300th

...and we are 300 shots old!

I really don't know how time flies and keeps you unknown to its speed. I was wondering what to capture today and just as I stopped thinking too much, I found myself standing in front of this famous building - the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus - the city's arrival point.

Formerly known as the Victoria Terminus and better known by its abbreviations CST of Bombay VT, this is a historic railway station in the city which serves as the headquarters of the Central Railways. It is one of the busiest railway stations in India, and serves Central Railway trains terminating in the city as well as the surburban railway. Designed by Frederick William Stevens, it took ten years to complete the station and was named "Victoria Terminus" in honor of the Queen and Empress Victoria. It was opened on the date of her Golden Jubilee in 1887!

109 years later, in 1996, in response to demands by the Shiv Sena and in keeping with the policy of remaining locations with Indian names, the station was renamed by the state government after Chhatrapati Shivaji! On 2nd of July, 2004 the station was nominated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO!

Even after 122 years, some monuments simply take you back in time...

For our 300th post and many more such monuments to be saluted...

silhouette

I love taking silhouette shots. I love looking at images that don't really reveal the identity of individuals but at the same time let me know that there is a person out there living this moment just as you and I are...

I took this shot today as I was heading back home after a meeting at Nariman Point. When I look at this shot now, I feel lovely about not knowing who has gotten captured in this photograph but at the same time I feel lovelier that they are a part of us now.

Why do we segregate relations once we know people? How I wish we could all realize that we are a part of each other, unknowingly...

For silhouettes...

nikon

Hoardings above buildings amaze me. When I was young, I used to think these brands own these buildings are are so rich that they light up their names in the night. Now, I realize how I used to create stories within myself to my fancy.

I took this shot at Marine Drive today. I won't really get into the advantages and cons of such advertisement strategies but what I would like to say is that this post is dedicated to Nikon - my favorite brand when it comes to cameras!

I wish, hope and pray that I own a really lovely D-SLR Nikon camera sometime soon...

For Nikon...

summer

...and the summer is back with the sun right above us smiling with its heat for us...

I took this shot today during the late afternoon hours. Its just March and our sweats are making us question the climate. I can just imagine how it'll get next month and in May...however, I'll keep updating!

For summer -- welcome...

art

It was surprising to locate the Mumbai Khadi Gramodyog Sangh in the city! I had no clue about this residing in the city.

Located on DN Road, this place has authentic Indian wear and wooden artifacts and sculptures, sandalwood idols, cottage industry art, crafts and products. Prices are fixed and there is no bargaining. It is quite a popular place with the tourists who want to pick up regional textiles and crafts.

This reminds me of a lovely place that I visited recently at Ahmedabad called Gramashree. Gramashree's website is not live at the moment but will be soon and I'll update you guys about the same.

For art...

building

I thought this might be an interesting shot for today. It has been exactly four months since the traumatic event happened in our city which shook everybody up.

Post the event, a lot of us felt similar to this box...a box that was filled from all sides and angles, which was fired at and torn apart. I can feel the weight of this broken, empty box. However, I do know that all of us together would be filling this box once again and be smiling with peace and love...

For building our boxes with each other...

identity

The black and yellow taxis are synonymous with the city. I took this shot today as I was waiting at the traffic signal in town. I love seeing these taxis on the roads. It gives an identity to the city.

The taxis arrived in the city in 1911 to complement horse wagons. The black and yellow Fiat taxis have been deicted in numerous hindi films. These metered taxis ply throughout the city and have monopoly from Mahim to Churchgate on the Western line and from Sion to Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus on the Central line. Beyond Sion and Bandra, auto rickshaws are not allowed and one has to hire a taxi. However, between Sion to Thane and Bandra to Bhayandar, taxis and autorickshaws ply. A mechanical meter deicides the fare and is proportional to the distances traveled.

For the taxis, one of our identities...

gaylord

Everybody who loves chocolate and deserts know Gaylord, Churchgate!

I took this shot as I was leaving Gaylord after a quick bite. Apart from delicious chocolates and deserts, Gaylord is also famous for its various ethnic cuisines. At Gaylord, the Mughal fare includes the exotic dishes created specially for the Maharajas, Nawabs and the elite of erstwhile North Indian States. An indisputable effort is made to pamper you in the royal style and the best of Indian traditions. To take on an adventurous gourmet experience this is the place to visit.

