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<keyword id="20090902" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Javed-Akhtar" source="keywords">Javed Akhtar</keyword>, one of <keyword id="19897820" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bollywood" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Bollywood" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword>'s most celebrated lyricists and screenwriters, made a significant decision in the late 1990s that altered the course of <keyword id="20060213" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-cinema" source="keywords">Indian cinema</keyword> history the slightest bit. He famously turned down the opportunity to work on <keyword id="19901337" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Karan-Johar" source="keywords">Karan Johar</keyword>’s iconic film <keyword id="19965749" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kuch-Kuch-Hota-Hai" source="keywords">Kuch Kuch Hota Hai</keyword> (1998), a movie that went on to become a cultural phenomenon. In a recent chat on comedian <keyword id="22251029" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sapan-Verma" source="keywords">Sapan Verma</keyword>’s YouTube channel, Javed Akhtar revealed that when Karan Johar approached him to work on Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, he initially agreed. However, when Johar decided on the film’s now-famous title, Javed had second thoughts. “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai… kya hota hai?” he wondered aloud, sharing how he couldn’t quite wrap his head around the vague phrase. Javed refused to write lyrics for a film with a title he found meaningless. At the time, Johar was a debutant director and Mr Akhtar, known for his profound and poetic sensibilities, probably felt that the title lacked the gravitas he typically looked for in a project. Instead, the film’s songs were penned by <keyword id="20407788" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sameer-Anjaan" source="keywords">Sameer Anjaan</keyword>, who delivered chartbusters like "Tujhe Yaad Na Meri Aayi" and the iconic title track "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai." The soundtrack went on to become one of the most beloved of the decade, contributing greatly to the <keyword id="19900227" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shah-Rukh" source="keywords">Shah Rukh</keyword>, Rani and Kajol-starrer’s success. And as Karan himself revealed during a discussion with designer Prabal Gurung on the Gold House YouTube channel, Javed Akhtar did call him after the movie’s success and admitted that he was wrong. Fortunately, all was not lost and Karan and Mr Akhtar joined forces on the 2003 film <keyword id="20040378" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kal-Ho-Naa-Ho" source="keywords">Kal Ho Naa Ho</keyword>. Suffice to say, the music was a hit there as well. But looking back, it’s fascinating to think how the lyrical landscape of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai might have been different had Akhtar taken up the project — even if we adore the existing songs!

Did you know that Javed Akhtar refused to work on 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' because he didn’t like the movie’s title?

<ul><li>The movie’s characters are nothing like they are in comic books.</li><li><keyword id="1438654" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="agastya-nanda" source="Orion">Agastya Nanda</keyword> is a serious college-plan maker, Reggie a crusader.</li><li><keyword id="543349" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="suhana-khan" source="Orion">Suhana Khan</keyword> and Khushi Kapoor should have exchanged places as Betty and Veronica. </li></ul>You can’t live your life for kicks, everything is politics. If not anything, Zoya Akthar’s musical <keyword id="12509997" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="the-archies" source="Orion">The Archies</keyword> has given a slogan for young people to come and vote in the upcoming general elections. Beyond that, there is little else in the movie that promises a lot with an unusual setting. The trailer had enthused Archie comic-loving GenX and older millennials. It also enthused GenZs with debuts of starkids like Suhana Khan, Agastya Nanda and Khushi Kapoor. While people were promised a breezy watch which goes with the Christmas mood, it’s actually bland. An already predictable story-line is extended and made slower by the many songs. Songs are way too brooding and don’t have the 60s twist dance format. The movie misses the delicious vintage moments of the time and the sequence is closer to High School Musical choreography. Neither is the story heartwarming nor are the characters anything like their comic-book characters, without their typical goofiness. Not the real Archies A serious young man planning for college is not the Archie we know who is an awkward, always-broke young man who jalopy constantly breaks down. Reggie in the movie looks uncannily like Ranveer Singh and acts like him too. He is not chasing Midge and Ronnie and getting into trouble with Moose. In fact, he writes socially relevant articles, comforts Dilton who ‘is in love’ with him and more. Where is the mirror-gazing vanity? Jughead is way too insightful about the workings of girls, and Hotdog is too small. Also, why make Mr Lodge a villain? He is the smart businessman – the kind who plans to invest in spectacle-making businesses after he sees people always looking into their phones. Here, he is a man who paves a paradise-like park to put up a parking lot, ahem… hotel. <div type="image" title="archies" msid="105831558" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Source: IANS&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Missing the fashion-point The girls — Betty and Ronnie – are also far from their true nature. For one, the leggy Kapoor should have been Veronica and Khan should have been Betty. The comics brought in the ‘great girl divide’ — girl next-door versus the unattainable hot girl. The frenemy love triangle is also brushed away. It’s time to point out that Karan Johar has gotten this better in his movie Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. The movie stars Khan’s father Shah Rukh Khan as the girl-chasing boy who falls for the hot, new girl Rani Mukherjee —ignoring his plain best-friend Kajol. The fashion game of Archies was also better captured by older film-makers when Archies was in vogue. It’s been said that Raj Kapoor had used Archie books to design Dimple Kapadia’s outfits in 70s classic, Bobby. He had gotten it better than Akhtar as neither Ronnie nor Betty wore anything that made them stand-out. The Anglo-Indian town The only thing palatable is the way the movie explains why an Indian town is named ‘Riverdale’ – and why everyone has Anglicized names. A Britisher fell in love with an Indian woman and married her and wanted a town for his people, the Anglo-Indians. The town was ‘bought’ by him from a prince, his friend. None of the younger generation look and feel like Anglo-Indians. They speak a lot more English making one wonder if it’s an English or a Hindi movie. It also artificially makes Fred Andrews use ‘hoyenga’ instead of ‘hoga’. All the youngsters speak Hindi with an accent, and sound like those who watched too much MTV and Channel V, which weren’t there in 1964 (that’s when radio ruled). Akktar had better precedents like the classic ‘Baton Baton Mein’ made by Basu Chatterjee. The Amol Palekar movie is a love story and introduces the concept of dating in the 70s which was a common practice in the Anglo-Indian community. The Archies has none of the charm of the many movies that have been stitched around the Archies and the Anglo-Indian theme. The movie could have been a good opportunity to introduce Archie comics back to GenZs who seem to love graphic novels. This movie will do nothing to take Archie and Jughead double digests off their half-off bins. SEE ALSO <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/family-man-manoj-bajpayee-bats-for-movie-heroes-who-like-the-common-man/articleshow/105577006.cms">Family Man Manoj Bajpayee bats for movie heroes who look like ‘the common man’</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/personal-finance/news/the-dark-truth-behind-rbis-crackdown-on-easy-personal-loans/articleshow/105287366.cms">The dark truth behind RBI’s crackdown on easy personal loans</a>

Zoya Akhtar’s ‘The Archies’ turns out to be a damp squib and nothing like the breezy comic series

Hats off to director <keyword id="22746" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="rohit-shetty">Rohit Shetty</keyword>! He did the impossible as he managed to bring the <keyword id="2907905" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="golden-pair-of-Bollywood">golden pair of Bollywood</keyword>, <keyword id="1671" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Shah-Rukh-Khan">Shah Rukh Khan</keyword> and <keyword id="6354713" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="kajol">Kajol</keyword> together, after a gap of 5 years, for his next movie ‘<keyword id="1665132" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Dilwale">Dilwale</keyword>’. It is likely to be released at the end of this year. Although, one has to wait for almost six months to see the chemistry flow between SRK and Kajol, the poster of ‘Dilwale’ is already making a buzz among the audience. And why won’t it, SRK-Kajol is undoubtedly the best paired onscreen couple and these five movies are the proof! 
 
