Movie Review: Sixteen

Movie Review: Sixteen

Rating: 3/5

 Well, who can forget the days in school? The age when you're stepping into teens, when you are discovering life and relationships, when you're making new friends, when you are learning the difference between love, lust and infatuation, when you're discussing/exploring forbidden things with pals... Director Raj Purohit encapsulates all this and more in SIXTEEN.

The difference between a 16-year-old, almost 30 years ago, and a 16-year-old today is radical. In this era of internet and technological advancements, in this era of Facebook, Twitter and chat rooms, the teen is exposed to stuff that seemed beyond belief till a few years ago. Do kids of today lose purity and innocence faster these days? 

SIXTEEN captures the life of teens as they go through their loves and heartaches, dreams and destructions in their school, home and the outside world. It narrates the story of friendship and the turbulent route of some kids during their growing up years. It's also about the adults around them who make, unmake and remake their world...

While the premise may seem basic or one-dimensional, director Raj Purohit ensures that he packs in quite a bit in those 2+ hours. Actually, Purohit makes a genuine attempt to narrate not one, but varied stories in the film and each of them, in some way, mirrors the lives of youngsters who stand on the threshold of adulthood. There are moments that startle you, not because the director presents it in the exaggerated form, but because the Gen X thinks and converses so differently in the present day. 

Purohit brings back memories of the growing up years and extracts spontaneous performances from the principal cast. Additionally, he tries to scrutinize the mindset of the youngsters, borrowing from slice of life situations and juxtaposing episodes with sweet and sour occurrences. A few moments are sparkling indeed! Conversely, the film staggers and hits rough patches towards the penultimate moments, when the assorted stories -- on their individual path by now -- head towards culmination. Additionally, the languid pacing is another bothersome aspect. 

SIXTEEN could've done with lesser songs. A couple of tracks are harmonious ['Chad Gayi' is foot-tapping], but a spate of songs in the post-interval portions specifically deviate your attention from the story. Dialogue are amusing and naughty and do win you over at times. 

After UDAAN, BUBBLE GUM and GIPPI, SIXTEEN is yet another film with child protagonists, which is a welcome change indeed. And the good news is, the actors, all of them, show promise. Izabelle Leite, Mehak Manwani, Wamiqa Gabbi, Rohan Mehra, Highphill Mathews and Varun Jhamb are self-assured. Zakir Hussain is, as always, wonderful. Prabhleen is hugely competent. Keith Sequeira is natural. 

On the whole, SIXTEEN is well-intentioned and tackles relevant issues, although the second half could've been sharper. Good watch!

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Movie Review: Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

Movie Review: Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

Rating: 4.5/5

 Biopics are fast gaining popularity in Hindi movies and several conscientious film-makers are attempting movies based on the life events of iconic and distinguished personalities. THE LEGEND OF BHAGAT SINGH and BOSE: THE FORGOTTEN HERO won immense critical acclaim... PAAN SINGH TOMAR not only won critical and commercial success, but fetched the most prestigious honor as well -- National Award... THE DIRTY PICTURE, on the life and times of an actress, too made waves... Another biopic on a sportsperson, Mary Kom, is currently taking shape… Biopics on gangsters have been attempted in the recent past... A biopic on the life of legendary singer Kishore Kumar is on the cards, while the one on the 19th century artist, Raja Ravi Varma [RANG RASIYA], is already complete. Expect many more in days to come. Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's biopic BHAAG MILKHA BHAAG, based on the life of legendary athlete Milkha Singh, the country's national treasure, is now ready for viewing.

A handful of films sprint that extra mile beyond providing meager entertainment to its spectators. BHAAG MILKHA BHAAG is one such cinematic experience. However, director Mehra and writer Prasoon Joshi encompass pertinent episodes/chapters from the icon's life and create a film that makes you salute the sportsperson, besides evoking the spirit of nationalism in the spectator. 