One thing I can tell you about this place... you can't go wrong. The immediate appearance doesn't come out as an exquisite one. But the fact that this place has been constantly doing well over 3 decades is a proof of its quality and standard.

Thus, if you are in Churchgate, you know where to stop by.

For Gaylord...

perplexity

I took this shot today at Marine Drive. It is amazing to see how people stand in front of these tall buildings every day, hoping to reach there some day, just to realize a new set of people taking their places the next moment.

This reminds me of a poem that Javed Akhtar penned which was titled "Uljhan" (Perplexity). The lines that come next are a translation of Javed Saab's Urdu poem in English -

Perplexity

Millions of faces
and following them
millions of faces.
Are these streets or hornets' nests?
The earth is covered with bodies...
No place to walk, no room to squeeze by;
I look at this and think
That I might as well remain
rooted where I am.
But what can I do?
Because I know...
That if I stop,
The crowd behind me
will trample me under its feet and crush me.
So now, as I walk,
Under my own feet is
someone's chest,
someone's arm,
someone's face.
If I walk on,
I shall oppress others;
If I stop,
I shall suffer oppression...
My conscience!
You are so proud of your sense of justice,
So tell me:
What decision have you reached today?

-David Matthews
(for Quiver, an english translation to "Tarkash" by Javed Akhtar)

For this city and this perplexity...

charni road

I took this shot today outside the Charni Road station, which is a very famous station in the Mumbai Suburban Railways.

The main significance of the Charni Road station is that it is very near to the Girgaum Chowpatti (in fact bang across the street), a major destination for tourists and residents of the South of the city. Normally, residents go for a peaceful walk on the beach. However, like every other place in the city, overcrowding can spoil the feel of the place. It is also important because of the diamond trading industry located here, mainly in the famous Panchratna building near the railway station.

The station derives its name from the fact that the grazing lands for cattle and horses were located nearby in the earlier days.

For Charni Road...

save fuel

I recently saw an amazing ad on "saving fuel" and thus, when I stopped by a petrol pump today to fill my car up, I had to take this shot!

The ad asks you a simple question - "would you want to waste the entire fuel or save some for your children too?"..."save fuel...means save money"...

Surely something that we need to think about...

For saving fuel...

aquarium

I took this shot today evening as I was heading towards the station. This is the very famous Taraporevala Aquarium which is the sole aquarium in the entire city.

Built in 1951 at a cost of Rs. 800,000, it hosts marine and freshwater fishes. The aquarium is located on the famous Marine Drive. The aquarium is named after a Parsee who donated Rs. 200,000 for the construction. The aquarium is one of the popular tourist attractions of the city.

There are 100 species of marine and fresh water fish including seven types of coral fish from the Lakshadweep Islands. Attractions include sharks, turtles, rays and moray eels.starting from huge sea turtles to small starfish and stingrays it includes various species. Exhibits offer a glimpse of the variety of marine life in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.

It is open from 11am to 8pm on weekdays (including Saturday); and 10am to 8pm on Sundays. The aquarium is closed on Mondays.

This one is surely worth a visit...

For the aquarium...

metro

As mentioned, I'm going to be coming to this part of the city for the next few days as I have my meetings venued around this area.

I took this shot of one of my favorite theatres of all times - the Metro Cinema (now known as the Metro BIG Cinema).

Metro Cinema is a famous cinema theatre in the city. In 1938, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) acquired the land and built the cinema theatre. The main architect of the cinema was Thomas W. Lamb of New York and D.W.Ditchburn was the associate architect. The Metro Cinema was opened on June 8, 1938and initially exhibited movies made by MGM.

In 1970, the cinema was taken over by the Gupta family and with Indianisation came the era of screening Hindi films and flashy, glittering, star-studded premieres. Raj Kapoor's Bobby set the trend and when RK released Satyam Shivam Sundaram in typical monsoon fury, the guests were delighted when the young Kapoor brothers - Randhir, Rishi and Rajeev - opened their car doors, held umbrellas over their heads and led them inside.

It soon became the Hindi Film Industry's most famous red-carpet theatre. The star presence at Metro becamse so huge that often riot police had to be called in at film premieres.

I'm sure about one thing -- when I have my film releasing, it is surely going to get premiered at Metro.

