Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Roughing it out

Look what I got when I opened my tap on Sunday morning!


Now, it could look delicious... like chocolate milkshake. Or gross ...like mud!! I vote for the latter. But I dealt with it. Lucky for me, for the past 4 years being at uni, I have stocked up on bottled water at the beginning of every term. And this is the very reason why.

It's now Tuesday evening. There's no water in probably 90% of this town, and they say it will only be fixed by Thursday. No water means that toilets can't flush, and we can't take showers.

Thankfully, my friend Michelle was awake at 6 this morning when I called her...her house had water, so I went over to her place for a shower.

On top of it all, this morning I had a Computer Science practical exam. After starting half an hour later than scheduled, the power cut! So it was postponed to 13:30... and was yet again postponed to 15:00. By then, I was tired, miserable and hungry! And then it rained - so I got wet walking back home!

I was invited out for drinks this evening, but since my exam started late and I was feeling like crap, I wasn't up to going. But I pulled myself together and thought that perhaps being around other people will cheer me up. And it did :)

It was just one of those days... and I think this is something I'll be able to put down to life experience :)

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Bollywood siblings

Bollywood siblings sharing limelight

It's a fact that Bollywood is the largest film industry in the world. But on the same note, it can be argued that it is the smallest – based on how many stars are actually related to each other! Many of today’s cinema idols have superstar parents, like the Bachan’s, Kapoors, Deols and Khanna’s. Today, some of the hottest stars are sharing the limelight with their older or younger siblings – even those who are still trying to crack their way into the niche of Hindi cinema.

MUKHERJEE
Kajol – Tanisha –
Rani

Arguably the center point of this family triangle is Kajol, with major hits like Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995) and the crime-thriller Baaziger (1993), both opposite superstar, Shah Rukh Khan. She married long-term boyfriend Ajay Devgan in 1999 and the two have been concentrating on raising their family as they give the films a break. Daughter of Tanuja Mukherjee, Kajol’s younger sister, Tanisha had her Bollywood debut with Ssshhh (2003), a murder mystery in which she starred opposite Dino Morea. Her other films include Popcorn Khao Mast Ho Jao (2004) and Tango Charlie (2005). Her latest venture has been Yaj Raj’s, Neal ‘n Nikki (2005), opposite Uday Chopra.

Kajol and Tanisha’s cousin, Rani has also been ranked as one of the most successful actresses in the industry today. Her debut film, Raja Ki Aayegi Baaraat (1996) was just the launching pad of her career. Ghulam (1998) gave her instant fame and a new label as ‘The “aati kya Khandala” girl’. In a span of about five years, she boasts major hits under her belt starring across mega stars like Amitabh Bachan, Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan and has worked with top class producers and directors.

Cousins, Kajol and Rani were seen together on screen in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) and Khabhi Khushi Khabhi Gham (2001).

DEOL
Sunny – Bobby –
Esha

It’s no surprise that their father is the legendary Dharmendra, and Esha’s mother is the original Dream Girl of Bollywood - Hema Malini. Sunny Deol, born as Ajay Singh Deol made his debut as a teenage romantic hero in Betaab (1985) with co-star, Amrita Singh. Action roles are definitely his forte even though he tried his hand at romantic roles in several movies. Whether he is the romantic hero or the rebellious angry young man out to get justice, he has been a hit with the crowds for many years, attracting women with his suave attitude.

Originally named Vijay Singh Deol, Bobby is known for his curly locks and boyishly good looks. He made his debut in Barsaat (1995) with co-star Twinkle Khanna, for which he was awarded Best Debut in 1995. Sunny and Bobby co-starred in Dillagi (1999), with Urmila Matdonkar as the leading lady.

Esha made her debut with Boney Kapoor’s Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe (2001) opposite Aftab Shivdasani. Since then, she has been paired with some of the hottest actors in Bollywood and has big titles linked to her name, namely Dhoom (2004) and Kaal (2005). Despite being the daughter of superstars, Esha still has a long way to go before she can live up to the credentials of her distinguished lineage. Besides working in movies, Esha is also an accomplished classical dancer and a national level football player.

KAPOOR
Karisma – Kareena

Also known as The First Family of Bollywood, the Kapoor family have held the film industry and global audiences in their magical spell for decades. Daughters of Randhir and Babita Kapoor, Karisma, nicknamed Lolo and Kareena, nicknamed Bebo have become the blue-eyed beauties of Bollywood.

