Bajirao Mastani: watch dangermousie flail

There are new rumors that Bajirao Mastani will actually get filmed. And I don't want to get too excited but I can't help it. There was literal squealing in my house when I heard of it.

What is BM and why am I so excited? Bajirao Mastani was going to be Indian director's Sanjay Leela Bhansali's grand opus. It's an epic period movie about Bajirao, a Prime Minister and General of the Maratha empire, and the love of his life and mistress Mastani. Sanjay Leela Bhansali announced that he was going to be making BM more than three years ago. SLB is a very idiosyncratic director: you can tell his movies are his with no second glance needed. People either love him or loathe him, and I fall on the former side. Together with Mani Ratnam, he shares the 'number 1 favorite Indian director' spot. I'd watch him film a telephone book.

So, why am I excited, other than the fact that I'll watch anything by SLB? It's a period movie! Set in gorgeous 18th century at the time of the disintegrating Mughal empire. It's going to have battles as Bajirao was a very gifted general. And more importantly, it's going to have a star-crossed, angsty, doomed love affair which is the staple of Bollywood and the joy of dangermousie's heart. Basically, the story sounds way too cool to be true, but apparently is. And it has heroic warrior woman!

According to wikipedia, Mastani was the daughter of king Rana Chhatrasal of Bundelkhand, through his Muslim mistress. Bajirao helped the King when the latter was invaded and imprisoned. In gratitude, Chattrasal gave Mastani along with a third of his kingdom to Bajirao in 1729, when Bajirao was 31. So far, so good, in a rather fairy-tale like fashion. But here is where I get excited. Mastani didn't just live with Bajirao, but 'rode stirrup to stirrup' with him on his numerous military campaigns. This often meant riding hundreds of miles over rugged country, living in camps under canvas and sharing his rough fare. She was said to be as good as any soldier in horsemanship, spear throwing and swordplay. She also had a talent for dancing and singing.

The Brahmins of Pune, who had a strong influence on the Hindu rulers, could never accept Mastani as Bajirao's wife. She became the center point in Pune politics when Bajirao openly declared Mastani as his wife and their son a Brahmin. Bajirao died of a flash fever in an army camp at 41. Bajirao's 'proper' wife Kashibai, the rest of Bajirao's family and Mastani came to bury him. At the cremation ceremony, Mastani suddenly broke through the crowd and walked into the flames, before anyone could react or prevent her. And that was the end.

OMG. OMG. I want to see this made into a movie! Please, please let this not be another rumor that goes nowhere.

Mastani article and Bajirao article

Apparently, Salman Khan is to play Bajirao (SLB wanted him from the beginning) and as to Mastani, it's a newcomer. Initially it was supposed to be Aishwarya but after the worst Bolly breakup in history :P, Salman and Aishwarya were not going to come near each other. Then it was Kareena Kapoor. I don't care if SLB has toads in it, as long as he makes it. Please.

Bajirao Mastani: watch dangermousie flail

There are new rumors that Bajirao Mastani will actually get filmed. And I don't want to get too excited but I can't help it. There was literal squealing in my house when I heard of it.

What is BM and why am I so excited? Bajirao Mastani was going to be Indian director's Sanjay Leela Bhansali's grand opus. It's an epic period movie about Bajirao, a Prime Minister and General of the Maratha empire, and the love of his life and mistress Mastani. Sanjay Leela Bhansali announced that he was going to be making BM more than three years ago. SLB is a very idiosyncratic director: you can tell his movies are his with no second glance needed. People either love him or loathe him, and I fall on the former side. Together with Mani Ratnam, he shares the 'number 1 favorite Indian director' spot. I'd watch him film a telephone book.

So, why am I excited, other than the fact that I'll watch anything by SLB? It's a period movie! Set in gorgeous 18th century at the time of the disintegrating Mughal empire. It's going to have battles as Bajirao was a very gifted general. And more importantly, it's going to have a star-crossed, angsty, doomed love affair which is the staple of Bollywood and the joy of dangermousie's heart. Basically, the story sounds way too cool to be true, but apparently is. And it has heroic warrior woman!

According to wikipedia, Mastani was the daughter of king Rana Chhatrasal of Bundelkhand, through his Muslim mistress. Bajirao helped the King when the latter was invaded and imprisoned. In gratitude, Chattrasal gave Mastani along with a third of his kingdom to Bajirao in 1729, when Bajirao was 31. So far, so good, in a rather fairy-tale like fashion. But here is where I get excited. Mastani didn't just live with Bajirao, but 'rode stirrup to stirrup' with him on his numerous military campaigns. This often meant riding hundreds of miles over rugged country, living in camps under canvas and sharing his rough fare. She was said to be as good as any soldier in horsemanship, spear throwing and swordplay. She also had a talent for dancing and singing.

