KNOCKED UP is Knocking People Out with its humor and innocence….. Read here few more reader reviews;

Drive Down the Memory Lane….Review by Vince Chacko
Hi Everyone,
I read Shaiju Mathew’s Knocked Up in just one sitting… hours flat I was through with the book becoz I couldnt keep it down…It took me back to my childhood days that were spent in a small town in Kerala…Shaiju Mathew was able to touch my heart with his writing and also took me down to my old days… I went so nostalgic that I searched for my close friends who had lost touch with me on Facebook…This book if made into a serial or movie like Malgudi Days or Swami…will really do good as it has the potential to strike a cord with every age group… The language used is very simple so people searching for Shakespeare will be disappointed but a common average Indian can definitely find the book easy on his brain to read without reffering dictionary….
I am so glad that it is not like the usual IIM or IITian turned graduate to an author saga…its about teenagers, their issues, problems, friendships, love life all put up into a hillarious tale…Every Chapter had something to laugh about… I have already bought 3 books from Reliance Book Store for gifting my long lost friends and have also ordered from flipkart for a author signed copy… Shaiju Mathew U made my day….
Thank you
Vince Chacko

“Simply BRILLIANT…The characters were so believable and the one that took my interest was of Prateik and his girlfriend Rupa they both are funny and cute at the same time… I could sense the gradual growth of the characters from immature teenagers to responsible youngsters…especially Sid & Swati… Swati’s transformation from a tomboy to a delicate lady type is noteworthy…. Becky the heroine is smart, sexy and lovable…shez every boy’s dream gal… I am waiting for the next in this 3 part series…”

Wonderful Experience Review by Manu Anand
I loved the book so much that I have ordered 8 more copies from Flipkart today to gift it to my friends who were equally excited about the book. Worth reading if you are a child at heart and if you still miss your teenage days…. not for intellectual types who are searching for Salman Rushdie or Kushwant Singh or Dan Brown… People who like Chetan Bhagat will definitely love Shaiju Mathew’s Knocked Up …. I am waiting for the next series of Knocked Up…

Good One Review by RAVILA
Good book…we have an answer to Chetan Bhagat atlast… was bored of all those IIM grads writing books on IIM students and their life in IIM… refreshing story…reminded me of ‘Three Men in a Boat’… Good work Shaiju Mathew

Rajesh Kolan and I releasing the book

Dad,Mom,Mohit and I

Praveen and Sumeet



Dad, Mom, I & My Brother Baiju Mathew-Founder Rich Bull Marketing





I signing books



Drive Down the Memory Lane….Review by Vince Chacko

Hi Everyone,

Good

Review by RAVILA

Good book…we have an answer to Chetan Bhagat atlast… was bored of all those IIM grads writing books on IIM students and their life in IIM… refreshing story…reminded me of ‘Three Men in a Boat’… Good work Shaiju Mathew

AMAZING!!!

Review by Prasanna

I purchased the book and read through it. The articulation and the way story has gone through was amazing…. Good job done by the entire team again. Shaiju Mathew is here to stay….

FULLY KNOCKED ME UP !!!

Review by Swapna

THE BOOK IS AMAZING..TRULY CAPTIVATING..ONE CANT KEEP IT DOWN ONCE YOU START READING…THE SMALL BLUNDERS IN CHILDHOOD AND TEENS IS SOMETIMES SO HILARIOUS!!! GOOD WORK SHAIJU 🙂

Thank you everyone…will post few more feedbacks tomorrow.

Regards

Shaiju Mathew

Courtesy :http://dudoism.blogspot.com/2010/09/shaiju-mathew-feature.html

Shaiju Mathew is the author of the most anticipated novel of the year, ‘Knocked Up.’ Most anticipated because no other book in the recent history has created such curiosity and interest in the minds of the readers. People who got a glimpse of the same on Facebook says its an ultimate story about friendship, love and fulfilling dreams told in a very simple and hillarious way. He has a huge fan following over the social networking site ‘Facebook’.

