Month: September 2012

Categories
Watch

‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ trailer

We missed seeing the classic Shahrukh Khan spreading-his-arms trick. Everything else is, well, to put it mildly, just about meh.
by The Diarist

Within a day of it being uploaded on Youtube, the trailor of Yash Chopra’s forthcoming film Jab Tak Hai Jaan had garnered 15,533 likes.

We mean, come on!

It’s not like this is about to be very revolutionary in terms of plot and treatment. There’s Shahrukh Khan, romancing two women (both really, really younger than him) and looking quite the dude on a bike with fuzz on his face. We think he needs to put on some weight first, but it was nice to see him after a long while. We have, naturally, blanked out the disaster that was Ra.One. As far as we are concerned, that film did not happen to us at all. *suppresses shudder*

 

Interestingly, nobody in the entire trailor says a single line of dialogue, while Shahrukhbhai mouths off some lovely lines throughout. We were very thrilled with this development. We will probably watch this film with a heavy heart when it releases on November 13, owing mostly to leading lady Katrina Kaif’s presence in it. And while nothing can be done about her being in the actual film, we are about to throw a party over the joyful blessing of not having to hear her say a word in Hindi at least in the promo. May we reiterate at this point that apart from admitting she is really pretty, we have always been flummoxed by the blankness of her on-screen presence?

We’re guessing that in the film, Shahrukh uncle gets jilted by one girl and shacks up with another, the another being Anushka Sharma. We like Anushka a lot, especially how tall she is, and the fact that she is probably playing a news cameraperson (considering how Shahrukh leaps out at her while something explodes just behind them. She is seen holding a camera, which was how we guessed her probable profession.) Meanwhile, Katrina prances about all over the promo looking gorgeous and showing off a pair of toned legs.

Nothing about this promo surprised or stunned us. Well, except for the soundtrack, which is the handiwork of A R Rahman. If we didn’t know who the composer was, we would have guessed Salim Suleiman. Yes, that is a broad hint.

All in all, not being diehard Shahrukh Khan or Yash Chopra fans, we were left cold by this one. We’re not expecting much from the film, either. And no, we’re not ending this piece with a contrived Jab Tak Hai Jaan, Jab Tak Hai Jaan, because we think the film’s title is stupid.

The Diarist is a film junkie, and if you’re reading this, chances are you are too. If you’ve noticed a  new promo or film worth checking out, write to The Diarist at thediarist@themetrognome.in.

 

Categories
Watch

The ‘Talaash’ trailer

Aamir Khan always hugs his projects close to his chest (and probably locks them in his bank vault before release). So it’s nice to see a trailer that actually makes the wait for his next film slightly worthwhile

by The Diarist/ thediarist@themetrognome.in

At the very start, let us say that we liked this promo. No, it’s not a very slick one or anything, but it gives away just enough to hook you.

 

It was also nice to know that Aamir plays a not-so-young (or scrupulous) cop in this one, though we still think he’s a little tiny to convincingly look the part. Also, his moustache enters the room before he does. However, this film seems to be a crime thriller, or at least a serious police drama, so we’re guessing that these obvious anomalies will be forgotten a few minutes into the storytelling.

A film actor’s speeding car crashes into the sea, and obviously, by the time the car is fished out, the man is dead. But is this really an accident? Meanwhile, there are other characters in the background – call girl/escort Rosy (played by Kareena Kapoor, hinting that she can help with the case and then canoodling with the inspector in a hotel room), the inspector’s wife (Rani Mukerji in seen-before victim mould. She plays the wronged wife, from what we gather) and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who obviously knows something about the case.

We are still a wee bit apprehensive about booking tickets for this film when it releases on November 13, because director Reema Kagti’s first outing, Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd., is a film we still haven’t understood. Of course, Aamir would weed out any ambiguities or elements that displease him in the film, so we’re betting on his sense (read: constant butting into every aspect of the film’s creation) to take this one home safe.

May we add that after the blitzkrieg of Heroine’s promotions, we were thoroughly sick of seeing Kareena’s face, albeit for a few moments only. A similar hailstorm of promotions was not planned around Aiyya, so Rani Mukerji still engaged us. Aamir did not really engage, but at least he’ll have worked hard on the role. What we want to see is Nawaz playing a strong character, on par with Aamir’s (yes, surely we jest) and how his role plays out in the face of all the others.

All in all, we’ll go watch this one with a little trepidation. We hope we won’t be disappointed.

The Diarist is a film junkie, and if you’re reading this, chances are you are too. If you’ve noticed a  new promo or film worth checking out, write to The Diarist at thediarist@themetrognome.in.

 

 

Categories
Places

So I can’t swim, okay?

