I Was There ...

"Friendship Is A Bond That Can Be Formed In The Most Un-Likely Of Circumstances With People You Never Thought Of."

-Mahaakshay Chakraborty.

Many of you won’t be able to relate with me. And I think many of you will also be afraid of me. I come in many forms and shapes. People call me with different names and the most popular image of mine ‘googled’ today is that of me covered in a black hood carrying a scythe. People say I am the taker of souls. I am famously known as The Reaper. But today, I won’t be talking about myself. I have been famous for generations and I know I will continue to be so. But today, is a special day for me ‘cause today I want to talk to you about my best friend. I met him when he was only a boy. As always, I was summoned to take his soul but when I did meet him something stopped me. I went against my own protocol and put a delay on this boy’s end. And from that day to this, whenever I see him, I know I made the right decision. It has been years now that he and I have walked together in this life. Quite ironic don’t you think? An immortal being such as I walking along side this mortal who has an end clock over his head. But even though how unlikely we may look our bond has been overwhelming. So today I want to talk to you about my friend. The boy I once knew, to the man I see him becoming. This blog is about Mahaakshay Chakraborty … 

"And the moments which have strengthened our bond through the years." 

I Was There … On that very special day at 48 fitness. There were many people working out and hitting on the girls and listening to their favourite playlists. But I wasn’t looking at those individuals. My eyes were focused on Mahaakshay. He had his ear phones plugged in. His favourite song ’Stupify’ was on and the song could had been heard even from far away. I knew then that Mahaakshay was in the zone. The plates were getting clanked together in the bar. His coach, Rajesh were stacking them up. And in the awe of that preparation I saw Mahaakshay tightening the weight belt and his wrist straps. And then I saw his eyes and I knew that he was ready. He bent down, took a deep breath, closed his eyes and in the moment later he did what only few in the gym could had done. He lifted the 220kgs weights filled bar and did 5 reps of dead lifts in a very fast, no-pause motion and after the 5th rep he dropped the bar and screamed! Like a lion roaring to make his presence felt, Mahaakshay screamed not in agony or pain but in joy and embrace. You should had seen how the on-lookers were looking at him. Few with the eyes of amazement and others with jealousy, they were all looking at my boy. I was so proud of him, just like his coach was. I saw that my boy inherited strength from within. A Power which would one day make him reach great heights and a strength that would one day change the world. And when all the congratulations were over and my boy was getting ready for his next set, he paused and looked in the mirror. I know he wasn’t looking at himself. He was looking at me. And in his eyes, I saw a sense of acknowledgement and gratitude towards me. A sign which I knew would only make our bond stronger than before …

"I was there when Mahaakshay a Titan."

I Was There … When my boy was seduced by power. Yes, power. A tool all men want to possess. My boy got a taste of it also. I wanted to stop him though. I wanted to finally come out of the shadows and tell him not to walk down that road. But for some reason I didn’t do that ‘cause I wanted him to realise certain things on his own. Things which only experience can teach you. But even though he was consumed by power or maybe just a false pretence of it, I was there for him. I was with him when he felt that he was invincible and also when he woke up from that dream. I must confess, Mahaakshay hasn’t been an angel but I also know that he wasn’t the devil either. To be honest, he was always misunderstood and maybe that conflict with the world is what made him what he is today. Anyways, in this downward spiral of his own hatred and wrath I think he found what he was looking for. I remember it was that one night when Mahaakshay aka Mimoh was all by himself in his bed and trying to sleep. The silence outside and the pain in his muscles weren’t doing the trick of making him go into a deep slumber either. And then, that moment happened. Mimoh opened his iPad and started watching The Green Zone. Even though he had seen the film a couple of times before, on this night, he was watching it with a zeal. And as the movie progressed and as he saw the story unfolded and and as he saw Matt Damon’s character take down the bad guys, Mimoh had a sense of deep revelation. A revelation and realisation which finally brought him home. Brought him home to me. And since that day, Mimoh has never left me. He has been with me ‘cause he knew that what he thought was power, was only an illusion, misguiding him into a path of self-destruction. That night in the midst of all those amazing war scenes and thrills I know he sensed me as well. He looked up into the sky and thanked the universe for finally giving him a sign and then with the same way he has seen me before, he saw me and gave me the look of appreciation and gratitude ‘cause he knew that I Was There …

"I Was There when Mimoh finally came home."

I Was There … When Mimoh, for the first time was in a fight. No, I don’t mean a bar fight or a brawl with a drunk-ass loser on the street or even a fight with an ex boyfriend. This was a very special fight. A Life-Changing Fight. I remember it was a sunday and Mimoh’s folks at home thought he was just going for Sunday Mma Practice. But on this sunday, Mimoh wasn’t only going for practice, he was entering a battle zone. It was a room filled with fighters from all around the state and all of them were there to compete with each other and crush each other’s egos and spirits. Mimoh didn’t know what he was getting into too but on this day, his fears weren’t getting the best of him. Mimoh was brave and full of courage and was ready for the onslaught that was awaiting him. And as the minutes passed and the fights commenced, mimoh was slowly drifting away into his own world. But no, he wasn’t day dreaming or hallucinating. He was preparing himself, mastering his mind skills and locking his targets and imagining taking his enemies down with one fierce blow. And then as the whistle blew and his name was called, I knew that Mimoh was ready. He was ready to go to war. Oh you should had seen my boy. He looked so beautiful. He had the eyes of a hungry beast waiting to rip his opponent in half and the body of a graceful stallion waiting to strike. And then it happened. From out of no where the blow came and mimoh’s right hand contacted the left temple of his opponent and a second later his opponent went to the ground. And the rest was history. Mimoh’s hand was raised and he was proclaimed as the winner. But I knew that wasn’t the first and last time that I would see my boy in a fight. It has been three years since I saw that fight and since then, Mimoh has been in many others and I am proud to say that he has learnt the will of never giving up. Today, he fights and trains in the sport of mms like it is a part of him. He embraces pain like it is a daily routine to feel soreness and body ache. He looks at the blood bleeding from his knuckles as a sign of strength and he does the same thing over and over again not only for the love of mma but also because I know it is the one thing apart from his ultimate dream that really makes him feel alive. Even though it has been years since his first victory, I know in that moment he again saw me. There, amongst the crowd of cheers, he saw me, watching out for him and in that moment, he gave me that look again. The look which told me that he knew, That I Was There …

"I Was There when My Boy fought like a Lion and came out as a winner."

