Housefull2

Star rating: *

Director: Sajid Khan

Cast: Akshay Kumar, John Abraham, Riteish Deshmukh, Asin, Jacqueline Fernandez, Chunky Pandey, Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade, Zarine Khan, Shazahn Padamsee, Mithun Chakraborty, Boman Irani, Johnny Lever

Housefull 2 is one film which has left me speechless and that cannot be a good thing when it comes to someone like me. The second in the Housefull franchise, it follows the same strands with mistaken identities and family fueds. Each character is flawed and unscrupulous in it's selfishness to achieve their own goals. Two fueding brothers decide they both want their daughters to marry the richest son-in-law, each daughter believes she is marrying the richest son-in-law and each son-in-law is pretending to be the richest son-in-law.

The film is indeed mayhem just as the title suggests with lies causing more chaos as each minute of the film progresses. With such a huge star cast, you do feel a bit cheated. The actors are not utilised well at all. Akshay Kumar is at his comedic best as usual with the tired formula of crazed lover/thief. The actresses are there just being a pretty face, looking catwalk ready and wearing cute outfits. In fact, i don't think any of them play a big role in the storyline and we could have done without them, if the film wasn't about the boys getting married. Malaika Arora Khan is the saving face on the female front with her guest appearance in her item song 'Anarkali Disco Chali' and the few lines she is given. I do find it a shame though that the film has huge stars like Mithun Chakraborty, Boman Irani, Johnny Lever, Rishi Kapoor and Randhir Kapoor in it but they are made to look rather silly. It feels as though they were forced to choose these roles as a personal favour or simply because there was nothing better available.

The music score is the saving grace in this film, as it always is with 'Pappa to bandh bajaye' and 'Anarkali Disco Chali'. However, apart from that, i can't say nothing good about the film. Watch it for some mindless fun and i seriously mean leave your brain at home. Sajid Khan will need to pick up the pace with his films if he wants to continue to create hit films. 

Imli's

There are not many Indian restaurants i rate in Central London. It is mainly because i'm Indian myself so i see no reason for me to head outside for Indian food. However, i do have a weakness for Indian street food. For those of you who don't know what it is, see here

Ever since i first set foot on the beaches in Mumbai, India, at the age of 4, i was totally taken with their chana chaat, pakoras, pav bhaji and my favourite of all, Pani Puri. However, back in the UK, it is incredibly hard to find somewhere that keeps the pleasure of eating out and having authentic Indian street food at a reasonable price. One that comes vaguely close is Masala Zone, but as of late, they have become a bit bland in taste and let's face it the science beaker given with pani puri or golguppas, is a big turn off.

However, walking the streets of London after a busy day's shopping, i was pleased to discover Imli's in Wardour Street, Soho. It is rather unnoticeable among all the big Japanese chains but heaven awaits if you do find it. The food was pleasantly delicious, spices were just right and i can dare to say that my mother would have gladly eaten here without complaint. Pav Bhaji was hot with soft warm pav that melts in your mouth as you eat it. Each dish starts at £5 and goes up £15. Staff were polite and courteous and made sure we felt welcomed and even timed all our courses just right. It really is a must see for anyone craving a good Indian on the streets of London.

http://www.imli.co.uk/

Shahrukh Khan and Katrina Kaif filming in London

After being a die hard fan of Shahrukh Khan, how exciting was it for me stumble him and Katrina Kaif filming for Yash Raj's yet untitled romantic film at Westminster. Not so sure how i felt about that the film crew did treat all onlookers like criminals and didn't let us take pics (i did) but it was a rather dramatic affair. Then again, this is Bollywood!

The Hunger Games trilogy

4 stars out of 5

I have to say, ever since the ill fated Twilight series and it's dreadful ending, i have been avoiding young adult books like the plague. There was a time where hopeless romantics and star-crossed lovers of other worlds really rocked my boat. You only have to mention Buffy, The Vampire Slayer and i could probably recount to you every single flirtatious look she ever received. However, Twilight did knock my confidence in young adult fiction and really put me off, i liked the books but then the movie came along and destroyed everything.