The Brahmins of Pune, who had a strong influence on the Hindu rulers, could never accept Mastani as Bajirao's wife. She became the center point in Pune politics when Bajirao openly declared Mastani as his wife and their son a Brahmin. Bajirao died of a flash fever in an army camp at 41. Bajirao's 'proper' wife Kashibai, the rest of Bajirao's family and Mastani came to bury him. At the cremation ceremony, Mastani suddenly broke through the crowd and walked into the flames, before anyone could react or prevent her. And that was the end.

OMG. OMG. I want to see this made into a movie! Please, please let this not be another rumor that goes nowhere.

Mastani article and Bajirao article

Apparently, Salman Khan is to play Bajirao (SLB wanted him from the beginning) and as to Mastani, it's a newcomer. Initially it was supposed to be Aishwarya but after the worst Bolly breakup in history :P, Salman and Aishwarya were not going to come near each other. Then it was Kareena Kapoor. I don't care if SLB has toads in it, as long as he makes it. Please.

Bajirao Mastani: watch dangermousie flail

There are new rumors that Bajirao Mastani will actually get filmed. And I don't want to get too excited but I can't help it. There was literal squealing in my house when I heard of it.

What is BM and why am I so excited? Bajirao Mastani was going to be Indian director's Sanjay Leela Bhansali's grand opus. It's an epic period movie about Bajirao, a Prime Minister and General of the Maratha empire, and the love of his life and mistress Mastani. Sanjay Leela Bhansali announced that he was going to be making BM more than three years ago. SLB is a very idiosyncratic director: you can tell his movies are his with no second glance needed. People either love him or loathe him, and I fall on the former side. Together with Mani Ratnam, he shares the 'number 1 favorite Indian director' spot. I'd watch him film a telephone book.

So, why am I excited, other than the fact that I'll watch anything by SLB? It's a period movie! Set in gorgeous 18th century at the time of the disintegrating Mughal empire. It's going to have battles as Bajirao was a very gifted general. And more importantly, it's going to have a star-crossed, angsty, doomed love affair which is the staple of Bollywood and the joy of dangermousie's heart. Basically, the story sounds way too cool to be true, but apparently is. And it has heroic warrior woman!

According to wikipedia, Mastani was the daughter of king Rana Chhatrasal of Bundelkhand, through his Muslim mistress. Bajirao helped the King when the latter was invaded and imprisoned. In gratitude, Chattrasal gave Mastani along with a third of his kingdom to Bajirao in 1729, when Bajirao was 31. So far, so good, in a rather fairy-tale like fashion. But here is where I get excited. Mastani didn't just live with Bajirao, but 'rode stirrup to stirrup' with him on his numerous military campaigns. This often meant riding hundreds of miles over rugged country, living in camps under canvas and sharing his rough fare. She was said to be as good as any soldier in horsemanship, spear throwing and swordplay. She also had a talent for dancing and singing.

The Brahmins of Pune, who had a strong influence on the Hindu rulers, could never accept Mastani as Bajirao's wife. She became the center point in Pune politics when Bajirao openly declared Mastani as his wife and their son a Brahmin. Bajirao died of a flash fever in an army camp at 41. Bajirao's 'proper' wife Kashibai, the rest of Bajirao's family and Mastani came to bury him. At the cremation ceremony, Mastani suddenly broke through the crowd and walked into the flames, before anyone could react or prevent her. And that was the end.

OMG. OMG. I want to see this made into a movie! Please, please let this not be another rumor that goes nowhere.

Mastani article and Bajirao article

Apparently, Salman Khan is to play Bajirao (SLB wanted him from the beginning) and as to Mastani, it's a newcomer. Initially it was supposed to be Aishwarya but after the worst Bolly breakup in history :P, Salman and Aishwarya were not going to come near each other. Then it was Kareena Kapoor. I don't care if SLB has toads in it, as long as he makes it. Please.

More Supernatural. I do promise to talk about something else soon.

"Hook Man" was a solid eppy, but not too exciting. And once again, Sam go involved with a girl who blames herself for stuff and seems to be Jess Redux. I am seriously going to start referring to him as Hakkai Winchester if this keeps up. It does strike me how utterly sweet he is. He just really cares. And I loved Dean at the end, watching Sam and Preacher Girl in the rearview mirror: he really is a good brother, saying 'we could stay' and offering Sam a second chance at a normal life. I think, mixed in with a bit of jealousy that Sam can inspire trust and liking so easily, that he can make bonds, there is also a bit of guilt for dragging him away from this normalcy.

