THE GOOD PLACE

Many, Many years ago when I was just turning into a professional writer (by that I mean one who gets paid for his/her writing and that is his/her profession, no other source of income), when I wrote a story called The End where three guys wake up at 3.01 at night and find out that the entire world has stopped, everyone else is sleeping and the time is stuck at that particular moment, and they are the people who are alive. They have the entire world to themselves. They can do as they please and go wherever they want. But then they are summoned to an odd, brightly lit place where they are welcomed by someone who tells them they are in fact in heaven, but in the living world they are in a coma after an accident they had that night at 3.01. For now, they have a test run of heaven, they can stay there and die in the living world or go back to the living world and wake up in a hospital. They have a choice to make - stay in heaven or go back. Well, I did think and write a lot about this, developed it fully, but never got it published as got busy in other things.  

And then I came across this show that seemed a bit like what I had written. I read the log line and thought this would be interesting so I began the first episode and then thought this couldn't go on for too long. After all, the concept was so thin (like my story The End) - A woman who has not been such a nice person all her life dies and reaches 'The Good Place (another name for heaven) where everything seems to be perfect. But soon she finds out that she isn't supposed to be at the good place at all because she is being mistaken by the authorities of the good place to be someone else with the same name, date of birth etc. 

She tries her best not to be found out as she doesn't want to go to the bad place (Hell). 


As the story progresses she meets three other people and forms a group and tries to get out of her predicament. The rest of the story is about how she grows as a human being after being dead, and forms bonds that she couldn't when she was alive. So, do we stop growing after we are dead? Presumably not if you are in the good place.  

This seems like a very thin line, at max a few episodes, maybe half a season. But as you continue to watch you will realise that the concept is much much, much deeper. At the end of every episode is a huge twist that makes you want to watch the next episode and so on. I accept, even after all these years the story I wrote is not half as good as how this story develops. Hats off to the writers of this show.  

Frankly, the good place is addictive. Two seasons have finished and I still want it to go on and on.

Another important thing is (except for a scene or two) you can watch it with your children too. And that is truly rare. A series for adults that doesn't have forced nudity or people  talking about bonking each other or any of the usual filthy stuff that makes today's shows impossible to watch in front of your family. 

It's amazing how they are developing this thin storyline and teaching the audience a thing or two about life, death, heaven, right and wrong without overly dramatizing the characters or events. This is worth a watch just because it is so unique there is no other show quite like it. Each scene is something you haven't seen before. This is writing at its best. And it's funny too. 

Amazing characters, twisted and unique story, scenes and situations never seen before. There is no show like it. The Good Place is frankly excellent. 
   

IF YOU LIKE WHAT YOU READ, DO CHECK OUT MY NOVEL ON AMAZON. 

STOLEN HEARTS

WITHOUT A PADDLE (2004)

I saw this many, many years ago. It has been that long and somehow the film and its characters stuck with me, unfortunately, I didn't remember the name at all. 

And then some time ago I came across it and I remembered, this is what I was looking for - Without A Paddle!

Hilarious, it was, but not very highly rated by reviewers. But if you like Harold & Kumar Go To Whitecastle and mad, crazy movies like those (stoner comedies I think they are called) then you can check this out. It is quite over the top and non-stop nonsense about three friends who go on an adventure. 

The basic story is of four friends, one of whom dies and the

other 3 assemble for his funeral. They head to a treehouse where they used to hang out and find a map that shows them how to get their hands on some dirty money. So leaving everything else in their lives, like any normal youngster would have done, they decide to find the money, little knowing that they are going to have the most horrendous time of their lives. And while going through this torture, we, the audience can laugh at their antics, and the crazy people they encounter on this silly adventure. 

Not as good as Harold & Kumar, but certainly good enough. Surely worth a watch if you in the mood for some madness.

Mr. Right

A girl who has just broken up from her cheating boyfriend meets seemingly this perfect guy and everything seems to fall into place. There's only one problem - Mr. Right is an assassin and kills people even when he is not paid to do it.

If you are looking for a crazy movie with quirky characters then this is probably the movie to watch. But be warned there is not an ounce of reality here. Suspend disbelief and go for the ride. Highly recommended purely for the 2 crazy stars in the lead.

  

Suno Chanda

I consider watching a show or even a movie akin to having something to eat, on some days you like something fancy and exotic, while on other days you can do with even a vada pao. Similar is the task of watching a fiction show or movie or even reading a book. Sometimes you like something intellectual and challenging, while just the next moment you want something light and easy to understand. So a few days ago when someone recommended a Pakistani show to me I thought it would be as bad as the Indian shows of today and was in no mood.

