Reliance - RPL Merger Move

Reliance - RPL Merger Move

Wow... It was expected for a long time., but the timing of it was real surprise. It is the first time in recent past that insiders did not get a clue of this entire episode and it can be seen from the market volume data for the entire week. Satyam saga still playing on minds, i suppose !

It is going to be advantage Reliance when compared to RPL shareholders on March 2nd. It could be a good tax saving move for Reliance as a whole. Does this move indicate SEZ tax holiday saga could get over by 2010?

I love these guys - this is the only group which extracts work from CAs & MBAs to full extent !

Update on March 2:

16:1 swap ratio announced just a while away. Lacks punch for stock market movement. But in line with market prices !

PJ on Cricket Helmet

First cock guard in cricket used in 1874 and first helmet used in 1974.

According to any female, it took men 100 years to realise head is also important !!!!

PJ on Pathan brothers

Q: Why pathan brothers are called all rounders?

A: Yusuf hits all bowlers all round the park., where as irfan gets hit all round the park. So., so many people "round katti adikkiranga" - hence, all rounders !

Source, one SMS i got today !

Slum Dog Millionaire wins 8 Oscars

81st Academy Winner List herewith, Slum Dog Sweeps 8 awards in its final tally !!!

Best picture - Slumdog Millionaire

Director - Danny Boyle, for Slumdog Millionaire

Best Actor - Sean Penn, for Milk

Best Actress - Kate Winslet, for The Reader

Supporting actor - Heath Ledger, for The Dark Knight

Supporting actress - Penelope Cruz, for Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Animated feature film - WALL-E

Adapted screenplay - Simon Beaufoy for Slumdog Millionaire

Original screenplay - Milk, written by Dustin Lance Black

Art direction - Donald Graham Burt; set decoration: Victor J. Zolfo for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Donald Graham Burt

Cinematography - Anthony Dod Mantle for Slumdog Millionaire

Costume design - Michael O'Connor for The Duchess

Documentary feature -Man on Wire

Documentary short - Smile Pinki

Film editing - Chris Dickens for Slumdog Millionaire Chris Dickens

Foreign language film -Departures," Japan

Makeup - Greg Cannom for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Original score - A.R. Rahman for Slumdog Millionaire

Original song - Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire, music by A.R. Rahman, lyrics by Gulzar

Sound editing - Richard King for The Dark Knight

Sound mixing - Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke and Resul Pookutty for Slumdog Millionaire

Visual effects - Eric Barba, Steve Preeg, Burt Dalton and Craig Barron for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Oscar Winner Jai Ho A R Rahman

One of the greatest achievement in your career - the humble chennai boy to bring two Oscars to home for the original background score, Original song of Slum Dog Millionaire !!!

Jai Ho Oscar Winner - A R Rahman ! You have made us proud !

"All my life I've had a choice between hate and love, and I chose love, and now I'm here," said Rahman in his acceptance speech.

Congrats Gulzar saab !
Ella Pugazhum Oruvan Oruvanukke., Nee nadhi pole odik-kondiru.

Watch video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adm50X9ctF0

Oscar Winner Rasul Pookutty

Congrats for your great achievement Dear mallu, keralite, Indian - Rasul pookutty. Man behind Black, Saawariya, Gandhi My Father !!!

Thank you., You made us, our country proud ! Thank you very much for quoting the power of "Om" in your acceptance speech.

Are you going to be behind sound mixing outsourcing business to India?

Frost / Nixon Movie Dialogues

Frost / Nixon is a different movie. It is a political drama and it has one of the wonderful performances of Frank Langella as Nixon, Michael Sheen as David Frost. The supporting cast has also shaped out well. Fine direction by Ron Howard.

What stands out in the movie is its wonderful dialoges., so here I go in listing some of it !

============

James Reston - But instead of satisfaction i'wd imagined, i just got angrier and angrier bcoz there was no admission of guilt, there was no apology.

============

Swifty Lazar: i got 500,000 dollar, Mr president its a half a million dollars for a television interview, it is unprecetended

Nixon: yeah? wehh, what's the catch?

Swifty Lazar: with frost? None, it'll be a big wet kiss. This guy'll be so grateful to be getting it at all, he'll pitch puff balls all night and pay half a million dollars for the privilege !

===========

David Frost - Success in america is unlike success like anywhere else and the emptiness when its gone

============

air hostess: champaigne?

Caroline: no thank you

David Frost: you dont like champagne?

Caroline: not on airplanes

David Frost: yes it dehydrates one terribly. The trick is to have a glass of water on the go, too like the vieneese serve the coffee!

Caroline: well, i'hv never been to vienna

David Frost: oh, you will like it, its like paris without the french

...

Caroline: but, what made you exceptional, they said, was that you were a person who had achieved great fame without possessing any discerbible quality

David Frost: how kind

Caroline: Ummm

=============

smile pls...

Nixon: right there, now you can put that in your apartment in new york, and all your liberal friends can use it as a dartboard

Caroline: well, actually, i am living in monte carlo at the moment

Nixon: really

Nixon to Frost: hey, take my adivce, you should marry that women

David Frost: yes, lovely isn't it?

