What Sachit Thinks

Nuggets of Sholay — Three: Loha Garam Hai Nuggets of Sholay — Three: Loha Garam Hai (लोहा गरम है, मार दो हथौड़ा) The third nugget in the Nuggets of Sholay series is another muhavra — and a shining example of Salim–Javed’s brilliant writing. Muhavra: Loha Garam Hai, Maar Do Hathoda literally means “Strike while the iron is hot.” Timing is everything — the English equivalent would be “Seize the moment.” In the film, the line appears around 1h 49m . Girija from Pipri brings word that Gabbar’s nomadic arms suppliers — Hira aur uske saathi — have been spotted nearby. Thakur predicts Gabbar’s next move and says, “ Loha garam hai, maar do hathoda. ” The phrase originates from the craft of the lohar (blacksmith) — who must strike the iron while it’s red-hot. Once it cools, it loses its shape. The brilliance of Salim–Javed Why Thakur uses it: He senses the perfect timing. Who brings...

Nuggets of Sholay — Two: Kala Akshar Bhains Barabar Nuggets of Sholay — Two: Kala Akshar Bhains Barabar (काला अक्षर भैंस बराबर) Exploring the irony and trivia behind a famous Sholay proverb. So, I'm not going in any particular order of the muhavras in Sholay , but the second one that caught my attention is this gem. To be technically correct, the movie uses " kale " instead of " kala ", appearing near the end of the film (2h 26m). The scene unfolds when the gaonwalas allegedly kill Jai and Veeru and send their bodies to Gabbar as proof. The Scene Five dakus gather. One dismounts his horse and finds a letter strapped to Veeru. He says, “ Arre, yeh kya hai? Chitthi? ” Another replies, “ Kale Akshar Bhains Barabar. Chitthi nahin to kya hai? Padh! ” The proverb literally means “Black letters and black buffalo are the same,” describing an illiterate person for whom written words are ...

Every Brilliant Thing — Theatre Review by Sachit Murthy Every Brilliant Thing — Theatre Review Ellis Boy "Red" Redding: I have no idea to this day what those two Italian ladies were singing about. Truth is, I don't wanna know. I would like to think they were singing about something so beautiful it can't be expressed in words, and makes your heart ache because of it. Their voices soared higher and farther than anybody in a gray place dares to dream. For the briefest moment, every last man in Shawshank felt free. Andy Dufresne: Remember Red! Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies. These passages from The Shawshank Redemption resonated profoundly as I watched Every Brilliant Thing . The play, an intimate solo performance, directed by Quasar Thakore Padamsee (Q) and written by Duncan Macmillan and Jonny Donahoe, explores th...

Nuggets of Sholay #1: One Oont Pahad Ke Neeche Nuggets of Sholay #1: One Oont Pahad Ke Neeche (ओँट पहाड़ के नीचे) I must confess, starting this series of Nuggets of Sholay has been immensely joyful. Every line I researched, every scene I analyzed, brought me closer to the genius of Salim–Javed. Muhavra: One Oont Pahad Ke Neeche (ओँट पहाड़ के नीचे) This proverb literally means “a camel under a mountain,” describing something impossible or absurd. In Sholay , this phrase was delivered with perfect comic timing. The story behind the muhavra: Once upon a time, there was a proud and arrogant camel. He strutted around the village, convinced that no creature could be taller, stronger, or more important than him. Every other animal bowed, every human smiled nervously, and the camel’s ego swelled bigger with each passing day. 🐪 One day, the camel’s owner decided it was time ...