BHAAG MILKHA BHAAG chronicles the life of Indian sprinter Milkha Singh from his childhood to achieving the iconic standing. The film takes you back in time when Milkha lost his family members during the partition and his rise to the celebrated status without any prescribed guidance or monetary backing. The film also encapsulates his attachment to his sister [Divya Dutta] and the woman he gave his heart to [Sonam Kapoor]. Also depicted in this 3-hour+ film are the conquests, the lows, the rise to splendor and distinction, the skilful attainment...

The supremely talented director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and the proficient writer Prasoon Joshi amass the varied occurrences from the phenomenon's life, although the focus is clearly on the documentation of Milkha's illustrious career, his uphill struggle, impediments, apprehensions and eventual triumph. Besides staying true to Milkha's life and conquests, Mehra and Joshi interweave a spellbinding screenplay that doesn't limit it to being a mere sports-based film. In fact, the writer comes up with an incredible script that keeps you hooked from commencement to conclusion. There are a number of sequences that make you moist eyed, besides leaving an indelible impression. The sharp edit [P.S. Bharathi] and the electrifying background score further elevate the film to an exceptional level. 

There's no denying that Mehra has a ear for superior melody and the soundtrack of RANG DE BASANTI and DELHI 6 bear testimony to the fact. However, this time, Mehra opts for Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. This one's a plot-motivated movie; consequently, the songs cater more to the situations than creating a sound-rich album. Binod Pradhan's cinematography is of international grade. He captures every beat, every tone, every nuance with mastery. 

Hindi movies offer infrequent opportunities to actors to depict iconic and inspirational characters and Farhan gets the opportunity of portraying the most demanding role of his career so early in his acting vocation. Over the past few years, Farhan has progressively evolved into a superior actor, but he outshines himself -- and also the spectator's expectations -- with BHAAG MILKHA BHAAG. Farhan delivers an enchanting performance as the Flying Sikh, leaving the spectator awe-stuck in several sequences. His brilliant portrayal and meticulous interpretation of the character is sure to win him colossal admiration, approbation and respect from all quarters. 

What's noteworthy is the effort the actor has invested in looking the part. Right from his chiseled, athletic physique, the hair, the body language et al, Farhan has pushed himself beyond limits to illustrate the eminent and renowned character of Milkha Singh with precision. He leaves you astonished at varied stages and you can't help but admire the hard slog, passion, commitment and earnestness of the actor. This is an unblemished, memorable performance that should find a strong nomination in the year's best performances. 

Milkha learnt some of life's most crucial and critical tutorials from his senior, portrayed luminously by Pawan Malhotra. He inculcated valor and determination in Milkha to encounter the uphill struggles in life and I genuinely believe that any amount of admiration will not do adequate justice to the extraordinary depiction of this character by Pawan Malhotra. Cricketer Yuvraj Singh's actor-father Yograj Singh, who has been an integral part of several films in the past, excels as Farhan's coach. He is simply incredible here. Prakash Raj, cast in a positive role, is in fine form too. 

Sonam puts her best foot forward as well. Although the character is brief, she shines in those pertinent moments nonetheless. Australian actress Rebecca Breeds has a pivotal part and the chemistry she shares with Farhan is super. Divya Dutta is simply outstanding as Farhan's sister. An extraordinary actor, she handles the demanding part with flourish. 

British actor Art Malik seems most appropriate in the role of Farhan's father. Dalip Tahil [as Pandit Nehru], K.K. Raina [as Mr Wadhwa], Nawab Shah [as Coach Javed], Meesha Shafi [as Perizaad], Dev Gill [as Abdul Khaliq] and Shanta Kumar [as Gen. Ayub Khan] are wonderful in their respective parts. Jabtej Singh, as the young Milkha, is superb. 

On the whole, BHAAG MILKHA BHAAG is sure to win accolades, admiration, respect and esteem, besides emerging as a champ. Reserve the applause for Milkha Singh and the team behind BHAAG MILKHA BHAAG. Give it a standing ovation!

