Trump Ain't The Word

I find the ain't word hard to believe. Just like the way Donald J. Trump believes he can make America great again. While the world questions his passion, I am still thinking why has the ain't word being called the most stigmatised word in English caption. As Wikipedia says that it appears in all nonstandard English dialects, I find a distinct flair of Trump's equivalence. Used by many cultivated speakers from artificial clans, doesn't the Presidential nominee's classist comments ring a controversial bell? If you ain't seen nothing yet then perhaps his contender's popular phrases will surely help in satirising his rhetorical hard-to-believe spell. But if you are still rigid as his hardened hairline then doing just a quick #ElectionDay Twitter search would work wonders in equating his usage with a sense of informal farewell.

Sands of Phygital Times

Camel being used in the Ad
Pic courtesy: content.indiainfoline.com 

Just when you thought that the physical and digital marketing space has seen it all, TataCLIQ.com came up with an actual camel focused #SureThing campaign! From apparel and electronics to footwear, it showcases the authenticity of original products with a quirky C.A.M.E.L. (Certified Authentic Merchandise Everybody Loves) signage.

TataCLIQ.com's SureThing logo unit
Pic courtesy: indiantelevision.com

To generate a buzz, TataCLIQ.com released announcer films in 3 stages:

1. Unwrapping A Story: Centred around Real Good Brands at Feel Good Prices tagline, this 10 second film features a woman placing a bubble wrap over a sitting camel. The homely background contrasted with the presence of an actual camel creates a striking contrast in the minds of consumers. The introduction of Get The Oont song complements the buzzing curiosity and has managed to generate 206,448+ views since 30 May, 2016!

2. A Clickworthy Sight: To build momentum on the buzz, the camel takes us from his humble human home to a photographer's studio! Resonating with the glamorous life of celebrities and camel's evident ignorance, the 155,67+ viewed video acts as an antithesis of sensational products being easily available on TataCLIQ.com! 

Pic courtesy: pbs.twimg.com

3. Made To Perfection: The nature of providing only selective C.A.M.E.L. products can best be highlighted through the Get The Oont backed 20 second video. Having a tester measure the various angles and sides of our by now famous camel, TataCLIQ.com's #SureThing campaign highlights the dedication that goes behind premiering its products.

Unveiling The C.A.M.E.L.: It wasn't long before TataCLIQ.com released its maiden 1 minute #SureThing film. Right from skirt and suit, sneaker and boot to HD television, grinder and earphones, the camel replaces them all in various situations to signify the availability of only Certified Authentic Merchandise Everybody Loves products in a smart and yet cool way!

Overall, the 2 day campaign managed to receive more than 1 million views on its main advertisement and #SureThing hashtag remained a trending topic of Twitter for more than 6 hours! 

Make sure to check TataCLIQ.com's various C.A.M.E.L. certified apparel, electronics and footwear products for experiencing that #SureThing feeling!

-siddheshgarg

KASHISH 2016 | Movie Review

Movie: Trade Queen | 7 min

pic courtesy: madisz.ro 

Country: Germany (2015)

Director: David Wagner

Ordinary sales men by day, extraordinary excitement by night! Mr. Jonas and Mr. Schmidt have boring and normal day jobs and go to every door selling pots. They add life to their lives by Mr. Jonas spending his evening drinking whiskey and in pubs whereas Mr. Schmidt turns himself into a drag queen!

Shot in black and white format with no dialogues, this 7 minutes film will certainly keep you awake and make you do some soul-searching.

Movie: No Matter Who (A Qui La Faute) | 19 minutes

pic courtsey: prod3.agileticketing.net

Country: France (2015)
Director: Anne-Claire Jaulin
Cast:
Ilys Barillot as Marie (Alpha female/Bully)
Louisiane Gouverneur as Lise

A Kiss That Changed Everything! When a French girls scout go on a trail, Lise who is a lesbian becomes the centre of attraction as the alpha girl of the group kisses her in the woods. Being docile and sweet, Lise soon finds herself being ridiculed and outcasted from the troop.

Adding to the severity of the abuse, Lise is awakened in the middle of the night and taken deep into the forest, tied to a tree and her long mane chopped as a sign of punishment.