‘Knocked Up’ was released in UAE by Richbull Marketing in a limited authored signed edition of 500 copies to raise funds for a charity and the good news is that the entire lot of 500 was exhausted in 7 days flat and still there are more demands for the book by prospective readers due to word of mouth publicity.

On asking him how does it feel after releasing Knocked Up to such a thunderous response he says, “I am feeling great and honoured that my work has been liked by so many people and we are also able to raise funds for the charity that my mother believes in” with a satisfied smile on his face.

However, the journey of a simple boy from Pune to the most promising author of his generation was not a very easy task for Shaiju. He says about his journey as “the most exciting time of his life.” Shaiju had to face many hurdles before he decided to publish his own work so that he could do maximum justice to the book and also bring about awareness among the general public about his book via extensive promotions for which he chose the social networking site ‘Facebook’. “When I started out promoting my work, I got tremendous response from many people who liked my synopsis and the sample chapters that I circulated to gauge the pulse of the reading crowd” he says with a smile.

Shaiju Mathew says he is a true blue Pune boy who loves Pune and the people out here. He was born and brought up in Pune. He studied in St. Joseph’s Boys High School, Khadki and also did his MBA in HR from the acclaimed Pune University. “Pune is the best place in this world as I have so many beautiful memories of my childhood and growing up years here” he reminisces about his childhood days and also confirms his liking for Pune. He further adds “Pune is the base of my story and all the events that take place in my book are situated in Pune. Pune is the cultural capital of Maharashtra and has its own unique place in the history books too.”

Shaiju although a Malayali likes to be known as a Punekar and prefers Maharashtrian dishes over South Indian fare he says “Although I respect my own culture I somewhere feel that I am a true Maratha from my heart and soul. My favourite dish is saadi varan and amti bhaath, I even love Puran Poli and my weakness is Shrikhand Puri and Sabudana Wada.”

On asking what he misses the most about Pune as he is based in Bangalore now, he says “I miss Ganesh Chaturthi and all the festivals celebrated here as I have so many memories of these festivals. I still remember that during Ganesh Chaturthi I and my friend Praveen used to decorate the space where we used to keep the idol in his house and also prepare for the puja. I was well versed with all the Ganesh Aarti’s and used to sing them. During Diwali apart from bursting crackers I alongwith my group of friends used to build ‘Killa’ with clay and bricks and decorate it with small idols of Shivaji Maharaj and his soldiers… Oh those were the days” he remembers.

Being an accomplished singer he tried to make his career in singing which took him to the south as there were more opportunities, however, he couldn’t make it big there due to heavy competition and due to a throat injury. However his other passion that was for writing still stuck to him which helped him explore totally another creative field. He says, “ I have no regrets about my failed singing career because I will make a comeback soon and pursue singing with full dedication. However, writing was always there in me as I used to write diaries when I was a kid and also wrote short stories and poems which were my base for writing novels.”

Shaiju has also been writing articles for few magazines and entertainment portals as a freelancer. He also has his own blog where he pens his thoughts and there are many people who like what he writes. “Blogging was something I started and then stopped in the middle but I resumed it again after my friends coerced me to do so. Even my first book was published because of my friend Praveen who encouraged me and forced me to finish the book and get it printed” he laughs loud and continues “I got so many good people who guided me and helped me in accomplishing my dream especially Mr. Aditya Kripalani – author of Backseat and Mr. Vasant Kamat – CEO of Dolphin Publications and also my creative team which comprises of Jasmin, Sakhi, Vikram, Shrijit and Mohit.”