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Warren Buffett's Supersized Tax Deduction

Warren Buffett's Supersized Tax Deduction

Warren Buffett speaking to a group of students...
Warren Buffett speaking to a group of students from the Kansas University School of Business (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Warren Buffett is one of the world’s richest and most benevolent men. The uber- billionaire has now donated approximately $2.6 billion to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and four other charities. See Buffett Donates $2.6B In Berkshire HathawayShares. He did it with stock, of course. He handed over stock in his company, Berkshire Hathaway,donating 22,870,529 shares of his class B common stock. At the time of the donation, they were trading at about $115 per share.
According to his filing with the SEC, Buffett converted 14,000 class A shares to 21 million class B shares July 5 to complete the donation. Despite the gift, he is still worth over $59 billion. That is up from $53.5 billion in March, due to appreciating Berkshire Hathaway stock.
The bulk, 17,458,431 shares or about $2 billion, went to the Gates Foundation. The balance was split between the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, named for his late wife; and his children’s charities, the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, the Sherwood Foundation and the NoVo Foundation.
Famously, Buffett pledged to give away 99% of his fortune. In 2012 he gave $1.5 billion to the Gates Foundation. In the same year he pledged $3 billion of stock to his children’s foundations. According to Forbes, Buffett has donated at least $11.5 billion in Berkshire Hathaway shares to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
When someone donates stock, what is the tax effect? The donor gets a charitable contribution deduction based on the fair market value of what is given. Value and basis are different things and that means a big tax advantage.
Mr. Buffett donates at the market value of the shares but doesn’t have to pay income tax on his gain. That makes it far better than selling the stock, paying tax on the gain, and donating the cash. Giving appreciated property is the kind of wise tax planning you would expect from Mr. Buffett.
Facebook FB +3.12%’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg did the same thing in December of 2012. Mr. Zuckerberg donated $500 million of his Facebook stock to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Zuckerberg made his donation in the form of 18 million shares, translating to a $500 million tax deduction. The Facebook IPO price was $38 a share. They price dipped below $20 but then rose by more than 25% by the time of Mr. Zuckerberg’s December 2012 donation.
Donating appreciated stock is a much better tax move than selling it and donating the sales proceeds. By donating the stock, the gain the donor would experience on selling it is never taxed. The donee organization can hold or sell the stock. But since it is a tax-qualified charity, if it sells the stock it pays no tax regardless of how big the gain.
Like Mr. Buffett and Bill Gates, Mr. Zuckerberg wrote that he and his wife Priscilla have signed the Giving Pledge, committing to give away at least half of one’s fortune during his or her lifetime. Big donations yield big tax benefits.
Donations go on Schedule A to Form 1040, so you must itemize. You can only take a deduction for up to 50% of your adjusted gross income for most charitable contributions (30% in some cases). If your donations entitle you to merchandise, goods or services, you can only deduct the amount exceedingthe fair market value of the benefits you received. If you pay $500 for a charity dinner ticket but receive a dinner worth $100, you can deduct $400, not the full $500.
Make sure the donee organization is qualified. You cannot deduct contributions to individuals, political organizations or candidates. The IRS maintains a list of all charities. To check whether particular organizations are on the IRS list, click here. It’s unlikely that any of us will make it to Warren Buffett‘s level. Still, properly planned charitable contributions can be tax efficient and do good works too.