For Metro, my favorite...

space

I took this shot at one of the roads in the town side. To be honest, I was wondering about the latest car that is to be launched soon - the Tata NANO.

The registrations for this latest wonder car starts in less than a month from now but what gets me to wonder is how this space that is left will remain the same once this new car gets launched. The city is facing a horrible time when it comes to traffic and according to me this car will only add to the chaos.

However, I'm being optimistic, and hoping that the new government would think of an answer to this question. Now, as I write this, I'm wondering...what am I doing to keep this little space on the road empty for all of us to live in a space that is not chaotic.

For the space, that could get filled very soon...

the one

tujhse hi hai har ibtida
tujhpe hi hai har inteha
yeh hunar hai tujhme ki noor ho
har ek gully mein suroor ho
yeh saaz o soz, fitrat, dhuaan
nakaab-e-dastaan gulsitaan
meri adaa mein teri dua
meri dua mein teri adaa
yeh zikr-e-ulfat kaafiya
teri nashaao ka silsilaa
main tera hoon pal, tera har lamha
tu meri hai jaan, meri duniya...

(every beginning starts with you
every ending comes ends at you
you have this power to beautify it all
enlighten not one street but all
this tune and sadness, nature and smoke
this story that is masked, a garden of hope
in my expressions be your prayers
and be your expressions in my prayers
these poems which mention of love
these stories of your madness
I am your second, your every moment
you are my life, my world...)

An uncle of mine said, "It's not that I don't love songs on love...its just that I read love songs with the Almighty as my love"...

How unique would each one be if we see the Almighty in all whom we love...

For the one...

he

I took this shot after my meeting at Churchgate today. I need to keep coming here for the next few days, thus I'm guessing I'll show you this part of the city, which I haven't shot much, in the next few days.

I took this shot at the M.G.Road signal. This is one of the junctions where the terrorists of 26/11 open fired, killing innocent people of the city.

I really wish for the safety of this man and his family and all the people he is not looking at as he stands at the signal with his papers tied up. I wish for his safety and love to be intact as my wishes, hopes and prayers would be easy to access as compared to people realizing peace, love and unity in this world...

For him and the entire world which is like him, hoping to live each day to the fullest...

people

It was amazing to be at the Marine Drive today in the evening, where I took this shot.

The sun seemed just about perfect to capture these people who spent their evening sitting by the sea, with their friends and family...

How often do we remove time for our friends and family to make them realize (once again) that we care for them, that we admire them, that we love them! If you haven't helped your loved know how much you love him/her today, rush to him...

For all the people whom we love...

break

I took this shot from a building at Vile Parle where I had gone for a meeting today.

This man stopped by a sugarcane juice vendor and sat down to have a glass of the delicious juice.

I don't mean to get judgemental but when I saw this man, for a second I was forced to think -- we drive in cars that have ac to avoid us from the heat; we buy juices, aerated drinks whenever we feel like; we keep drinking water at regular intervals to keep ourselves fit...but have we ever thought of a few people who might not have seen even a drop of water since quite some time...have we ever thought of a few individuals who work really hard and stop by a roadside juice vendor, thinking twice before asking the vendor to prepare a juice for him...have we ever thought, just for a second, about our fellow citizens...

How about just removing a few minutes everyday and thinking about what you could do to improve the lives of the people you look around?

For a break from yourself to your neighbor, your brother...

entrances

I love this place!!
I took this shot at the entrance of Candies, Pali Hill - one of my favorite hang-out joints!

The entrance of this Candies is what appeals to me the best. It gives me a feeling of pleasure and satisfaction that I'm entering a space which is going to make me feel fresh by the time I leave this restaurant.

Imagine having entrances to spaces which would compel you to smile and walk ahead...imagine having entrances to moments which would compel you to live and love...imagine having entrances to lives which would compel you to unite and breathe in peace...

For entrances that can open zillions of new doors at every step of life...

celluloid

A few days ago, I had mentioned about the Yash Raj Studios and how this is a dream place to be at for every film lover! I got a chance to go there again today!!

I had to make a quick trip there this morning to meet somebody for half hour. And, as I was leaving I took this shot. This is one of the walls of the stairs that lead to all the actors' green rooms! This wall completely took me to a world that probably only Yash Chopra can take one to! It got back all the moments of the silver screen which probably define modern Hindi Cinema!