Shaiju’s debut work ‘Knocked Up’ is a simple story of three best friends Sid, Ron and Prateik who are teenagers living in Pune. They are directionless in their life and are trying to find a meaning to their existence. The story is very simple and humorous. The comedy is not forced but situational. Shaiju describes this coming up of age story as a modern version of R.K. Narayan’s ‘Swami and Friends.’ “Anyone and everyone who got a chance to read my book even before its official release in India has compared the book to ‘Malgudi Days’, ‘Swami and Friends,’ ‘3 Idiots’ and Sue Townsends ‘Adrian Mole’ series. There has also been a section of readers who compared it to Chetan Bhagat’s style of writing. All these feedbacks have made me feel proud of my book and I am sure everyone would definitely like it.”

Shaiju has also started his own Publication “Magic Moments” which will promote not only new and old authors but also other creative people who are involved in the process of making a book. He says, “A novel is a team effort. Every book you pick up in the market, will give you information about the author and the publication house but no one knows who edited the book, who designed the cover, who compiled the book etc etc… Magic Moments believes in giving credit to each and every person who has contributed towards the book and we will give equal opportunities to every creative person who wants to work with us.” He is also working on a unique model of business partnership through which more and more authors and creative people will benefit from their work.

“Writers / Authors are the worst paid and the most neglected lot in India. So I want to do something for the benefit of my community in general and gather more recognition for my fellow members. Moreover, publication business has more potential in India as we have the high number of book reading public in the world”, he further emphasizes.

When asked about his future projects he says that he is currently working on few movie scripts and also involved in building the credibility of his publication house in the market. There are few manuscripts he is short listing to be published under his publication.

Shaiju Mathew’s message to the aspiring authors in the country is “Pursue your dreams and do not let it die as dreams do come true” and he points at himself as an example.

His personal site : http://www.shaijumathew.com
Blog : http://www.shaiju-mathew.blogspot.com

Hello Friends,

Since morning I am getting a lot of calls and emails congratulating me on ‘Knocked Up’ and also telling me how they loved the book.

Few of the people told me that it made them go nostalgic and few said they couldn’t stop falling of the chair laughing.

Few people felt does love really exist in todays world and does girls like Becky and Swati still exist.

The most common feedback I got was that everyone loved the character of Prateik. They found Prateik to be very funny, cute and lovable. When I was writing this character of Prateik I very well knew that he will definitely leave a mark on the readers minds and hearts.

When ‘Knocked Up’ was launched many people thought it’s another 3idiots or 5 point someone. I kept on telling them that it is not at all similar to 3 Idiots or 5 Point Someone but no one believed, now after reading the book they are coming back and saying its definitely not anything similar to the above mentioned movie or book. I am glad that for a first book I received so many good things to hear.

Thank you guyz for all those beautiful emails, phone calls and sms’s. I really appreciate your love and support.

Love and regards
Shaiju Mathew

Hello Friends,

Today is the final day as my book is out and it is in front of you. From tomorrow I have to make myself strong to face criticism and accolades. Hope everyone likes what I have written and I am sure you would have atleast have one moment to smile in the entire book.

This is also the right moment to thank few people who are responsible for KNOCKED UP reaching out to the world;

1) Dolphin Publications and Mr. Vasant Kamat
2) Talent Hatz Entertainment (Prince Oswal and team)
3) My entire team (Vikram, Jasmin, Shrijit, Sakhi, Mohit and Baiju Mathew)
4) All my dear friends
5) My colleagues and fans on Facebook

Thank you guyz for your support and love without which I wouldn’t have been able to bring my book out and live my dream :))

Please do read the book and send me your comments and feedback to me at magicmomentspub@gmail.com

Love and Regards
Shaiju Mathew

I was surfing net today when my friend Devansh Patel tweeted saying that Amitabh Bachchan received the Best Actor Award for Paa. It didn’t come as a surprise to me as it was a well deserved award for Mr. Bachchan as he played superbly the role of a 13 year old progeria stricken kid in Paa at the age of 67 which is a record as such in the history of world cinema. Another two records set were that of him playing the son of his real life son and also son to a woman who was half his age – Vidya Balan.

I was also happy to note that Arundhati Nag the talented actress from Kannada movies and theatre won the best actress in the supporting role for the same movie, how I wish Vidya too won the award for the best actress for Paa.