Karisma broke her family tradition that no females were to enter to film industry, and soon she became one of India’s top heroines. She made her debut in Prem Qaidi (1991) opposite South actor, Harish. Despite starting out with a wild dress sense, she become one of the most stylish ladies in the industries – all thanks to ace fashion designer, Manish Malhotra. Over the years, she has turned out a number of hits, including Raja Hindustani (1996) opposite Aamir Khan, Hero No.1 (1997) opposite Govinda and Dil to Paagal Hai (1997) opposite Shah Rukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit. She is especially known for her vulgar dance numbers in micro-mini skirts and hot pants. Her latest film after her marriage is Mere Jeevan Saathi (2006), starring Akshay Kumar and Amisha Patel.

Kareena’s launch pad was JP Dutta’s Refugee (2000), which also launched the heir to the Bachan throne, Abishek. She can easily be described as a sultry sex goddess, which shone through in her role as “Poo” in Khabi Khushi Khabi Gham (2001). Kareena was offered a role in Gurinder Chadha’s Bride and Prejudice (2004), starring Aishwariya Rai, but turned it down. She is currently seeing teen heart throb, Shahid Kapur.

Karisma and Kareena have not appeared on-screen together yet, but they have definitely proven that sisters can be glamorous and sexy, even though each is as different from the other as chalk and cheese!

KHAN
Salman – Arbaaz – Sohail

He is the brat of Bollywood and is best known for his public brawls and affairs with some of Bollywood’s leading ladies. Salman is the eldest son of writer, Salim Khan and step mother, Helen and claims that he hates the press. Despite this, he still remains one of Hindi cinema’s hottest selling stars – in India and overseas. His life changed after Sooraj Barjatya’s Maine Pyaar Kiya (1989), and Hum Aapke Hain Kaun (1994) opposite Madhuri Dixit. Salman has proved that he can play anything from an action hero (Karan Arjun, 1995) to a romantic (Khamoshi, 1996) to a comedian (Judwaa, 1997).

Arbaaz was recognized for his acting abilities in the thriller Daraar (1996) with Rishi Kapoor and Juhi Chawla. He was seen in movies like Hello Brother (1999) and Pyar Kiya to Darna Kya (1998) with elder brother, Salman. Some of his recent films include Kuch Naa Kaho (2003), Garv (2004) and Hulchul (2004).

The youngest brother of the Khan clan, Sohail emerged from the shadow as being Salman’s kid brother after the release of Pyar Kiya to Darna Kya. In fact, Sohail and Salman have become quite a pair on-screen. They were recently seen together in David Dhawan’s Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya (2005). They will also be seen together again in Rumi Jaffrey’s “God Tussi Great Ho”.

SHETTY
Shilpa – Shamita

Shilpa Shetty is known as one of the most sizzling starlets in Tinsletown and has been noted for having one of the sexiest figures in the industry. But good looks aren’t only her claim to fame. Although she doesn’t have as many major hits linked to her name, she is well-known for her fiery dance numbers. Some leading actors she has appeared with include Sanjay Dutt, Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan in films like Jung (2000), Mein Khiladi Tu Anari (1994) and Dus (2005). She is also well known for setting screens alight with her sexy item numbers.

Her younger sister, Shamita, made a promising debut in Mohabbatein (2000), but has been doing a lot of item songs, namely “Sharara” from the Mere Yaar ki Shaadi Hai.

The two sisters were recently paired together in Deepak Tijori’s Fareb (2005) where they played rivals in love. Shilpa is quoted as saying: Though I’d love to be my sister’s sister on screen, I think it would be slightly awkward to play real-life roles.”

KHANNA
Akshaye - Rahul

Akshaye was launched by his famous father, Vinod Khanna who produced Himalayputra (1997). Everyone was curious about the new boy on the block who sported a charming smile and cute dimples that made girls go crazy! Despite his first film not doing too well, he was watched with a close eye by media mongers – will he follow his father’s legacy? Soon after, he appeared in JP Dutta’s war epic, Border (1997), where he shared the screen with stars like Sunny Deol, Jackie Shroff and Sunil Shetty. His only real ray of hope came in the form of Rishi Kapoor’s Aa Ab Laut Chalen (1999) and Subash Ghai’s Taal (1999), both opposite Aishwariya Rai.