As to "Bugs?" All I can say is that the developer talking to Sam and Dean and saying "I just want to say we accept homeowners of any race, religion, color, or *pause, looking from one to the other* sexual orientations" makes the ep. Is the Developer a slash fangirl, or what? When Dean tells him they are brothers, I wonder if the developer is disappointed :P

And when the head of sales repeats that exact inclusiveness comment, with the exact same pause, I die. Only to die all over again, when Dean says 'uh huh' and walks off saying "I am going to go talk to [developer]" and smacks Sam on the shoulder going "OK, honey?" ROFL.

And it's interesting that Sam identifies with Developer's rebellious disappointment of a son. He has a huge chip on his shoulder re: Dad, precisely because he is so strong willed and I get the feeling that he and his Dad would both want their own way and when those ways diverged? Ouch. I can't wait to see when they get together again. Fireworks. You can tell that Sam feels kicked out of the family and when he says he doesn't even think Dad will want to see him when they find him, you can tell he is voicing a deep-set fear (and I love Dean the peacemaker) and it's clear Dad cares as he went to Stanford quietly to check Sam is OK, but why doesn't he show it better? And why does Dean stick with Dad instead of Sam? If push came to shove, who would Dean pick?

More Supernatural. I do promise to talk about something else soon.

"Hook Man" was a solid eppy, but not too exciting. And once again, Sam go involved with a girl who blames herself for stuff and seems to be Jess Redux. I am seriously going to start referring to him as Hakkai Winchester if this keeps up. It does strike me how utterly sweet he is. He just really cares. And I loved Dean at the end, watching Sam and Preacher Girl in the rearview mirror: he really is a good brother, saying 'we could stay' and offering Sam a second chance at a normal life. I think, mixed in with a bit of jealousy that Sam can inspire trust and liking so easily, that he can make bonds, there is also a bit of guilt for dragging him away from this normalcy.

As to "Bugs?" All I can say is that the developer talking to Sam and Dean and saying "I just want to say we accept homeowners of any race, religion, color, or *pause, looking from one to the other* sexual orientations" makes the ep. Is the Developer a slash fangirl, or what? When Dean tells him they are brothers, I wonder if the developer is disappointed :P

And when the head of sales repeats that exact inclusiveness comment, with the exact same pause, I die. Only to die all over again, when Dean says 'uh huh' and walks off saying "I am going to go talk to [developer]" and smacks Sam on the shoulder going "OK, honey?" ROFL.

And it's interesting that Sam identifies with Developer's rebellious disappointment of a son. He has a huge chip on his shoulder re: Dad, precisely because he is so strong willed and I get the feeling that he and his Dad would both want their own way and when those ways diverged? Ouch. I can't wait to see when they get together again. Fireworks. You can tell that Sam feels kicked out of the family and when he says he doesn't even think Dad will want to see him when they find him, you can tell he is voicing a deep-set fear (and I love Dean the peacemaker) and it's clear Dad cares as he went to Stanford quietly to check Sam is OK, but why doesn't he show it better? And why does Dean stick with Dad instead of Sam? If push came to shove, who would Dean pick?

More Supernatural. I do promise to talk about something else soon.

"Hook Man" was a solid eppy, but not too exciting. And once again, Sam go involved with a girl who blames herself for stuff and seems to be Jess Redux. I am seriously going to start referring to him as Hakkai Winchester if this keeps up. It does strike me how utterly sweet he is. He just really cares. And I loved Dean at the end, watching Sam and Preacher Girl in the rearview mirror: he really is a good brother, saying 'we could stay' and offering Sam a second chance at a normal life. I think, mixed in with a bit of jealousy that Sam can inspire trust and liking so easily, that he can make bonds, there is also a bit of guilt for dragging him away from this normalcy.

As to "Bugs?" All I can say is that the developer talking to Sam and Dean and saying "I just want to say we accept homeowners of any race, religion, color, or *pause, looking from one to the other* sexual orientations" makes the ep. Is the Developer a slash fangirl, or what? When Dean tells him they are brothers, I wonder if the developer is disappointed :P

And when the head of sales repeats that exact inclusiveness comment, with the exact same pause, I die. Only to die all over again, when Dean says 'uh huh' and walks off saying "I am going to go talk to [developer]" and smacks Sam on the shoulder going "OK, honey?" ROFL.

