and the book

Notwithstanding by Louis de Bernieres
It is a delightful book dealing with life in an English village. The community remains but it has few members, mostly old and eccentric. But some of the stories are very pleasant and the style, its soft humour are absolutely entertaining in a gentle way. I did not know anything about this author or this book and so the find is all the more engaging.

another new Marathi movie and a book

Rajwade & Sons is a new Marathi movie released in Pune recently. It got favourable reviews and so went to watch it. Found it utterly disappointing.
The story is about the third geneation's rebellion in the prosperous Rajwade business family. The second generation grew up in the shadow of the founder of business but the grandchildren have decided what line they want to pursue. The fourth son of the founder who left amidst rumours of embezzlement of funds is back and encourages the youngsters to go their own way.
These happenings are shown against a backdrop of modern upper middle class lifestyle. The clothes define the people, particularly the youngsters. No importance is given to knowledge, learning, professions etc. Marathi group from which Rajwades are drawn, still do. This group is also hardwired to be individualistic and rebellious. So the foundation is all wrong.
Small people lost in their material possessions. The successful business is shown as a millstone around the necks of every other family member. They are angry with the centralization of power in the hands of the founder but this point is lost in the tirade against family business. Wish the producer, director had done some reading about how family businesses take care of succession. Y.M Deosthali, the finance director from L & T is the financier of the film and so the mistake is very glaring.