He rejected a couple of films, including Deepa Mehta’s 1947 Earth (1999). The part was eventually given to Akshaye’s elder brother, Rahul in which he appeared opposite Nandita Das. One of Rahul’s major films still remains to be Deepa Mehta’s Bollywood Hollywood (2002) opposite Lisa Ray. He has also anchored the Filmfare Awards on various occasions.

Akshaye and Rahul have only been seen once on screen in Bollywood Hollywood, where Akshaye made a guest appearance in the film.

Monday, October 23, 2006

Diwali week-end

A Diwali to remember...

These are just some of the sweetmeats that we had at home... I had such a fantastic time in East London. It was just what I needed, because I'm feeling so refreshed! The best part was being with the family. It was a very busy day... we were invited to my uncle and aunt's place for lunch. All I can say is - WOW - the food was DELICIOUS!

We went to mandir (temple) in the evening. It was so lovely - the warmth that exuded in the mandir was amazing. Everyone was in such a joyous mood, and everywhere you looked, people were hugging and wishing each other. I met so many people from the community, including friends I havn't seen in a while.

From left to right: Nani (Lucykaki's mum), Tashira - my cousin, and Lucykaki

Two of the cutest kids I know - Nirmal & Nishani Jeevan


Our garden was looking particularly gorgeous this week-end...
especially the roses....



Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Diwali 2006

It's that time of the year again - my favourite day on the Hindu calender...
DIWALI...
I won't go into the whole history of Diwali etc, but basically it is a holy tradition that symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and is a festival of wealth and prosperity.

Hundreds of Diwali diyas (lamps like the one pictured above) will adorn many Hindu homes the world over this coming week-end. Many liken Diwali to Christmas - in terms of its importance and celebrations.

This year, Diwali falls on Saturday October 21. I am so excited that I will be spending it at home with my family! I leave on Thursday morning, and will be back on Sunday afternoon/evening. Yep - nice long week-end for me :)

One of the reasons I'm going home is also that I can help my mum with the last few goodies that have to be made. Tradition is that boxes of sweet goodies are exchanged amongst family members and friends. I'll definitely post pics of the delicious sweets that I'll be indulging in this week-end!

Having said that, I'd like to wish all Hindu's a very Happy Diwali and a prosperous Sal Mubarak (New Year).

Monday, October 16, 2006

My own personal post


I hate feeling needy. More than that, I hate complaining. But this is my blog. My space. And I can say whatever the hell I want to. Right? So here goes:

Over the past week, I swear - about 5 people have told me that I am looking different. "Good different?" I ask? "Yes...you're....glowing!" and then of course, I am asked, "What's his name"?

For the record: There is no "he" featuring in my life at the moment. Trust me, if there was, I'd have blogged about him by now :)

But yes... I have been feeling much more relaxed in this final quarter of my university career. Work is going well, and I have a lot of free time on my hands... which I am really not used to. I am used to being occupied from morning till the early hours of the next morning.

I'm not writing this post because I want sympathy. I just wanted to vent.

So even though I have been told that I am looking "good", why am I not "feeling" it? I am just feeling let down by ....well, people...

It's hard to put into words all that is going through my mind now, but today was a day where I just wanted to talk. Not about anything in particular, but I just wanted to have company - most of my day was spent working (on my laptop) so in the process...I got chatting to friends - online. Nope, that didn't fill the void I was feeling. I wanted to be in actual human company... in the flesh! And as dramatic as that sounds, I don't care. I wanted to see and hear people talking and laughing in front of me. In the flesh. But most people were busy this evening...as I had been throughout the day.

So I called my mum - she didn't have assignments / tests etc to work on (LOL) so I thought I'd see how her evening was going. And I told her that I was feeling a bit lonely. She asked where all my friends were. Well, they were occupied doing other things. Like I said at the beginning of this post - I hate feeling needy. I know that my friends are busy with academic work / sorting out their own lives etc... and if anything, I'm supportive of all that.

But I am feeling a bit pissed off right now...
An example - I was trying to 'talk' to a friend... and I was cut off mid-sentence. This, from someone who rambles on till the cows come home. I'm used to this, but today it just hit a nerve.