I Was There … When Mimoh and his family and friends had gone to pattaya for his brother’s birthday. It was the 1st time such a precedented event took place. A total of 8 boys travelled thousand of miles away to the beach and breasts destination of Asia. You should had seen the look on their faces! It was filled with excitement, surprise and happiness. And as the days progressed, the boys were becoming like rockstars more than tourists. But there was this one night that really stuck to me. It was the 4th night of their 5 days vacation and the boys entered walking street with the feel of dominating it. Even though the street was filled with sex, booze and all the sins of men, those 8 individuals had their sights on a dance bar called Mixx. At first, they weren’t allowed to even enter the bar as Indians weren’t amongst the most popular races of people to be chilling out in the hottest discotheque and bar of pattaya! But with their well-mannered upbringing and their way of talking the right things at the appropriate time, they entered this happening club on a saturday night. And the rest was like a scene out of a movie. The scene in which the heroes enter a hall of celebration after defeating the villains and saving the damsels in distress. The moment the boys entered, they were welcomed with amazing house and pop music and bouncers who were only assigned for these 8 folks as they had chosen the VIP booth. What followed for the next three hours was something truly to remember. The boys started to tear up the dance floor like it was a battle of the ages. They danced on every song that came up and as the night went ahead, the others who were there knew that these guys were the bomb for that night! Mimoh, Rimoh, Nama, Raahul, Rohit, Bali, Kaushik and Nadira were kings of the club that night as they danced their way towards a moment of brotherhood which could never ever be forgotten. And as the lights turned from white to red to yellow and as the music went dance to groove, me and mimoh again exchanged that glance. That glance only two souls who are deeply connected can share. And he gave me that nod, thanking me being there, at his moment of happiness. 

"I Was There when Mimoh was a Rockstar."

Don’t take me wrong. I don’t have a hard-on for Mahaakshay nor do I owe him anything. The reason I wanted you all to know this is because you NEED to know Mahaakshay the way I know him. He and I have been through hell and back and we know what it feels like. But you see, even though Me and Mimoh never talk out loud, we do have that connect. A connect of souls and spirits. An unspoken bond. A friendship like no other. To be honest Mimoh is the only true friend I ever had and I am the only one friend who has always been with him. He knows who I am. He knows that I am the reaper. That one day, when his time is up, I will rip his soul from his flesh and make it burn for all eternity. But even then, we are the only ones who truly understand each other. I was there when I saw him wait. When I saw him being tested and when his will was broken. I was there when he stood up again. Put on his straps. Spat out the blood and told Life that he was ready for another round of war. I was there when Mimoh surrendered himself to a life-long struggle of battle and hardships. I was there when he slipped into normality thinking that he could forget who he was and be a man who the world will one day forget. I was there when he realised that no matter how ‘human’ he maybe from the outside, from within, he will always be my special boy. That boy who thrives in War and who longs for it. I know temptation will always be the wolf in sheep’s clothing trying to lurk Mimoh again into it’s trap and I also know that Mimoh may again get carried away. But no matter how far he goes, I know he will always find his way back to me. He and I, we are meant to be together until his end. You ask me whether I will find someone else after his demise? No. Never. There can never be another. There can only be one. 

"I Was There when that young boy went alone into the wilderness and returned as the Leader of the Jungle."

Oh ya and one more thing, you all call me The Reaper but Mimoh, well, He calls me Michael. I kinda like that name. :-)

This is Me, The Reaper aka Michael and I Was There …

With All My Forces Combined,

Your Friend Who Lurks In The Darkness,

The Reaper.

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The Punisher ...

"I Have A Dream. And In That Dream I Never Stop."

-The Punisher

I remember, it was the year 2005. We were in our house in coimbatore. It was one of those regular nights during the weekdays when you were just in front of your computer and wondering whether to surf for porn or go into a live chat. My brothers who were very young at that time were toying with the mouse and scrolling for wallpapers of famous models in swimsuits. And then, it happened. I told my brother Rimoh, “Bro, go to the yahoo movies page na. I wanna see which are the new movie trailers for this week.” He did as told and we were then scrolling through the pages and links. But then a voice inside of me told me I had to do something. There was a certain curiosity in me which made me say the following words, “Bro, search The Punisher. I want to see how the trailer is.” And the rest was history. Since that day in 2005 till the moment now, I have never loved or worshipped any other man more than The Punisher. So this blog is dedicated to the one man solely responsible for carving and shaping up the boy who was once lost, to the man who has now become a survivor.

"Men Fear Death. Not Me. I Am The Punisher."

I know there are many fans out there of The Punisher. Go on Instagram and you will see many guys and girls wearing the famous Punisher Skull Tee. So, what makes me different? Well, I guess I have a soft spot for him ‘cause he has been my best friend since 2005. He came into my life when I really needed motivation and a vent for my feelings and emotions. He practically saved me from my own destruction. I have told this story to so many but sadly, all have either just nodded their heads or laughed on my face. I am still misunderstand to be a boy who never grew up. But for me, it doesn’t matter what people think of me when it comes to The Punisher. He is the greatest superhero on the planet and no one can take his place. The reason I am so connected to him is because I see a lot of myself in him. It is like looking at a mirror only that the reflection you see is of a man who wears a Skull T-Shirt and who embraces his duty with relentless pursuit and zeal. The Punisher is everything that I want to be. He is tall, has a superb physique, eyes cold as death, very focused, disciplined and is calm in the face of adversity. The Punisher isn’t just a Superhero in my eyes. For me, He is like a God!

"Sometimes I Like To Get My Hands On God."