Nixon: more important than that, she comes from monaco, they pay no taxes there

============

Zelnick: what about jack kennedy?

Interview Director: that man...he screwed everything that moved, fixed elections and took us into Vietnam. and the american people, they loved him for it. whereas me, nixon, worked around the clock in their service and they hated me !

=============

Nixon: grand university, what was it, oxford?

David Frost: cambridge

Nixon: did the snobs there look down on you too?

David Frost: chuckles

Nixon: of course they did, thats our tragedy, isn't it, Mr frost? no matter how high we get, they still look down at us

David Frost: i really don't know what you are talking about

Nixon: yes, you do. Now, come on, no matter how many awards or colomn inches are written about you, or how high the elected office is for me, it's still not enough. We still feel like a little man the loser they told us we were a hundred times. the smart asses at college, the high-ups, the well-born, the people whose respect we really wanted, really craved. And isn't that why we work so hard now, why we fight for every inch, scrambling our way up in undignified fashion? If we are honest for a minute, if we reflect privately just for a moment, if we allow ourselves a glimpse into that shadowy place we call our soul,

isnt' that why we are here now? the two of us? Looking for a way back into the sun, into the limelight, back onto the winner's podium, bcoz we could feel it slipping away. ,we were headed. both of us, for the dirt ! A place the snobs always told us that we'd end up. Face in the dust. Humiliated all the more for having tried so pitifully hard. well, to hell with that !

We're not gonna let that happen, either of us. We are gonna show those bums, we're gonna make them choke on our continued success, our continued headlines, our continued awards and the power and glory ! We are gonna make those motherfuckers choke !

Am i right?

David Frost: you are, except that only one of us can win.

Nixon: Yes, and i shall be your fiercest adversary. I shall come at you with everything i got, bcoz the limelight can only shine on one of us. and for the other, it'll be the wilderness, with nothing and no one for company, but those voices ringing in our head.

================

Clashes in Chennai High Court

Clashes in Chennai High Court between Police and Lawyers on 19th Feb

Lawyers have worked only 9 days in 2009 - rest of it were devoted to strike in support of Sri Lankan Tamils & LTTE. No one bothered about service - after all, every case goes for years so what if it adds another 3 months to it !!!

Dr.Subramanian Swamy (read as Naradar) came to the court - the learned lawyers, professionals threw couple of eggs on Swamy - called him traitor for not supporting LTTE - Police came and tried to arrest 16 lawyers - lawyers resisted - police strength were 500 & they could not practice how to handle riots for a long time as tamil nadu remains a peaceful land - they used this as practice ground - resulted in bloodshed between lawyers and police

Now, more protests, dharnas, strikes, enquiry, investigation, justification etc...

- Unruly mobs taking law into hand is a success story of movies;
- it remains a success story called strike and bandh
- it became political unions from welfare unions

This is a sad result of politisation, polarisation... Long live our democracy

Recent Cricket Series - Update

Recent Cricket Series - Update

India Vs Srilanka - Not a surprise at all for fans. Sri Lanka had lost their consistency in recent past whereas India gained the same under Dhoni. Srilanka can comfort themselves from Dilshan's recent knocks. Where as India had nothing to complain from its performances !

Australia VS New Zealand - NZ had wasted opportunity to take revenge on Australia. NZ started well but failed to capitalise the 2-0 advantage and ended the series with 3-2 to Australia. Australia's star performer turned out to be Nathan Bracken.

Forthcoming Series - Outlook

I feel India would perform well when compared to their past outings in NZ this season. It is going to be a huge challenge for India to overcome the speed tracks and bouncers. I predict shaky start resulting in consolidation in later matches. For me, result does not matter - I will be happy as long as India does not come back with wash out series or humiliating defeats !

Australia does not have to prove anything when compared to South Africa. I feel South Africa would win the series. Hussey's return to form is a good news for Australia. It is going to be a tough fight although.

Movie Review of Seven Pounds

It turned out to be a thoughtful, serious, engaging fine movie. Pls do not ask for story before you go. Just do not go for simple entertainment purpose please.

Will Smith plays the role of IRS Agent with a great secret to help the lives of seven strangers. He carries out the role with his spirited performance.

Rosario Dawson plays the role of a patient with a million dollar smile at ease. The bonding between the lead characters develops beautifully and you want to see more of it !!!

Photography is very good with natural lighting with some so tight close-up shots. Screen play is damn good and the way story unfolds is so powerful. Director Gabriele Muccino does a fine job and brings out the best in all departments.

Human Face

You Gave billions of faces
Many colours through many races
Many designs yet so unique
can i know mine?

Beautiful, expressive, communicative Eyes
Short, sweet, juicy lips
Wearing enchanting smiles
Can i know which one truthful?

bald heads, towering necks
designer moushtaches,
expression covering beards
can you help us to find out what is hidden?

Bow like Eyebrows
Sharp, short, lively noses
elevating foreheads, uninspiring chins
does that reveal what route the mind runs?