Just once, I'd like someone to ask me how my day was ...and be genuinely interested in knowing about it...

Just once, I'd like someone to remember an important test that I have to write - and wish me luck for it...

Just once, I wish someone would give ME a hug, just for the hell of it.

Just once, I wish conversations wouldn't only be all about the other person...

Ok , so maybe I sound needy after all - but hell... I'm only human and we all have a right to feel this way...right? If everyone else around me can feel that way, why the hell can't I?

I love being the one people feel comfortable talking to when they need advice or cheering up. It makes me feel good helping others. It really does.

But who do I go to when I want to cry just for the hell of it?

This evening, my mother told me that we are living in a cruel world. Stating the obvious, mother...but her words ring true.

Each man (or woman) for his (or her) own.

DISCLAIMER: I have generalized in this post. I have certain friends who - even when they are busy - will spare me five minutes. Sometimes, that's all I need...

Saturday, October 14, 2006

Tag #1

THE INVENTION TAG
What 3 gadgets would you invent?

Firstly, Mosilager - I'm sorry I took over a month to do this! Mine are really not as great as some of the ones I have read, but I am giving it a shot :)

  1. I want a cloak that will give me superpowers. Something like Superman/My Super ex-Girlfriend. When I put it on, I will be able to fly anywhere at the speed of lightening. Maybe I'll use my super powers to "save the world from evil", but I sure as hell would use it to spend a morning in London, an afternoon in Oz and a night on the town in New York City. (just trying to picture myself flying around amongst the NY skyscrapers)

  2. I would love to have a timepiece where I would actually be able to turn back time and re-live some moments / conversations etc...I'd say the max you can turn back time would be between 1 and 48 hours. Gone will be the day of regrets :D

  3. Thirdly, I want a robot who will take on the role of my own personal stylist - since I don't know anyone who is willing to do this for me, and those who are...well, I just don't have enough money to spend on such things! Anyways, my 'robot' will thread my eyebrows when needed and will never let me have a bad hair day again. ..but most of all, he/she/ it will give me a massage every single day. (Those who know me know that I will kill for a good massage!)
Ok, mission accomplished! I think I need to keep this tag going, right? In that case, I tag Carly, Gregor and my brother.

Tags & tags

So, Maja just tagged me about which movie characters should have blogs.

After I read that she tagged me, I remembered that I still havn't done my tag from Mosilager about 3 gadgets that havn't been invented. (sorry Mosilager!)

There seems to be a tagging craze going on in the blogsphere of late - and I am determined to meet these challenges :) It's just that I've been either very busy or my brain has been fried!

But - watch this space, cause I'm working on it right now!

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Phir Milenge : We will meet again

PHIR MILENGE
_________________________

Basic Plot: Tammana (Shilpa Shetty) is an advertising hotshot, and discovers that she is HIV positive after a one night stand with her former crush, Rohit (Salman Khan). The company that Tammana works for says that she is incompetant and asks her to leave work.

{Actually, one day she just walks into her office and finds another bloke in her "cabin"}


Tammana feels as though she has been discriminated against because of her HIV status and seeks legal help. Enter Tarun (Abishek Bachan). The film is directed by South actress, Revathy whose last film was Mitr-My Friend. She also had a role in Phir Milenge as Tammana's (and her sister's) doctor.


THE STORY
It's so great to see that Bollywood can move away from the glitz, glamour and choreography and produce something that is so relevant - the issue of being HIV + and having to live in a society that still discriminates against people who are suffering with it. In South Africa, the media is often criticized for depicting HIV/AIDS as a "poor" "black" disease. This stigma needs to be rid of, so I was pleasantly surprised to see that the character in the film was a well-to-do, good-looking and successful young woman.

The message also comes across clearly that no matter who you are, or what your background is, the infection can be transmitted by just a one night stand.

SHILPA SHETTY
Shilpa has definitely proven herself as an actress in this film. No doubt, she's a bombshell - one of the sexiest stars in the industry to date, but damn - she blew me away with her performance in Phir Milenge. Her expressions were right on cue and definitely heart-felt.

SALMAN KHAN
Even though we only see him for maybe a maximum of 20 minutes throughout the film, Salman Khan does a fairly good job with his role as Rohit. At first, after the one night stand with Tammana, you may feel angry at his sudden disappearance, but towards the end, he redeems himself, and one can almost feel the pain and anguish portrayed in his facial expressions.