Ask me how good it feels to relive the excitement of his comics over and over again. Ask me how great it feels to watch his movies back-to-back. Ask me the joy I feel when the latest issue comes out. And ask how great it felt when Thomas Jane himself tweeted me back. Not once not twice but three times! I wanna share a story with you. As I had mentioned earlier, it was all the way back in 2005 that I had gotten hooked to The Punisher. So once I got bit by his bug, I went frantic and crazy over him, which meant that I saw the 2004 Punisher film over 40 times and went on the net to search the Diet and Training Routine of Thomas Jane and how with extra-ordinary handwork and determination he sculpted his physique for the role of The Punisher. I read every interview I could. I searched every website and then finally, I landed up at the Men’s Fitness web portal page and there was the complete Diet and Exercise and Preparation Routine of Thomas Jane with his Candid Interview. The first thing I did after reading it was taking a print out and glueing that paper on my door and the thing I did after that was one of the coolest things I could had imagined doing. I emailed the editor-in-chief of the magazine expressing to him how I am a big fan of The Punisher and how it would make me the happiest man alive to actually get the same magazine edition as a personal copy. What he did was even better. He sent me the pages in which the interview was, all the way from america to a remote location in coimbatore and also with a letter attached to it. It read, “This is for you. I admire your love and dedication for The Punisher. Hope to see you make a built like him one day too. Glad Men’s Fitness could help.” Those lines brought tears in my eyes. It wasn’t only because I had gotten a personal copy of that interview, it was also because I then believed and knew that when you really love something with all your heart, the universe will give it to you.

"Somebody Has To Punish The Corrupt."

Today, I have more than 50 Punisher Tees, 3 hoodies, a mug {which got broken by my maid, Yes, I am heart-broken ‘cause of it}, all the 3 films on dvd and blu-ray, a mouse pad, a traveller bag, a wrist band which I wear every time I go out and a book shelf consisting over 100 graphic novels and comic books. It has taken me a span of 9 years to have a collection like this and I must say, the patience has payed off. But the road wasn’t all smooth and silky. I have faced a lot of criticism and hate from the people. Even today, I have to be very careful ‘cause here in India a ’Skull’ is supposed to be a negative sign or a bad omen. Luckily, my family has always been super chilled out and supported my love and dedication towards The Punisher. But to make others feel the same way, it has always been a heathen task. Only a few months ago, I was at a recording studio with my dad. We were waiting for the singer to arrive and in that wait, I came across two ladies who for no rhyme or reason thought it would be best to have a quick chat with me. Me, being the polite guy I am {narcissist}, decided to tag along. We were 5mins deep in the conversation when one of the ladies who owns a bakery shop in town happened to notice my Punisher wrist band. She immediately started telling me that what I was wearing was a bad thing ‘cause she had experienced only negativity when it came to skulls and demonic things. My blood started to boil the moment she said and to top that, she also gave an example of her brother who experienced exponential growth the moment he got rid of this clothing which consisted of skulls and monsters. When it came for me to defend, I simply said the following. “Oh that’s nice. I am very happy for you and for you brother. But you are mistaking this Skull as a demon. It is actually quite the opposite. What this Skull symbolises is actually an Angel. An Angel who protects the innocent from the corrupt and who fights against all the wrongs of society.” With that statement both of the ladies fell silent and the only thing I could see was their heads going up and down and hearing the word, “Ooohhh!” When it comes to me defending my love, I have an arsenal of statements and facts to back it up.

"I Wear The Skull 'Cause It Scares The Hell Out Of Them."

The one thing I have learnt from The Punisher is that we should always fight for what is right and that there is a huge difference between doing the noble thing and the popular thing. The Punisher has always fought for what is right. Kept his stance and faced extreme difficulties. He has been through hell and back and even though his body has broken a countless times over, his will hasn’t and it never will. The Punisher is a beacon of hope for me. He has taught me to be wise and kind and just to all. And more than the way he has influenced me, it is the connect I share with him. I somehow feel his pain. I know how that feels like. The emptiness he has inside of him. The guilt he carries for the death of his family and the lust for war which never dies. I see it in myself too. The Punisher did three tours in Vietnam ‘cause War was the only thing that made sense to him. I wish I find a war also. And The Punisher Punishes the guilty because he doesn’t want any one to feel the way he did. He doesn’t want the burden to be on someone else’s shoulders. The Punisher is a saviour the world isn’t ready for. But I feel what he feels. He is misunderstood and alone. just the way I am. And that is why my love increases everyday. I somehow feel I am the only one who can feel what he feels. And it is my duty to speed his message to the world. Like it is my destiny. Last year at Comic Con I was dressed up as The Punisher and you should had seen the way the people were complimenting me {this isn’t narcism, this is an actual fact}. Whether it was the boys and girls approaching to me for a picture or the comments I got on Facebook, all said I dressed up well. My friend Nadira said the following words, “Holy Shit bro, You Actually Look Like The Punisher!”. You can imagine how much joy I would had felt when I received such wonderful compliments.

"Your City, My World."

But my job isn’t over. The punisher is a part of me. He is a part of my soul and I know I have a lot more to do when it comes to spread the message of The Punisher. It is one of my grandest Dreams to play The Punisher on the big screen. I have the script ready and also the way I will prepare myself to become The Punisher and give the role the justice it deserves. I look up to Dolph Lundgren, Thomas Jane and Ray Stevenson ‘cause they were chosen to play The Punisher on the silver screen before me. But I am only turning 30 now and I know that I will get my chance also. To wear that Skull T-Shirt and strike fear in the hearts of my enemies. To Punish the corrupt and to make right when all else is wrong. I know that my journey has only just begun. Until then, I will encounter many non-believers, many haters and people who will nod theirs heads and say “Ooohhh!” but that won’t stop me. This is my mission and this is my dream. I will fight for what I believe in. I will fight for The Punisher, the same way, he has always fought for me. So yes, this blog has been dedicated to The Punisher and I hope this way, I have somehow spread his message yet again.

"This Isn't Vengeance. It's Punishment."

This is Me, Mahaakshay Chakraborty And You Just Witnessed The Love I Possess For The Punisher.

With All My Might,

Your No.1 Fan,

Mahaakshay Chakraborty.

