Senior Citizens go “De Dana Dan” at Galaxy Cinema! -Atlanta Dunia -

Senior Citizens go “De Dana Dan” at Galaxy Cinema!

By Mahadev Desai

It has taken me over 65 years and the coveted honorary membership of the Senior Citizen Program (SCP) Inc. to realize that the best critics and reviewers of the Bollywood flicks are the wise members of the club of golden years Seniors, which I often am seen frequenting. It was a delight to see the cheer and smile in every member who walked out of the theatre after a spellbinding three hours of hilarious comedy “De Dana Dan”. It was obvious my fraternity, including myself, had gracefully graded the movie with a five star rating with a smile. The movie by Priyadarshan of “Hera pheri” fame was fun and is bound to make the cash register go crazy with collections in the forthcoming weeks.

“When the officers of the SCP were struggling over selection between screening of a brand name Amitabh starrer ‘Paa’ (also making rounds presently in the theatres) for its Elders or this comedy ‘De Dana Dan’, the balance tilted in favor of this comedy film with the sole purpose of getting our Seniors in the holiday spirit of joy and fun”, said Raj Razdan, Executive Director of SCP. “Yes as you can see, everyone really enjoyed the movie courtesy our sponsor and philanthropists Dr. Bina and Sanjay Patel, who also attended the show together with their mother Madhumatiben and daughters Nami and Purvi”, added Razdan.

True to the impeccable tradition of showering respect and affection to its members, the volunteers of SCP, Raj Razdan, Shashi Sidhaye, Minesh Mody; Chinti Bali, and Isha Goyal of SCP; all greeted the Elders at the entrance of the theatre and escorted them to their seats for an enjoyable comedy.

Razdan briefly updated its membership (of Seniors) of the SCP activities and future plans. She thanked her SCP members for endorsing and willingly contributing $365 (or $1 a day) for sponsoring a one teacher school run by Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation (EVF) in the tribal and rural areas of India for the education of the under-privileged children in India. These schools provide five years of free basic education, healthcare, vocational training and social and community empowerment. Razdan added that, “SCP’s decision to sponsor one school paid instant dividend when the Rotary Club of Clayton County represented by Lata Chinan immediately announced that her Rotary Club will match this donation by SCP by sponsoring a school as well”. Raj exhorted the audience to donate within their means for this well deserving, humanitarian outreach program. She reiterated that this sponsorship by SCP of one school was a unique and exemplary as the school was funded by the Senior Citizens themselves and their keen support undoubtedly was heartwarming. [Applause]

With a moving acknowledgment and appreciation of the sponsors Bina and Sanjay Patel, the stage was set for the curtains to open at Galaxy. The Seniors relaxed, chuckled and laughed as they watched the loud, escapist, slapstick comedy directed by Priyadarshan.

This film like ‘Hera Pheri’, also boasts of the strong stalwart trio cast of Akshay Khanna, Suneil Shetty and Paresh Rawal. Much of the hilarious interaction in this ‘no brainer’ movie, takes place in a five-star Singapore hotel where more than a dozen characters, unwitting subjects of mistaken identity, dart in and out of rooms delivering amusing one-liners, chasing each other and plotting their smart money-making schemes. In addition to Akshay, Suneil and Paresh, the director has also thrown into the mix-Katrina (Akshay’s girl friend), Sameera (Suneil’s girl friend), Archana Puran Singh (Akshay’s demanding task-master), Neha Dhupia, (gold-digger) Johnny Lever (hired hit-man), Asrani (Chinese don); Shakti Kapoor, Chunkey Pande (Paresh’s son) and a few others. The climax being that of a bomb going off and reminiscent of a scene from Titanic, the hotel gets flooded and then??? Keeping the surprise for your visit to the Cinema halls!

After the rib-tickling movie, the happy Seniors then marched, much like the players of the Indian Cricket team for a tea break during a grueling inning, to the nearby popular Palace Restaurant for hot Chai and sizzling hot Samosas.

SCP with its team of steadfast volunteers Raj Razdan: Shashi Sidhaye; Chinti Bali, Nalini Bhindi; Jyoti Dama; Isha Goyal; Minesh Modi; and Aruna Patel have completed yet another successful year since its founding in 1996. “With a modest start with 30 members, SCP now has blossomed into a very vibrant program with over 400 members executing over 12 programs annually”, said Shashi Sidhaye Another volunteer Chinti Bali added, “SCP, Inc. has been celebrating Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Valentines Day, Diwali, Christmas, etc., over the years”. The program is dedicated to fostering fraternity among seniors through frequent social get-togethers, feeling of camaraderie, important presentations for the health and welfare of seniors, lunches, dinners, health fairs, picnics and entertainment programs. “Senior Citizen Program advances the importance and respect for the Elders of our community in their senior years, courtesy of dedicated volunteers and committed sponsors. All events are invariably sponsored by philanthropic community members”, mentioned Isha Goyal.

“On an average we have approximately 150 members regularly attending our monthly Luncheon events. Each program typically entails an outlay of approximately $2,000. If not for the generous support of numerous donors, sponsors, participants, restaurants and dedicated volunteers, SCP could not have forged ahead. So, you can see how appreciative and thankful we must be of our sponsors who have donated without blinking over these years even during the recessionary times. In the near future, SCP has exciting expansion plans for the welfare of our elders. SCP elders bless all the sponsors and welcome any new sponsors interested in pitching in with their support”, exclaimed jubilant Razdan.

And for seniors like me, being part of SCP has been an exhilarating walk down the memory road for the past decade. The journey is bound to continue with an upbeat spirit with the proven tender and loving care from the SCP volunteers and the spirited donations of the sponsors!