(Image credit: Indiatimes)

5 cult romances that show Kajol-SRK are the best paired on-screen couple

<ul><li>Surf Excel’s ‘<keyword id="10994328" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="daag-acche-hain">Daag Acche Hain</keyword>’ is one of the most loved campaigns in India.</li><li>It was conceptualised by <keyword id="274876" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lowe-Lintas">Lowe Lintas</keyword> in 2005 and the brand has made us look beyond the obvious through each of its advertisements since then.</li><li>Holi is one of the most important occasions for the brand as it brings an opportunity for Surf Excel to talk about colorful stains and celebrate togetherness.</li><li>With Holi around the corner, we speak to Prabha Narasimhan, Executive Director and VP – Home Care, South Asia, Hindustan Unilever Ltd, to discuss Surf Excel’s evolution from Lalitaji to Daag Acche Hain.</li></ul>Surf Excel’s Daag Acche Hain came at a time when advertising in the detergent category was limited to its functional aspects of cleaning and adding fragrance to your clothes. Surf Excel, in association with Lowe Lintas, thought of moving away from this functional proposition in 2005. The company already had a campaign ‘Dirt is good’ running in Brazil which was conceptualised by BBH, and ‘Daag Acche Hain’ was an extension of this proposition in India, with a desi twist. In the 80’s, Surf Excel (then Surf) was carried forward by an iconic character ‘Lalitaji.’ The white sari-clad woman educated the audience about the difference between cheap and effective products. Surf’s Lalitaji was also an answer to rival Nirma’s catchy and evergreen ‘Hema, Rekha, Jaya aur Sushma’ campaign. <div type="Youtube" id="ALxiXkHxqCc" title="Surf Excel Lalitaji" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ALxiXkHxqCc/mqdefault.jpg"></div> In 2012 came ‘Dhondte Reh Jaoge’ Starring a woman in a white sari again, she tells us her husband that he would have to really look for the ‘daag’ once she washes his stained shirt with Surf Excel. He stains his shirt as his kids’ carromboard’s coin hits his Samosa. He blames the wife for spoiling ‘her kids’ and she cleans his stain with a handkerchief for him. <div type="Youtube" id="sbxP8IGj_x4" title="Surf Excel Dhondte Reh Jaoge" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/sbxP8IGj_x4/mqdefault.jpg"></div> It is only now that detergent brands have woken up to realise that household chores are equally a man’s job. Until the early 20’s, detergent brands were only targeting women and portraying them as nurturers of the family, who didn’t have the agency to make a decision for themselves. Women were seen as someone’s wife or mother, who is supposed to be a good role model for her family by taking care of them, even raise her husband like a baby who can’t wipe a stain off his shirt himself. Before Daag Acche Hain, stains were just stains that people would think about washing away because, who likes dirt on them? Bollywood has also compared Daag with women’s ‘pride’ and for a long time, had us believe that stains cannot be washed away, especially if you are a woman. Surf Excel, on the other hand, made us accept our flaws and reminded us that flaws make humans, humans. Through its metaphorical campaigns, it said stains are only temporary and with just one attempt, relationships can be mended and differences are washed away. (It also subtly comments on our country’s poor infrastructure where you can manage to find a puddle anywhere you look). While it was easy for Surf Excel to walk away from this stereotypical representation of women because they cast kids, Daag Acche Hain was still like a fresh breath of air that didn’t push career-oriented women down a guilt trip. Surf Excel’s first ‘Daag Acche Hain’ ad featured two siblings. The little sister steps into a puddle and starts to sob. Seeing her little sister upset, the big brother does what any desi parent would do if an inanimate object hurt their kids. Hit it. He also apologises on behalf of the puddle and this innocence, we are certain, does not fail to bring a smile to your faces even today. The ad concludes with a voice over, “Daag lagne se agar kuch accha hota hai, toh daag acche hai na? (If something good comes out of staining, stains are good).” <div type="Youtube" id="7D3rvf9WvEw" title="Surf Excel TVC" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/7D3rvf9WvEw/mqdefault.jpg"></div> Sharing the campaign’s purpose, Prabha Narasimhan, Executive Director &amp; VP – Home Care, South Asia, Hindustan Unilever Ltd, said, “Surf Excel is one of the most loved brands in India, and for over fifteen years, we have stayed consistent to our brand philosophy of ‘Daag Achhe Hain’ or ‘Dirt is Good.’ Surf Excel’s communication platform evolves from this philosophy and shows children getting dirty in the process of doing something good and demonstrating good values. By ridding parents of their worry of stains, we become partners in enabling their children to learn (while getting dirty), thus becoming truly meaningful in their lives. Our purpose-led philosophy is in line with our company’s belief and commitment to building brands with purpose.” Since 2005, all of Surf Excel’s ads have chosen kids as their portaganist. Telling us why the brand casts kids in their ads, Narasimhan said, “We believe that children should have the freedom to get dirty, because its only then that they can truly learn and develop. And if kids get dirty in the process of doing something good, then dirt is good.” Below are a few campaigns and the common themes Daag Acche Hain has used over the years: Using your privilege to help out those who aren’t as lucky: <div type="Youtube" id="GV2TsgY2uw4" title="Surf Excel Ramazan 2017 | #NekiEkIbadat" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GV2TsgY2uw4/mqdefault.jpg"></div> <div type="Youtube" id="iVkZsFGF4ls" title="Surf Excel #AbLagRahiDiwali - Share the Joy of Diwali with Everyone!" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/iVkZsFGF4ls/mqdefault.jpg"></div> <div type="Youtube" id="C-jPrQzvE9E" title="Are your kids #ReadyForLife?" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/C-jPrQzvE9E/mqdefault.jpg"></div> Helping others out <div type="Youtube" id="tNE3l2LPiEY" title="Surf Excel &quot;Dog&quot;" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/tNE3l2LPiEY/mqdefault.jpg"></div> <div type="Youtube" id="FbXHbvnNZ7s" title="Surf Excel Classroom 2011, My New Friend .mp4" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/FbXHbvnNZ7s/mqdefault.jpg"></div> It further extended the campaign with #HaarKoHarao, reminding the kids who deal with exam pressure that failure is a part of life. <div type="Youtube" id="g4-BsyNLq1A" title="Surf excel: The Falling Test - A Social Experiment" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/g4-BsyNLq1A/mqdefault.jpg"></div> <div type="Youtube" id="YicuKTFPxX0" title="Surf Excel: Daag Achhe Hain - #HaarKoHarao" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/YicuKTFPxX0/mqdefault.jpg"></div> Surf Excel’s colourful relationship with Holi Holi is a natural fit for Surf Excel. We all stain our clothes while celebrating this festival of colours and the brand has never missed this opportunity to replug ‘Daag Acche Hain.’ “Holi is one of the biggest and most loved festivals in our country, and a natural fit with our philosophy. We have been able to create a strong emotional connect with our audiences through our Holi campaigns in the last two years,” said Narasimhan. Surf Excel’s Holi ad from 2019 titled ‘Rang Laaye Sang’ had evoked a controversy. As its beatiful Ramadan ads, Surf Excel had chosen to portray Hindu-Muslim harmony in 2019. The only difference, however in 2019, was the political scenario. Surf Excel’s minute-long Holi ad ‘Rang Laaye Sang’ (colours bring people together) featured two kids, a Hindu girl and a Muslim boy. The girl dressed in white, rides on a bicycle and challenges neighbourhood kids to splash her with Holi colours. It is later revealed that it was in order to protect her Muslim friend who had to go to a nearby mosque for prayers. As she drops her friend at the mosque, she said, “I will colour you later” and he agrees, with a bright on his face. However, Twitterati took the ad rather badly and said that the ad portrayed Hindus in a bad light and promoted “Love Jihad.” <div type="Youtube" id="Zq7mN8oi8ds" title="Surf Excel Holi 2019 | This Holi, let colours bring us together!" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Zq7mN8oi8ds/mqdefault.jpg"></div> However, years 2020 and 2021 have been unusual. We haven’t celebrated Holi like we did before the pandemic hit our country. We don’t get to see our relatives, play Holi or cherish sweets together like we used to. So, this year, Daag Acche Hain was about being together from a distance. <div type="Youtube" id="MocKmftqNI8" title="Surf excel Holi 2021 | Jo dilon ko paas laayein, woh #RangAchheHain" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MocKmftqNI8/mqdefault.jpg"></div> Explaining the idea behind the latest ad, Narasimhan said, “This year is a bit different as we are all still reeling from the effects of the pandemic, which has created both physical and emotional distances. Addressing the emotional needs of the vulnerable segment of population, the ad shows how a young boy endeavors to include the elderly in the festive fervor through a simple yet creative way of making colors reach where hands cannot. It is a natural extension of our brand philosophy of ‘Daag achhe hain’, in which we have always shown children getting dirty while doing good deeds and demonstrating good values. We do hope that people are inspired to find their own unique ways to connect with their families this festive season.” “And our current Holi campaign takes forward its unique 'Daag Acche Hain' brand proposition and continues to use colours as a medium of ‘togetherness’. This year, it shows how the colours of Holi can help bridge emotional distances and bring hearts closer, despite physical distancing,” she added. Over the years, Surf Excel has tried to mirror the ever-changing socio and political issues in its campaign and reminded us that the most powerful virtue is kindness. It has been able to carve a niche for itself in the market through this powerful proposition. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="75422860" title="#BTSwithInsiders: Arun Iyer on how Surf Excel’s ‘Daag Acche Hain’ came into being" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

