Anyways, while many are trying to figure out how to get rid of this menace, I happened to come across a statement from actress Khushbu which shook me off my chair. Well, she stated that if we wear Sarees then rapes will not happen.

My quick thought to that is, has it not happened before during the age of sarees? In fact sarees are more sensuous and feminine assets are seen in a rather appealing way to men. Truth is, any physical deformations like a stout body also get hidden if the Sari is tied in the right way. Isn’t that ammunition enough for men to lose their mind? The way the sarees are being worn way below the navel and the designer blouses are being worn will surely turn on any saint.

While I am trying to understand the concept behind Khushbu’s ‘Sari’ medicine to cure the rape disease, there is an element of truth to a woman’s attire. If ladies drape themselves in decent clothes then it sure reduces the risk of them catching the attention of the wrong kind of men. Also, most of the rapes which have happened occur when the men are in drunken state. There may not be much logic in what Khushbu said but yeah, if the Sari is worn the way it should be then MAYBE it can make a difference.

But the fact is, if a man wants to rape he will rape. Whether you wear sari or salwar it doesn’t really matter. But it cannot be his fault at all the times. There are times when women tend to wear something shockingly revealing and that will tempt quite a few. There is a line between looking beautiful and sexy but unfortunately many women consider sexy as beautiful and sometimes they get cornered and become victims of the physical torture. The intent of Khushbu is appreciated but there is no scientific analysis or evidence to it, that’s what is my conclusion.

Written By Madhavi

I might sound controversial but here is the fact. The media is swallowing our movie business. Today, there are nearly 30 plus TV channels, 10 plus newspaper dailies, 10 plus film magazines, various FM Radio channels and countless websites. And without media coverage, getting a film to the audience is ruled out. So, it becomes mandatory that all the media avenues have to be fed (upto their satisfaction) and no compromise can be done on that. For starters, ads should be given to all of them.

But in this process, the cost of making a film is getting equal to cost of marketing it. Earlier there were just the conventional Doordarshan and All India Radio but now so many establishments have come and even if one of them is overlooked then we have to pay the price in our own way. It is not just about providing them ads and paying up for it. There are many instances where we have to do some ‘extra’ offerings to please the media. And all this to make some noise about our film whose fate always lies in the hands of the audience only.

We are not like Shankar or Shahrukh Khan who can treat their film as a product and come up with a proper marketing strategy and business model. Our budgets are shoestring, our limitations are high and we are not even sure that if the film is ready it will hit the screens because theatres are another challenge. But I feel that all those things can be handled more conveniently than handling the media. My thoughts are not to undermine the media brothers but their presence has become so expansive that it has begun to eat into our business.

Sent through mail by a small film producer on condition of anonymity

During the Kadapa elections, opponents of Y S Jagan made individuals bearing names like B S Jaganmohan Reddy, V S Jaganmohan Reddy to file nominations as independents and contest to create confusion. But Jagan won with thumping majority. In the recent bypolls, at Nagarkurnool, the same formula was applied with Nagam Janardhan Reddy. TDP selcted M Janardhan Reddy to file nominations but Nagam won without any hiccups. All this is showing only one thing.

Earlier voting masses used to go and blindly cast their vote looking at the symbol but now things have changed. They are aware of the candidate profile and who is who. Earlier EVMs never used to work. Many had criticized that it is a flop idea but now everything has been streamlined and due to this, rigging is gone. This is a good thing for democracy. Though the politicians keep pumping money and a lot is spent no one knows who is getting voted.

There is no ballot paper to verify who got the vote. With this, another point has become clear. Whenever mass hysteria is working there is nothing much the politicians can do and no amount of money or other attractions help. Perhaps due to this realization, they will stop giving money at one point, the chances are there. Ironically, the voters are changing, the voting system has changed but the politicians are not changing.

The voters have become intelligent, they are not going blindly to the booth and pressing the button, they are voting only for that person whom they want to win. Of course, we still live in the time where we have to choose the bad among the worse but atleast we are heading towards some direction which can be called as good. Jai ho Voters!!

-Sumitra Kavuri

This the age of virtual porn and the internet is the hub for seeing some really nasty stuff. And thanks to the web revolution, there are those individuals who seem to be using it to sell their body.

These thoughts have come to me after looking at ladies like Poonam Pandey, Sherlyn Chopra. Till date, I have not understood what exactly are they trying to promote, themselves, their sex appeal and what are they getting in return for that? Almost all the time, I see both ladies stripping and posing in nude. As if that is not enough, they latch on to a national figure and add their oomph to it. Sometimes, Poonam is seen congratulating Prime Minister and Virat through twitter.