It has actors right from Shashi Kapoor to Sanjeev Kumar to Amitabh Bachchan to Rekha to Sridevi to Rishi Kapoor to SRK to EVERYBODY! It's always said that you are not complete as an actor if you haven't worked with Yash Chopra...I second this comment completely!

I quietly left with an ear to ear smile on my face after clicking this shot...yes, lots of thoughts featuring in my brain at the moment!;-)

For the celluloid...

PS - I'm off to Goa in a bit...!!!

holi

Today is Holi - the festival of colors!
This shot was taken by Ruhie from the bus as the fast moving vehicles form their own colors for the camera, with their lights! I thought this would've been an interesting shot for today...

Holi is celebrated by people throwing coloured powder and coloured water at each other. Bonfires are lit the day before, also known as Holika Dahan (death of Holika) or Chhoti Holi (little Holi). The bonfires are lit in memory of the miraculous escape that young Prahlad had when Demoness Holika, sister of Hiranyakashipu, carried him into the fire. Holika was burnt but Prahlad, a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu, escaped without any injuries due to his unshakable devotion.

Holi is celebrated on the full moon day in the month of Phalugna (Phalgun Purnima), which usually falls in the later part of February or March.

This festival is all about love, happiness, colors, and smiles...

For Holi...

lensman

Taking interesting shots has always excited me. It gives me a high completely!
I took this shot at the new PVR Theatres that have opened up at Parel's Phoenix Mills.

I think the ambiance of this theatre is just perfect for any movie buff...especially, these windows that form one of the walls of the space!! For all film buffs in the city, I would totally recommend this theatre to watch any film...

For the lensman, that I want to be known as...;-)

pause

So as I got back from Hampi this morning, tired and exhausted but still awake, I saw this tree standing in one corner of Sion, staring at me and asking me to notice it!

The summers are on it's way! The heat is increasing by the day! And amidst all of this, I stood and took this shot in one corner of the road that leads from Sion! Apologies for not being able to post from Hampi, but as mentioned the internet access from there was very minimal...and we were dead packed on schedule too! The Global Lives Project India shoot is done! We're 7 down now in the project! You could log on here to keep getting updated from this part of the globe!

I'm back in the city now...but only for two days, after which I head to Goa with my family...(probably the first family trip after ages!!)...

For the pause in travels...

journeys

I took this shot outside my office today evening as I was heading towards the bus stand at Sion to catch a bus with my producer, Kumar, co-producer, Ruhie and co-director, Vishal, for Hampi for the much awaited shooting of the Global Lives Project - India!

This cycle reminded me of just the state that we are in at the moment! We're ready with all our equipments, check-lists, pre-production notes, preparations...and are ready to ride the path for experiencing a journey of a lifetime!

When I've spoken to people about this project, they have appreciated the thought a lot! When I tell them that we are the team doing the shoot for India, their eyes get bigger! How I wish more of such ideas can get the eyes of people going bigger till a point when they realize that they need get up and act too!

For journeys...

PS - Pardon me again, but I might not have access to the internet on all days. But, I promise to keep you updated as and when I get access...

school

I was passing by Versova when I took this shot outside a public school.

These parents were eagerly waiting for their kids to come out of the school so that they could be taken back home. The weird part about this entire scene was that these parents caused a reasonable traffic jab on the road and the vehicles were honking indicating that they should either move inside or stand in discipline! How ironical it is to see such a scene outside a space which teaches discipline!

For the schools...

silence

I've suddenly created this fascination to keep clicking trees, barks, leaves with the backdrop of the sky! Try this out - as you are walking or driving or jogging, try checking out the sky through the leaves of the trees...and as you get closer to them, you would realize that they are speaking in silence with you!

I took this shot at Andheri today as I was going to office. Leaves and trees with the company of the sky seems to connect me with them...with some kind of a weird but pleasant silence within!

For the silence...

beauty

Ok, I know my apologies will not be accepted, but I really cannot explain how hectic life has been!

I happened to go to Candies, Pali Hill today. This is one of my all time favorite places! I had always observed this Buddha residing right outside the entrance with these candles lighting up the space even more, but never clicked it!! Today, as I got some breather time, I took this shot!

Guys, I know some of you are upset that this space is not being updated on daily...but I promise, we'll be back on track with a bang!! Please excuse us for these few days!!:)

For beauty...