ABHISHEK BACHAN
Abishek is believable as an attorney. During his initial meeting with Tammana I was irritated with his character, who after having realized that Tammana was HIV +, he rushed to his doctor friend - just to make sure he hadn't been affected. But he (like Salman's character) also redeems himself, as he turns out to be a great friend to Tammana...all her other friends slowly drifted away after realizing her status.

One more thing - I can't say that I cared too much for AB's look in this film. I think he looked untidy and under-groomed. I don't think it suited his character, but because I have a huge crush on him at the moment, I'm going to try my best to let it pass.....


OTHER TIDBITS
  • Some of the subtitles were a bit off and didn't match what was being said
    eg: In English, Tammana's sister, Tania says "I want to say I am really sorry" but the subtitle read "I want to say I am really angry"

  • When Rohit had reached the last stage of the infection, where was his family? We only see Tammana with him.

  • Shouldn't have Tammana been given counselling before being told she was HIV positive?

  • At times, the court scenes were a bit drawn out.

  • The song picturized at the art school between Tammana & Rohit was a bit cliched - done real ala Bollywood style. He's about to kiss her hand, she gets shy...runs away...he runs after her...they have a moment. Period.

  • During the films promotion, Salman Khan should not have been made out to be the main character. The film clearly belonged to Shilpa Shetty.

Damage on the road soon....

My younger brother, Darmesh (aka DJ Damage) just passed his Learner's License test. CONGRATULATIONS, bro !!!!

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

My Super Ex-Girlfriend


He broker her heart
She broke his everything....

I recently watched My Super Ex-Girlfriend, starring Uma Thurman & Luke Wilson. I won't rehash the storyline...but basically:
  • Uma Thurman looked hot!
  • Luke Wilson is adorable and I wish he was my next door neighbour
  • Uma Thurman & Luke Wilson would make an awesome couple in real life
  • The special effects are great
    Note - especially: Uma flying through the roof, the "shark attack"
  • A bit of sexual innuendo (bed crashing through the walls!)
  • The comedy was passable
  • It was great seeing Uma in a role like this
  • It was awesome seeing a woman "saving the world from evil"
  • Uma looked like Mary Poppins each time she descended to the ground
  • Luke's friend in the film was funny & annoying at the same time
  • FYI : the screenwriter for the film is also a writer on The Simpsons
  • An average time-pass movie to see with the girls
  • Guys think it's a chick flick and will probably only see it for the "chick from Kill Bill"

  • Question: Was this 'super-hero(ine)' film released too soon after Superman Returns?

Saturday, October 7, 2006

Feeling slightly nostalgic...

This is the 6th last Saturday I'll be spending in Grahamstown! Yep - 6 Saturdays from now, I'll be in my very own room at home in East London (pictured above).

I can't wait! Or can I?....

As the year draws to an end, I am having such mixed feelings - excitement and nervousness topping the list! I have no idea where the wind will take me when I leave this little village they call Grahamstown. But there are some things I will miss and some things I will be glad to say good bye to!

What I'll miss about this place:
  • Calling friends and having them come over for coffee or pizza in 5 minutes or less
  • The fact that (nearly) every place here is within a (relatively decent) walking distance
  • The amazing and extensively-stocked library
  • RES NET (imagine - being connected to the WWW 24/7!)
  • Debonairs (pizza place)
  • The sunrises & sunsets
  • The new Journ building (African Media Matrix)
  • The donkeys - which can almost always be seen as you enter/leave the town!
What I won't miss about this place:
  • Going to shower in flip flops
  • Communal bathrooms
  • People calling/shouting on the intercoms for their friends
  • Drunk students on Friday/Saturday nights
  • Signing male visitors in and making sure they're out by a certain time
  • Being unable to blast my music in the morning (back home, my brother is a DJ - so loud music is kind of mandatory in my house at any time of the day...yay for my cool parents!)
  • Eating cereal for supper
  • Having to close my curtains everytime I want to change (boys res across the street and my window faces the road)
  • Walking up the hill in the heat

Friday, October 6, 2006

Beautiful skies

Stunning sunrises,sunsets & clouds
If there's one thing I'm going to miss about G-town, it will be the stunning sunrises & sunsets. Living up on the hill, I have woken up to some gorgeous skies over the past four years. After Ranjit posted some sunset pics, I have decided to do the same. Hope you enjoy :)

Tuesday, October 3, 2006

One of those days...