How Surf Excel’s Daag Acche Hain has evolved over the years

Any movie can be fun when you are watching it with your friends. But if you have no big plans for this <keyword id="6736220" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Friendship-Day">Friendship Day</keyword> or you are sitting miles away from your buddies, we have a plan for you. How about a movie marathon – some Bollywood flicks to be precise – that shout friendship like no other? Here is a list of five great movies that will take you back to your very own Jai-Veeru moments and bring a smile on your face. Watch them and enjoy. 
 
1. <keyword id="6407374" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sholay">Sholay</keyword> 
Talk about friendship and the first Bollywood movie that comes to your mind is the cult classic, Sholay, directed by Ramesh Sippy. One of the reasons why Sholay is still a treat to watch is the joyful camaraderie between <keyword id="16007" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Jai">Jai</keyword> and <keyword id="127989" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Veeru">Veeru</keyword> – it’s the flavour of all seasons and one of the main themes of the movie. Played by superstars Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra, the friendship between the two became synonymous with all that is selfless, eternal and full of fun and frolic. The partners in crime perfectly complement each other and remain inseparable till death takes tears them apart and leaves us teary-eyed. 
 
2. <keyword id="6609528" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Dil-Chahta-Hai">Dil Chahta Hai</keyword> 
Aakash (Aamir Khan), Sameer (Saif Ali Khan) and Siddharth (Akshaye Khanna) are childhood friends who are out to enjoy their lives. But a lot of unforeseen emotional turmoil changes them forever and give a deeper meaning to their friendship. Directed by Farhan Akhtar, this is a coming-of-age story of three friends whose witty conversation and deep bonding made Dil Chahta Hai one of the best friendship films ever made in Bollywood. 
 
3. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai 
One of the most popular romantic flicks of Bollywood and Karan Johar’s directorial debut, this one focuses on friendship and its many hues, culminating in love. Rahul and Anjali (Shah Rukh and Kajol) are the best of buddies. They argue, they fight but at the end of the day, they are the best friends who eventually become life partners, proving that they complete each other. Love is friendship – that is what the film has endorsed and the lead duo’s on-screen chemistry has brought that phrase to life. 
 
4. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara 
With ‘seize the day’ as its theme, this film tells the story of three friends who try and overcome their fears in the course of a road trip that is enriching for them and entertaining for the viewers. Director Zoya Akhtar has been applauded for bringing out the ‘bromance’ stupendously on screen. The trio, played by Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar and Abhay Deol, walked away with the laurels for making the audience remember their old friends and the carefree days they spent together. A must-watch film on this Friendship Day. 
 