And it's interesting that Sam identifies with Developer's rebellious disappointment of a son. He has a huge chip on his shoulder re: Dad, precisely because he is so strong willed and I get the feeling that he and his Dad would both want their own way and when those ways diverged? Ouch. I can't wait to see when they get together again. Fireworks. You can tell that Sam feels kicked out of the family and when he says he doesn't even think Dad will want to see him when they find him, you can tell he is voicing a deep-set fear (and I love Dean the peacemaker) and it's clear Dad cares as he went to Stanford quietly to check Sam is OK, but why doesn't he show it better? And why does Dean stick with Dad instead of Sam? If push came to shove, who would Dean pick?

Supernatural: Angst me baby one more time!

OMG. Home Home Home Home. Best ep so far, hands down.

OK. It's official. I want to smack Daddy Winchester with a 2 by 4. Hard. He knows where his kids are, he is not held down by some sort of an evil demon, he knows they are fucked up and freaking out. Does he see them? Nope. I can't think of any excuse that's good enough. Father of the Year is not an award he'll be getting any time soon. Ugh. Also, Daddy Winchester? I know you are rough and tumble, but surely you own a razor.

Poor Sam. So he's got precognition and he can sense things even the most powerful psychic can't? No wonder it's freaking him out. And I love the scene near the end where both boys see the spirit of their mother and they just break down, Dean and Sam both, and stare at her with all the longing in the world (Dean because he remembers her and misses her and Sam because he doesn't remember seeing her, ever). And then she is engulfed in flames, again, in front of their eyes. Must bring back charming memories. And then Sam, near the end, realizing that their mother died all over again, to save Dean and Sam. Extra guilt, just what Sam needs.

And I love that Sam finally tells Dean about his precog dreams (and how Jess' death continues to haunt him) and Dean flips out. And speaking of Dean? If Sam is barely holding himself together in this ep, then Dean is falling all over the place, all broken into pieces. He tells Sam that he swore to himself never to go back home and of course has to break that promise and he can barely function. I love the look on his face as the new owner of their house says they must have had a great childhood there, or the look on his face when his father's former friend reminisces about their Dad's love for their Mom. He both wants to know more and can't bear it. I love him telling Sam that no one else will die in that house. Yeah, work those issues, baby!

But my favorite scene was Dean's call to Dad. He bolts and then makes this absolutely desperate and lost and begging call, leaving that voicemail. Sort of like a message in a bottle and about that effective. And his voice breaks as he is begging for help, saying he doesn't know what to do. And he sounds so lost and vulnerable. And I am reminded that he is quite young, and poise or not, it's just a facade and underneath that facade is a spectacular mess and seriously, their father is a bastard.

I loved that Dean rescued Sam yet again. Yay. And I love that when Dean tells Sam what he remembers about that night, he mentions carrying Sam out of the fire and Sam is rather pleased. They really are reconnecting as a family and building their own functional unit without Dad.

It strikes me how Bollywood this is, in a sense. Our Manly Heroes are all about the love of their mother and their family. Karan Johar would love that.

Supernatural: Angst me baby one more time!

OMG. Home Home Home Home. Best ep so far, hands down.

OK. It's official. I want to smack Daddy Winchester with a 2 by 4. Hard. He knows where his kids are, he is not held down by some sort of an evil demon, he knows they are fucked up and freaking out. Does he see them? Nope. I can't think of any excuse that's good enough. Father of the Year is not an award he'll be getting any time soon. Ugh. Also, Daddy Winchester? I know you are rough and tumble, but surely you own a razor.

Poor Sam. So he's got precognition and he can sense things even the most powerful psychic can't? No wonder it's freaking him out. And I love the scene near the end where both boys see the spirit of their mother and they just break down, Dean and Sam both, and stare at her with all the longing in the world (Dean because he remembers her and misses her and Sam because he doesn't remember seeing her, ever). And then she is engulfed in flames, again, in front of their eyes. Must bring back charming memories. And then Sam, near the end, realizing that their mother died all over again, to save Dean and Sam. Extra guilt, just what Sam needs.

And I love that Sam finally tells Dean about his precog dreams (and how Jess' death continues to haunt him) and Dean flips out. And speaking of Dean? If Sam is barely holding himself together in this ep, then Dean is falling all over the place, all broken into pieces. He tells Sam that he swore to himself never to go back home and of course has to break that promise and he can barely function. I love the look on his face as the new owner of their house says they must have had a great childhood there, or the look on his face when his father's former friend reminisces about their Dad's love for their Mom. He both wants to know more and can't bear it. I love him telling Sam that no one else will die in that house. Yeah, work those issues, baby!

But my favorite scene was Dean's call to Dad. He bolts and then makes this absolutely desperate and lost and begging call, leaving that voicemail. Sort of like a message in a bottle and about that effective. And his voice breaks as he is begging for help, saying he doesn't know what to do. And he sounds so lost and vulnerable. And I am reminded that he is quite young, and poise or not, it's just a facade and underneath that facade is a spectacular mess and seriously, their father is a bastard.