For Amitji it is a third award for Best Actor after he won for Agneepath and Black. He had also won an award for best debut for his first movie Saat Hindustani. So that makes four national awards in a four decade long career.

I was also ecstatic to know that my favourite music score for Dev D also won the Best Music Award for the year and I wish all the luck to Amit Trivedi for a well deserved award. Well Done Abba another favourite movie of mine got the best movie award for social issues which was again a well deserving candidate so was 3 Idiots and Kutty Srank. But I still have a doubt why Delhi 6 was given the Best Movie award for National Integration. Delhi 6 was a confusing movie and so the audience had also given it a thumbs down… also giving an award to Nilanjana for Houseful was another surprise whereas there were so many other good candidates like MS Chitra for Pazzhashi Raja and even Yesudas for the same movie….sometimes even awards committee too make few mistakes.

On the whole the awards were full of mixed responses this year…however, my heartfelt congrats to all the winners… Enjoy Maadi :)!!!

Today I am feeling very happy and satisfied. The feeling is equal to a pregnant lady who has just delievered her child after months and months of wait and anticipation.

When I look back, the entire journey of Knocked Up can be put up as a book itself. It all started one fine day in September 2009 when the writer in me was itching to write something. I wanted to write something very close to my heart, something that I missed about my growing up days with my friends. I took out my old photo album and was going through them when I remembered the funny things that we used to do as a group. Slowly my thoughts and memories got translated into a beautiful manuscripted named ‘Knocked Up’ which was earlier titled ‘Friends Forever’.

After I finished the initial few chapters I gave them to my best friend Praveen who was equally excited and wanted me to publish this book as soon as I complete it. Once I finished the entire story I gave it to other friends of mine to read it without telling them who the author was and the reaction I got from them was equally encouraging. Then I started sending out sample chapters and synopsis of my book to publishers who showed a lot of interest and wanted to publish the book, but at a later date.

I got contracted with one of the leading publishing house in India and the book was announced to be released by April 2010. However, destiny didn’t want the book to be released by anyonelse other than me and maybe because of that maybe I faced a lot of problems with the publication house, as the management team kept on changing and so did their terms and conditions. So finally I thought of releasing my book under my own publication “Magic Moments Publications.”

In the journey towards publishing my book I came across so many good people who guided me and helped me realise my dreams. I would want to name them here to show my gratitude. Aditya Kripalani, author of the bestselling novel ‘Backseat’ first guided me in this process and also helped me find an Editor to edit my work. Jasmin Lord my Editor who gave shape to my words and corrected my sentance structure and grammatical mistakes. Then Aditya guided me to Vasant Kamat who helped me understand the publication business as he himself is the CEO of Dolphine Publications. He believed in my work and still promotes it to everyone he meets.

Vikram Nandwani my friend from my school approached me to do the cover design and I agreed. He came up with the best design I could ever imagine off. Anees Palayakodan a friend and colleague of mine introduced me to Sakhi Bansal who helped me compile the book and we both designed the inner pages using Indesign.

Then the best part happened, my brother who is a successful e-Publisher wanted to release my book in a limited edition to check the reaction of the readers and also to raise some funds for a charity that we believe in. He sent emails to his patrons inviting them to purchase the author signed limited edition. Initially we released 100 copies but the demand was so huge we ended up selling 500 in total. The reaction we got from the readers were all positive. Few compared my book with 3 Idiots, few compared it with Malgudi Days and Swami, while few compared my work with Jerome K Jerome and Sue Townsends Adrian Mole series… I am totally floored with all these feedback and reviews that I got directly from the readers.

I was in need of a good website to promote my work and I found Shrijit Nair who not only designed my website but also hosted it successfully. I am also happy that today when the book is on the verge of release I alongwith my friends and creative team are going through the same pangs of anticipation but are totally confident that people will definitely love my simple story and we can acheive what we set out for.