Why You Should Drink Lemon Water In The Morning

Why You Should Drink Lemon Water In The Morning

The lemon (Citrus × limon) is a small evergreen tree native to Asia, and the tree’s ellipsoidal yellow fruit. The fruit’s juice, pulp and peel, especially the zest, are used as foods. The juice of the lemon is about 5% to 6% citric acid, which gives lemons a sour taste. The distinctive sour taste of lemon juice makes it a key ingredient in drinks and foods such as lemonade, cocktails and soft drinks.
Lemon juice is also used as a short-term preservative on certain foods that tend to oxidize and turn brown after being sliced, such as apples, bananas and avocados, where its acid denatures the enzymes that cause browning and degradation.
Apart from the above mentioned use of lemons, here we are presenting you with a few reasons why you should drink lemon water in the morning with flat tummy.
Benifits of Lemon - Why You Should Drink Lemon Water In The MorningNo! here we are not asking you to stop drinking your soothing morning cup of coffee which is great in taste and the warmth, smell it welcomes you with is just indescribable, just postpone that cup for a good 30 minutes. Facts listed down here will surely make you give it a try and please try it for at least 28 days. Why 28? because that’s how long it takes to form any habit.
  • Alkalizing in NatureHuman body performs best when it’s more alkaline (cancer cells tend to breed in an acidic body). Lemon although being an acidic fruit acts as an alkalizing agent when it enters human body and lowers the acid levels. Due to the foods we eat and things our skin is exposed to and the environment we are living in most of the people have very acidic body and lemon water helps decrease the pH.
  • Source of Vitamins and Minerals
    Lemon is vitamin rich with vitamin C (anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, & helps immune system), vitamin B (energy production), riboflavin (tissue repair, growth and development) and minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium (all these minerals help build strong bones & teeth) can be your best companion throughout the day.
  • Helps Liver Eliminate Toxins and Waste ProductsLiver is responsible to detoxify, protein synthesize and production of bio chemicals of help our body in proper digestion. Lemon water helps the liver carrying out all these functions more efficiently as it increases the liver detoxifying enzymes. Being diuretic, lemon increases rate of urination which also helps in purifying.
  • Cheap Anti-Aging RemedyLemon helps removing wrinkles and improving the allover appearance of your skin. Your skin can’t look healthy if your body if holding too much toxins and since lemon water fight that, you’ll get a clear glowing skin. Also lemon contains citric acid which helps fighting acne. In short a cup of lemon can be your cheap home remedy for glowing skin & removing wrinkles
  • Good for Weight LossLiver slows down the metabolism when its full of toxins and waste products which leads us to more fat in our body. Lemon helps liver eliminating all those waste products and help burn fat faster. Lemon cannot do it all alone but it can Help and most effective way is doing this with eating real food and exercise. Also being high in pectin fiber it helps hunger carvings.
  • Relieves Respiratory Problems & Freshens BreathLemon water helps get rid of chest infections and halt those pesky coughs. It’s thought to be helpful to people with asthma and allergies. Lemon also helps freshens your breathing and also helps relieve tooth pain and gingivitis, although being high on citric acid it can harm your tooth enamel so be careful with that.
Lemon Cocktail, lemonade
This includes the benefits of having lemon water, now to conclude for this session here is how you can make one for yourself from tomorrow morning:
  1. Fill a glass/cup of water with water (warm, room temperature or cold it doesn’t real matter but if you have digestive problems, use hot water)
  2. Squeeze the juice from 1/2 of a fresh lemon into glass of water. (This will turn the water cloudy)
  3. Stir and drink
* Don't use bottled lemon juice as it can contain sulphites which a lot of people are allergic to.

3 Entrepreneurial Skills You Won't Learn In Business School

3 Entrepreneurial Skills You Won't Learn In Business School

Business school was great. I learned about a broad variety of topics I had never been exposed to before—accounting, finance, strategy, and marketing—all of which were very important in starting my own company, Bunndle.
But shortly after getting started, I realized there were a few things b-school didn’t cover that were really important to founding and running my business. Some of the skills I picked up along the way at previous jobs, but others, I only wish I had.
If you’re just getting started as an entrepreneur—whether or not you’re planning on b-school—here are a few things I recommend exploring.