If you’re not a swimmer, don’t snorkel. I tried it, and returned with ears full of water and mocking laughter.

by The Traveller/thetraveller@themetrognome.in

It was a bright morning, and though it was ridiculously hot, there was also the occasional cooling breeze. I was at Tarkarli, a lovely little village-town nestling with one of the most popular beaches in Sindhudurg, and our cottage owner had arranged for us to go snorkelling.

“But I don’t know how to swim,” I declared the moment the snorkelling guy came into view, but he brushed all objections aside. “Humare log hain na,” he said helpfully, and I thought, Okay, there are people to help, it’s not like I’ll drown. The guy took us on a long walk to a little beach where his boats were stationed and his people ready to roll with the morning’s first snorkelers. In the off-season (we went in February) the man charged us Rs 250 per head for an hour of snorkelling near the Sindhudurg Fort.

First, he guided us to his house, where a changing room had an assortment of swimming trunks and bathing suits in bags. Picking out our swimming regalia, (I’ve always felt legwala bathing costumes are foolish) we hopped on to the boat and went away with four other guys towards the snorkelling site, near the famed Fort. All the men handling these boats are fishermen, and they take up these jobs when they’re not out fishing.

Within minutes, we were there and instructed to insert the breathing tube in our mouths and clap the goggles over our heads. So far, so oh my God. My heart was thumping as I stepped off a little ladder into the blue water, my toes touching the freezing ocean. As my skin goose pimpled and my breath came out in short rasps, the guy helping me down the ladder dropped a bombshell.

“Put your head underwater and come out inside the orange ring,” he said helpfully, and silly me thought that was nothing. But here’s the thing – when I put my head underwater, a large amount of the ocean entered the breathing tube directly into my mouth.

Sputtering, I cleared out my breathing tube and tried again. This time, I felt like I was about to die – the water was so deep, I had no idea how to even keep myself afloat if the guy let to of my hand to scratch his nose, and anyway, all of this was in aid of what? To spot a few stupid fish?

Shaking my head, nose inches away from the water, I said, “No.”

“No?” he said, puzzled. “Are you afraid?”

“Yes,” I said without shame. The shame came moments later when a passing boatload of tourists, who had been interestedly watching my progress into the water, burst into hoots of laughter when I climbed back in the boat and sat there as if cast in stone. I didn’t look around at them, didn’t even scowl. I just reached for my camera and pretended like I had hired a boat on that glorious morning just to take photographs.

Do you have an interesting travel story? Write to thetraveller@themetrognome.in and describe your experience.

 

Categories
Watch

A (c)ode to music

QR Codes have been in use since 1994, but Indian television used them for the first time ever this month.

by Prashant Shankarnarayan | prashant@themetrognome.in

They are on websites, newspapers, tattoos, cornfields and even graves. QR Codes have become ubiquitous since their invention in 1994, but strangely, barring a few exceptions, television has often refused to touch them. And quintessentially, Indian television too has delayed using these codes in its programmes.

But hopefully, that will change post leading music channel 9XM’s successful adaptation of QR Codes on their latest music video,  Taal Pranaam, which released during the Ganpati festivities this year. The Ganesh Chaturthi special video featured Taufiq Qureshi’s band Mumbai Stamp, that explores new rhythmic horizons using trash material like bins, tin boxes, cans and buckets. The QR code on the song is directly linked to the band’s YouTube page.

Considering that it had never been tried by an Indian channel till then, 9XM had its apprehensions about pasting the QR Code on the song but repeated successful tests encouraged them to go ahead with it. This innovation might not stop the debate on whether QR codes are apt for television or not but for now, Indian television has taken that one step forward in further integrating art with technology. The video was shot in-house by the channel and directed by Sunder Venketraman, content head, and it appeared as ‘9XM features Mumbai Stamp’ performing a specially-composed song for Ganesh Chaturthi.

How it works for TV

– The QR code appears on the screen throughout the music video.

– Hold your smartphone in front of the QR code and it will direct you to 9XM’s You Tube page.

(QR code scanners are easily available for downloads free of cost.)

What it did

The QR Code was used 226 times in 10 days, way better than it was expected to do. Said Amar Tidke, senior vice-president and head of content, 9X Media Group, “What we wanted to do was to make the video more accessible and viral through technology, and reach out further to people on this festive occasion.” It did that, what with the video being aired regularly throughout the duration of the festival for 12 days. The video was also heavily promoted across the group’s digital communities.

Prashant Shankarnarayan was a part of the team at 9XM that conceptualised the idea.

Categories
Become

‘In an online shop, you invest in people’

Monica Gupta runs Craftsvilla.com with her husband Manoj. She tells The Metrognome what it takes to run a business in the online space and how sound basics will ensure success in business

By The Editors/ editor@themetrognome.in

When and why did you decide to venture into the arts and crafts space?