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The Airplane Chronicles ...

"I Guess A Man’s Thoughts Are The Clearest And Purest, When He Is With Himself.”

-Mahaakshay Chakraborty.

I do get to travel a lot. And for the record, I love travelling. And one day, just carrying my back-pack, phone and passport and travelling the world is an important item on my bucket list. And I know that one day very soon, I will be able to do that. But right now, I am travelling back to mumbai. My dad is campaigning in west bengal and so, we had gone there to visit him and lend him our support. All thanks to him, we, the family, got to travel in a private jet! While going to kolkatta I was deeply engrossed in the pages of Dan Brown’s Inferno. And now, I am deeply engrossed in my thoughts. Even though right now, I am tempted to read a few more pages of the book and see what happens next, I am choosing to do this, write another blog entry. I am a man of many thoughts and even though I write a lot in my diary nowadays, my words always find their way to my blogs. I believe that is a very good thing. Speaking of blogs and websites and social media, I am also planning to go AWOL from Twitter and Instagram. Zac Efron is one of the few I admire in hollywood and in an interview a few years ago he said that he would never come on any social media websites. Back then, I thought that, that wasn’t a wise decision but today, I somehow agree with the man. Besides his drop dead good looks, he is also very intelligent and one of the hottest stars in hollywood for a reason! So here I am, in a private jet, going back home, with thoughts that need to be typed and to be expressed.

"I never found a companion that was so companionable as solitude."

-Henry David Thoreau

Fear. It is the one thing we all try to run away from. I on the other hand thank fear, ‘cause it is with fear that I realise what is important for me and what I may loose if I don’t give it my importance. I feel fear all the time. Whether it is through my insecurities or the unravelled future, fear always creeps up to me. At first, I used to run away from it also. But as GSP said, “We all are afraid. We all feel fear. And that is a good thing ‘cause only by admitting that you are afraid will you not be scared anymore.” Today, I look in the mirror and see through my eyes, into my soul and I try to hear the voice. The voice of my conscious that has always delivered me from evil. That has always shown me the way and which has always saved me when I needed it the most. I have to be honest with you, I do feel a change coming. A change which is meant for the better of me ‘cause now I have come to this understanding that everything happens for a reason and the reason always pushes us forward, towards our destinies. For a while now, the voices in my head had stopped talking to me. But now, they have come back. And I know that there must be a reason behind it. And this time, I am not fighting them but rather I am welcoming them. 

"Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company."

-George Washington

I don’t believe in God or the word God by lengths and miles. But I do believe in energy and the cosmic power of the universe. And for many years now, I have felt this deep connection with the universe and everything in it. Some people look up and talk to it, I write in my diary. My diary is like my cosmic connection with the universe and I have seen that whenever I write my feelings and wants out in my diary, the universe replies to me in a jiffy. That is one of the reasons my diary is my best friend. I carry it along with me wherever I go and it feels great to vent out my emotions in it from time to time. For me, balance, dependancy and attention are strong points when it comes to relationships. Whether it is friendship, family or love, I take these three things very seriously and I put up walls the moment I feel that the balance is no longer there. Speaking of walls, they are up now as we speak. I am not blaming anyone anymore for these walls. I understand that not everyone can live through the same circumstances, as everyone has to first seek their own priorities. But now I have come to realise that I can’t be the guy waiting at the receiving end either. Just like everyone else, i have to protect my emotions and save my ass as well. So to whomever it may concern, understand that I am not going away, I am just pulling the chord which channelled my dependancies. 

"A man is born alone and dies alone; and he experiences the good and bad consequences of his karma alone; and he goes alone to hell or the Supreme abode."

-Chanakya

I am turning 30 in the next three months. Why is this birthday so important for me? Well, it is because the number 30 is very close to me. This is my 30th birthday and I am born on the 30th of july 1984. If you add my birth year 8+4 you will get 12 and if you add those numbers, 1+2 you will get 3. So that is why, this birthday is very important for me as I believe I am entering the most important phase of my life. I asked my buddies Nathan and Nadira about how it feels to be 30 and above and both of them said the same thing, “At 30, all boys leave their boyhoods behind and enter Manhoods.” To be honest, I completely agree with them. I am in that zone as we speak. I am remembering all the crazy, stupid and dumb things that I did and I am looking forward to the amazing future at the same time. I am scared that I will never be young again and at the same time I am looking forward to be more matured and sound. This is the most interesting transitional phase of my life right now and I am truly enjoying the journey. My brothers friends laugh at me ‘cause none of the girls hit on me anymore and mostly all of them address me now as ‘Uncle’ ‘cause of the white hair in my hair and beard. A part of me does get scarred by those comments but a side of me is glad that I am over it. I guess right now would be the right time to hear the Britney Spears song, “I’m not a girl, not yet a woman.”

"I restore myself when I'm alone."

-Marilyn Monroe

My mom just said I am a recluse. She is right on that. I have always been by myself or maybe the truth is, I always wanted to be alone. There are times even today when I just wanna be by myself and those moments are the most therapeutic for me. My driver kasim often asks me, “How come I love being alone so much?” He said, that whomever he has asked, they all have said that they can’t be alone. That they always need someone’s company to keep them entertained. But I love my own company the most and for me, that is freedom. To be the master of your own life and living it by your own rules. I do believe in fate and in destiny and I believe we all come back to our origins one way or another ‘cause that is how we realise who we really are. I may look normal from the outside but from the inside, I do feel I am a Lone Wolf. A man who will always love to be by himself rather in the company of others. As they say, I am ‘Damaged Goods’ and now, I don’t wanna be fixed. People, expectations and circumstances always turn you down and these are the things that give us real pain. When we are away from such things, we are in a much happier place. There are pros and cons in every decision we make and as wise adults we need to choose the things that give us the least amount of pain. As my dad says, “Pain is permanent. Happiness is what you get in breaks and pauses.” I am happy where I am and excited where my life will be taking me now. I have gotten rid of the demons in my life and now I am ready to face and welcome my future with open arms. Life is a journey and the best way to experience this journey is by tagging along for the ride.