1. How to Code

If you’re starting a technology company, odds are that you (or someone you hire) will need to build software. So, if you’re not technical, it wouldn’t hurt to get to know a little bit more about code.
One of the biggest jokes at Bunndle is how often I “break” the database. In my defense, it’s never really my choice to go into the database in the first place. But issues come up that need to be dealt with quickly, and sometimes our developers are swamped doing the important stuff. So, I learned a little MySQL, and I dive in now and then (trying not to break things, of course).
There were other times along the way when we needed to build mock-ups and a few simple web pages, but our development resources were tied up. The only thing I could do was to quickly learn Photoshop and some basic HTML, and pitch in. At one point, I even took a PHP programming class to understand the basics of our back end.
Beyond being able to help with the small tasks, I found that being able to use these tools helped me become better at knowing and defining the product. What’s more, knowing a little bit about the technology you use will help you communicate your business requirements more clearly, understand the limitations of the technology stack you’re using, and make better hiring decisions when bringing on developers.
If you’re interested in learning about code, there are a lot of resources available, including online tutorials, dedicated websites focused on a particular technology stack, and books that will help get you up to speed. Introductory courses are also available at local schools if you want a more in-depth review.

2. How to Sell

Although I took negotiation classes in school, where I learned about sales strategies and other textbook maneuvers, it wasn’t until I actually got out and started pounding the pavement for deals that I understood what it meant to sell. I was cold calling, sending out blind emails, pitching to customers, and getting rejected left and right. I realized early on that selling isn’t for the faint of heart.
Despite all of this, learning how to sell gave me vast amounts of information about our customers, our product shortfalls, and what people would pay for. And that’s really the key to any business: You must know how to make money—and the sooner you can figure that out, the better. Selling also keeps you close to your customers and allows you to adjust your business model to the changing demands of the market.
The best way to learn sales is simply to call on a customer and start pitching. If you don’t have anything to sell yet, try selling someone else’s product. The experience from both the successful and failed attempts will give you invaluable information about what you need to develop in your pitch.

3. How to Hire

More specifically, learn how to recruit. There are no classes for this—it is almost an art form, really. But hiring is the most important thing you will do as a founder, and getting this right is absolutely imperative.
What I learned about recruiting is that it’s a lot like sales. You are pitching your company to people and want them to invest their time and faith in you. You need to be able to find these people, target and qualify them as a cultural fit, and then be able to close them. This is easier said than done in a competitive hiring market. But investing time and effort into understanding the recruiting process will help speed things up.
Like sales, the easiest way to understand recruiting is to jump in and get started. You have to talk to as many candidates as possible and refine your pitch. You will need to discover where these candidates are and what will get them excited about working with you. Along the way, you will discover a process that works for you and develop your own personal style.
As founders, sometimes we think that all we have to do is come up with an idea and hire a few people, and everything gets done. Maybe that happens—some of the time. And you should certainly try to bring in experienced people in each of the areas above to help you when you can.
But being familiar with code, sales, and hiring will help you see the bigger picture. You become a better visionary and understand more of the levers that move your business. You become a better operator; more efficient at getting the business to run and making the right decisions.
And maybe you missed classes on these topics in school, but on-the-job-training can be the best form of education. Get smart about them upfront, and don’t leave it all to the pros. It will take you a long way.

Hottest selling cars of 2013

9 hottest selling cars this year

Car sales are on a tear. Through the first five months of 2013, U.S. car sales are up by 8.2%, compared to the same period last year. Some of the more popular models have posted even more substantial growth, well into the double digits.

Most of the popular models with major increases in sales have undergone some significant changes recently. In most cases, it has been a design overhaul of the entire model.

Alec Gutierrez, senior market analyst at Kelley Blue Book, explained why redesigns of vehicles have had such an impact on the sales. “These are all the latest and greatest redesigns, so they really feature the best in terms of tech, in terms of features and amenities, in terms of style and design, and really in terms of fuel economy.”

The increasing importance of fuel economy gave some redesigned models a leg up on older models. It also led many auto manufacturers to introduce new hybrid models, which has boosted sales for some of the other models on this list. Lexus introduced the Lexus ES-300h to its ES line in 2012. Toyota released a hybrid model under its Avalon brand.