Thank you everyone and thank you for still supporting my work…

Vishesh Films, Emraan Hashmi and Pritam has always guaranteed a hit score, so when the music album of their latest movie ‘Crook’ was released I was very curious to find out how the music had come up.

Pritam gave his career best with the Bhatts with films like Gangster, Kalyug, Woh Lamhe, Zeher, Jannat, Awarapan and Tum Mile. Crook unlike their earlier ventures doesn’t boast about romantic songs here. The first song is a Punjabi folk number “Challa” sung by Babbu Mann, a top name in Punjabi film and music industry, who keeps the fun going. Suzanne D’mello, the only female singer in the entire album, gets to croon a few interspersing lines in English but it is the ‘desi’ rhythm fused with Western arrangements that make ‘Challa’ – also arriving later in a ‘remix version’ – a track that should find good acceptance, especially up North.

The second song in the album sung by Nikhil D’Souza titled “Mere Bina” is a very soulful song with a light rock base to it. Nikhil is an upcoming singer who has delivered few hits in the recent movies like Aisha, Anjana Anjaani and Udaan.

The third song ‘Tujhko jo Paaya’ sung by Mohit Chauhan with just a guitar playing in the background. An interesting song in the typical Mohit Chauhan style.

Pritam’s favourite singer Neeraj Shridhar gets to sing the fourth song titled ‘Kya’ which is a fun song. A number where one can well imagine Neeraj to be smiling while crooning this one and a feel good appeal via visuals on screens as well; ‘Kya’ should find it’s way into the charts.

The last song ‘Tujhi Mein’ carries the kind of sound that Bhatts have pretty much patented over the last couple of decades and one is only thrilled to hear it all over again. KK does a very good job and this song would be another chartbuster for the singer.

Overall a very good album which would need few listenings before it catches onto your lips

Today is Ganesh Chaturthi and it is one of my favourite festivals. I have very good memories of my childhood relating to Ganesh Chaturthi which I would like to share it with you guyz here.

Hailing from Pune which is the cultural city of Maharastra, Ganesh festival holds a special place in every Punekar’s heart. This is where years ago Lokmanya Gangadhar Tilak started the ‘Samuhik Ganesh Chaturthi Celebration’ so that every person irrespective of his caste, religion and creed can take part and enjoy the festival. It was a way of uniting the already divided communities of India who were fighting against eachother in the name of religion, caste and creed.

During Ganesh Festival which is a 10 day celebration, huge ‘Pandals’ are put up where gigantic Ganesh statues are kept for public display and every evening pujaris do puja and offer ‘Prasad’ to all the devotees. Ganesh Aarti’s and popular film music keep on blarring out of the loud speakers and the entire city is lit with fairy lights.

Every year each pandal displayed a different theme eg: during the Jurrasic Park days every pandal displayed Dinosaurs themes and one can see Lord Ganesha riding Dinosaurs or killing them to save the human race. Entire night the city used to look like a huge fair as nobody slept during those days and went for seeing the Ganesha Pandals in the old city. There are special buses plying too and forth carrying people who wanted to have a dekho of these various Pandals. Street vendors have a good time selling off their wares and food items to the customers.

Ganesh festival is not only celebrated through pandals put in the street or societies but also at home. Days before the arrival of Ganeshji, my best friend Praveen and I used to decorate the space where we intended to keep Ganeshji in his house. Every year I celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi at his place. The day Ganeshji was to arrive we used to take care of every item that would be used for the puja. Coming from a secular household my parents never stopped me from performing Ganesh puja at Praveen’s house and it was a regular thing for me for past so many years before I shifted to Bangalore.

I miss each and every fun of Ganesh Puja that I enjoyed with Praveen and his family during my growing up days… How I wish I could rewind and go back to my past atleast during the Ganesh Festival and Diwali Festival seasons.

On this note I would like to end my today’s post and Happy Ganesh Chaturthi to all my friends and especially to Praveen who also miss me equally during this season….