I might sound rude but this is my feeling. Through media they have become virtual prostitutes. Their job seems to be luring entire public and grabbing attention. As such, they are not getting any film offers so how they are making money is anyone’s guess. A stinking rich man will want to have affair with a hot sexual lady especially a chic who is hot in the celebrity circuit. That could be a trip to boost his ego and while he has the power to shell the money, he gets the pleasures.

And that’s how these virtual prostitutes seem to be making their money. What can you call them if not that. I see not much difference in what these ladies are doing and what the regular girls do in adult sites. Unfortunately, our media has got some ridiculous parameters and they fail to identify the difference between a celebrity and a prostitute. Not to blame then since they don’t even know their own fundamentals that media is about journalism and bringing truth, not plain sensation. Anyways, these are my thoughts about the virtual prostitutes, not sure how many will agree with me.

-Rajni Panigrahi, Bangalore

The film industry is going through a transition and a new wave of moviemakers is coming. Also, the audience perspective has also changed and it is no longer a blind fan frenzy but respect to talent.

This strong feeling comes to me looking at the case of Prakash Raj. Whatever complaints or issues have come on Prakash, they don’t leave him. Now I heard that he has walked out of the film ‘Seetamma Vaakitlo Sirimalle Chettu’. Though the makers are looking for a replacement, Prakash doesn’t seem to be at loss. And I am sure the chasing for him will not reduce in any way. In the past it used to happen with the iconic S V Ranga Rao. It is heard that he was the person who used to call the shots.

Another classic example is Mohan Babu. He is known for his dookudu in showing talent. His antics and histrionics are already known. And the latest person to join that club is Brahmanandam. I hear a lot about how Brahmi gives torture to directors and co-stars but still they all run behind him. All this leads me to only one conclusion. Ultimately, talent matters and if unlimited talent is there, no humility is required in the film industry. Of course, the examples I quoted are those of character/comedy actors.

The same applies to top league stars. And the parameter is more success than talent. Yes, there is always a risk that if one’s ego gets pricked they will do anything to see your downfall and film industry is filled with individuals with bloated egos and uncontrollable pride. But if you have the right talent and can deliver wherever required then the film folks will not hesitate to spread the red carpet and allow you to walk over their heads. Maybe it is time for aspirants to sharpen their ‘Dookudu’ in showing talent instead of naakudu (licking someone’s boots).

Krishna Prasad, Hyderabad

This has resulted in some shady incidents being reported on a daily basis. While that is one side, another question which is making rounds is- whether watching porn is worse than illegal sex. We have seen the ND Tiwari act in Raj Bhavan and the latest incident in assembly of Karnataka. So, which among the two is worse? The fraud godman Nityananda has got no sacking since he is not a government employee. But the Karnataka incident is being sown as heinous act.

It is natural that if someone sends MMS then they might open out of natural reflex, the same must have happened in Karnataka assembly but the media is doing over hype. But still it is indeed a demeaning act. However, it is not demeaning as our ND Tiwari or the great Swamiji. The fact remains that watching porn has been existing since a long time but these days it is getting a lot of awareness due to the media exaggeration and its strong presence across all networks.

In one sense, watching porn is not worse than illegal sex. Atleast, this is a virtual form of pleasure but involving with another person and that too when you are married or committed in a relationship is something unpardonable. At the same time, there is a limit to watching porn because getting addicted to it is a serious psychological disorder and it also tends to implant several misconceptions about sex and relationships. As such, both are bad but if we are to choose between both then illegal sex is worse than porn.

Ashok Gowde, Bangalore

Anyways, it is not about the system but the leaders who drive the system. I think it is better to call them politicians as there is a huge difference between a leader and a politician.

Lately, I have been seeing and hearing a lot about K Chandrasekhar Rao doing Chandi Yagam. He has been the torchbearer for the agitation and was responsible for instigating many groups and individuals, especially the students, to take part in the movement and cause a lot of trouble. Keeping that aside, I heard that KCR did Chandi Yagam with 20 Brahmins from Telangana region. And he is doing that since the past five to six years.

Ironically, he has stated that last year he didn’t do it well and some Dosham is there so that’s why Telangana didn’t come. Now, he is confident that the Yagam went well and Telangana is imminent. That leaves with me one big question. If by doing Chandi Yagam Telangana comes then why is he there? Why did he arrange for people like Kodhandaram and other unruly mobs to demolish statues at Tank Bund? Why did he have to ruin brand Hyderabad? Why were the hapless students of Osmania targeted?

