Strong, silent types and stork visits, in anticipation of auspicious Akshaya Tritiya

Strong, silent types and stork visits, in anticipation of auspicious Akshaya Tritiya

The week-end, for many Mumbaikars, will spell relief from the angst of daily commute, made even more pressured for some because of the fires on the Central line this week. In the midst of the relentless heat, the humidity, the traffic and the transport breakdown, spirits have been somewhat wan. But let’s look on the bright side — many schools and colleges will close between this week-end and the next, for the long summer break, so families can finally be off on that well-deserved holiday, en masse. And for those who will remain in the city — there is always and eternally the entertainment world to distract daily blues! Today sees John Abraham’s sperm donation-themed production venture hit the marquee. Cricket season isn’t really proving a deterrent for indie ventures, but seems even some big budget films are taking their chances with the bat and ball juggernaut, as schools close: next week will see both Tezz and Hollywood superhero offering The Avengers, battle for supremacy at the BO. Whilst on Hollywood, caught the Mark Wahlberg starrer Contraband, an action drama on a smuggler pulling off a dangerous heist one last time to save his brother-in-law from a gang lord. Whilst it wasn’t a life changing watch in any manner of speaking (entertainment need not always aspire to high art, you will agree) have to say I suddenly discovered I’m a Mark Wahlberg fan — or maybe a fan of the basic, avenging angel, taking-the-baddies-head-on-and-winning kind of roles he tends to essay. Most notable, of course, in his earlier and considerably more enthralling Shooter. Though the movie he earned an Oscar/Golden Globe supporting actor nomination for was, of course, Scorsese’s fascinating The Departed, which saw Leo DiCaprio in his most endearing role yet, far more endearing as a vulnerable undercover police informer than as the chocolate hero of his earlier repertoire. But then there’s always so much more to be said for soft-spoken men of action rather than boastful men of too many words. Contraband also saw yummy mummy in real life, Kate Beckinsale do her mommy act, reel time. The reason I’m bringing her up is because of the sudden upsurge of proud mommies/mommies-to-be in B-Town of late — Ash Rai Bachchan, making no bones about her priority being her little daughter; Lara Dutta, asserting that she’s in the best phase of her life, post motherhood; Aamir’s filmmaker wife, Kiran Rao elated by her proxy-IVF family addition; Celina Jaitley, vocal in her joy at twins, no less and Shilpa Shetty, glowing in her expectant state. Not to mention Bebo’s big sis, mother-of-two, Karisma Kapoor following in the footsteps of Kajol and Madhuri Dixit, and romancing the big screen soon, post-babies. Ahead of the auspicious Akshaya Tritiya coming up next week, an eye on the tiny tot Gen Next of B-Town (and their valiant mommas) seems celebratory enough, does it not, Mumbai?