"I have to be alone very often. I'd be quite happy if I spent from Saturday night until Monday morning alone in my apartment. That's how I refuel."

-Audrey Hepburn

So here I am, in the private jet, going back home to mumbai. The plane would be landing in the next 45mins or so. I look forward to the life that is waiting for me. I look forward to the Parcel from Mma Warehouse which is right now at the Indian Customs Office. I look forward to many more Mma sessions at Xff. I look forward to all those amazing UFC Live Events. And I look forward to the life that I have envisioned. I am right now in the 3rd week of my Creative Writing 101 online class from Gotham Writers. And with each passing week, I am learning more traits to be a writer. I believe that everyone should always learn and never stop exploring the unknown. I have taken the 1st step by doing this amazing writing course. You never know, maybe one day I may also write a book. Or I may take up classes in Astronomy and Psychology and write a thesis on that. The point is turning 30 is a cool thing for me right now and with it comes many a more life’s surprising moments. I am happy this change in coming in my life. And I am happy that somehow, some way, my Inner Self is still very much alive and still with me.

"Look at the sky. We are not alone. The whole universe is friendly to us and conspires only to give the best to those who dream and work."

-A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

This is Me, Mahaakshay Chakraborty and these have been the Airplane Chronicles.

With All My Might,

Your No.1 Fan,

Mahaakshay Chakraborty.

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This One's For You ...

“I love my life and there are times when I am truly grateful. But do you know what makes this life more beautiful? It is the people who have loved me unconditionally and still continue to do so.”

-Mahaakshay Chakraborty

Since the time I have started blogging I have always tried to express myself. Through my words, through the songs and the pictures, I have always tried to pass on my message to all whom have read my blogs and in a way you, the reader has peeked into my life. Maybe you have figured me out maybe you are trying too or maybe you have blocked the reminder for these blog posts. Either way, you and me, both have come a long way from the 1st blog I ever wrote. Right now, I am at My Madh House, lying in Wait for My Greatness to shine upon me. I am ok with the Wait now. I have adapted to it and found ways to kill the silence which surrounds this wait. As they say, “You Get Used To Anything If You Stay Around It For A While.” And so, as I have gotten used to this quiet environment my life reflects around me, like flashbacks in a movie and it makes me realise how far I have come and how far I need to go. And as the images project in front of me I see many a things which have made my life meaningful. Things that I have gone through and the people who came and left. So this blog today isn’t about me or the battles I am facing. My Battles are a part of me and I know that everyday new challenges will come in front of me and with these tough challenges I will also face my simple moments of joy. Moments which become more blissful when shared with the people who love me. So my friends this blog is for you. For all the love you have given me. For the support you have shown and the belief that has made me strong. 

"Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend."

-Albert Camus

Nikki. The one constant in my life from the last 10 years. Who knew that the Canadian girl I met in Acting Class would become such an important part of my life today?!? Nikki is one of the greatest gifts god has ever given me. I know when I count my blessings I count her as one of them. God knows I have made her go through hell, especially in the last 3 years of my life! I met her in a very difficult time of my life but no matter how I was and bad I treated her, she never stopped loving me. Nikki is loving, caring, patient, understanding and the most giving person I have ever met. She is the beacon of joy and happiness in my life and I have seen no one sticking around and making the efforts she has done. Today, I only have complete love, adoration and respect for her! She is hard-working and extremely talented and I know and believe that if anyone deserves to be rewarded for her efforts, it is Nikki. Today, Nikki is a very important part of my family and it gives me immense joy to see that my brothers and sister love her the way I do. I don’t know how lost I would had been if I hadn’t found her. She is truly like a Light House for me and I thank her from the bottom of my heart for sticking with me when everyone else left me and cursed me for my selfishness. I pray and request god to give one Nikki to all of mankind ‘cause she only passes warmth, love, kindness and happiness wherever she goes. Nikki, thank you for being you. Always and Forever.

"Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down."

-Oprah Winfrey

Bhushan. My best friend. In fact, the greatest friend I ever had! I love him like a brother and the bond we share is truly sacred. Bhushan is that one friend we all need. I know I needed him and I know I will for generations to come. When you come across Bhushan, you will understand what I am saying. He is a simple guy and has no tantrums. He is the kind of a guy who only gives but never asks anything for himself. Bhushan is like my guardian angel and he is always there whenever I need him. He never complains. He never fights or gives excuses. I have only known him for the last two years but it feels like I have known him since the time I was born. Just like Nikki, I have shown my dark side to bhushan also and if it was anyone else he would shown me the finger and would had bailed off in the first few months itself. But Bhushan stayed and today my parents treat him and love him like their own son and I get the same love whenever I meet his mom and family. It is like we are one big family now. Bhushan, thanks buddy. Thank you for being there for me, even when I wasn’t there for you. You are my Rocky indeed and it is by looking at you and daily struggles that the hero in me has gotten the strength to fight on. I don’t know how you do it bro but I respect the hell out of you and I salute you for the unconditional giving, day in and day out. I am truly lucky to have you in my life. Let the world have their friends and their entourages, for me one Bhushan is enough.

"When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand."

-Henri Nouwen

Henna. According to me she is a complete bad-ass! I have never met a woman who is so focused and relentless to achieve her fitness goals the way henna is! I met her last year in july nearly two weeks before my 29th birthday at one fitness gym in malad. She had come for the mma class I go to and when I saw her, I had this sudden urge to help her. And from that to this day, nearly a year later, henna has become a force to reckon with when it comes to Mma. Men are intimidated by her punches which can knock guys in seconds. People come up to her and compliment her for her amazing transformation. There are times when she also motivates me during our Mma classes and I extremely proud of her. I have seen a bright future for this unstoppable girl who takes life and it’s challenges head-on and I know that one day that she will achieve great heights. There have been times when me and henna haven’t met eye to eye but the truth is that no matter how many times we have fought or when I have behaved distant, she was there for me, as my friend. Henna, thank you for being there. You are very important for me today and I would be very happy if we stay friends forever and share anything and everything with each other. You are truly a certified bad-ass and always stay the way you are.