5. Cocktail 
A good friend and his friendship have the power to transform you. That’s what happened in this Homi Adajania movie as the ‘party girl’ Veronica (Deepika Padukone) undergoes a sea change after meeting the meek and docile Meera (Diana Penty). While Veronica gave shelter to homeless Meera, the latter filled her life with love that was missing from her life. A nice chick flick for the day as you sing Chadi mujhe yaari teri aise... jaise daaru desi! 
Image: Thinkstock

5 Bollywood Movies To Watch This Friendship Day

Mumbai: Superstar <keyword id="1671" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="shah-rukh-khan" source="Orion">Shah Rukh Khan</keyword> on Tuesday teased his friend and filmmaker <keyword id="19973215" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="karan" source="keywords">Karan</keyword> Johar for hosting more chat shows and directing lesser films. <keyword id="19900227" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="shah-rukh" source="keywords">Shah Rukh</keyword> and Karan, who are set to host the International Indian Film Academy (<keyword id="22515764" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="iifa" source="keywords">IIFA</keyword>) Awards 2024, have worked together in several hit movies such as "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai", "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...", "My Name is Khan", and "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna". At the press conference of the IIFA Awards, Shah Rukh pulled Karan's leg for being less active on the directorial front. "He hosts chat shows, film shows. Picturein bhi toh bana mere bhai (When are you going to make films, my brother?)" said the superstar, eliciting laughter from the filmmaker. Karan, whose last directorial was 2023's "Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani", admitted Shah Rukh was right. "This is sounding so wrong on so many levels for a filmmaker. That I should be making movies. (But) That is exactly what I should be doing," said the filmmaker, who also hosts the popular celebrity chat show "Koffee With Karan". IIFA Awards, the three-day award gala, returns to Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, for the third consecutive year and will be held from September 27 to 29. Actor <keyword id="19895145" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vicky-kaushal" source="keywords">Vicky Kaushal</keyword> will join Shah Rukh and Karan on the stage as a host. There will also be performances by veteran actor Rekha and stars such as <keyword id="19911186" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="shahid-kapoor" source="keywords">Shahid Kapoor</keyword>, Janhvi Kapoor, and Kriti Sanon. "I'm so privileged to be hosting this show with Vicky and Karan, and all the amazing talent. Some of us are present here this evening. And of course, there's going to be great performances to follow. There's going to be Shahid, Vicky, Jahnvi, Kriti, and of course, the most wonderful star of them all, Rekha ji," said Shah Rukh. The "Pathaan" star, who is returning to the IIFA stage as a host after almost a decade, said he wanted to present all editions of the awards show but the dates didn't match. "They called me once to host (IIFA), they are calling me back after 10 years," he quipped, saying these days it's important to "clarify" when it's a joke. "IIFA is being hosted all around the world, which makes us very proud. And more often than not I've had to beg them 'I'm shooting but you are in Vancouver, Toronto, Malaysia, do it (IIFA) here in Borivali or in film city like others do. But their vision is big," he added. For the first time, IIFA Awards 2024 is bringing together the best of both Hindi and South film industries-Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada, with an aim to celebrate and honour the richness and diversity of Indian cinema by showcasing Bollywood flair at the IIFA Awards and vibrant South Indian cinema at IIFA Utsavam, which marks the beginning of the grand event. Telugu star <keyword id="20115740" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rana-daggubati" source="keywords">Rana Daggubati</keyword>, who will host IIFA Utsavam with Teja Sajja, also attended the press conference on Tuesday. Shah Rukh said this year's edition of IIFA is "more Indian" than ever. "IIFA has always thought of taking Indian cinema, now with the inclusion of Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu and Hindi cinema (to the world)... "This is even more Indian than it has ever been before. Keeping up with your vision, I'm thankful now for trying to come back after so many years, I hope we can present it well and keep people entertained." Rana recalled being hosted by Shah Rukh at his house in Dubai for an after-party some time ago. "He is so hospitable. He has actually entertained the entire four (South) industries, not only as an actor but also as a human being," he said. The actor also thanked Karan, who presented the Hindi version of his two-part epic fantasy film "Baahubali", for supporting South cinema. "And really Karan, it started with you. The fact that we got 'Baahubali' here (in the north)... (It was) the first time all the languages started speaking cinema in some form. Thank you for that," Rana added. The press conference was also attended by "Yudhra" actor Siddhant Chaturvedi and "Stree 2" star Abhishek Banerjee. They will host IIFA Rocks 2024, the musical extravaganza which will bring down the curtain on the event. As he stepped on to the stage, Shah Rukh took a moment to congratulate Abhishek on the success of "Stree 2", his latest release. "Abhishek, it's so wonderful to see you live after watching your wonderful film. I've been wanting to call you," he said.

Shah Rukh Khan to Karan Johar: When are you going to make films?

<ul><li>'Gangubai Kathiawadi', directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and featuring Alia Bhatt, wins three technical awards at IIFA Rock night.</li><li>The film received awards for Cinematography (<keyword id="2558236" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="sudeep-chatterjee" source="Orion">Sudeep Chatterjee</keyword>), Screenplay (Sanjay Leela Bhansali and <keyword id="16753782" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="utkarshini-vashishtha" source="Orion">Utkarshini Vashishtha</keyword>), and Dialogue (Utkarshini <keyword id="3118360" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="vashishtha" source="Orion">Vashishtha</keyword> and Prakash Kapadia) at IIFA Rock night.</li><li>'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2', the horror comedy directed by Anees Bazmee and starring Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani, secures two awards following 'Gangubai Kathiawadi'.</li></ul>Abu Dhabi, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Alia Bhatt-starrer 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' bagged three technical awards at the IIFA Rock night, which marked the beginning of the three-day 23rd edition of the International Indian Film Academy and Awards (IIFA) at Yas Island on Friday night. The awards the film got were for Cinematography (Sudeep Chatterjee), Screenplay (Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Utkarshini Vashishtha), and Dialogue (Utkarshini Vashishtha and Prakash Kapadia). 'Gangubai...' was followed by Anees Bazmee's horror comedy, 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2', featuring Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani, which won two awards -- Choreography for Title Track (Bosco Caesar) and Sound Design (Mandar Kulkarni). Ajay Devgn's crime thriller 'Drishyam 2' received one award -- Editing (Sandeep Francis) -- as did Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt's action adventure, 'Brahmastra: Part One - Shiva' (Special Effects-Visual, DNEG, Redefine); Hrithik Roshan and Saif Ali Khan's 'Vikram Vedha' (Background Score, Sam CS); and 'Monica O My Darling', starring Rajkummar Rao, Huma Qureshi and Radhika Apte, for Sound Mixing (Gunjan A. Sah, Boloy Kumar Doloi, and Rahul Karpe). The awards were announced on an evening of memorable music performances by Amit Trivedi, Badshah, <keyword id="5293" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="sunidhi-chauhan" source="Orion">Sunidhi Chauhan</keyword>, <keyword id="310859" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="sukhbir-singh" source="Orion">Sukhbir Singh</keyword>, Palak Muchhal and Iulia Vantur Sobha, presented by choreographer and director Farah Khan and Rajkummar Rao. The musical spectacle began with a dance performance by Palak Muchhal, followed by Farah Khan, who also danced her way onto the platform. Rajkummar Rao took the stage while playing the song 'Main Hoon Na', and the two recreated a scene from 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' in which they both greeted the crowd and engaged in a witty conversation about friendship. Sunidhi Chauhan and Badshah, starring Jacqueline Fernandez, Rakul Preet Singh and Nora Fatehi, gave enthralling performances later in the evening. Amit Trivedi captivated the audience with his lovely voice while performing with Arun Kamat, Devendra Palse, Meghna Mishra and Yashita Sharma. And then everyone began dancing to the dhols thanks to Sukhbir Singh and Iulia Vantur. The evening came to a thrilling conclusion with none other than Nucleya. One of the key highlights of IIFA Rocks was a made-for-the-occasion collection showcased by Manish Malhotra, Bollywood's favourite designer. It reflected "old world charm meets the new world" and had Salman Khan and Nora Fatehi as the showstoppers for the evening. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/is-whatsapp-secretly-listening-to-your-private-conversations-heres-how-to-check/articleshow/100155980.cms">Is WhatsApp secretly listening to your private conversations? Here’s how to check</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/google-pixel-6a-vs-pixel-7a-smartphone-comparison-with-price-and-features/articleshow/100177889.cms">Google Pixel 6a vs Pixel 7a: Is Google's latest mid-ranger worth the extra ₹12,000?</a>