When the movie ends with the ring leader finding herself facing Lise's intense glare, the movie brilliantly portrays the juxtaposition of the abuse being fought with confidence and silencing hatred by doing what defines you!

Awards:
Festival du Film de Cabourg
Best Actresses: Ilys Barillot & Louisiane Gouverneur

North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
Best Women’s International Short Film

Movie: He Who Has Two Souls (Celui Qui A Deux Âmes) | 17 minutes

pic courtesy: studio-wasia.com

Country: France (2015)
Director: Fabrice Luang-Vija
Music: Terje Isungset 

Fantasising on men and women, Fabrice Luang-Vija's He Who Has Two Souls gives life to a man's dilemma. Living in a snowy wonderland, the hero is beautiful as a woman and handsome as a man. The interludes of repeated animated stills of his confusion adds volumes to his gender fluid mindset.

His desire of being with someone who understands that sometimes he wishes to sow or sometimes go out in the cold and hunt for fishes resonates with the feeling of being accepted that lingers in the minds of each and every one.

Awards:
Yoram Gross Award for Best International Short Animation (Academy® Accredited) at Flicker Fest

More to come for Sunday's movies at Kashish Film Festival 2016! Stay tuned. 

-siddheshgarg

Morals of A Bengali Fakir Story

Women who give birth to Muslims are not circumcised themselves,
Women who give birth to Brahmins do not wear the sacred thread.

Pic courtesy: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/JkNgeFKkHUM/maxresdefault.jpg

   A rhyme of Islamic learning, a poem going beyond mosques and spiritual teaching and a musical celebrating the journey of reaching divinity forms the essence of Bishar Blues documentary. Resonating on to the beats of Bengali homeland, Amitabh Chakraborty showcases the life of Bengali Fakirs in reelity. 

   Recording amidst the rhythm of ignored boroughs of West Bengal, these fakirs echo the universal knowledge of Marfat that is a Muslim community far from the mainstream practices of Shariat. The very essence goes back to the age-old baritones of Islam which by-passes the materialistic route between man and The Almighty.  Unlike the powerful Muslims, the simplistic living of the Prophet and succeeding Khalifas was the reason they could strike a connection with Allah.

   Mansoor Fakir who is one of the spiritual stars of this Partha Barman's discography reminisces the times when his devout Muslim father threw away the veil system within his Pathan rooted family. Further to this, his father created an ashram and would sing the songs of enlightenment with his fellow Hindu brothers.

People who have knowledge of the self know how God's workshop functions.

   Expanding the thread of knowing the inner you can lead to reaching God, this Best Non-Feature National Film Award recipient highlights the tales of brotherhood and building a link with the Almighty. With minimal Amit Debnath and Amitabh's edits, the film showcases the ethnic and geographical mix of Islam through Marfat's songs brilliantly. 

-siddheshgarg

A Hilton Indulgence

Remember the time when you craved for something exquisite, something that took more than a try to pronounce it or made your group envious with a background of someplace splendid? Make that moment more impressive by indulging in an all-you-can-eat buffet at The Brasserie.

A five minute drive from the international terminal of Mumbai, The Brasserie lies within the quaint little summer house of Hilton. The 19th century styled lounge with contrasting hues of dark woods and cream coloured art deco setting changes your posture and spoils your bad mood instantly. As you make your way to The Brasserie, the hugely ornate bay windows and the extensive buffet spread adds layers to your luxurious appetite before you finally dig in.

Green Peas Mousse: Bring in the Spring with every spoonful of peas with parmesan crisp. Seasoned off with lavash olives, the acidity is a great way to start your evening.

Milk Strawberry: Before you down a daiquiri or a wine, prep your heart with the milky goodness of a strawberry shooter. As quick as your countdown to 1, 2 and 3, the shooter was reasonably good and a classic.

Boulangerie potato: Lean, mean and full of protein! Roll you tongue with the meltingly soft potatoes glazed with rich flavours of black pepper and hints of thyme.

Thin-crusted pizzas: Topped with elemental cheese, pepperoni, red-pepper flakes and chopped basil, the vegetarian pizza was strictly average and did nothing to match the Hilton experience.