"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit."

-Albert Schweitzer

Above I mentioned the three most important people in my life apart from my family without whom I would have been completely extinct by now. But I can’t complete this blog without mentioning all whom who have impacted my life only for the better. My shoutout goes to Pankaj who I love like a younger brother. He is fighting the good fight and I know that one day he will achieve great heights. I also wanna say thanks to Vineet who I respect as a friend and a guide and a man who never quits. Nitin, whom I just met recently also deserves to be mentioned ‘cause he is one of the nicest guys I have met and he is one of those guys who never forgets to wish me Good Morning. My blog would feel incomplete if I don’t thank my Coach Rajendra Dhole for believing in me and understanding me when no one else could. I want to thank Altaf and Irfan for their brutal honesty and making my crew the way it is today. Without them I don’t think Me or anyone associated to me would had gotten the respect from the people in the cities that we have travelled as a brotherhood of one. I may have not met my two brothers in arms Nathan and Boidujo who are from England but the bond I share with them cuts the distance and makes our friendship blossom with each passing day. A big shout out to Kaushik and Nadira as well, without whom I wouldn’t know what the Funny Bone really meant. I wanna thank you all from the bottom of my heart not because I am going to be greeted in heaven for the love I have given you but it is because of the gratitude I feel whenever I get a message or a call from one of you. My life is truly beautiful because I have met you all and if god ever gave me a choice to start over I would always I mean ALWAYS want you all to be a part of it.

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."

-Marcel Proust

This is Me, Mahaakshay Chakraborty And This One’s For You.

With All My Might,

Your No.1 Fan,

Mahaakshay Chakraborty.

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Tales Of A Bad-Ass ...

"I Believe We All Have A Certain Rebel In Us. A Bad-Ass Who Wants To Break Free."

-Mahaakshay Chakraborty.

If you search ‘Bad-Ass’ in an online dictionary, you will find the description as “Distinctively Tough Or Powerful: So Exceptional As To Be Intimidating.” If you ask me, that is a very cool meaning and even cooler for the men who have been honoured by that Title and Recognition. If you ask me how I thought about writing a Blog upon Bad-Asses, well it was because I got inspired from this song I have on my iPod. I don’t know what is the title of the song but it was used as an Entrance Theme for a Ufc Fighter in one of the Pay-Per-Views I saw a while back. If you hear the song, even you will feel like a Bad-Ass cause the lyrics are very inspiring. Basically, the song is all about telling your enemy or opponent that you are no match for me and this place is my yard. This is where I rule, not you. And you are a just a novice and an amateur. And there is a hard-core line in the song which goes as, “You Don’t Pee With The Puppies And Crap At The Big Dogs Yard.” So after hearing that amazing song I guess the Bad-Ass in me also got awakened and I thought that this blog should be my tribute to all those Bad-Ass Men I look up to and also to the Bad-Ass term itself. 

"Man is the unnatural animal, the rebel child of nature, and more and more does he turn himself against the harsh and fitful hand that reared him."

-H. G. Wells

Whether it was the Greeks, the Romans or the Spartans, all men in history have shown a certain trait of a Bad-Ass in them. Those brave warriors who fought those mighty battles for their kings, to the Actors who we all looked up to during the 90’s Action Era of Hollywood and Bollywood, all have represented ‘The Man Who Rebels And Kicks ass And Beats The Bad Guys.’ For me, even the fighters in the Ufc are Bad-Asses. Whether it is Big Roy Nelson with his Pony Tail or Cain Velasquez as the Heavy Weight Champion of the world, they all glow with a tint of that little extra. Of that certain, “I don’t care what you think of me, I am who I am look.” All these men have defied the odds and also the norms of society to be who they are. And that is why we look up to them. That is why we worship them. And that is why we wanna be them. I have countless memories in my head playing over and over again to prove that we all get excited when we see a Bad-Ass do his thing. Do you remember the Raw episode which broke Nitro’s ratings? When the greatest Bad-Ass in Wwe , Stone Cold Steve Austin came and helped Mankind to become the Wwe Champion? Do you remember how the crowd went berserk and couldn’t stop cheering and screaming out of excitement for 3 full minutes? I know how that felt. I have seen that clip over a hundred times and each times it gives me goosebumps. Each time I see Arnold Schwarzenegger firing that mini-gun towards the alien in Predator I feel that excitement. Each time I see Liam Neeson kill every single man in Taken I feel that way. you see, what I am trying to say is, we all relate to these Men Of Steel ‘cause we all see ourselves as them. 

"I feel like in my music I can be a rebel. I can say things I wouldn't say in real life."

-Taylor Swift

If you ask me if I have ever imagined myself to be a Bad-Ass, well the answer would be a Hell Yes I have! I mean, how cool would it be to actually be a Real-Life Version of all the heroes and fighters you have grown up watching! It would certainly be a dream come true for me. To be honest, I have even imagined the clothes I would be wearing when I finally take the Role of the Ultimate Bad-Ass. I would be wearing my Diesel Jeans, Big Boots from Timberland, My Favourite Punisher Muscle Tee, the Leather Jacket which The Rock wore in Faster and my Ray-Ban Aviators to make my appearance more cooler. I would be riding a Harley, Triumph or a Ford Mustang and I would sail off towards the sun set to wherever life takes me. And to be honest, I have seen that image become a reality in my head many a times. For me, being a Bad-Ass is more spiritual than putting guys through walls. It is about an act of defiance. It is about being a rebel and showing Fate and Destiny that I am my own maker and no matter what life throws at me, I will throw it right back at it. Of course, like everything else in life, being a bad-ass has it pros and it’s cons. The pros are that you never have to answer to anyone. You make your own rules and you follow your own path. You defy fate and destiny at ever given turn and care two-hoots about what people think of you. The cons is that you eventually become alone and all ties that you had so dearly clinched on to break away and never get attached again. You become a drifter and a wanderer. Your best friend is only the shadow the sun casts on you. And your only companion is the car that you are riding or the book that you are reading. But if you ask me if I would ever give up the opportunity to become a Bad-Ass, I would say, “Never In A Million Years!”

