
he has undergone is after all for the millions of NRIs living in US.

- Celebrities get indulged in crimes, and terrorist activities. (There are couple of examples to quote, but I don't want to do it now).

- VIPs in india can literally by pass anything and everything. How come he can expect the same in US?

- Moreover in US, film stars are not seen as idols. They are just like other celebrities. So as a general advice, we should remove our "social mask" of the current country while moving to the ther country, and be co operative to the immigration officers!

- "We will give the same treatment to Angelina jolie", can be a good dialogue for his next movie, "Phir bhi dil hai hindustani US jaane aane kae baath" (or you can it like as PBDHHUJAKB ;-) ).

- Even many other film stars faced similar problem while traveling abroad. Once Kamal hasan faced inquiries in the cannadian immigration when he told he came there for "shooting" (actually he meant film shooting). But I dont think Kamal made much noise that time.

Oops, now I feel I am over reacting, sorry guys.