Raj Thackeray, it’s time for a reality check…

The incident (oops, I mean the ‘accident’) is not a rotten one. Only recently, Jaya Bachchan’s alleged anti-Marathi remarks hogged the limelight and captured the headlines for a good number of days. And why not? Involved in the scene were a few big shots… Jaya (already named), Amitabh Bachchan (of course) and Raj Thackeray (who else it could have been when anti-Marathi things are on?).

The lady Bachchan only said at her son’s upcoming film Drona’s premiere that since they (also Priyanka Chopra) were from Uttar Pradesh, she would speak in Hindi. (Additionally, she asked the Maharashtrians to excuse her for doing so!). But the dialogue did offend the MNS chief to a large extent. To such a degree that he declared to block screening of all the films featuring any of the Bachchans in Maharashtra. Not just that – as an ‘icing on the cake’, Thackeray asked Maharashtrians to embargo all products endorsed by the Bachchans accusing them of having ‘poison in their minds’ for Marathi people. Terrified or whatever, Jaya and Amitabh sought forgiveness and tendered a public apology. Bloated a touch of hullabaloo about that, but finally things went down the drain as Raj accepted the Bachchans’ act of contrition!

‘Mr. Maharashtra’, undoubtedly, succeeded in drawing a lot of flak countrywide via this episode, once again. Kick-starting his political career as a youth-wing leader in his uncle Bal Thackeray’s party – Shiv Sena, he soon went on his own way, forming his own party – Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. Now, there were copious conjectures as to why he alienated from his uncle’s party. Like many others, it baffles me as well… at a time when he had steadily rose up the ranks with his charisma and had become the second God in the party, what went astray that he had to move out? One speculation was that due to Bal Thackeray’s son Uddhav’s entry into the party, Raj had to make an exit. Another hearsay makes more ground (to me at least). His alleged involvement in the Ramesh Kinny murder case! And only then, Uddhav marked Raj’s ‘proxy’! Though Raj has always maintained that he broke away from Shiv Sena because that party was ‘run by petty clerks’ and due to that it had ‘fallen from its former glory’.

Conveniently tagged as a hothead speaker, Raj probably had bitten more than he could chew!

Now, let’s come back to the recent account we started with. My question to him, here, is: does he want to split India on the lines of states of origin? Must he shed light on it; I need clarification. Do we need to remember the immense efforts executed by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel – the iron man of India – who put together the erstwhile 600 princely states into one dominion, India? Isn’t the ‘honourable’ Raj Thackeray cropping up as somebody who wishes to flush those efforts out of our minds? Doesn’t his agenda seem to disintegrate this nation? If he dares deny this, let us expect a better explanation from him about his watchword ‘Jai Maharashtra’, which (ideally) should be ‘Jai Bharat’ if he really dreams to emerge as a national political leader.

His bitter outburst against the Bachchan family did raise my eyebrows, once again. Even in the recent past (few months ago, to be precise), his superfluously bubbled tirade against Amitabh became a national debate topic. He demanded to know Big B’s contributions to the State. I demand to know his contributions, if any!

Mr. Thackeray, you need a reality check. Let me help you. During the late 70s and 80s when the Indian cinema was on the verge of ‘extinction’, this Amitabh factor emerged as a knight in shining armor. A lot of artistes, technicians, along with Maharashtrians (read Indians) got a new life... they literally became able to earn their bread and butter. Now tell me, what have you done to uplift (at least) Maharashtra’s economy?

As long as an individual – an Indian or not an Indian – is contributing to the nation, it barely matters where he stays, Maharashtra or Delhi. A political leader (read Raj Thackeray) must understand that there are much more serious problems to deal with than such petty things.

Love or love-marriage, what lasts?

What do you understand by the term ‘relationships’? Here, I’m asking about the bond shared by a man and a woman… as married or unmarried couples. Is this association already an understood thing by one and all or do we still need to dwell on its ‘real’ meaning? I guess, the latter one is more near reality.

People fall in love, get married, and then either they ‘live happily ever after’ or they plainly pretend they are still head over heels in love with their partners (but mind it, prevention is better than pretension… always) or sooner or later, they accept the developing discords in their relationships and part ways – mostly through obliging each other by signing divorce papers and ‘moving on’ in their respective lives with the ‘new’ discoveries called an ‘apt partner’. Don’t get confused with so many words guarded by single quote marks in the above sentences (and the ones yet to come throughout this article); as you keep going through the lines, the unwritten (read unspoken) meaning will turn as bright as sunshine.

