say 'HELLO!'

Hello, an interesting movie asking us to probe what lies beneath us, a yet another good Friday dose. Based on an International Book selling novel ‘one night at call centre’, by Chetan Bhagat, the story begins with the pomp and splendor of Salman Khan, whose chopper gets delayed post the show. While waiting in the lobby, a sudden visit by Katrina Kaif that she shall recite a story to kill boredom during the wait, only if he makes a movie on it. What makes Khan buy the deal was the idea of God involved within it.

The story revolves around lives of Shyam, Vroom(Sohail Khan), Radhika (Amrita) , Priyanka (Gul Panag), Isha (Isha Kopiakar), Military Uncle, who have been living simple yet unsatisfied lives as calling agents in call centre. Initially when they began working, the work seemed interesting but later monotony strikes which owes largely due to their lot.

The script by Chetan Bhagat deserves kudos for brilliantly capturing the scenario of our common lives and the ‘other-side’ accompanied with the BPO effect. The late night shifts, the spat of words at being late in cab pick up, the parties associated along with work, the change in our daily routine to sustain American economy, the anger gulped down on hearing unwanted words at the foreign call, the greed for NRI match for daughter, the unfriendly attitude of in-laws for the working women deserve to be mentioned for capturing the paraphernalia surrounding our common lives.

An escapist move comes when the five decide to go out to forget the unpleasant night and the larger uneasy lives they are experiencing. A sheer glimpse of absurdity that surrounds our lives pointing to meaninglessness within this life. A call from GOD during their accident guides them to listen to their inner conscience, have confidence, believe in themselves and learn to loose so as to taste success.

A revolutionary mood a la Che Guevera, comes forth with the six folks planning to tame the miseries of life with their wits and conviction. The power of media and civil society come forth to challenge the crude edges of neo liberal market forces calling for downsizing jobs. A tinge of revolution, using the power of technology to serve the use of indigenous employment, is seen when the calling agents create the fear about virus and need for constant calling. Determinism to do rise above the failures faced in life, which ended in happy end for all, with each carving a niche for itself with its efforts and faith.

A telling account, close to reality. Alvira Agnihotri deserves credit for designing clothes that make the character look real rather than ‘reel’ types. The dialogues by Bhagat capture the imagination, the feeling of each and everyone who have been effected by realities of globalization.

DILUTING REALIST FOREIGN POLICY?

The discourse on foreign policy which was hitherto seen in crude realist discourse where only the federal government was representative of foreign afairs is being changed. Today neo-liberal post modern paradigm in the realm of International relations refuses to adhere to crude Domestic-international distinction, and concedes to the existence of multiple realities. This has put onus on the policies of the nation to respond to the demands of changed times.

State sovereignty is becoming porous or perforated as the local has connection with the global. It is not a one way process but constant process of interaction, where federalism can be analysed under the paradigm of pluralistic democracy as the two sets of governments are independent yet jointly linked.

Sub national units have expanded their continental and international involvement over the past two decades. This is particularly significant in the United States, where individual states such as California, New York and Texas have GDPs which rival industrialized nation-states. In case of India, the treaty making power is an executive prerogative under Article 253. and recently, the Parliament was able to assert its power in case of Indo-U.S nuclear deal, the former left ally of United Progressive Alliance Government forced the executive (government) to share every information with the Parliament.