Salman Khan’s Dabangg is this year’s Eid Offering. From the day the promos started it clicked really high with the audiences. Dabangg’s popularity rose day by day and there was 100% anticipation among the cine goers. There was no one in the public who wanted to miss this biggest movie of the year. Dabangg takes you back to the 1970’s and 1980’s era of film making where action and dialoguebaazi was the norm, mother-son relationship was at the peak and the villians were typical and how can you forget the gaon ki goris. Well Well… for all Salman Khan fans including me, Dabangg is a celebration… I entered with 100% expectation and returned with 200% gratification… I had a permanent smile plastered on my face and on every dialogue and every fight sequence I roared alongwith the crowded and blowed whistles… I don’t know when was the last time I had enjoyed a mass entertainer in this fashion…

Dabangg is the story of Chulbul Pandey [Salman Khan], a totally fearless but corrupt police officer with unorthodox working methods. But even the most fearless at times face a tough fight with their innermost demons. Chulbul has had a bitter childhood. His father passed away when he was very young, after which his mother [Dimple Kapadia] married Prajapati Pandey [Vinod Khanna]. Together, they have a son Makhanchand [Arbaaz Khan].

Prajapati favors Makhanchand, which does not go down well with Chulbul. He decides to take control of his destiny and detaches himself from his step-father and half-brother. His sole attachment is his mother. However, after his mother’s demise and an unsuccessful attempt to mend wounds, Chulbul snaps all ties with his step-father and half-brother.

Rajo [Sonakshi Sinha], with her unique perspective of life, enters his world and turns life upside down. Chulbul starts to see life more positively and also gets sensitized to the value of a family. But his detractors, especially the dubious Cheddi Singh [Sonu Sood], have their own vested interests and emerge as spokes in the wheels, putting one brother against the other. Makhanchand ends up carrying out an act oblivious to the consequences. When Makhanchand realizes he has been used, he turns to Chulbul and join forces with him to eliminate the tyranny of Cheddi Singh.

Actingwise Salman doesn’t disappoint he is a total revelation. Public enjoy all his antics and end up being with him totally…when he fights, when he cries, when he romances and when he sings. After ‘Wanted’ this is another BLOCKBUSTER performance from him. Sonakshi looks pretty and acts well for a debutant, she will go a far way if she chooses her projects well in future. Arbaaz Khan as Makhanchand is okay while Dimple and Vinod Khanna as Salman and Arbaaz’s parents are brilliant. Sonu Sood is a very good and he potrays the role of a villian to the hilt. Anupam Kher and Om Puri in brief roles doesn’t get much scope. Malaika sets the screen on fire with ‘Munni Badnam Hui’ song.

The action by S. Vijayan is out of this world. Music is also a big draw as all the songs are top class eg: Teri Mast Mast Nain, Munni Badnam Hui, Udd Udd Dabangg, Chori Kiya re and Humka Peeni Hain. Sajid Wajid are in top form with the music album and Lalit Pandit with ‘Munni Badnam’ gives yet another chartbuster.

Debutant Director Abhinav Singh Kashyap is in his element. He’s made an out and out entertainer with an eye at the masses and he succeeds in his endeavour. Doing justice to vintage formula is no cakewalk, let’s not forget. Besides, he stays away from going overdramatic while handling the dramatic and emotional moments. This explains why you don’t exit the theatre with a spinning head. Mahesh Limaye’s cinematography is perfect. Editing by Pranav V. Dhiwar is super-slick in action scenes. Dialogues are outstanding, especially those delivered by Salman, were greeted with claps and whistles. Especially ‘Itne chhed karunga’ ‘Yahan ke hum Robinhood hai, Robinhood Pandey’, ‘Policewala agar goli maare toh usse promotion ke saath award bhi milta hai’ etc…

Arbaaz Khan succeeds in his first movie as a producer alongwith debutant director Abhinav Kashyap and Salman as the main lead…On the whole Dabang has BLOCKBUSTER written allover it. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED