Follo.in - The One-Stop Shop for Bollywood Dope

In a country divided by religious beliefs, Bollywood is perhaps the only unifying factor that succeeds in evoking familiar feelings among all countrymen. Given it's all encompassing wake, even Cricket, another strong cohesive force, comes a close second. Planning to disagree ? Grab some caffeine and jog up your grey cells to recall those India-Pakistan matches which just about manage to make people switch allegiances . I rest my case without any room for further arguments.

For most of us, our daily dose of Bollywood news is sacrosanct. Whether it is a newspaper column, a movie glossy, TV channel or even your favorite RJ, we suck up these tidbits about our favorite movie stars, their professional lives or personal shenanigans with much eagerness. But if you have ever wished for that one-stop source that could update one on all the latest filmy 'gupshup' and even more, here comes your answer in the form of follo.in. It has all the news that you ever wanted to know plus exciting movie quizzes and a chance to win some autographed paraphernalia. So what are you waiting for ? Head out to follo.in and get your daily dose of latest Bollywood news. And don't forget to download the Follo App that lets you connect with your favorite celebs.

But coming back to the chauvinistic ways of Bollywood, things could take quite an interesting turn if the director's baton be passed on the likes of Farah Khan, Zoya Akhtar for remaking some popular movies. And to add more punch to girl-power, the lead (read 'male') protagonists would be replaced by kick-ass actresses like Kangana Ranaut, Richha Chaddha or even our 'desi' girl ( now almost settled in 'videsh' ) Priyanka Chopra.

Here is a list of movies that I hope would come up with an 'Estrogen' laden makeover -

1. Dil Chahta Hai - Replacing the trio of boys Aamir Khan, Akshaya Khanna and Saif Ali, it would be fun to watch an all-girl gang handle the rather tangled ropes of love and relationships. Not to forget the fun-tastic road trip that adds to the movie's charm. Any guesses about the casting ? I would bet on Priyanka Chopra, Richa Chaddha and Kareena Kapoor.

2. Three Idiots - There are enough female students in engineering colleges who would vote to an encore of this cult movie, albeit with an all female cast. Unlike popular perception, the girls in Engineering do have their share of fun. It's time someone explored the territory. I would put my money on the trio of Kangana Ranaut, Deepika Padukone and Shraddha Kapoor to go justice to this one.

3. Agent Vinod - Everytime I see one of these swashbuckling capers, I instinctively yearn for a 'desi version of Lara Croft. While there have been a few movies recently where the actress got to do some amazing stunts, none of them have been comparable to this phenomenal Hollywood character. Sunny Leone packs in the right attitude to play this deadly beauty though Priyanka Chopra comes close after her 'Quantico' success.

4. Andaz Apna Apna - Though it was not labelled as a hit, this endearing movie has made it to the list of favorites for many. The sheer comic timing of Aamir Khan and Salman Khan is unforgettable at the best. Considering that not many female actresses get to explore this genre, I would bet my money on Alia Bhatt and Parineeti Chopra to add a few more interesting gags to the laugh riot.

For more such crazy takes on Bollywood and the celebrities, do check out follo.in .

Or connect via their social media handles -

FB – Follocelebs 
Twitter - @Follocelebs 
YouTube – Follocelebs 

Book Review : The Tantric Curse ( Anupama Garg ) / Rupa Publications

"We do not fear the unknown.

  We fear what we think we know about the unknown." - Teal Swan

Tantric traditions undeniably fall into the second category. Much reviled for centuries and feared by masses, Tantrics are assumed to be loners who cast blood-curdling spells on hapless people. This book is an attempt to dispel such myths as it charts the course taken by the life of a female Tantrik.

The story of Rhea and Krishnam is one set in today's world and yet it regresses just enough to accommodate the internal workings in a realm inhabited by the Tantrics or seekers of the spiritual. Their initial days of friendship, the seamless transformation as they go through teenage and finally the maturity with which they seal their relationship is beautifully narrated in a language that is easy and flowing. 

Rhea's interaction with people from outside the 'sadhanasthal' is also beautifully documented. Her school friends reluctance to visit Rhea's residence, the fear that her background evokes among the college crowd and finally the balanced approach taken by her to 'cure' her patients speak volumes about the skewered perceptions of the masses regarding what can be defined as 'psychic powers'.

The twist in the plot due to which Rhea is separated from Krishnam and which makes way for Dr Vishnukant to enter their lives is handled with tenderness. The relationship between Rhea and the latter has a dignified angle to it and somehow works with the given story-line.

There are detailed explanations on each and every aspect of Tantra and Hinduism in almost every chapter. But they are integrated into the narrative in such a manner that they might as well be a part of the plot instead of being speed-breakers. 

Inspite of my earlier misgivings regarding a book based on a 'Tantric' plot, I thoroughly enjoyed it! It manages to portray relationships in all their simplicity and complexity at the same time even as it does a fair job of introducing the principles of Tantra. Though it fails to breach that barrier required for me to deem it as 'thought provoking', it is immensely enjoyable. I read it in the small gap ( I would rather call it a breather ) between two heavy weights ( Murakami and Orhan Pamuk ). And for a change, I have to admit that at times simple things can really feel refreshing ! Not revealing much of the storyline as that will make it a spoiler.

Read this one without any prejudices and you will love it !

Disclaimer - The book was sent over by the PR team for a review. However the opinions expressed are solely my own. 

Book Review(s) : Little Vinayak / Monkeys On A fast (Karadi Tales)

"Children see magic because they look for it." - Christopher Moore

Childhood is indeed magical because children possess that unique ability to believe, to trust and most importantly, to accept. And that is precisely why it is the best time to indoctrinate them with values that will hold them in good stead throughout their life.

While there can be many ways of imparting life lessons to kids, I personally prefer doing it via the medium of books. Maybe that has something to do with the fact that I have been surrounded by books right from my childhood days. I remember spending hours poring through those magical colorful volumes that transport one from the mundane real world to the realm of unparalleled possibilities. And I still love doing it. Even though I am mother to a four year old who keeps me on my toes most of the time.

These days I have been busy trying to initiate my kid to the wonderful world of children's books. And hence I was delighted when I was approached by the team at Karadi Tales for reviewing their volumes. They sent me two of their books for a review and I had a wonderful time going through them with my son.


Little Vinayak ( Shobha Viswanath/ Shilpa Ranade )

This is a beautifully illustrated volume about a baby elephant who is struggling to managing his extra long trunk. The story revolves around his everyday struggles, the equation with his family and the relationship he shares with his best friend who happens to be a monkey.

The problem is resolved when the baby elephant meets an adult who helps him to adapt to the situation. The plot touches upon the importance of a mentor in one's life. And it concludes with a beautiful message 'The trick is to manage the problem, and not let the problem manage you'.

The language is kept simple so that most kids can relate to it.  But at the same time, it is peppered with a dozen words that would add to their vocabulary.

At Rs 395/- per copy (hardcopy), it may seem a little steeply priced but one has the option of opting for the much reasonably priced audio book.

Overall, it is a wonderful book !! ( rating - 4.5/5 )


Monkeys On A Fast ( Kaushik Viswanath / Shilpa Ranade )

The funnier one among the two, this ebook has turned out to be a favorite with my kid. It is a nicely woven story about a band of monkey headed by a chief named Chakku. They are faced with a peculiar problem that most people can relate to. These are a bunch of obese monkeys who resolve to go on a diet as instructed by the chief.

But do they manage to succeed ? Alas, the chief's grand intentions are brought to naught by a wily monkey who outwits him. And it is quite interesting to notice that he manages to do it in a very clever way, one step at a time.

The illustrations are neat and quite colorful too. The language is kept simple and easy to grasp.

Available in hardcover, paperback and audio to suit all budgets.

Amazing book !! ( Rating 5/5 )


I would like to add that the publishers have made it a point of including interesting trivia about animals in all the books. Don't you think it is a simple yet ingenious way of adding value to a book!!

Book Review : The Story Of A Suicide (by Sriram Ayer)

I love it when a book leaves me with a hangover ! If you haven't experienced that kind of a feeling ever, I have to say that you have not been reading the right kind of books. For books have the power to take one on an emotional roller coaster and change the way we perceive life in general. Good books are capable of providing an high that can last for days or even months.

'The Story Of a Suicide' could have been just another book based on the lives of a bunch of college students. But for the powerful narration that holds one spellbound till the very last. It deals with real and perceived issues faced by youngsters in a society that has undergone a tectonic shift on the moral front. Sriram Ayer has touched upon a plethora of topics like child sexual abuse, homosexuality, sexual liberation, voyeurism and egotism by painting his four characters in various shades of grey. This is a story that begins with an attempted suicide and ends with a real one which brings to fore the fact that youngsters view suicide as a quick escape to their myriad problems. Problems that have been aggravated by their self centered behavior and addiction to social media.