"Other people will call me a rebel, but I just feel like I'm living my life and doing what I want to do. Sometimes people call that rebellion, especially when you're a woman."

-Joan Jett

I guess all Bad-Asses are Lone Wolves in their own way. Maybe they have accepted their own mortality and also embraced it. Or maybe they are hardened by the hurt they have gone through. Or maybe they have isolated themselves from the flow of emotions so much, that they just don’t care anymore. To be honest, I don’t know. Well, not yet.  Maybe one day I might. But I guess we all want to travel that road less travelled. We all wanna feel what real freedom feels like and be our own bosses. Maybe we all want to be rebels and take cross-country road trips. Maybe we all want to escape and never come back. That is why the term ‘Bad-Ass’ will never go extinct. Even our great grand children will know what it means and so will their children after them, ‘cause as long as society has it’s rules to keep us in check and take away our right to be ourselves, the Bad-ass in us will always want to break free. I don’t know what life has in stored for me. But I do know one thing, that life has brought me this far and every step that I have taken has been for the best of my interests. Whether it was me starting to write blogs, or seeing success and failure time and again or by getting let down by the people I have loved and cared for, every moment in life has defined me as the man I am today. And if I have to sum up my own definition, I would say I am a Boy in the Process of becoming a Man, with a touch of Bad-Ass in the mix. Yes, I wanna be free. I wanna roam the world and experience the sheer joy travelling brings. I wanna be the king of my own kingdom where I only rule myself. I want to Kick-Ass like Slyvester Stallone, Steven Seagal, Van Damme and Chuck Norris. I wanna go on stage and sing Kid Rock Songs. I want to drive heavy duty motor cycles and wear a bandana on my head like The undertaker during American Bad-Ass Phase. And I want to wear a T-Shirt which says, ‘Certified Bad-Ass!’. 

"Master of the universe but not of myself, I am the only rebel against my absolute power."

-Pierre Corneille

I don’t know whether the above lines meant anything to you or not or whether you could relate to it or even take it as a reference for a defining chapter in your life. Truth be told, there were two reasons why I wrote this blog. One was because I got inspired by that Ufc Walkout song and the other one was that I wanted the writer in me to try a new approach to my blogs. Since my online Creating Writing 101 course through Gotham Writers begins on the 22nd, I got inspired to use the tips they have given us to express ourselves more better. Hope it worked and I hope I do well in the 6-weeks course that awaits me. Either way, I know I have given my best attempt in trying to explain to you my outlook on the word ‘Bad-Ass and the people who have impacted the Bad-Ass in me. I am going to turn 30 in the next three months and I know that the best and most adventurous days of my life still await me. The best chapters of my life are still to begin and I know that where the civil rules of society will stop me from going, the Bad-Ass in me will always find a way. So I am gearing up my friends. I am gearing up to see the world, to be a rebel and for that beautiful sun set that awaits me. I am gearing to be the best version of a Bad-Ass that I can ever be.

"Sure, I always chose rebels to identify with - I still do - but to me a rebel isn't so much someone who breaks the law as someone who goes against the odds."

-William Petersen

This Is Me, Mahaakshay Chakraborty and these are The Tales Of A Bad-Ass.

With All My Might,

Your No.1 Fan,

Mahaakshay Chakraborty.

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M.A.M.M.A. {Me And Mixed Martial Arts}

“We all think that we choose our own paths and make our own destinies. But the truth is, we all are chosen for a cause. We all are chosen for a purpose. And the path we walk isn’t something we chose. But the path was laid in front of us. So we aren’t tools of own choosing. But weapons of fate that was bestowed upon us.” 

-Mahaakshay Chakraborty.

I really love these blogs. And whenever I write these, I think I am the only one having a voice to do so. But the truth is, there are more than 3 billion people out there who are on their computer at this very same moment, expressing how they feel. Whether it is writing about their recent break-up or about their dream job, everyone is venting out and waiting for the world to hear them. That is why I believe writing these blogs have been very therapeutic for me. Yes, I do know that I don’t write these blogs on a weekly basis now and neither do I send them to everyone on my mailing list anymore. Well, it is because times have changed and I am not the same guy I was three years ago. I think I have become more calmer and simpler. I am getting white hair now. And I sometimes I do think that I have become a Dinosaur. Old and very soon extinct. Long gone are the days when I thought I was a stud and a lady killer. I now remember those thoughts and just laugh at myself. I take those acts as acts of foolishness. Women don’t flirt with me anymore. Men don’t wanna be my friends and I no longer wanna be a part of that circle. I am more by myself nowadays and the things that mattered to me and affected me don’t anymore. I am not lonely anymore but I am Alone. Lonely is a negative word but being Alone is a feeling of contentment. My dependability factor over people has completely stopped. Like I have an invisible wall all around me which is protecting me from the harsh facts of my reality. And in the midst of these strong and mature changes comes Mma. I always told you that I would one day write an entire blog on Mma. I didn’t know it would be so soon. The reasons I chose to call this Blog entry M.A.M.M.A. is because even thought this is entry is my view on Mixed Martial Arts, it is also a way to tell you all that Mma for me is not only a sport but also a blanket of protection from the reality I am running away from. Just like a mother who protects her child from the cold wrapping him up in her arms, Mma is like a Mother for me also. Protecting me, nurturing me and taking care of me, when I need it the most …

"To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting."