Gangubai Kathiawadi tops technical awards at 23rd IIFA's music-loaded opening

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A couple hosted a four-day Scottish-Indian wedding celebration in June that merged their cultures. </li><li>Alastair Spray, a Scottish groom, and Angie Tiwari, an Indian bride, got engaged in 2021. </li></ul>A <a href="https://www.insider.com/scottish-groom-learned-hindi-for-wedding-speech-surprise-indian-bride-2022-9">Scottish groom and an Indian bride</a> planned their own multi-event wedding in June that celebrated the best parts of their two cultures. Alastair Spray, a 28-year-old researcher, and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tiwariyoga/">Angie Tiwari</a>, a 30-year-old sales director who also works as a <a href="https://unearthed.tiwariyoga.com/">yoga and meditation coach</a> in London, told Insider they noticed a lot of similarities between Scottish and Indian culture and hoped to bring that out during their vibrant wedding.<div type="image" title="Angie Tiwari and Alastair Spray after getting engaged in Seville, Spain." height="1108" width="1478" msid="94500008" hostid="261"></div>"From the moment we met and we started dating, Alastair has been aware that my culture is very important to me," said Tiwari, a British-Indian who observes Hinduism.She added that since meeting Spray on Hinge in 2018 and becoming engaged in 2021, she has introduced him to yoga, taught him how to do the Gāyatrī Mantra (ancient chanting), and brought him to celebrate Diwali with her family. The couple also conducted a pujā blessing before moving into their shared London home in 2020. "Scotland also has a very proud and unique culture and I was very excited to share that with Angie," said Spray. He added that they've attended cèilidh nights – Scottish gatherings with music and dance – in London, and he has shown her around Glasgow, Edinburgh, the Scottish Highlands, and his hometown, Dunblane.<div type="image" title="The alter at St Paul's Cathedral, where Alastair Spray and Angie Tiwari had their legal wedding ceremony." height="3333" width="5000" msid="94500011" hostid="261"></div>The couple wove many Scottish and Indian touches into their £25,000, or around $28,000, wedding celebrations that took place over a four-day period in London and Scotland. <h2>The wedding began with an official ceremony at St Paul's Cathedral in London</h2>On June 18, a Saturday, the couple had their official wedding ceremony among 150 family members and friends at the chapel beneath St Paul's Cathedral, London. They were able to get married at the exclusive venue because Spray's father holds a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE), an honor <a href="https://www.royal.uk/queen-and-honours">awarded by the Queen</a>, that made them eligible to marry there. "At St. Pauls, we had one biblical reading that was read by Alastair's aunt, and we were really amazed that our priest said we could have a reading from one of the ancient Hindu scriptures," said Tiwari, adding that her uncle read from the Bhagavad Gita. They also selected five hymns, enjoying aspects of Hinduism and Christianity side by side. <div type="image" title="Alastair Spray and Angie Tiwari marrying at London's St Paul's Cathedral." height="3333" width="5000" msid="94500012" hostid="261"></div>Spray opted for a classic black-tie suit while Tiwari wore a £195, or around $220, white lace corset dress and veil from a charity shop. Her "something blue" was a simple silver necklace with a baby-blue pendant that once belonged to Spray's late grandmother, Tiwari said.Meanwhile, her family brought touches of Indian fashion to the day. "My mom actually wore the sari that she wore on her wedding day," Tiwari said of the pink-and-purple garment. They then had an intimate meal at a low-key Indian restaurant before returning to their home for a mehndi (henna) party. <h2>After traveling to Scotland, the couple undertook Indian wedding rituals </h2>The next day, the wedding party traveled to Scotland where Spray and Tiwari said they hired a barn and converted granary in the Scottish countryside that doubled as accommodation for their guests. On Monday, the couple awoke to rare sunny weather in Scotland and performed Hindu rituals outside. Tiwari wore the yellow sari that her mom wore to her own <a href="https://www.insider.com/couple-put-a-modern-spin-on-a-traditional-indian-wedding-2020-4#the-day-of-the-wedding-started-with-a-haldi-10">Haldi ceremony</a>, a blessing where the bride and groom are covered with turmeric. Tiwari said her uncle led the ceremony and her aunt explained the ritual, while the family came up and put sandalwood paste containing haldi on them.<div type="image" title="Alastair Spray and Angie Tiwari at their Haldi (turmeric) ceremony." height="3456" width="5184" msid="94500013" hostid="261"></div>Tiwari added that her family are from North India's Kumaoni tribe, who she said wear a distinctive orange-and-yellow scarf with red dots on it, known as a pichora. The couple sat beneath this during the ceremony. This was followed by a sangeet — a pre-wedding celebration with music and dancing that saw 25 of their loved ones gather and perform Indian dances to Hindi songs and Scottish dances to cèilidh music. "It was a really great blend of both of our cultures and exactly what we wanted," said Tiwari. <div type="image" title="Bags and Pipes playing at Alastair Spray and Angie Tiwari's Scottish-Indian wedding." height="683" width="1024" msid="94500014" hostid="261"></div>The couple's final celebration took place that Tuesday, and included the Hindu religious ceremony which comprises many steps. The couple chose a Pandit, or Hindu priest, who explained the rituals in English as the service unfolded, so guests knew what was happening at each stage.Spray opted for traditional Indian outfits. "I was wearing this really beautiful blue sherwani, which we'd ordered from India and I got matching gold-and-cream sherwanis for my groomsmen," he said. He added that some friends surprised him by wearing kurtas, and later changing into kilts: "It was really nice touch that just all of my friends fully embraced it," he said. Meanwhile, Tiwari said she wore a traditional red lehenga before changing into a pink sharara for the reception. <div type="image" title="Alastair Spray and Angie Tiwari during the first dance at their wedding." height="683" width="1024" msid="94500017" hostid="261"></div>Tiwari said they found a musical duo called <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dholandpipes/">Dhol and Pipes</a> – a South Asian man playing the dhol drum and a Scottish man who plays bagpipes. She said their popularity was "a sign of how many South Asian and Scottish people are getting married."Other nods to their multicultural union included haggis pakoras made by a local Perth restaurant called <a href="https://tablarestaurant.co.uk/">Tabla,</a> and a <a href="https://www.insider.com/scottish-groom-learned-hindi-for-wedding-speech-surprise-indian-bride-2022-9">speech that Spray gave in Hindi</a>, much to the surprise of his new wife. Even the couple's first dance nodded to their unique journey, they said. It began with Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love with You," and ended with "Koi Mil Gaya," an iconic song in the Bollywood film "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai," which they said was the first Bollywood film they ever watched together.