One of my favorite chapters in this book is the battle of wits between Caesar and Draupadi. Camouflaged beautifully as a stage act, it portrays the character of Charu and the battles raging within her. When Draupadi mouths the words "Why is being chaste, the cornerstone of a woman's character? And why does that rule never apply to a man?", it may as well be Charu speaking her mind. And this assumption gets vindicated when she puts up an explosive post on Facebook berating men and their sexually laced motives behind every achievement.

After reading the book, I could only conclude that if this generation gives up it's 'Me, mine and myself' approach, things would be much simpler. A cool headed and rational approach like Alex or atleast the presence of a person like him is what they need. After all, everyone can do with a person who does not judge them. Doesn't matter if it is a friend, family member or even a stranger.

Ironically, for a book that is based on sexuality, this one does not resort to sex to sell a few more copies. Not that it needs to .

This book is available online and can be read HERE.

Tell Me a Magical Story

"Mama ! Mammaaa !! See what Uncle has got !", screamed my kid as he raced ahead of the courier guy who was carrying a slim parcel. As is the case with kids, he could not contain his excitement till he opened ( or rather brutalized ) the parcel to reveal it's contents. And in this case, he was even more intrigued when he saw the flattened toothpaste boxes. "Where is the toothpaste ? Who has taken it ?", I was bombarded with a million questions within the span of a few nanoseconds. To a four-year-old's rather fertile imagination, it was yet another 'whodunit' and he was getting restless to crack the case.

However, the last thing I wanted was cracks on my skull from incessant head-banging ( if it took longer than a split second to figure out the reason then you obviously do not belong to the tribe of despairing mothers ) . I told him that there were stories inside the cartons and we need to cut them open to reveal a world of magical sea creatures . He immediately took to the theme 'Coral Reef' which featured a quartet of sea creatures whom he felt the obvious need to christen . Hence were born 'Tio' the sea turtle, 'Hero' the sea horse, 'Stripes', the lion fish and 'Big Mouth' the barracuda.

The Coral reef with multicolored corals and light emitting fish ( inspired by 'Life of Pi' which he has watched half a dozen times) became their neighborhood complete with a school and a play area. Taking a cue from the trio of his real life friends, Tio, Hero and Stripes become buddies while Big Mouth becomes a feared bully whose stories they have been hearing for their mothers.

So here goes the story -

'One day Tio, Hero and Stripes started for their school. Weaving their way through the beautiful coral reef, the three friends wondered aloud about what might lay on the other side of the reef. Their respective mothers had warned them not to stray from the beaten path. The reef was a hunting ground for Big Mouth, the much feared barracuda.

"Hey look there !!", Tio caught sight of a beautiful fish that glowed with a blue and red light. While they had all seen fish that glowed in the dark depths of the ocean, this one stood out. "Let's follow it . There may be more of them.", added Stripes, the most curious among the three. "Maybe we will find some delicious shrimps too", piped Hero who was an incorrigible glutton. Tio and Stripes laughed at their greedy friend. They continued to swim after the fish who ducked in and out of various corals as it led them far from their home.

Suddenly they came to a stop. This part of the reef looked very different from theirs. It was significantly darker and even the fish around them looked bigger and more fearsome. The three friends started getting scared. "Let's go back", spoke Hero who was almost on the verge of tears. He had forgotten all about eating. "Yes, lets turn back before we lose our way", spoke Tio who was the sensible one. They turned back only to find their way blocked by a huge fish with a really big mouth.

"I am Big Mouth", thundered the fish who looked terrifying. The three friends were really scared by now. They had dismissed their mother's warning as a mere tale meant to scare the children from venturing too far. But now they knew that Big Mouth did really exist and he was right in front of them.

Tio was scared too but he did not lose courage. He signaled to Stripes before moving right in front of the big fish. "You fatso ! Let's see if you can catch me first ", he dared Big Mouth before swimming away from him. The barracuda's mouth started watering at the sight of the juicy turtle and he sped after him. The turtle led him on a chase before he found the way blocked by a huge rock.

The barracuda gave a sinister smile as it approached the now trapped turtle. "I am going to swallow you alive", he bared his sinister teeth. Tio's heart started beating fast as he said a quick prayer. Big Mouth was really close to him and he was immobilized with fear.

Just then the barracuda felt a sharp stinging sensation near the tail. Pain gripped his body and he started thrashing around. Stripes had been initially scared to take Tio's hint but knew that their safety depended on it. He had tailed the barracuda as it chased it's prey. And when the latter's attention was completely focused on the turtle, he had moved in from behind and dug his poison laden fins into the big fish.