-e. e. cummings

I have always been a sports guy. Whether it was dogdeball or relays in junior school or basketball and cricket while I was growing up, me and sports were always connected. Yes, I know I was the fat kid in school but that never stopped me from playing sports. Until the Match-Fixing bullshit, I was a devotee of Cricket. But since then, I haven’t looked at that sport the same way again. So through all the trials and errors and trying this and trying that, I finally came to a place in my life where I wanted more. The universe answered my prayers and then gifted me the joy of Mixed Martial Arts. At first I was looking to do some Boxing ‘cause I thought I needed to push my stamina and endurance to the next level. But when I tasted to sweet juice of Mma, I knew my life would never be the same again. That was that day and now, three years later, I am deeply rooted in the Mma pool. Back then I didn’t know the Ufc players or any the brands or the sponsors but since Chris Weidman, the current middleweight champion of the world knocked the living day lights out of Anderson Silva, I am up to date with everything. And thanks to Sony Six, I get to see the all the Ufc Fight Nights and Pay Per Views live as they happen. Being a sports fan, I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I feel when I see those matches live! And thanks to twitter and instagram, I now have many people who I can call my Social Mma Friends. I interact with them on a daily basis and it brings a joy to my face when exclusive Mma Gyms accounts on instagram reply to me and when Mma Quotes on twitter favourite my tweet and make me feel so special. You see, Mma is not only a sport for me. It has now become a way of life for me. And to be honest without Mma’s safety net on me, I don’t think I would had been this strong 

… 

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."

-Philo

You ask me, why Mma in a country where 95% of the population are glued to their televisions for cricket. Well, it is because Mma not only is good for my fitness and cardio and flexibility, it is also a way for me to vent out my anger. It is a vent for me to let go of all of that hidden aggression that I have. I have always stated that I am a monster. And monsters always need something to fight for. For creatures like us, calmness is not an option. We feel more comfortable in pain that running away from it. And getting our asses kicked in every Mma session really pleases us. I really wanna thank Somesh Kamra from Mma India for introducing me to this sport. It is all because of him that I came to know what Mma truly is. And now, thanks to Ufc, Youtube and Xff, I get to train Mma everyday. I really wish and dream to see even India opening up it’s arms to Mma and giving people like us the pleasure to see those fights live on our soil. Even though that maybe just a joke for everyone right now, for me it is a hope I cling on too. I love Mma so much that now, even my wardrobe is filled with tees from Mma Warehouse. Believe it or not but everyday I make it a point to go to the website and see the latest arrivals of Mma Apparel. And between you and me, I have also decided that in the future, me wearing my Mma Tees will be my own style statement. For the ordinary it will only be a t-shirt but for the ones who are a part of the grind will know what those Tees mean. I read a Mma quote a while back which stated that, “Men have always been barbaric. We, in our true forms are fighters and warriors and whoever doesn’t accept that, is a coward.”  I completely agree with that because until I crossed paths with Mma, I, myself was a coward.

"Martial arts is not about fighting; it's about building character."

-Bo Bennett

Mma is not only a sport for me. It is also my protection shield from my own reality. Mma makes me forgot everything else and makes me live an alternative reality. People on twitter ask me questions about my life and some of them even send me hate tweets but little do they know how difficult it is to face the harsh truths of reality everyday. Before I WANTED the world to know my pain and I wanted everyone to lend me a helping hand. But now, since Mma has consumed me, I don’t need their sympathy or pity. I am busy in my own created alternative reality where I know I can’t be harmed. Whenever the fears of reality find a way to hurt me, I quickly close my eyes and enter my own ‘Mma World’ where I am not Mahaakshay Chakraborty anymore. And that really helps me. It is like my own imaginary pill which I take to make the demons go away. I don’t say One, Two, Three in my head. I say M M A and within seconds I am teleported to the gyms in america where I am just another regular joe who has come to train and where I am sparring of against my comrades who bleed Mma too. The universe has always given me signs and signals and I always have noticed them too. Believe it or not, just before I started writing this blog, I was surfing through my favourite tv channels and I saw that Ufc Fight Night was coming on Sony Six. I really do take this as a sign from the universe telling me to follow my bliss. Yes, Mma is bliss for me. It is joy and happiness all wrapped up in one long hard hour of training. Al though it is very difficult to find places in mumbai where Mma actually takes place, I somehow find a way to train. For example the gym in Malad has a Mma class. But the trainer over there sucks ass. He doesn’t know squat of Mma and he acts as if he knows it all. So now, me and my buddy henna, go and train by ourselves before that prick shows up and leave as soon as he arrives. When there is a will, there is a way and I know that until my time comes to shine on the big screen, Mma will always be my way to my happiness and joy and bliss. :-)

"Never stop. Never stop fighting. Never stop dreaming."

-Tom Hiddleston

I am very happy I wrote this blog on Mma. Through this blog, I have also said things which I knew I wouldn’t otherwise. I wanted to pass a message. Not only to the people but also to the universe and to fate and destiny. I want to say that I am stronger than I was when you first met me. I don’t want anymore emotional support. I am not dependant on anyone anymore. I have been blessed with the sport known as Mma and every time I put my straps on I am reminded of the hardships that I have faced and how strong I have been to overcome them. My brother Bhushan often tells me a lovely line to lift me up. He says, “One More Round Bhai. One More Round.” And I remember those lines every time I fall. I remember that fighting is what I do best and even though the future may not be the way I have planned it to be and even though that scares the crap out of me, I know I will always have Mma with me. I know I will always have those punching bags and knee pads and the blood and the sweat and tears waiting to greet me with open arms and embrace and protect me from what it is I am not willing to accept. I thank everyone and all those brave warriors who give up amazing fights for our entertainment. I thank the universe for showing me a way out and a vent to let out steam. I thank all the people who love Mma as much as I do. And I thank Mma for saving me ‘cause I know I need saving. I know I need a shelter. And I know I need a M .a .m .m .a like Mma to save me from the nightmares and demons that I face everyday. I know I will fall again. But I also know that I will rise again too. The Whip with which Fate tears my skin off is winning. It has managed to tear and break me down and I am now crawling towards to the end destination of my dreams. But Fate hasn’t broken my will. And I know one day Fate will be tired of lashing me. It will quit Punishing me and it will finally give me what I want. Today, I can say that it might not be what I dreamed off but whatever it is Fate and Destiny and the Universe plan to give me, I know I will be Deserving of it. 

"I'm not a fighter, but in my mind I'm fighting every day. 'What's new? What am I doing?' I'm fighting myself. My soul is samurai. My roots aren't samurai, but my soul is."

-Masaharu Morimoto

This is Me and This Is My Story With A Touch Of Mixed Martial Arts …

With All My Might,

Your No.1 Fan,

Mahaakshay Chakraborty. 

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