The importance of fuel efficiency also has led many auto buyers to transition to one of the fastest-growing segments in the auto business — crossover utility vehicles, or CUVs. Gutierrez explained that these cars are meeting the desire for the space and utility of an SUV with better fuel efficiency. CUV sales through May are up 13.9%.

Based on sales data provided by Kelley Blue Book, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the nine models that sold more than 25,000 units in the United States between January and May of 2013, and are up by 25% compared to the same period of last year. We also reviewed the past five full years of sales. All combined fuel economy estimates listed are based on the smallest engine size and the least expensive configuration, with numbers provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

These are the nine hottest cars this year.

9. Ford Escape

2013 Jan.-May sales: 127,932
2012 Jan.-May sales: 98,667
Pct. change in sales: 29.7%
Fuel economy: 26 mpg

Ford Motor Co. sold 127,932 Escapes in the first five months of 2013, a 29.7% increase from the same period in 2012. In 2008, Fordsold 139,434 units for the year. The Ford Escape’s 2013 model was the first full redesign since its introduction in 2001. The new model includes a panoramic moonroof, an automated parking option and a soft-touch dashboard.Popular Mechanics named the Escape “Car of the Year” in its 2013 Automotive Excellence Awards, praising the car’s “excellent engine options, abundance of technology and great price.”


8. Hyundai Elantra

2013 Jan.-May sales: 104,081
2012 Jan.-May sales: 80,114
Pct. change in sales: 29.9%
Fuel economy: 32 mpg

Last year, Hyundai sold nearly 188,000 Elantras, or more than double the number it sold in 2009. Hyundai is on pace to pass that figure this year as well — the Korean carmaker has sold more than 104,000 Elantras through May, up from slightly more than 80,000 at the same point in 2012. The Elantra was the second-most popular car sold by Hyundai in the first five months of 2013, after the Sonata. Likely contributing to sales, Hyundai added a coupe to its Elantra lineup for 2013. All three current Elantra models start at less than $20,000.


7. Chevrolet Tahoe

2013 Jan.-May sales: 35,067
2012 Jan.-May sales: 26,847
Pct. change in sales: 30.6%
Fuel economy: 17 mpg

Chevrolet is on pace to sell 84,161 Tahoes in 2013, a sizable increase from the 68,371 sold in 2012. Sales of the SUV have fluctuated in the past five years. The best year for Tahoesales was in 2008, when Chevrolet sold 88,655. Sales then plummeted to 69,953 in 2009 before rising in 2010 and 2011. U.S. News and World Report rated the 2013 Tahoe the best affordable large SUV, beating out the Chevy Suburban, Ford Expedition and GMC Yukon. The publication said the Tahoe “offers good interior material quality with plenty of standard features, even on the base trim. Fully equipped, the Tahoe is a near-luxury SUV.”


6. Ford Explorer

2013 Jan.-May sales: 84,646
2012 Jan.-May sales: 63,269
Pct. change in sales: 33.8%
Fuel economy: 20 mpg

Sales of the Explorer cratered in 2009 and 2010, when fewer than 50,000 units were sold. But Explorer sales have skyrocketed in the past two years, with the help of a redesign for the 2011 model year that transformed the model from a traditional SUV to a crossover vehicle. In 2011 and 2012, Ford sold roughly 135,700 and 164,200 Explorers, respectively. Just through May 2013, sales for the model totaled almost 85,000 in the United States, an increase of more than 33% from the first five months of 2012. Some of this increased demand may have come from the addition in 2013 of the Sport trim of the model — the most expensive available on the Explorer at more than $40,000.