Let me make it easier for you. Imagine this: A girl and a guy find each other perfect for themselves. They fight, they argue and they love. They plan their marriage, kids, careers, future. They again fight, again argue and again love. And one fine day, settling all itsy-bitsy problems – they tie the wedding knot, hoping to fight the entire world in order to keep the relationship intact forever. But the real shock comes only post this ‘merry’ episode. Their love takes a backseat (in the last row) and their mismatched opinions come to the fore warning them of being unable to get along with each other. Everyday mushrooming arguments hit the last straw and out emerges a feeling that begs them to fight the entire world in order to break away from each other! Isn’t that paradoxical?

Now read this: A girl and a guy are completely smitten by each other. They fight, they argue and they love. They plan their marriage, kids, careers, future. They again fight, again argue and again love. And one fine day, they settle for parting ways. For, they have had such a time together that has ensured them of their inability to spend the rest of their lives with each other. An intelligent decision! Or the ‘silliest’ one!

Now, tell me which situation is safer and better? Undoubtedly, the second one! But why? Because the couple estranged before experiencing the tougher days after marriage? Or because ‘all’s well that ends well’? On the flip side, I strongly believe that both the situations are equally bad; though the first instance hits the ‘victims’ harder, as escape comes their way only in the long run and the second situation gives them a chance to start their respective lives afresh. But a separation even before getting hitched (and after good-long years of courtship) hurts as much as a ‘love marriage’ turning into a failure. Believe it or not, it is a venomous fact that always remains thus, without any change in the ‘menu’ ever.

The couples failed in love or love marriages always - consciously or unconsciously - abode a feeling deep inside that ‘love’ is not eternal; like everything else, it dies too! And thus, the ‘newcomers’ find themselves at a loss. They scrutinize all the pros and cons before falling for someone. And there is absolutely no guarantee if that so-called ‘assessment’ is worth it or not! As they say, history repeats itself…

Judges are human beings, after all: Vinti Sharma

I feel really sorry for this great singer who got evicted from the show so early. The interview was taken only to be published in one of the hopes of retaining her in the show till at least the grand finale. But my bad luck! Hey Vinti, you know what you are and for me, you ROCK... always!


The 20-year-old contestant at Amul Star Voice of India, Vinti Sharma, may appear quite naive at first glance, but what she has inside – loads of fortitude and oodles of singing talent along with a very lucid vision for her future – makes her a remarkably strong individual altogether. Here’s the gorgeously talented singer, in conversation with Anu Chanchal…

What do you think are the qualities of a good singer?
Voice is god-gifted. It can be refined though, to be a good singer. I think a person, most importantly, needs to be a good human being. A good singer must understand the depth of music. Since every song has an expression of its own, so he ought to get into the mood of it. Everyday riyaz is a must. Classical training is like an icing on the cake.

How much time of the day do you spend practicing? Do you have any formal singing training?
On a normal day, I practice for about two-and-a-half hours, it’s not sufficient though. But I need to balance my studies as well; I devote more time when there’s no pressure from college.

Yes, I’ve had a seven-year formal singing training, starting at the age of 13.

What brought you into this show? How did it all start? How difficult does it get making a place for yourself among so many contestants?
My passion for singing and desire to be recognized as a good playback singer brought me into this show. Actually, I got through the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa auditions in May but due to my BTech final practical exam dates clashing with those of the show, I couldn’t continue with Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. Then, I went for Indian Idol auditions and made it to it. At the same time around, I cleared Voice of India audition as well. So I chose VOI finally.

It is certainly not a piece of cake to get yourself noticed among so many efficient contestants. But I try my best. Initially, I used to underestimate myself but when I landed into the danger zone, I woke up. I believe in believing in myself and that really helps me sing better every time.

How do you find the verdict of the judges? Is it biased at times?
They are human beings, after all. When they like a contestant’s singing at the very first time, they tend to develop an impression that the next time, that person will at least stick to that good level. And even if he goes a level down in the next round, the judges ask him to bring that effect back, scold him but deep inside, they know he’s not a bad singer always.