I wanna cry, but I dunno why
~~~~~~~~~~~***~~~~~~~~~~~
It was pouring with rain when I woke up this morning.
I usually love the rain, but today I wished for the sun to be out and the birds to be singing.
It was just one of those gloomy days...which made me feel *uggghhh*.
There wasn't really anything 'wrong', I was just feeling down.

So before I crept into my bed in the darkness of my room, Ferret and I ordered pizza. We chatted and laughed till our food came. And then my friend, Teneshia called. I really miss not seeing her as much as I did last year. And after that ...my friends, Himesh & Nikhil came over to visit. We ended up chatting and laughing about all sorts of random things.

So my solution to days like this: Surround yourself with people who make you happy and who can put a smile on your face! Because thanks to the above-mentioned friends, I'm going to bed much happier than when I woke up this morning!


Monday, October 2, 2006

Chatterbox October '06

Here is my October column - hope you enjoy and I look forward to reading your comments on it :)

What's in a name? I would say a lot...

It’s no longer Aishwarya – it’s Ash. And it’s no longer Sushmita – it’s Sush. It’s not Kamala, it’s “K”. And it’s not Barvant, it’s Barry.

This has been bugging me for quite some time now, and this month I’m going to vent about it. What is up with the anglicizing of our Indian names? In other words, why are our Indian names being shortened and abbreviated by non-Indians…just because they can’t make the effort to pronounce it?

We call Jennifer,
Jennifer – not “Jen” or “Jenni”, unless of course it’s an accepted nickname by that person. And we call Daylen just that. Not “Dee” or “Day”.

So – just because some Indian names are a bit “difficult to pronounce” is it correct that a new version be given? Of course not! I can’t begin to tell you how many times my name has been mispronounced. For goodness sakes, you say it the way it’s spelt –
Sheetal. Shee-till. Some versions of my name include Sheetaaarl. I even remember hearing Shantal once. But – most of my friends have given up and now resort to calling me Sheets. It’s become so common that most people, even my family calls me that too. I suppose it’s shorter than Sheetal and doesn’t require much effort.

My brother, Darmesh, has had a couple of variations of his name. At school, he was known as
Daaarm-esh or Daaarm. It stuck so much that sometimes I find myself calling him that too. But now, his friends have resorted to calling him by his DJ name, “Damage” Even my parents’ names have been so anglicized over the years by family friends that it’s actually laughable!

So is it effort to say
Kalapana? Of course! That’s why they’d rather say Kay or Kal. And Sameer becomes Sam. It’s like when you’re talking about Sameer to someone, they have no idea who you’re talking about.

But say
Sam, and everyone knows who he is! For all I care, Sam can be short for Samantha!

This is all I’m saying: We say Sebastian and Priscilla. So why can’t we say
Urmila, without getting our tongues twisted around it?

I’m not saying that nicknames are wrong. They’re endearing. But what grates on my nerves is when people shorten Indian names for pure convenience.

But even Indian people are anglicizing their own names for convenience. Harish may change his name to
Harry. After all, when dealing in business, he can save the time when he introduces himself to people and they say, “Can you repeat that?” If “Harish” stays, I bet it will become Hareeeesh.

My friend, Nethan is South African-born, now living in
Australia. Pronounced “Knee-than”, he says people he only meets once call him Nathan (Nay-thin) and he can’t be bothered to correct them. To his friends he’s known as “Neth”. Of course there are other variations which are reserved for family and close friends. He’s gotten so used to this that he says he answers to anything these days.

And then there’s my friend Asmita. Asmita – what a lovely name. Pity people don’t appreciate its beauty, because she has become “As-meeee-taah”. It’s the same thing with another friend of mine, Shakeela, whose name has been converted to “Sha-keeee-lah”. I have even heard of a baby’s parents wanting to call him Rohan, but changed the spelling to “Rohern”, just so that people don’t get into the habit of calling him “Ro-han”

When people can’t pronounce my name or don’t even make an effort, I just find it a sign of disrespect. Of course, this is my opinion which I am entitled to it. Readers, I’m interested to know if you go through the same thing. Is your name anglicized by non-Indian speakers too?