This was their chance to escape. The barracuda was in no position to chase them and they lost no time in swimming back to the safety of their own home. As always, it was Tio who led the pack . '

This post is written for Colgate and inspired by the characters of 'Coral Reef', which is one of the four magical story themes printed on the special edition packs .

Book Review : 69 Things I Wish I Knew Before Getting Married ( Parul Tyagi )

"Marriage begins at the end of Honeymoon. The grand ceremony is not marriage. It is called a wedding."

Those words set the tone for the contents of this book which can be aptly described as a practical guide to surviving a marriage. It is highly recommended for people who plan to tie the knot and are still into the honeymoon phase of their married life. And I recommend that you read the book right from the introduction portion so that you can accept certain portions in the later half.

The best thing I like about this one is that it emphasizes a lot on friendship in a marriage. Love may fade away but friendship does not. It makes sense to treat a partner as an equal just like you would treat a friend rather than burdening him/her with your share of expectations. And importantly stand by them when they need you the most.

The topic of having children is also dealt without mincing words. "How babies and their parents look on your Facebook Timeline is totally different from what the process entails in real life." . She could not have put it in a better way. Babies means sleepless night, giving up on vacations, going around looking like a mess at least for the initial months and even taking a career break. Believe me it is not an easy thing to do. It is my personal experience that one moment people around you will suffocate you with inspiring stories about how a mother is supposed to be all heart and sacrifice, but the very next moment they will share a story about someone who managed to bring up two brilliant kids inspite of holding on to a challenging job. One can very well imagine what it can does to a person who is already suffering from postpartum blues. Hence, as the author says "make an informed choice".

Another chapter that caught my attention was the one on the topic of 'Love marriage versus Arranged marriage'. Both come with their set of teething problems and infact those who have had a love marriage often need to work harder to prove themselves. Just like that pretty ( but deserving ) girl in your office who got the promotions when there were others waiting in queue. You need to prove yourself worthy and make your in-laws believe that your partner did not get taken in with your looks or money or whatever.

Now, I am not giving away the entire plot in this review. Buy a copy for yourself and read it. I promise you wont be regretting it.

Did a quick online review of this one . You can check it out here -

Survival of the Fittest

Do you remember the pain of missing out on a podium finish just because you ended up with a bout of sickness during the exams ? Or the sheer dejection of not making it to the inter-school volleyball team thanks to the lack of a few centimeters ? Well, it is not enough to be good, one has to be better if not the best to stand out among a crowd.

Image credits : victoriaurological.org

But these are just the better scenarios that I have described. Can you imagine the sadness of a kid when their own friends did not want them on the team because they were termed too scrawny/too short and hence considered to be the weakest link ? Yes, children can be quite cruel when they want to be. And this kind of labeling and social rejection can deal a blow to a child's self esteem and lead to serious body image issues at a later stage.

Image credits : thehealthinfosite.com

Being a parent, it becomes a prime responsibility to ensure that a child does suffer due to any of these reasons. Apart from the long term risks factors due to nutritional deficiencies ( which are seldom evident ), there is always the immediate concern of ensuring that they do not lose out on school attendance along with those dozen little things that make childhood so special. Take a simple example where a kid is denied an ice-cream because he or she is always catching a cold. But seldom do parent realize that it might be caused by low levels of Vitamin D. This is where fortified foods and especially nutritional drinks come to the rescue. On an individual level, it can become quite daunting for the parents to track the vitamin/ mineral/ protein intake of their children. Hence a nutritional supplement which is designed keeping the general population in mind may be the best answer yet to fill the gaps in a child's diet.

Most health drinks have their focus on the RDA or the Recommended Daily Allowance. These contain enough of the nutritional supplements to ensure that the child's growth is on track and that they do not fall behind their peers. But what about those children who are already falling behind by a good measure ? Is there any way to ensure that they are brought to par ?

growthpluscalculator.horlicks.in

And that is exactly what Horlicks Growth Plus promises to deliver! It helps kids in the age group 3-9 to 'Catch up on growth' by helping them add inches and weight. This product designed by pediatric experts targets a crucial age because is the phase when kids are most likely to lag behind their peers on these two parameters. The age group of 2-6 years is the time when kids are still building immunity hence they are susceptible to frequent bouts of illness. Plus, the majority of them are picky eaters which does not help the cause. And it is the combination of these two factors which result in children falling behind the recommended growth curves.

Go for it as it is the best chance for your kids to catch up on lost growth !!