How do you find the public voting format?
Very weird! There’s a wide range of viewers. If we have junta that prefers voting for only the good-looking contestants sidelining their singing – good or bad, we have a reasonable audience as well that supports deserving candidates.

How has this Show changed your life?
So far, this Show has definitely brought many changes in my life, my day-to-day routine. Earlier, I knew how my day would go. But here, it’s absolutely unpredicted. Every moment is a surprise and I’m loving it.

Who is your favourite judge and contestant on the show and why? And how is your tuning with the other fellow contestants?
Monty Sharma is my favourite judge. He is not only full of positive energy, but also guides each one of us to give a better performance each time. My tuning with all the contestants is good but I gel really well with Rithisha and Vipul.

Who has been your ideal singer, your inspiration? Who are your heroes in life?
I adore Lataji and Ashaji’s singing a lot. Lataji has a great voice quality and she sings effortlessly, emoting best expressions, and Ashaji is an eminent versatile singer. As for my hero in life, it’s my mom, undoubtedly. She inspires me to live life to its fullest. She says handling all the difficulties in life with utmost sensibility is important but the most important ingredient is a smile. A smile helps you fight even a mountain and it really works for me.

Have you performed before on stage or rather should I ask... on such a grand platform?
Yes, I have performed many times before this, like I have appeared as a participant on Zee TV’s Antakshari thrice. Then, there’s a national singing talent hunt organised by Sangam Kala Group in India, every year. Only 18 contenders can make it to the finale; I have been lucky enough to be one of them five times. And I’ve managed to grab third position twice and second position this year itself. But Voice of India has been the biggest opportunity ever.

Do you agree with the statement that sometimes good singers don't perform well due to nervousness and get eliminated? Has that ever happened with you?
No, thankfully I have never been bit by this bug called nervousness, especially when it comes to singing.

What form of singing is your favourite? Which is your favourite song?
I like classical singing but am simply passionate about Bollywood songs. Few of my favourite numbers include Ye zindagi usi ki hai… by Lataji, Dhaage tod laaun….

What other talents do you have?
I can dance well and was fond of art in my youth but I have little time to pamper it now.

If given a chance, which Indian actress would you like to sing for?
Rani Mukherjee and Aishwarya Rai.

Are you studying also? How do you manage between your studies and your passion?
Yes, I’m pursuing BTech. And it’s not difficult for me to continue with that. See, no one can study around the clock; you have to take a break. Everyone does something for entertainment, I sing. Music is always in my mind, 24X7. I can study while listening to music.

What are your personal goals in life?
I want to complete my education and get a degree.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I take my time opening up and mixing with people. But people confuse me with an introvert. On the flip side, I love talking. My family and friends know how difficult it gets to shut me up once I start talking.

What are your plans and aspirations for the future?
I want to become the busiest playback singer ever. I would like to produce music also but that will happen later in life.

What’s been your toughest obstacle in life?
Only when I have to decide between studies and singing.

Who is your Voice of India?
Vinti Sharma.

How important is it for a singer to accept criticism? And how important is it for you to win this competition?
It’s very important for a singer to accept criticism. Only praise isn’t good; if you can relish good comments, be ready for the bad ones as well. When you don’t live an up-to-the-mark in your performance, only then you are criticised, and criticism helps you improve.

Well, as far as winning this competition is concerned, it’s very important for me. I’ve never performed on such a grand show. This is like a first step for me to be recognised by one and all.

If you don’t make it as the Voice of India, what will you do?
I shall never give up singing for one failure. I’ll definitely be upset about this. But then, I’ll focus on finishing my studies. I shall fight with double the effort next time till I achieve what I want. Before this show as well, I had worked… I have sung few jingles and songs for Kanpur Radio Mirchi previously. Getting work won’t be a problem, I’m sure. But I want to be well-known around a wider range of people. And I’ll keep struggling for that.

If you win, who will you thank first?
First of all, definitely my guruji for making me able to stand out among so many good challengers. Then, I’ll thank my entire family that has always shown a great belief in me.

Would you like to give any message to the potential singers? Your advice to youngsters like you with dreams?
Focusing is primarily significant. Do lots and lots of hard work. Trust yourself. Try to understand your strong areas in singing. Work on it, refine it. And don’t ever give up.