 5. Subaru Forester

2013 Jan.-May sales: 40,578
2012 Jan.-May sales: 29,863
Pct. change in sales: 35.9%
Fuel economy: 23 mpg

Subaru is on pace to sell 97,387 Foresters in 2013, if sales continue at the rate of the first five months. This would be a major jump from the 76,347 sold in 2012. The Forester is the second most popular car sold by Subaru, after the Outback. The newly redesigned 2014 Forester, which went on sale earlier this year, was ranked as the top small SUV by Consumer Reports, which praised the vehicle’s “space-efficient design, large windows and big square doors,” among other things. The Forester was also the only small SUV to pass a front-offset crash test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.


4. Lexus ES

2013 Jan.-May sales: 27,813
2012 Jan.-May sales: 14,485
Pct. change in sales: 92%
Fuel economy: 24 mpg

The Lexus ES passed 56,000 in sales in 2012, after a difficult year in 2011 when sales fell to just 40,873. Likely helping to boost sales, Lexus released its sixth-generation ES-Series in 2012, which also included the launch of a new hybrid version of the ES 350, called the ES 300h. Buyers responded well to the new ES-Series vehicles, and so far in 2013 sales are up 92% from the year before. One possible incentive: the ES 300h gets 40 mpg combined, versus 24 mpg for the standard version model.


3. Toyota Avalon

2013 Jan.-May sales: 30,945
2012 Jan.-May sales: 14,883
Pct. change in sales: 107.9%
Fuel economy: 25 mpg

The Toyota Avalon’s sales more than doubled in the first five months of 2013, compared to the same period in 2012. In fact, the 30,945 Avalon units sold from January to May is more than Toyota Motor Corp. sold in any full calendar year between 2009 and 2012. The 2013 redesign “brought with it sleek new styling, a stiffer chassis, and improved ride and handling qualities,” according to Edmunds. In addition, Toyota released the Avalon Hybrid in 2012, which receives 40 mpg combined city and highway, compared to the 25 mpg of the non-hybrid version.


2. Mazda CX-5

2013 Jan.-May sales: 31,201
2012 Jan.-May sales: 11,480
Pct. change in sales: 171.8%
Fuel economy: 29 mpg

The Mazda CX-5 was new on the market in 2012. It has sold 43,319 units, more than any other model it produces except the Mazda3. In order to increase fuel efficiency, the Madza introduced its SkyActiv technology platform on the CX-5, which includes an efficient engine and transmission, as well as a lightweight chassis. Even with the model’s strong start last year, sales of the CX-5 have picked up even more in 2013, with more than 31,000 sold through the first five months of this year. Among the changes made for the 2014 model year, which is already out, is that the higher end versions come with a more-powerful engine that still maintains good fuel economy.


1. Nissan Pathfinder

2013 Jan.-May sales: 38,179
2012 Jan.-May sales: 12,644
Pct. change in sales: 202.0%
Fuel economy: 22 mpg

No top-selling car increased its sales more than the Nissan Pathfinder, as 202% more units were sold in the first five months of 2013, compared to the same period in 2012. The redesigned Pathfinder’s 22 mpg combined is higher than previous models. The vehicle also weighs 500 pounds less. Following a test drive, USA Today said the car is “quiet, soaks up bad pavement pretty well and is tastefully appointed inside.”

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Movie Review: Lootera

Movie Review: Lootera

Rating: 4/5

Did you ever anticipate Vikramaditya Motwane to put together a period film with mainstream actors, after attempting the brilliant slice-of-life drama UDAAN? Nope, not me at least... But maverick film-makers, by and large, tend to drop a bombshell by opting for a contrasting theme in their ensuing movie. The question is, will Motwane ship yet another dazzling nugget in his subsequent outing? Let's find out...

LOOTERA is inspired by American author O. Henry's short story 'The Last Leaf'. Let's set the record straight by stating that Motwane hasn't adapted the story in its entirety. He has made modifications, of course... the most vital one being injecting the protagonist's character [Ranveer Singh] in the plot, which did not exist in the story. For those not acquainted with the story, it's about this dying girl who watches the leaves fall from a plant outside the windowpane and believes that the day the last leaf falls, she too would pass away. 

