RIFLE RANGE BOY

Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai  (a.k.a. Bandaa; A Common Man, Hindi; 2023) Director: Apoorv Singh Karki It is not about being religious or anti-religious, especially when it comes to a crime committed by a godman. Just because one utters something in favour of the accused does not mean he condones the accused's actions. Conversely, saying something against the victim does not indicate victim-blaming.  This point becomes very relevant in the present-day context when we discuss the Hamas versus Israeli issue. Many join the increasing bandwagon and assert that if one does not condemn the Israeli retaliation (defence), one does not empathise with the Palestinian course but supports the Israeli killing of civilians and children. Never mind that Hamas is a terrorist group; they drew first blood (this time around) and used civilian human shields to defend themselves. Never mind that Israelites have to protect themselves, too. Life is not straightforward. The film is based on a true event. ...

We carry the burdens of our ancestors. At least, that is my understanding of how life works. In my simple mind, we suffer for the mistakes of our ancestors and the misdeeds or inaction of the past leaders. Conversely, we prosper and enjoy the reason for our existence from their farsightedness. I was taught to believe, as the picture of life painted by my mother as I was exposed to the lessons in life, that when we do 'good things', we will be rewarded in due time. Somewhere somehow our good deeds will be returned, directly or indirectly. Then I discovered that you do 'good things' because it is the only humane thing to do. Later came the talk of karma and its nuances of how 'evil' actions, like Newton's Law, has a correspondingly counter re-action which may affect your descendants. Now, these people tell me that every person is an island. Everyone is responsible for his own actions or inactions and his 'soul' has to answer for it in this life o...

Paatha Kaanikai (Humble Offering, Tamil; 1962) This YouTube snippet (see below) has been making its round amongst the Tamil speaking and Tamil song loving WhatsApp groups in Malaysia, after the recently concluded 14th General Elections. Netizens, after mumbling their grunt of discontent under their breaths all this while, suddenly have a breath of fresh air. With their newfound cyber freedom, they let their hair down; ridiculing the doyens who held the realm for more than half a century and making tongue-in-cheek one-liners at their expense. After suffering in silence the antics of tyrannic leaders and sycophants, people have come out in droves to voice their discontent. This song is a constant reminder that even the thickest of the hide of a mighty elephant would feel the pain of a whip. Mortal Man cannot be so haughty to think that he is unsinkable.   This song, like the many, which were penned by Tamil movie song composers of the 1950s through to...

Killer hung, let the victim's soul rest in peace! Justice prevails! I was aghast by these captions found on many sane people's FB statuses. Maybe I am the insane one. People who were displaced from countries have forgiven their tormentors and planted their roots and had gone on with their lives. Victims of attempted genocides have recovered from their shock, thanked their lucky stars and are smelling the flowers now. The abuse victims have taken a grasp of themselves and tried to erase the past, albeit with great difficulty, and moved forward. Orphans have forgiven God for their predicament and thank the general public for giving them a helping hand. People affected by MH370 have come to terms that their loved ones are gone for good. Theories were creative speculations of self-proclaimed experts with halos, inflated egos and empty vessels with mere thoughts. Given a choice, if a genie were to appear granting three wishes, one of them would be to know what actually happ...