Angelic Swades, Demonic Waves and one exciting novel

I picked up 'Angels and Demons' by Dan Brown over the weekend and breezed through it. I have read 'Da Vinci Code' before and the structure of the novels is exactly identical. However, DVC is sharper in its execution and more to the point. I think the author's biggest problem is to achieve a fitting denouement after having built up the suspense till then. DVC was a letdown for me in that sense. I was expecting more bravura from the author. In that respect, at least this novel fares a little better. The best part however is that this is a genre of books which reeks of erudition and is completely new in its subject matter. The mystique and aura of the places mentioned in his novels makes me want to visit Europe. I am definitely going to read his other works, 'Deception Point' and 'Digital Fortress'. I read somewhere that he is writing a sequel to DVC as well.

I had to wait till I returned from my trip to see 'Swades'. Unusually long wait to see an SRK movie. I did put 'Angelic Swades' in the title of this blog, but that was only for effect. The points listed below list out my disagreement.
1. Music is good, but it has nothing new to offer. Has a definite Lagaan hangover. I could also trace repeats from Bombay and a couple of his other movies. As much as I like Rehman, he has got to innovate more to earn more respect from me. His 'Dil Se' was path-breaking and the second best album of the 90s after '1942: A Love Story'. But I haven't heard anything of that caliber since.
2. The tone of the movie was patronizing to say the least. I am not sure they want to hear that in India. For the movie to work in USA and UK, you need discerning audiences. To expect that would be a joke
3. SRK acting well worked against him. People like different avatars of SRK, not SRK in different avatars. That said, I don't think even avid SRK-loathers would thumb him down for this movie :-)
4. Gayatri Joshi had pretty good confidence, but needs to control that perennial frown on her face. Still, not a bad debut against King Khan
5. I am happy that Ashutosh Gowarikar tried his hand at a different kind of a movie. No one else had anything to prove in this movie except him. Lagaan was always going to be a tough act to match, and I think he redeemed himself only partially. Let's see where he goes from here. I don't watching this movie again, but I'd watch Lagaan anyday. Maybe patronizing is tolerable when it comes from an resident Indian :-)

Lastly, the tsunami tragedy has brought out the worst in nations and the best in people. America first pledged $15 million, which they raised to $350 million after severe media pressure. Such insensitivity from the world's richest nation is appalling. On the other hand, individuals have been pouring money generously for the cause. Around me, the NRI community has rallied well and a lot of money is being gathered for the purpose. I have had several people at work (Americans, Canadians et al) come up to me to see if any of my loved ones have been affected. We are even having a cricket tournament on the 22nd of Jan (a one day affair, 6 a side, 6 overs a side) to raise funds. I guess witnessing human suffering in a natural disaster does get bring out the sympathetic side in people. If only they did the same for all the millions who die in places like Africa every year. Do they need to wait for a tsunami or an earthquake to get our attention?