A couple hosted a joyful 4-day Scottish-Indian wedding to celebrate their cultures with a Haldi ceremony, bagpipes, and haggis pakoras

<ul><li><keyword id="270001" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="surf-excel" source="Orion">Surf Excel</keyword>’s ‘<keyword id="10994328" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="daag-acche-hain" source="Orion">Daag Acche Hain</keyword>’ was conceptualised by <keyword id="274876" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="lowe-lintas" source="Orion">Lowe Lintas</keyword> in 2005 and the brand has made us look beyond the obvious through each of its advertisements since then.</li><li>This Holi, we look back at <keyword id="37850" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="daag" source="Orion">Daag</keyword> Acche Hain’s evolution and its popular advertisements.</li></ul>Every year, during the Hindu festival of Holi, detergent brand Surf Excel drops a campaign that never fails to win our hearts. Holi is one of the most important occasions for the brand as it brings an opportunity for Surf Excel to talk about colorful stains and celebrate togetherness. Over the years, through its core message of ‘Daag Acche Hain,’ Surf Excel has tried to mirror the ever-changing socio and political issues in its campaigns and reminded us that the most powerful virtue is kindness. It has been able to carve a niche for itself in the market through this powerful proposition. Its latest Holi advertisement is about keeping your inner child alive. The heart-warming campaign shows a little girl who reminds her aunt how to bring back colours into her life. <div type="Youtube" id="Y1MdAxeRgz8" title="Surf excel Holi 2022 | Jo rang bachpan lautaye, woh #RangAchheHain" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Y1MdAxeRgz8/mqdefault.jpg"></div> The spirited child protagonist is seen playing colours with her friends when she notices her aunt setting the table of colours and sweets, and enjoying their game, subconsciously wanting to join in. When the little girls insists that her aunt join them, the aunt moves away, saying it’s not her age to play like them. As the girl watches her aunt consciously throw away the colours she had unconsciously picked up in her palms, she covers herself with the colours and runs to her aunt for a hug. This action imprints the aunt’s clothes with a colourful silhouette of the child. Pointing towards the imprint, the girl suggests that this child could play with them. The heart-warming message “Jo rang bachpan lautaye, woh rang achhe hain” makes us examine the boundaries that keep us away from finding the joy of keeping our childhood alive. Daag Acche Hain’s evolution It came at a time when advertising in the detergent category was limited to its functional aspects of cleaning and adding fragrance to your clothes. Surf Excel, in association with Lowe Lintas, thought of moving away from this functional proposition in 2005. The company already had a campaign ‘Dirt is good’ running in Brazil which was conceptualised by BBH, and ‘Daag Acche Hain’ was an extension of this proposition in India, with a desi twist. In the 80’s, Surf Excel (then Surf) was carried forward by an iconic character ‘Lalitaji.’ The white sari-clad woman educated the audience about the difference between cheap and effective products. Surf’s Lalitaji was also an answer to rival Nirma’s catchy and evergreen ‘Hema, Rekha, Jaya aur Sushma’ campaign. <div type="Youtube" id="ALxiXkHxqCc" title="Surf Excel Lalitaji" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ALxiXkHxqCc/mqdefault.jpg"></div> In 2012 came ‘Dhondte Reh Jaoge’ starring a woman in a white sari again, she tells us her husband that he would have to really look for the ‘daag’ once she washes his stained shirt with Surf Excel. He stains his shirt as his kids’ carromboard’s coin hits his Samosa. He blames the wife for spoiling ‘her kids’ and she cleans his stain with a handkerchief for him. <div type="Youtube" id="sbxP8IGj_x4" title="Surf Excel Dhondte Reh Jaoge" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/sbxP8IGj_x4/mqdefault.jpg"></div> It is only now that detergent brands have woken up to realise that household chores are equally a man’s job. Until the early 20’s, detergent brands were only targeting women and portraying them as nurturers of the family, who didn’t have the agency to make a decision for themselves. Women were seen as someone’s wife or mother, who is supposed to be a good role model for her family by taking care of them, even raise her husband like a baby who can’t wipe a stain off his shirt himself. Before Daag Acche Hain, stains were just stains that people would think about washing away because, who likes dirt on them? Bollywood has also compared Daag with women’s ‘pride’ and for a long time, had us believe that stains cannot be washed away, especially if you are a woman. Surf Excel, on the other hand, made us accept our flaws and reminded us that flaws make humans, humans. Through its metaphorical campaigns, it said stains are only temporary and with just one attempt, relationships can be mended and differences are washed away. (It also subtly comments on our country’s poor infrastructure where you can manage to find a puddle anywhere you look). While it was easy for Surf Excel to walk away from this stereotypical representation of women because they cast kids, Daag Acche Hain was still like a fresh breath of air that didn’t push career-oriented women down a guilt trip. Surf Excel’s first ‘Daag Acche Hain’ ad featured two siblings. The little sister steps into a puddle and starts to sob. Seeing her little sister upset, the big brother does what any desi parent would do if an inanimate object hurt their kids. Hit it. He also apologises on behalf of the puddle and this innocence, we are certain, does not fail to bring a smile to your faces even today. The ad concludes with a voice over, “Daag lagne se agar kuch accha hota hai, toh daag acche hai na? (If something good comes out of staining, stains are good).” <div type="Youtube" id="7D3rvf9WvEw" title="Surf Excel TVC" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/7D3rvf9WvEw/mqdefault.jpg"></div>Below are a few campaigns and the common themes Daag Acche Hain has used over the years: Using your privilege to help out those who aren’t as lucky: <div type="Youtube" id="GV2TsgY2uw4" title="Surf Excel Ramazan 2017 | #NekiEkIbadat" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GV2TsgY2uw4/mqdefault.jpg"></div> <div type="Youtube" id="iVkZsFGF4ls" title="Surf Excel #AbLagRahiDiwali - Share the Joy of Diwali with Everyone!" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/iVkZsFGF4ls/mqdefault.jpg"></div> <div type="Youtube" id="C-jPrQzvE9E" title="Are your kids #ReadyForLife?" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/C-jPrQzvE9E/mqdefault.jpg"></div> Helping others out <div type="Youtube" id="tNE3l2LPiEY" title="Surf Excel &quot;Dog&quot;" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/tNE3l2LPiEY/mqdefault.jpg"></div> <div type="Youtube" id="FbXHbvnNZ7s" title="Surf Excel Classroom 2011, My New Friend" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/FbXHbvnNZ7s/mqdefault.jpg"></div> Surf Excel’s colourful relationship with Holi Holi is a natural fit for Surf Excel. We all stain our clothes while celebrating this festival of colours and the brand has never missed this opportunity to replug ‘Daag Acche Hain.’ Surf Excel’s Holi ad from 2019 titled ‘Rang Laaye Sang’ had evoked a controversy. As its beautiful Ramadan ads, Surf Excel had chosen to portray Hindu-Muslim harmony in 2019. The only difference, however in 2019, was the political scenario. Surf Excel’s minute-long Holi ad ‘Rang Laaye Sang’ (colours bring people together) featured two kids, a Hindu girl and a Muslim boy. The girl dressed in white, rides on a bicycle and challenges neighbourhood kids to splash her with Holi colours. It is later revealed that it was in order to protect her Muslim friend who had to go to a nearby mosque for prayers. As she drops her friend at the mosque, she said, “I will colour you later” and he agrees, with a bright on his face. However, Twitterati took the ad rather badly and said that the ad portrayed Hindus in a bad light and promoted “Love Jihad.” <div type="Youtube" id="Zq7mN8oi8ds" title="Surf Excel Holi 2019 | This Holi, let colours bring us together!" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Zq7mN8oi8ds/mqdefault.jpg"></div> However, the last two years have been unusual. We haven’t celebrated Holi like we did before the pandemic hit our country. We don’t get to see our relatives, play Holi or cherish sweets together like we used to. So, in 2021, Surf Excel showed the audience how to play Holi while maintaining a safe distance from their loved ones. <div type="Youtube" id="MocKmftqNI8" title="Surf excel Holi 2021 | Jo dilon ko paas laayein, woh #RangAchheHain" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MocKmftqNI8/mqdefault.jpg"></div>

