Tikona Wireless Broadband Service

Tikona Digital Networks (TDN) is engaged in building the next generation wireless broadband services for home and enterprise customers in India. It is now available in major cities across India- Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi, etc.

TDN has an all India class A ISP licence granted by the Ministry of Communications, Govt of India, for this purpose. TDN envisions a powerful -Broadband enabled India and will make all possible contribution to make this happen.

TDN would also be building a comprehensive services framework that can deliver leading edge voice, video, IT applications and multimedia content services over any broadband or IP centric network. Such a framework can be outsourced by service providers globally, who desire to offer next generation services to their customers. TDN has engaged the best in class technology partners to build the required capability frameworks.

TDN was founded in mid 2008 by veterans from the telecom industry, who have built some of the largest networks in India for mobile, enterprise, broadband and DTH services. TDN is adequately funded by top end global investors and is committed to comply with the highest standards of corporate governance.

For More details about Tikona Broadband and their products, plans and packages visit http://www.tikona.in/-

‘Nine’ film review

English (A) Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz, Judi Dench, Kate Hudson, Sophia Loren Director: Rob Marshall

“Nine” is based on Fellini’s hero in “8 1/2” about a respected Italian film director Guido Contini (Daniel Day-Lewis) who is all set to make his ninth film. But this flamboyant filmmaker’s life is more interesting to many. Even as his cast and crew await a script at the famed Cinecitta Studios in Rome, Guido is haunted by the “ghosts” of several women whom he just simply can’t forget.

First, he is reminded of his beloved mother (Sophia Loren), then of a prostitute, of actress Claudia (Kidman), of his designer (Dench), of a reporter who wanted to seduce him (Hudson), of his mistress, Carla (Cruz) and of his ailing wife, Louisa (Cotillard). Thinking that all the bad memories would leave him alone if he moved to a lonely countryside, Guido is about to face the most complicated part of his life as both Carla and Louisa land up to be with him... along with the paparazzi and journalists as well. Guido’s life is already a big hit in the entertainment world but will his movie create enough buzz to mint money at the box office is a question every critic is now asking.

Day-Lewis is perfect as a tormented Italian director. With an expression full of rage and at the same time unpredictable, he makes his character look so cool and smooth.

However, director Rob Marshall, of “Chigaco” fame, somehow could not re-create his magic. The audience does not have much to complain when the cast includes many pretty women. Cruz is lively as ever and she knows she has got the ‘it’ factor being a mistress, Kidman’s performance is passable; yet Cotillard is the the best among them.

The setting of the film has a pristine and charming look throughout. ‘Nine’ does not reach the tenth floor, but is surely a great entertainer.

Visit Deccan Herald for more Reviews by Robert L. Sungte

It’s Complicated

English (A)
Cast: Alec Baldwin, Meryl Streep, Steve Martin

Jane Adler (Meryl Streep) is a divorcee in her late 50s. However, she seems perfectly happy until she and her ex-husband Jake (Alec Baldwin), who is now married to a very ‘young’ wife, meet up for their son’s college graduation day. Struck by the old spark they once again have a hot one-night-stand. Now, Jake wants to continue his affair with Jane. However, Jane is in dilemma: Should she become the mistress to her ex-husband or start an earnest relationship with her charming architect Adam (Steve Martin). She must find out where her heart really feels comfortable.

The films’ setting is extremely sophisticated and all credit goes to director Nancy Meyers. The upper class love story is richly depicted with big kitchens and fairytale-like gardens. She is also blessed with three of the best comedians–Streep, Baldwin and Martin. Streep is tender as a sex-deprived woman and she has fun discussing whether woman’s ‘part’ closes after not having sex for long time. Baldwin looks sly and weak as a man who would rather sleep with his ex-wife than with his sexy wife. And Martin also shares some of his funny side in a scene where Adam and Jane are high on marijuana. Adlers’ three grown-up kids are also believable as siblings who would be disturbed at their parents ‘strange’ behaviors over the last few days. The film thus has the some of the best stars playing roles true to their characters.

However, “It’s Complicated” is still weak on substance. This romcom involving middle-aged couples is coated with sweet chocolates like the cakes prepared by Jane. A little filling in the form of ‘blueberries’ and perhaps some ‘jellies’ would make it more memorable.

Review by Robert L Sungte, Deccan Herald

Invictus review

English (U/A)
Cast: Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, Tony Kgoroge
Director:  Clint Eastwood

Based on the life of apartheid era icon Nelson Mandela’s life, “Invictus” focuses on the reconciliation process in South Africa. The film begins with the release of Mandela who is looked upon with intense speculation over his ability to run a government. After winning the trust of the previous white regime employees, Mandela begins implementing his ‘human calculation’ to bridge the blacks and whites through rugby.

First he convinces his fellow blacks to retain the whites’ Springbok team’s uniform and then crosses expectations of the whites by meeting captain Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon) personally. Once, he realises that all Afrikaans now have something to rally around together he begins lobbying for hosting the 1995 Rugby World Cup in his country.
Clint Eastwood’s drama clearly shows how a good leader can make use of certain events to build a nation sans melodrama. Morgan Freeman shows he is the best man to play Mandela and this film is more of his than of Matt Damon.

The best thing about this film is that it hardly preachy. There are no overwrought dialogues or dramatic music to instill sentimentality. Drama remains the strongest tool in Eastwood’s tool box. The theme is serious in nature but there are numbers of humorous moments. It’s really fun to watch Mandela’s black and white bodyguards watching rugby together. The blacks don’t know the A B C of the game, yet they soon develop a bond with their white counterparts through it.

A rugby game may not completely heal a nation’s scars but it gave the Afrikaans something to cheer together and in one voice. ‘Invictus’ has made nation-building look so cool.

Review by Robert L Sungte, Deccan Herald