Rajni- The 'King of em' all

Recently I had the chance to go through a Times of India spotlight on 'Our Rajni' and some of the facts mentioned there especially the numbers looked like as though they were picked up straight from the earnings profile of a leading Hollywood actor. 17 Crores I.Rs for the last Chandramukhi movie and upwards of 20+ Crores including profit sharing and distribution rights for the next 'Shivaji' movie of Director Sankar and next only to Jackie Chan in the all time Asia movie pay roll.

Staggering statistics for a Tamil Hero that too spritual, 50+aged, simple dark looking man who just does not care about image or looks and spends half the time in some remote snow laden caves in Himalayas with a rustic dress and a un shaven white beard, only a clean family record to boot and no publicity what so ever. Compare the scene with the hyped up Khans of the Bollywood industry who always are conscious of their make ups and looks and have a huge macho image and some glamorous co stars for company. They are always caught up in some controversy or other all the time including divorces, failed weddings, hit and run cases and wild life violations. They all still end up with average earnings of 6-7 Crores per movie and put together can't still reach that magical 20 crore mark of Rajni.

What makes him click ? I still can't find that elusive answer to that question. May be some of you can?

RK

World Cup Football Fever

The WC is on at full swing with the KO rounds commencing from today. I am no exception to the rule and get glued to the big screen in the evenings in some of the large local shopping malls which provide a festival atmosphere. England, Brazil, France, Germany, Spain and Argentina as expected have all qualified to the next round with few surprises like Ghana, Australia also in the pack. Somehow so far except the last match Brazil has flattered to deceive and their performance as compared to the pre tournament hype has been a total disappointment. Ronaldino, Ronaldo, Kaka have all been a shadow of their past as also stars like Beckham, Henry, Ziedane and Owen. Less said about the English team the better as have somehow managed to snatch victory from defeat even with the smaller teams like the Saco warriors from Caribbean. I won't be surprised if Brazil, England and France get knocked out in next round of 16 or the quarter finals. Looks like all these heavenly guys are great when they play for their respective clubs but are brought back to earth when they combine as a team with their other lesser known players. That's the greatness of a team sport like football.

Except when it comes to India- Australia matches I am a great Aussie fan and would back them all the way to the cup though they are rank outsiders at this moment. The sheer stamina, never say die attitude and their aggressive innovative approach of the Aussies would win them the coveted title sooner than later. No doubt they are one of the greatest all round sporting nations ever in contemporary sports today. Portugal, Argentina and Germany going by the last fortnight form also are serious contenders. KSA and Tunisia all booked their return flight back home and the huge armies of Arabic supporters have nothing to cheer for from now on except to root for Brazil.

Some of my fav Beckham jokes before I sign off
Q: What would David Beckham's name be if he was a Spice Girl?
A: Waste of Spice
Q: What do the England football team and Posh Spice both have in common?
A: They've both been sc......d by David Beckham.
Q: What's the difference between David Beckham and Posh?
A: Posh Spice doesn't kick back when she's taken from behind.

RK

Tigers at Home- Cats abroad???

I was resisting myself not to write about the Indian performance until the ODI series was complete for fear of giving an overdose of cricket. Can't resist any more. The myth and euphoria of meaningless wins in the sub continent on typical flat pitches where 300+ was the minimum scoring norm has been blown to pieces with another pathetic batting display. Most of the batsmen on view committed the same age old mistake of flirting around the off stump and were reduced to feet less wonders who simply poked at balls outside their perennial bogey of off stump as if they were giving catch practice around the gully and cover cordon. The results as expected were consistent with the 4-1 Caribbean wash. Once they lost the close first match it was Lara's team all the way waking up from the slumber of 8th spot to defeat the home lions who had somehow managed the third spot winning matches in home conditions chasing 250+ scores with delight on bowler's graveyards .Hope Chappell and company take the criticism in their stride the same way they had taken all the laurels for winning and try to find ways of winning abroad before even talking of a unlikely World cup victory
Looks like the trend continues in the test matches going by the first day of the series. Cricket is a funny game based on form and not class as other wise how can the tour selection committee justify dropping of Pathan who in the recent past was hailed as the greatest all rounder in the making for India after Kapil Dev. Tendulkar's recent interview to Cric info raises more questions than answers on when he would come back and why he withdrew at the last minute before the fitness test. Only the great man knows if at all he will come back to international cricket and when??

Dravid's pre tour assessment that this was the best ever opportunity to win a series abroad now looks a distant dream lost in the loud Caribbean Calypso music and dance parties in the midst of those huge scantily dressed attractive(?) females smoking and drinking to glory

RK