From promoting religious harmony to urging the audience to keep their inner child alive, how Surf Excel’s Daag Acche Hain has evolved over the years

The Indian snack market is witnessing a ‘French’ revolution of sorts. French fries have turned out to be the fastest growing snack food, not just across fast-food chains but also at modern retailers and frozen food manufacturers. In fact, the <keyword id="47445" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="40" keywordseo="Indian-market">Indian market</keyword> for French fries is growing at an annual rate of more than 30%. Fast food chains like McDonald’s and KFC have declared that French fries are among their top three billing items and the largest selling side dish. Retail chains like <keyword id="6357823" type="COMPANY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Big-Bazaar">Big Bazaar</keyword>, More and Spencer’s have also said that the frozen RTE French fries are among the largest selling snack items in their stores. 
 
Going by this trend, it can be said that French fries are fast replacing hugely popular potato snacks like aloo parantha, aloo pakoda and vada pav, at least in urban households. That’s not surprising as it is a convenient snack that can be easily shared in a country where har ek friend zaruri hota hai and asli maza sirf sab ke sath ata hai. Then they are easily dippable in ketchups and other condiments (and that adds to the taste). Besides, they are easy to cook or buy. In the west, French fries sold by the fast food chains in small paper sacks are hugely popular and account for about half of the potatoes sold in the US. In India, the concept is totally new, but for a food-crazy nation, anything that is tasty and convenient stands strong and becomes our own. 
 
We have seen such things before. The traditional gift of sweets is giving way to chocolate, thanks to Cadbury insisting on – kuch meetha ho jaye. Similarly, French fries are fast replacing the pakoda. The country has seen many tasty snacks making their way from our kitchens to fast food chains – items like thepla, parantha, pakoda and more. But the French fries have started a reverse <keyword id="6374782" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="40" keywordseo="journey">journey</keyword> – they are entering our kitchens from the fast food chains. To some extent, they have even replaced chips and noodles, which are immensely popular among kids and young people. 
 
Retailers claim that overall sales of frozen French fries brands like McCain, Sumeru and Al Kabeer are growing at about 30-40%, sometimes accounting for about 70% of the total potato-based frozen snack sales. Potato-based frozen snacks also include paranthas, cutlets, patties, etc. 
 Today, the Canadian firm <keyword id="399961" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="McCain-Foods">McCain Foods</keyword> is the world’s largest manufacturer of French fries and assorted potato snacks. McCains’ French fries and potato smiles are its fastest moving products in India, a category driven by the ease of cooking without compromising on the taste. 
 <keyword id="818773" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="40" keywordseo="The-situation">The situation</keyword> is similar to how microwave popcorn, as a category, had taken the market by storm when it was introduced in India. Growing consumer awareness, taste preferences and higher freezer penetration are driving the frozen foods category. The frozen foods market has an estimated size of Rs 800 crore including vegetarian and non-veg snacks. 
 French fries offer the ease of cooking and the convenience of eating, coupled with great accessibility. With fast food chains and modern retail outlets opening up stores on every street and in every locality, French fries are becoming easily accessible to consumers. And they enjoy huge popularity not just in the metros but also in other cities and towns. As urbanisation seeps down and stores <keyword id="54921" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="40" keywordseo="spread">spread</keyword> across non-metros, French fries are set to get all the more popular in India.

French Fries Are The New ‘Aloo Pakoda’

"I am not fit for this field," I murmured, while sitting in a classroom with a hundred alien faces around me. It had been an hour since the question papers were distributed and I was still staring at it helplessly, struggling to find even one question which I could solve confidently. Not one of them seemed familiar. Every question was new, fresh, complex and annoying - all at the same time. 
 
My relationship with the subject 'Physics' had anyway been that of hatred ever since I was introduced to it. It worsened over the years to the extent. I would get nightmares. I still remember how I shivered when I had to appear for Physics paper in Class XII Board examinations. 
 
Well, this one that I was sitting for was the mother of all engineering entrances: AlEEE. The name has now been altered to Joint Entrance Examination (JEE). After colouring the options randomly in the multiple choice question (MCQ) paper, staring at fellow students wondering what they were busy writing, what was it they knew and I didn't; drinking water three times needlessly; looking out of the window, there was still enough time left for FREEDOM. Three hours had never felt so long before. 
 
Did I tell you yet, the invigilator who was noticing me all this while apparently thought I was trying to cheat. Feeling discomforted, I was once again forced to stare at the question paper. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/9-ways-you-can-turn-a-job-rejection-into-your-biggest-career-strength/articleshow/51714231.cms">ALSO READ: 9 ways you can turn a job rejection into your biggest career strength</a> 
 
But, as I pretended to write, not-very-pleasant thoughts and emotions started bundling up inside and within seconds, unable to hold it anymore, I let the tears out silently, consciously making efforts to not make any sounds. Getting noticed would have been embarrassing. How badly I wanted to vent it all out that day, except that I was in a hall packed with over a 100 students who I had never met before and an emotional breakdown would only end up getting me thrown out of the examination hall. 
I told myself repeatedly "I am just not fit for this field." The sight of my parents waiting outside the exam center made me nervous. They would throw at least a 1,000 questions at me in one breath - "Kaisa tha? Ho jayega? Kitne attempt kiye? ata tha ya nahi?” (How was it, will you crack it, how many questions did you attempt, did you know the answers to the questions?) 
 