Desserts: All things sugar, all things nice make one eat more day and night! If the beaten whipped cream and shades of Trio Chocolate Mousse did not tease your guilty buds then the Spicy Choco Bar and Dilbahar definitely would. Though the Pineapple Cheesecake in a graham cracker and beaten cream wasn't bad, it was the cinnamon sprinkled Bread Pudding that took you to heaven in every mouthful.

Wine: The whiff of cherry and bell peppers in every sip of cabarent sauvignon wine beautifully ended the meal with acidic flavours and soft tannins.

Overall, The Brasserie was an experience that was high on price and fair good treats. If you are looking for a late night meal and money is not your worry then head over to this shimmery restaurant for a Hilton indulgence. 

Sun, Sea and Mughlai

When your eyes become wider at the very thought of crispy papadums, taste buds cackle louder than the commotion at Udupi restaurant and the cash in your wallet becomes too hot to handle, Crystal in Chowpatty shines brighter than a food knight in budget armour shield!

Situated near Wilson College, this sea-facing restaurant is sure to bring out every raw  emotion of the next door agony aunt. While the decor may take you to a 80s Bollywood film set, the food taste will show you a shortcut to heaven.

Someone wise had said, "Don't judge Crystal by its limited North Indian menu." And that was yours truly.

The October heat was enough to strip one's makeup to basic foundation and a bite of Crystal's masala papadum could make you sing a Daler Mehndi song. Layered with diced onions, seasoned cilantro and zesty flavoured tomatoes, their black gram papadums was a great start to pin down the weather in the very first round. Ordering Mutter Paneer was strong on cinnamon and garam masala and would help your date to invite you home.

If you wish to avoid that "long awkward moment of silence" then try guessing the 5-6 different veggies in their Korma. Your time will go as smooth as their crispy buttered rotis down your throat. One shouldn't miss the kheer which entices you with its all-day bubbling vat at the entrance and taste of rich nuts and refreshing cream.

A reasonable billing of 250 rs. will bring an euphoric feeling which even Bachelor's Green Chilli Ice Cream nearby can't  beat. So head over to Crystal for a little bit of sun, sea and Mughlai.

-siddheshgarg

The Homecoming of Spicy Mughlai

   If it's a Saturday night and you are starving then all you need is some spicy Mughlai. If your stomach is growling for some Chicken dressed in layers of mayonnaise then all you need is a Fusion Chicken Sandwich. If you haven't gorged on cubes of cottage cheese flavoured with Indian spices then all you need is a Kadhai Paneer. If that inner desi in your longs for home-cooked styled Rotis then all you need is Box8's Missi Roti.

Kadhai Paneer, Fusion Chicken Sandwich and Missi Rotis

   Digging into the jeera-flavoured chicken with those perfectly charred onions was enough to satiate my desi craving but I got tongue-tied when I plunged myself into their flavourful Paneer curry. The bowl is more than enough for one and offers a budget-friendly deal with its pricing of 108 rupees. If they could add more of cinnamon in it, the curry would have been nothing but absolutely perfect!

   Also, if they could take out the Chole from their Dilli Chole Box and offer them as a separate dish then this would be a runaway hit! Maybe adding them into a sandwich, styled in a dressing of mayonnaise? Possibly!

Their delivery was quicker than expected. A 38-minute guarantee surely spikes your stomach and goes for a toss with their much awaited serving. The delivery guy came within time and gave my treasure of desi cuisine with a smile.

   If the best part of my day had arrived then it was without question this doorstep meal service!

   A special mention to their Rotis. The hand-tossed Missis were soft and went well with the curry. If it was for just myself, I would trade the rotis with some steamed rice in my daily meals. Nevertheless, the food dishes at Box8 were tasty and made me asking for more for its spicy Mughali!

  Their pricing is fairly economical and won't burn a major hole in your bulging pocket. 2 Rotis for 25 rupees is reasonable and ordering 2 of them along with a bowl of curry fills your tummy easily.

   Out and about, Box8 is an emerging doorstep Indian food service which is making heads turn with its speedy 38-minute guarantee service. It's authentic Indian food is sure to get your tongue rolling with those zesty flavours and fulfilling quantities. If you haven't got a taste of their amazing desi cuisine then you haven't experienced the joys of having amazing Mughlai in your belly.

   On a parting note, the next time you make your Mother taste it, don't be surprised to hear, "Delicious Mughlai and Superb Delivery!"

-siddheshgarg