But then I saw a few minutes of episode 1 and something connected with me and hooked me (maybe the fact that it is a P G Wodehousian world had something to do with it).

Today, almost 30 episodes later I'm sorry that the show has ended.

The story is very simple - A guy and a girl (1st cousins staying in the same home) are about to get married but they kind of hate each other. So to break the impending marriage they create doubts, suspicions and hatred amongst their parents so that the parents themselves break off the marriage. And they do achieve this, unfortunately, by now they have fallen in love and want to get married but the parents hate each other and there is no way that marriage is going to happen. Adding to the confusion is number of colorful, comic characters that make the show come alive. The result is engaging and hilarious. Highly recommended for the unique story, punjabi dialogues, and madcap characters. I'm sure people on both sides of the border will love this. 

MY FIRST BOOK

MY FIRST BOOK Stolen Hearts  AVAILABLE NOW ON AMAZON

The author wishes to thank only one person who has made the writing of this book possible. Without that person this would be a futile exercise. It would be useless, pointless, worthless, meaningless, valueless. That one person has made the author's life worth something. The author has found meaning in his life and wishes to thank that individual again and again, repeatedly, over and over, continuously, incessantly, endlessly, eternally.
At this point you must be wondering who that person is. Must be really important, significant, vital, rare, exceptional and extraordinary.
You know that person well. For, it is none other than you, my dear reader. You are not just a reader but you are a leader. We are in a world where gratification is instant. There are YouTube videos, WhatsApp videos, Facebook videos, Amazon Prime, Netflix, malls, coffee shops, online and offline games, gyms, jogging... There are truly countless ways to entertain yourself. Yet, you choose to read a book which requires you to be educated, smart, intelligent, focussed, patient, and beautiful! Well, maybe not beautiful, but what the hell, you are beautiful to me.
Today, a book, any book, as long as it has more words and lesser pictures, is like a weapon of mass impression. When you are in a public space, where people around you are playing games, watching videos, and Whatsapping, just whip out a book, like a cowboy from the wild, wild west would whip out a gun, and start reading and create an impression. Look at the others cower in front of you. Look at them feel insignificant for they aren't up to your intellectual level. They like pictures and sounds, like little babies, while you like words, like highly educated adults!
A book even today beats everything else. And so do you dear reader. You are above and beyond this Whatsapp generation.
Salute to you, dear reader.
God Bless You.
About Rohit Gahlowt
He started his journey working in 5 star hotels and later became a copywriter in almost all the advertising agencies of Delhi, before finally settling down to writing little known films and badly made TV shows for a living. Based in Mumbai, but living in a world made up of his fictional fantasies, Rohit has been addicted to consuming stories of all kinds and trying to create some of his own as a sort of payback. He has previously published a short story called ‘How I Murdered Myself’ which received positive reviews on Amazon from international and Indian reviewers alike.
Rohit Gahlowt is also the President of the Stolen Hearts Fan Club, of which he is also the only member.
You can reach him at gahlowtrohit@gmail.com.

FROM MY BOOK STOLEN HEARTS

Seven Psychopaths

This is a quirky, imaginative and insane film. With loony characters in absurd situations. The main plot of the scriptwriter and the dognapper and the psycho-dog-lover-gangster is pure awesomeness. 

This was like all the craziest guys got together, had an orgy and this was the baby born out of its sexcapade. Guy Richie, Quentin Tarantino, The Coen Brothers, got together with Judd Apatow, Seth Rogen and they got all high and Seven Psychopaths was born.

And the actors in it! Imagine Colin Farrell, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell and Christopher Walken.

The plot - A scriptwriter's psycho friend kidnaps a gansgter's dog planning to return it later for the reward. But as is the case with all good schemes, all hell breaks loose...

Seven Psychopaths

      

Nerve

Yeah, it's a bit silly and far fetched and all about loony youngsters doing stupid dares but it's also true. 

Fact is this idiocracy is widespread and spreading like wildfire. 

Fact is in the next few decades more stupid people will be born as the people really procreating are the lesser intelligent ones while those with real high IQs are busy working day and night to get an ulcer and die a millionaire and childless. 

Fact is poor, lesser educated people have more kids than the rich, educated ones.  

Fact is people are growing stupider by the day because of smart electronic devices which do all the thinking for them. 

So suspend disbelief and go in for the ride and enjoy while you are at it. This is a thrilling film like an Amazing Race episode where good looking youngsters try to do stupid, dangerous shit.

An exciting watch, good looking youngsters, stylishly made and breathtaking pace. More importantly, the story though far fetched is new. Does remind me of Eagle Eye where someone is watching your every move. Still, this one I enjoyed.

Nerve

   














Eagle Eye