How will I look them in the eye? All I would have to offer them would be: "Haan, Theek tha, dekhte hain. (Yeah, it was okay, let's see)." Not very assuring, but by all means, the safest reply. 
 
Such is the pressure students face when they are stuck in a stream which is not best suited for them. Despite the freedom my parents gave me in Class X to choose any stream at my own will, doomed was the day when I got up and said 'OK, I will opt for Science'. 
My decision was the fallout of constant peer pressure, family's growing concerns for me and my inability to understand what I wanted to do in future. 
 
But if I look back, can Class X pass-outs be really blamed if they are clueless about which stream they want to opt for. At 15 years of age, how was I supposed to know if electrical engineering was good for me or if I would be better off as a physiotherapist. Or if I had the potential to become the best fashion designer in the country. And since I didn't know that, how could I decide whether I wanted Science, Humanities or Commerce. 
 
A few of my mother's friends had an answer to it. "Science me 93 aye they na Class X me, Science le lo beta.” (You scored 93 in Science in Class X, opt for Science stream) 
 
I never paid heed to their advice and I still don't think it's a very good idea simply because a child might have loved studying Science in Class X and performed exceptionally well, but might struggle to cope up with the same subject in Class XI, considering the vast difference in the curriculum of both the classes. Same applies for Maths, Chemistry, Biology, English and the others. The basis for choosing a stream, to my understanding, should be based only on a child's interests and capabilities. 
In case, he/she hasn't been able to figure it out, let me say, any amount of grilling by parents, teachers and relatives cannot help him/her discover it in a day or two. It can only lead to pressure, all sorts of it: Peer pressure, pressure to perform at school, in coaching classes, pressure to be at par with 'the neighbour's exceptional kid', pressure to deliver all the time. 
 
In the process, the biggest damage is done to the self confidence. Before parents even realize, in a few cases, the child is already overwhelmed and decides to commit suicide. As unfortunate a decision as it may be, the child is not to be blamed, the parents are. 
 
Life would become so much more easier if instead of panicking at the last moment, parents observe what their kids love doing right from their childhood days, keep a patient ear for the problems they face academically, and most importantly accept them with their capabilities and incapabilities. 
When I saw my friends planning to enroll themselves in engineering coaching classes and aiming to crack IIT, I knew they had a well thought out plan, I didn't. They knew what they liked, I didn't. I couldn't become them, no matter how hard I tried. I was a victim to the constant grilling sessions at home. My parents did not want me to opt for 'Science' and crack IIT like them (or maybe they did but they never imposed it on me), but because they wanted me to tell them 'this is what I want to do' and on not finding that confidence, they felt disheartened, at times irritated also. 
They would then try to show me the "right" direction. Science is a "better" stream, I was advised. And what makes it better? Nobody knew. I later understood it was just the perception around it that makes it better than others. 'SCIENCE' was for the brainy, 'COMMERCE' was for sons and daughters of businessmen, and 'ARTS' was for those who weren't capable of doing anything else. Sometimes, even parents give in to peer pressure. "Sharmaji ke ladke ko dekho, IIT crack kar li. Apne future ka kuch socha hai”(Look at Sharma's son, he has cracked IIT. You waste your time thinking) 
 
No child is unfit for any stream, he/she is just better suited for another field. There lies a huge difference in saying 'You can't do Science' and 'You are more suited for Humanities', the former being condescending and demotivating, also reflecting lack of acceptance, while latter instilling confidence and displaying support. 
 
Recently, during a conversation with my cousin, who will appear for her Class X exams next year, I realized times haven't changed since 2006. 
 
"Relatives come over. Their unnecessary suggestions are depressing," she said, explaining what had happened. 
 
"Beta, kitne number aye Class 10th me. 85%? Haan, Class X toh kaafi easy hota hai, asli time toh ab hai." (How much did you score in Class X? Okay, 85%. Yes, it’s very easy to score marks in X grade, your real test starts now) 
 
It was like revisiting the past. I remembered how I faced similar questions from the so-called well wishers, who would show fake concern and often derive sadistic pleasure out of other's unhappiness. 
 
"Class X ke results toh aa gaye. Kitney aye apki beti ke? (The Board results are out, how much did your daughter score) 
 
"Beta, ab kya plan hai. Doctor banna hai ya engineer? (What’s your plan now, want to become a doctor or engineer) 
 
"Mere bete ke 92 per cent aye hain, apki beti ke?" (My son scored 92%, what about your daughter) 
 
Succumbing to all sorts of pressure, I’d said to my parents back then: "OK, I will opt for Science". I lied to myself and fooled them at the same time. It's pertinent to mention here that all this while if there was one person in this world who repeatedly told me "NO, DON’T EVEN THINK OF ENGINEERING", it was my 'software engineer' brother. 
 
What IRONY! 
 
Well he was sort of right. I was doomed for the next two years. It would require a hundred pages to rant about what I went through those two years and so cut to the most crucial bit: How things unfolded after the horrifying AIEEE exam. 
 
NOT HAVING A PLAN WORKED... 
 
From here, started the next phase: brighter, beautiful, exciting and fun.... 
 I accidentally learnt about <keyword id="58267" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Journalism">Journalism</keyword> course in <keyword id="6360099" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Delhi-University">Delhi University</keyword> during a casual visit to my relatives who were professors at the prestigious institution. In no time, I had already cracked the entrance exams and cleared the interview. As the session began, I found myself enjoying studying media theories. 
 
For all these years, books had become my enemies and suddenly, I realized what it felt like studying with interest. I felt like the caged bird that was let free to explore, learn and fly all by itself. 
 
Looking back, I thank myself for not having a plan. If I had stuck to the stream I was in, probably I would be a ‘suffocated' engineer today. 
 
Yes, the decision to become a journalist came too late for me after having made my share of mistakes. It took me a meeting with dear ones to end up in the field which was best suited for me. For you, it could be something else. 
 
All these years, I have learnt and accepted that the basics of my career have been different from others. I cannot become as exceptional as the neighbour's kid. I can't be like those fellow students who went to IIT coaching classes and are budding engineers today, simply because I am not them, I am me. 
 
And why not having a plan has helped: Because when you don't know what you want to do, you are open to embracing this whole world of options at your disposal based on your likings and disliking. And when you figure out this is what you like and that is what you dislike is when you start making informed choices. Most importantly, if you opt out of it you know only you are to be blamed. 
 
So, if you are stuck in the 'science' stream or any other stream for that matter, for whatever reasons, life hasn't come to an end. There is still hope, don't lose it.

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