LOOTERA is a captivating tale that reverberates with emotions and passion and encapsulates the highs and lows of a stormy relationship magnificently. Penned with utmost sensitivity and crafted delicately and thoughtfully, the film is akin to a beautiful painting on celluloid! 

1953. West Bengal. Varun [Ranveer Singh] arrives in Manikpur. He impresses the zamindar and his family, especially his daughter Pakhi [Sonakshi Sinha], who finds herself drawn towards him.

Soon, Varun and Pakhi are involved in a passionate relationship, but Varun does a volte face and disappears. When truth dawns upon Pakhi's father, he suffers a stroke and passes away. Pakhi decides to move on, determined to forget Varun. She arrives in Dalhousie, but as destiny would have it, Varun walks into her life again...

The premise of LOOTERA may bring back memories of several films. But it's the mood, the ambience, the treatment that lures you into the world of Varun and Pakhi. The old world charm of Bengal and Dalhousie only enhances the impact, while the varied twists in the tale catch you absolutely unaware, especially when one is guessing about what course the storyline would take after a major twist during the interval point. 

LOOTERA bears the look of a classic. The visuals, the shade palette, the objet d'art, the milieu, the apparel... even the way the characters communicate at an unhurried, easygoing pace and share emotions takes you back to the bygone era. 

UDAAN gestured the initiation of an accomplished storyteller's journey and LOOTERA cements it. In years to come, Motwane may emerge as the frontrunner thanks to the plot/s he chooses to narrate and most significantly, the brilliance with which he narrates it. The sparkling chemistry between the actors, the atmospherics, the storytelling... LOOTERA is a demanding film to make, but the director warrants colossal admiration for jubilantly narrating a tale that settles in your heart... and moistens your eyes at varied junctures. 

Of course, the narrative unravels at an unhurried pace, but let's not forget that this one has an old-world charm that cannot be rushed. The moments and pauses are to be enjoyed in a film like this! 

Every frame of LOOTERA exudes sensuality, partly because the chemistry between the on-screen lovers -- Ranveer and Sonakshi -- is scorching. The fervor and passion the two actors emanate on screen, while living those characters, leaves you awe-struck. LOOTERA is further embellished with dialogue that corresponds so delightfully with the premise. The lines are dreamy, romantic and acidic, as per the situation. The contribution by the DoP is equally pertinent, with the frames appearing to be a painting in motion. 



 The evaluation would be imperfect without highlighting Amit Trivedi's contribution to the motion picture. The soundtrack is seeped in melody and mirrors the era that the director illustrates on celluloid. True to the concept, Trivedi takes you back to the long-gone period with his melodies. 

While Ranveer and Sonakshi anchor the movie with supreme performances, even the ones in supporting parts leave an ineradicable impact. Ranveer has been entrusted with a complicated character so early in his career. Besides playing an intense lover, he plays a reticent and brooding character, something he hasn't explored in his earlier films. And Ranveer makes the most of it by making the character come alive. The character has disconcerting shades and it is imperative that he uses his eyes to leave a mark, which he does so at a variety of stages. He's simply fantastic! 

Like Ranveer, Sonakshi too gets the most demanding role of her career thus far and what makes it even more complicated for the youngster is the fact that she has to shoulder the responsibility of hauling the film on her shoulders when Ranveer makes a brief exit, only to re-emerge after a point. Sonakshi is a revelation in LOOTERA; her performance is, beyond doubt, top notch. She glides into her part with such effortlessness that it catches you by complete surprise. She's magnificent! 

Divya Dutta is super in a cameo. Vikrant Massey is first-rate. Shirin Guha is appropriate. Arif Zakaria is tremendous. Adil Hussain delivers a punch-packed performance. Barun Chanda, as Sonakshi's father, is brilliant. 

On the whole, LOOTERA is an intrinsically earnest and profoundly heartwarming story that stays in your heart. An absolute must for those who love romantic films or are romantic at heart. This one's a cinematic gem!

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