Anyway, as i don't want to stray off topic, The Hunger Games. Having seen the trailer a couple of months ago, i got excited at this film. The intrigue it built up with a very sturdy looking Jennifer Lawrence and handsome Liam Hensworth, i was keen to find out more. While i waited for the film release, i did the one thing only all respectful bookworms do, i read the book it was based on by Suzanne Collins. I do have to say, from the moment Katniss Everdeen, the heroine of this trilogy, wakes up in her wooden hut, i was hooked. I was desperate to learn of the moody Ms Everdeen after she volunteers herself as tribute. The tragic events that follow in the Hunger Games arena did leave me wanting more. I loved the book and its every dramatic moment. The most amazing part of this book is the fact that she is not longing for a man despite the love triangle she's stuck in, she is desperate to survive. She wants to save her family and do what is right.

Soon after reading the first book, i headed straight to the cinema. I do believe that each and everyone of the characters were well cast. Even Jennifer Lawrence did a great job 'acting' very awkward and then strong throughout her time in the arena. I do feel however that you did need to have read the book to understand all the underlying storylines otherwise you would spend all your time explaining them to people you go with.

After all of this, i read the rest of the trilogy and i honestly was happy with the ending. It does have lots of twists and turns and the second book does seem like a filler. You do have to remain faithful to the books and pay attention as all the strands are tied up but no one knows whether it is for the better. One things for sure, i will never smell a white rose and not think of President Snow ever again.

Sanoobar :)

Artbox

I really do love discovering boutique style shops around London and to my surprise, I spotted Artbox tucked away in Neal Street. Its a great little store for girls like me who refuse to grow up.

They do great quirky stationery and other accessories of the like with fun characters like Hello Kitty and Panda as well as others. It really is the best store to get some really individual accessories and still look grown up all at the same time.

See below for some things I bought...




Hello Kitty pen: £1.99




Hello Kitty lanyard: £5.99

I also bought a Hello Kitty thermal mug for £14.99 but I unfortunately don't have it with me to show you so i'll post that later.

Sanoobar


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Location:Covent Garden

Notebooks

I have always been a bit of a collector when it comes to notebooks so here is my favourite one. I bought this at Funky Pigeon in Liverpool Street station for £15.99 but it really has become invaluable to me. It comes with a big chunky pencil which I confess I don't really use but it does look good on the side of the notebook. I've looked online and you can also buy refills and reuse the cover. A must by for all those who like to write on the run!




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1 week on...

Hi all,


So it has been a week now since i have had my eye laser surgery and it has gone all smoothly and i can see! The picture above was taken on the day of my surgery, that is why i look so dishevelled and afraid, it is because i genuinely was terrified. 


So let me tell you what happened. I went in for my treatment at a very packed surgery at Optical Express in Harley Street. It was clearly a busy day for eye surgery as there were many people waiting to get it done. I was taken in first for my eye check ups again, the same ones that i had done when i went in for my consultation. They were just checking to see if my eyes were okay and if my prescription had any changes since the last time i had seen them. After that i was taken in for my surgery. While i was waiting for my turn, they cleaned the area around my eyes and placed anaesthetic drops on my eyes. These stung a little. 


Then i was taken into the surgery room. It is rather intimidating with its big machines. I was told that they would use two lasers on me, one to cut the 'flap' first layer of skin on my eye and the other to correct my cornea. I didn't feel a thing during the procedure. They do place a rubber ring inside your eyelids to hold them open but you never lose the sensation that you are blinking. When they cut the flap, you do also get a strange smell of burning chicken. The second laser was the big noisy one which makes loud and clicky sounds. Your eyes do go black when they use it and then your vision starts to come back slowly and it feels as though you are wearing misty glasses. The whole thing lasted for about 10 minutes, after which i was taken into a dark room to recuperate.


You do have difficulty opening your eyes for the first 10-15minutes or so and even if you do, your eyes are incredibly watery. I did have mild headache afterwards so it would have been useful to take painkillers with me. I was driven home after the surgery but please note, take someone with you who doesn't talk so much, my mum made me want to jump out of the car. When i got home, i literally went to sleep for 6 hours as my eyelids were so heavy and after i woke up, i could see.


For the next 7 days, i had to take eye drops and wear goggles in bed and avoid getting any water in my eyes. The next day i was totally fine to go to the check up by myself and it was all plain sailing from there on. I had 20/20 vision and the only downside was that my eyes were a little sensitive to bright lights. That does wear off after a couple of days and by the fourth day, i was only wearing sunglasses during the day and night as a precautionary measure. I do think that the surgery is definitely worth it and i would recommend Optical Express. They do have  a great service and the staff are reassuring and answer any questions, regardless of how silly they may seem to you. It is pricey but if you can afford it, i would say go for it!


Sanoobar :)