I loved that Dean rescued Sam yet again. Yay. And I love that when Dean tells Sam what he remembers about that night, he mentions carrying Sam out of the fire and Sam is rather pleased. They really are reconnecting as a family and building their own functional unit without Dad.

It strikes me how Bollywood this is, in a sense. Our Manly Heroes are all about the love of their mother and their family. Karan Johar would love that.

Supernatural: Angst me baby one more time!

OMG. Home Home Home Home. Best ep so far, hands down.

OK. It's official. I want to smack Daddy Winchester with a 2 by 4. Hard. He knows where his kids are, he is not held down by some sort of an evil demon, he knows they are fucked up and freaking out. Does he see them? Nope. I can't think of any excuse that's good enough. Father of the Year is not an award he'll be getting any time soon. Ugh. Also, Daddy Winchester? I know you are rough and tumble, but surely you own a razor.

Poor Sam. So he's got precognition and he can sense things even the most powerful psychic can't? No wonder it's freaking him out. And I love the scene near the end where both boys see the spirit of their mother and they just break down, Dean and Sam both, and stare at her with all the longing in the world (Dean because he remembers her and misses her and Sam because he doesn't remember seeing her, ever). And then she is engulfed in flames, again, in front of their eyes. Must bring back charming memories. And then Sam, near the end, realizing that their mother died all over again, to save Dean and Sam. Extra guilt, just what Sam needs.

And I love that Sam finally tells Dean about his precog dreams (and how Jess' death continues to haunt him) and Dean flips out. And speaking of Dean? If Sam is barely holding himself together in this ep, then Dean is falling all over the place, all broken into pieces. He tells Sam that he swore to himself never to go back home and of course has to break that promise and he can barely function. I love the look on his face as the new owner of their house says they must have had a great childhood there, or the look on his face when his father's former friend reminisces about their Dad's love for their Mom. He both wants to know more and can't bear it. I love him telling Sam that no one else will die in that house. Yeah, work those issues, baby!

But my favorite scene was Dean's call to Dad. He bolts and then makes this absolutely desperate and lost and begging call, leaving that voicemail. Sort of like a message in a bottle and about that effective. And his voice breaks as he is begging for help, saying he doesn't know what to do. And he sounds so lost and vulnerable. And I am reminded that he is quite young, and poise or not, it's just a facade and underneath that facade is a spectacular mess and seriously, their father is a bastard.

I loved that Dean rescued Sam yet again. Yay. And I love that when Dean tells Sam what he remembers about that night, he mentions carrying Sam out of the fire and Sam is rather pleased. They really are reconnecting as a family and building their own functional unit without Dad.

It strikes me how Bollywood this is, in a sense. Our Manly Heroes are all about the love of their mother and their family. Karan Johar would love that.

Tanith Lee quotage

No one writes quite like Tanith Lee. I've finished her brilliant "Gods are Thirsty" about a French revolutionary Camille Desmoulins, and as always I am struck by her dreamlike, intense writing style.

Behind the cut is one of my favorite parts of the book. It's a whole part of a chapter so it's behind the cut for length. Nontheless, it's really worth reading. This is near the end, when Camille is in prison, knows he will be condemned and has just found out that his wife has been arrested as well.

( One more doll for the guillotine. It isn't real, it's only play. After the blade comes down, we get up, entirely in one piece, and walk off. )

Tanith Lee quotage

No one writes quite like Tanith Lee. I've finished her brilliant "Gods are Thirsty" about a French revolutionary Camille Desmoulins, and as always I am struck by her dreamlike, intense writing style.

Behind the cut is one of my favorite parts of the book. It's a whole part of a chapter so it's behind the cut for length. Nontheless, it's really worth reading. This is near the end, when Camille is in prison, knows he will be condemned and has just found out that his wife has been arrested as well.

( One more doll for the guillotine. It isn't real, it's only play. After the blade comes down, we get up, entirely in one piece, and walk off. )

Tanith Lee quotage

No one writes quite like Tanith Lee. I've finished her brilliant "Gods are Thirsty" about a French revolutionary Camille Desmoulins, and as always I am struck by her dreamlike, intense writing style.

Behind the cut is one of my favorite parts of the book. It's a whole part of a chapter so it's behind the cut for length. Nontheless, it's really worth reading. This is near the end, when Camille is in prison, knows he will be condemned and has just found out that his wife has been arrested as well.

( One more doll for the guillotine. It isn't real, it's only play. After the blade comes down, we get up, entirely in one piece, and walk off. )