Ramesh Powar. The name always brings on a smile.

I went for The Pink Panther last weekend.

Steve Martin is such a draw. He is one of the best actors we have today. Very often, we underestimate Martin by considering him simply as a comic actor. Oh sure, he has superb comic timing and he did begin his career as a stand up comedian. But anyone who has watched his Roxanne, Shopgirl and Parenthood would know that Martin has considerable talents as a dramatic actor. And in Father of the Bride, though the comedy might have been derived from Martin getting caught in situations and his reactions to them, his portrayal of the pain of losing his little girl was what stayed. Similarly in Roxanne, his nose was definitely comedic and CD Bales definitely took it sportingly but when it came to the woman of his dreams, didn’t his eyes have a wistfulness which suggested the presence of a romantic soul suffused with kindness.

My argument is when you go for a Steve Martin movie, you have certain expectations of it. Because you know that Martin himself has expectations of himself. And he is an intelligent man himself, a grounded person not given to self-adoration.

So when I went for The Pink Panther, I had certain expectations from it. Perhaps the whole problem was ‘expectations’. The movie certainly had its moments of fun, mostly physical comedy and at times, corny too. Probably, I have seen those Martin movies which has made me think of him as an intelligent man and therefore, could not really believe him as the idiotic Clouseau.

I really liked the Jean Reno character – the experienced gendarme sent to keep an eye on Clouseau’s antics. He looks like a classic detective, notepads, questions, sleepy eyes, slouchy walk and an unobtrusive manner. The man whom no one would ever notice. And Reno plays him so quietly that in come scenes you have to look at him to know he is there.

Beyoncé is her usual sexy self. Nothing much to do for her than just be herself.

All in all, a complete timepass movie. Unless you are a Martin fan.

My best buddy at http://thezephyrsong.blogspot.com/ has got a cool blog name. In asking him about its origin, he told me about this rather sweet song.

The Zephyr Song by Red Hot Chilli Peppers:

Can I get your hand to write on
Just a piece of lead to bite on
What am I to fly my kite on
Do you want to flash your light on
Take a look it’s on display - for you
Coming down no not today

Did you meet your fortune teller
Get it off with no propeller
Do it up it’s always stellar
What a way to finally smell her
Pick it up it’s not to strong - for you
Take a piece and pass it on

Fly away on my zephyr
I feel it more then ever
And in this perfect weather
We’ll find a place together

Fly on my wing
Riddlin on liberator
Find a way to be a skater
Rev it up to levitator
Super mainly aviator
Take a look it’s on display - for you
Coming down no not today
Fly away on my zephyr

I feel it more then ever
And in this perfect weather
We’ll find a place together
In the water where the scent of my emotion
All the world will pass me by
Fly away on my zephyr
We’ll find a place together

Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa - do you
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa - won’t you
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Fly away on my zephyr

I feel it more then ever
And in this perfect weather
We’ll find a place together
In the water where the scent of my emotion
All the world will pass me by
Fly away on my zephyr
We’re gonna live forever
Forever

I am fascinated with moving pictures. I like the way the camera probes, seeks, displays. How it moves sensually, voyeuristically into realms and lives. I am amazed by how its gives away people: simple gestures and words and sighs. Is it because I am more interested in witnessing another person’s life, her story or her troubles? Am I, in other words, seeking to escape into these worlds as countless sociologists tell me? Or am I simply the awestruck kid at a magic show? Perhaps so! For am I not amazed and awed and mesmerised by the stories these pictures tell me? I am! Painfully so! For I also want to unearth the source of the magic. I am the kid who wants to ride that tall ferris wheel but am afraid of going up and down those heights. But oh what beauty will I see when I am at its very top?