I have been brought up in an environment wherein crafts were an integral part of the family routine. My mother used to do painting and embroidery regularly, while we as kids were asked to make the best out of waste products. My stay in the Unites States brought me closer to India and Indian culture. My road trip to Kutch (in —-) was the final decisive step towards deciding to take on art and craft as a business venture with a social heart.

Though e-commerce is growing in India, the typical Indian shopping mindset is to see the products first-hand and then commit to a purchase. How challenging has this been in terms of selling handicrafts online?

It is very challenging, but our past customer experience and our customer protection programme helps the customer to trust us and buy from us.

What is the working model of Craftsvilla.com?

Sellers register on Craftsvilla.com and upload the products. We have a very simple upload format. We then check the seller’s details and the products that are uploaded. After confirming all the details, we approve the products and the shop. They get an email as soon as their products are sold and the amount is transferred to their bank account within 21 days of the order. The seller has to ship the products within five days of the order and update the tracking number. The customer has a right to get a refund if the product is not shipped within the timeline. A customer also gets a refund if the product is not as per the given description, or is received in a damaged state.

Are you also involved with Kribha Handicrafts?

Kribha handicrafts is the company which manages the Craftsvilla.com website.

What was your professional background before you started the site? How has it helped you conceptualise and manage the site?

I have an MS in accounting from San Diego State University from the US. Before founding Craftsvilla.com, I was actively involved in the handicrafts industry in India for three years. I have extensively travelled across India, including the remote areas of Gujarat and Rajasthan, and I built strong relationships with multiple artisans and organizations, including Gram Shree, Kalaraksha, Sahaj and Sadhna. I have a very good understanding of categories like women’s clothing and accessories like bags.

Many e-commerce sites do not attract an appreciable uptick in sales despite heavy branding and marketing. What have you done differently with Craftsvilla.com?

Craftsvilla.com guarantees the lowest prices for all categories on the website, as manufacturers directly sell online with us and the middlemen’s commission is taken out altogether. Like we have earrings for as low as Rs 9 and sarees for as low as Rs. 99. Our customer protection programme also guarantees that customers get the right products at the right prices. Customer satisfaction helps us get them back and also in getting new members.

Are there any plans to open Craftsvilla stores?

We have no plans in the near future to open physical stores, as they have a limitation of space and hence the number of choices that we can give to our customers.

What is the overall size of your company?

We have 76 members in the Craftsvilla family at three different locations, and more than 1,000 vendor shops including 45 artisans and NGOs.

Are the overall costs of running the company lower in the online space, than if you were running a store?

The costs for online and offline are no different. In an offline store, you invest more in the space while in online shop you have to invest more in people.

For a person wishing to start a venture such as yours, what are some of the factors he/she would need to consider before they start?

It is necessary to have some basic field knowledge (of the industry) and an initial capital of around 10 lakhs. All business ventures require 100 per cent of your dedication and time.

Lastly, what is your mantra for a successful business venture?

There is no single success mantra. A business becomes successful when you have a good team working dedicatedly, a good and ethical business model and sufficient capital. Just take care of your customers, vendors, investors and employees and they will help you grow.

 

 

 

Categories
Trends

More men use smartphones than women

Pic courtesy surfmobee.com

Study finds interesting correlations between smartphone usage and education, gender; North India leads in overall usage

by The Diarist/ thediarist@themetrognome.in

Yes, smartphones are in. And a recent study tells us exactly how in and why.

A recently-published study, ‘Smartphone incidence in urban India’ across the country by AC-Nielsen, conducted in the first quarter of this year, reveals some surprising truths about how the nation is using its smartphones. While North India leads the smartphone race, with one in every 10 being the owner of a smartphone (11 per cent incidence as per sample size), West India has an eight per cent incidence of usage. The East and South India account for six per cent usage.

What’s more, the study says, ‘While one out of every 10 men owns a smartphone, the figure is less than half for women’.

Another interesting statistic we found was that, as per the report, ‘those who have completed post-graduation in a professional stream are most likely to acquire and use a smartphone. 17 per cent fall in this category, while the figure is 12 per cent for those who are still in college.’

The stats for usage patterns are also illuminating:

– 87% use it for online searches

– 80% use it for social networking

– 72% chat and use webmail

– 59% stream videos, maps and navigation

– 30% use it for banking, travel and shopping

– 25% use it for mobile TV

There are a staggering 27 million mobile users in the country, of which nine per cent are smartphone users.

The Diarist is always on the lookout for trends in business and technology. If you have an insight to share, write to thediarist@themetrognome.in.

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