This is something he should ask himself. After all the chaos and the emotional trauma that many people have been through and looting many commercial establishments in the name of funds, if KCR is putting the blame on God and Chandi Yagam for achieving his political gains then it is the most disgraceful thing he is doing. People are not blind, they may have got carried away by hysteria at that point but the way people like KCR, Harish Rao, Kodhandaram etc have been functioning, it is a shame they call themselves as true Telangana achievers.

Narasimha Goud, Karimnagar

It is known that the campaigning of any sort should not be carried by any political party after a stipulated time by EC.

The election commission felt that Mayawati’s statues those were erected in big number ever where act as campaigning element. Hence it ordered to cover all the statues of Mayawati. Not stopping at that even the elephant statues those were erected by Mayawati were also ordered to cover. This is the funniest aspect in democratic India.

If that is the case, should Gandhi statues be covered as Congress people claim themselves as descendants of Mahatma? YS Jagan has been erecting the statues of YSR in various places of the state. Should he cover all of them during elections? Will EC ban showing palms and switching on ceiling fans at homes and offices? Should TDP cover up all NTR statues? Will EC ban all the cycles in state?

Well, it’s the close statue that attracts more public attention than the unveiled one. That way, how this mission of EC can be successful?

But the argument of EC is that Mayawati is a living politician and hence her statues acts like a campaigning element. That’s fine, but what about elephants? Elephant is not just identified with Mayawati and her party but in bigger way as an animal known for auspiciousness, majesty and regality. There are many statues of elephants located in India right from small temples to museums to historical places like Khajuraho. How can EC feel elephant statue an election campaign material?

Election Commission fooled itself in big way in entire India. For me it’s the biggest joke of year 2012 so far!

Sreenath G, Hyderabad

In the name of system and legal process, the politicians have been flouting the legal arm to their convenience and getting away with some of the biggest financial crimes one can imagine. And the reason I say this is after seeing three men who came together and are busy looting legally.

The trio is Chandrababu Naidu, Ramoji Rao and the Reliance Group.

Going by the recent article that I came across in a daily, it has come to light that the trio has been using the infamous and most abused ‘Not Before’ clause in the house of law and are ensuring that no legal action is taken on them. Well, according to the law, the lawyers or the judiciary can raise this clause at any given point during an argument and the case can get transferred to another justice.

The way I see it, the buck will be passing from one justice to another and at the end of the day, no proceedings can happen on Chandrababu or Ramoji or Reliance. And the ‘Quid Pro Quo’ status would lead to the case being tossed around.

The logic is simple, if the key judges in the system are gifted with shares of Reliance then using the ‘Not Before’ clause none of these judges would welcome argument in any case against Reliance that is connected to Ramoji and Naidu, which means they have literally got no opposition in the court of law.

So far, all this has been happening discreetly and if it was not for the publication in a daily newspaper for the insight on ‘Not Before’, this would have not come to light. Today, there is one media house which is standing against the system and trying to highlight the legal loopholes which is being exploited by a group of big wigs. This is a rather serious predicament which one should think of. The popular news dailies never wrote about this despite knowing just for the reason of being partial to some key politicians. Chandrababu played a big strategist role by posting all favorable judges in key positions when he was in power, I heard. If that was true, we can call Chandrababu as only a strategist politician but not a statesman.

Written By Dr Shekar Reddy

The reason for this thought is after spending few hours surfing the net, watching television and the news channels. I am referring to the recent demises of noted film personalities and the coverage being given to them. Right from the funeral of the recent M S Reddy to Dasari Padma to Kota Prasad, each activity involving people paying their respects till the final pyre is lit is being covered with utmost detail and precision.

The events are being highlighted with close up pictures on websites. The first thing that came to my mind looking at all this, is this a moment of grief or another avenue for publicity or TRP? They are showing the death ceremonies of noted people like it is a marriage reception. If the websites show their prowess by close-up shots, the TV channels show their talent by providing background songs and music.

Has death also become a publicity stunt? I agree that there will be that section of crowd who would be curious to know what is happening but the degree of intensity being shown in covering these dark events, even the family members of the deceased would not have thought about is so seriously. Why can’t the media folks show the same interest and attention to detail to expose corrupt politicians and officials? Why can’t they take the same initiative and interest in catching hold of criminals in society? Isn’t that fodder enough for good TRPs?

It is rather sad to see death being shown in such a grand manner but maybe it is like Sri Sri said “Swatantra Desam Lo Chaavu Kooda Pelli Lantide Brother…”.

Written By Venkat