Face is vital, Face is identity
Face is inimitable,
Face reveals inner beauty
Oh God, why am I threatened to face the face that comes in dark situations?

Price of Rice shoots up

Price of Rice has gone up substantially in one year - from Rs.18 to Rs.40/=. I am talking about price of normal rice, packed rice etc in any of the retail shops in Tamil Nadu. I am ignoring Ration Shops for sure !

The surprise point is No newspaper is reporting it, no news channels reporting it; Forget that one - even the political parties who are bothered about Lok Sabha election votes are not exploting it !!!!!

I am unable to understand why no one shouting about the price rise of Rice - Puzzled, bewildered, worried. The government is supposed to protect the civilians by managing unusual price rises - they are not bothered ! Long Live our Democracy !

Fiat Linea TV Commercial

Lyrics of Fiat Linea TV Commercial (father & son goes something like this:

I liked this advertisement very much ! http://www.youtube.com/?v=ec1DyHNwfKg

was an ordinary day then you came by
looking so fine oh you were divine
now i'm stuck at the sight of you
stuck at the thought of you
there's a voice from inside
saying youre the best
my heart doesn't need to know
so i will just scream
cause i'm stuck at the sight of you
stuck at the thought of you
stuck so stuck...

Sex and Sensex

I had come across this funny post some time back., so sharing with you all ! A nice, smart, double meaning comparison of Sex with Sensex !

1) Some like it long, some like it short.
2) You can study the market as much as you like, but it all comes down to luck.
3) Those who talk about it the most, have the least experience.
4) One simple mistake could lead to 18 unprofitable years.
5) Some prefer to sit back and watch it grow.
6) Terms include swing trading, asset turnover, naked call, after hours, insider trading, silent partner, blind entries, 30-day wash rule, straddle, triangles, descending tops, ascending bottoms, pump and dump, partial surrender, stop order, position limit, voluntary liquidation, and explicit interest.
7) Low confidence can keep you out of the market.
8) Everyone tends to focus on performance.
9) Some do it alone, others do it with a group, and some hire professionals, and the best reason ...
10) Some positions are better than others and the best position is always up for debate!

And remember, past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.

Stock Molestors on the prowl

Stock molestors are really busy nowadays... they create a bad news, hit the stock and buy it back at lower level - make a clean profit !

They select around 3-5 stocks a day, rip it, create chaos, fear and leave the trail of damage !

Unfortunately, some of their background news have proved right Like Citi, Unitech etc. So, one can not simply wish away them.

Chennai auto fare - daylight robbery

Chennai autorickshaw fare remains as a day light robbery. It goes unabated for so many years. Latest instance points to reduction in fuel prices not passed to commuters.

Minimum fare unofficially charged at Rs.25/-; In the last one year, fares have gone up atleast 25%.

This is significant when MTC reported highest ever passenger traffic on Feb 1, to the tune of 50.5 Lakh passengers which resulted in 2 Crore rupee of ticket sale.

Sensex Outlook - Feb 2009

Stocks might move in a range between 8500 to 10,200 in February. I do not expect Sensex to move below 8200 in Feb. ITC, Cipla, Zee might outperform. Mid-caps might also perform well in expectation of Futures Lot Size change effect in March 2009.

Buy on Dips would work well rather on buy on gap up openings !

Gold has rallied smartly and i dont think it can sustain above 940 USD over a period of time. It might be able to hold these rates due to Institutional support rather than strong demand in retail shops.

Watch out for Emerging markets trend - I feel China, Korea stocks are not falling much and able to hold on despite bad sentiment in USA. Whether India would join them is the key question to be answered over next 3 months....

Tribute to Nagesh

You made us to smile
You made us to laugh
You made us to cry
You made us proud

You acted with stars
yet made your identity
You acted with beauties
yet made us to follow you

You acted with legends
yet made your mark
You worked with great directors
Yet you worked wonders on us

You are too unique
you are too wonderful
you are too lovely
you are too addictive

No need for any padmas
No need for any sahebs
No need for any mamanees
You are in our heart for ever

Australian Open 2009

Australian Open 2009

I enjoyed this season of Australian Open 2009 fully barring the two walk over episodes; I liked the way Tsonga & Verdasco played their matches; Serena over-powered her opponents and won the tournament. But i felt little sad for Safina - she has to overcome her slow start attitude; Fairy tale come back of Jelena Dokic was wonderful; I am looking forward to see more of Carlo Suarez Navarro - dont you feel her left hand back hand shots are similar to Fedex? ;

To an affectionate fan like me, Sad to see Fedex disappearing into Sunset.... He was too good through the fortnight until the 5th set against Nadal.... and I could not digest the way he lost the rhythm..... Was he nervous, emotional, desperate for victory... I could not figure out.

As life moves on, we will find another player to say - wow soon. But it would take a while for some one to match the grace of Fedex !

But the star of the tournament was undoubtedly Rafa Nadal - what a great two weeks he had ! He is so muscular to pull off 9h 45m of touch tennis in three days... Great job man.... You are wonderful.