Something of Myself
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Amitabh Bachchan
My first memory of watching a Hindi movie dates back to late 1980s. It was a Mithun Chakravarty movie. Mum was working during those days. And she was a movie freak. Hindi movie freak to be more precise. And she used to get these VHS tapes everyday. And I used to love the dhishum dhishum bit of it.
As I grew up, I realised there was one man who always caught my attention, so much so that I wanted to be like him. I started following his career, read up his biographies (whatever was available at that time), kept newspaper cutouts of him and finally even managed to get one of his film posters as my 21st birthday gift! Yeah, 21st, no kidding! *Blushing*
The man who was to be named Inquilab, finally came to be known as Amitabh Bachchan. Quite frankly, whatever you write about him will perhaps never do justice to the 63 year old who is still the 'dude' in Bollywood - on whom most directors and producers are more than willing to put their money on.
Professionally, his work speaks of him. Personally, he is a fighter.
After all it takes guts to come to Bombay with a driver's license and a dream of making it as an actor. After all it takes guts to fight back after being rejected by All India Radio for having a 'disgusting' voice. After all it takes guts to work with stalwarts like Rajesh Khanna and Dharmendra at their prime and still be noticed (just remember Anand and Sholay). However, after Zanjeer, there was no looking back. Abhimaan, Deewar, Shakti, Don, Lawaris, Silsila, Namak Haram...the man bore the weight of an entire industry on his shoulders. Rumours of an affair with a fellow actor (Rekha) did not help. The actor stayed focused - determined to fight and let his work speak for itself.
Anyways, what's the point in going on about someone on whom I can actually write a thesis?! His recent admission to the hospital and immediate surgery left millions praying...Thank God, the man is recovering now.
Just one thing more: if there is one personality I want to be like, it would be him. If there is one voice I would want to have, it would be his. And of course, the humility, the grace, the talent, the etiquette...
He was voted BBC's Actor of the Millennium, overshadowing the likes of Brando and Chaplin. Perhaps because of the sheer number of Indians who must have voted for him. Whatever said and done, if you want to know how hard and difficult the journey of a legend can be, then read To Be Or Not To Be Amitabh Bachchan. You will read what struggle is about. You will, I promise, be left with a heavy-heart, a bagful of admiration and some profound learnings that this man has to offer.
God Bless Amitabh Bachchan.
My first memory of watching a Hindi movie dates back to late 1980s. It was a Mithun Chakravarty movie. Mum was working during those days. And she was a movie freak. Hindi movie freak to be more precise. And she used to get these VHS tapes everyday. And I used to love the dhishum dhishum bit of it.
As I grew up, I realised there was one man who always caught my attention, so much so that I wanted to be like him. I started following his career, read up his biographies (whatever was available at that time), kept newspaper cutouts of him and finally even managed to get one of his film posters as my 21st birthday gift! Yeah, 21st, no kidding! *Blushing*
The man who was to be named Inquilab, finally came to be known as Amitabh Bachchan. Quite frankly, whatever you write about him will perhaps never do justice to the 63 year old who is still the 'dude' in Bollywood - on whom most directors and producers are more than willing to put their money on.
Professionally, his work speaks of him. Personally, he is a fighter.
After all it takes guts to come to Bombay with a driver's license and a dream of making it as an actor. After all it takes guts to fight back after being rejected by All India Radio for having a 'disgusting' voice. After all it takes guts to work with stalwarts like Rajesh Khanna and Dharmendra at their prime and still be noticed (just remember Anand and Sholay). However, after Zanjeer, there was no looking back. Abhimaan, Deewar, Shakti, Don, Lawaris, Silsila, Namak Haram...the man bore the weight of an entire industry on his shoulders. Rumours of an affair with a fellow actor (Rekha) did not help. The actor stayed focused - determined to fight and let his work speak for itself.
Anyways, what's the point in going on about someone on whom I can actually write a thesis?! His recent admission to the hospital and immediate surgery left millions praying...Thank God, the man is recovering now.
Just one thing more: if there is one personality I want to be like, it would be him. If there is one voice I would want to have, it would be his. And of course, the humility, the grace, the talent, the etiquette...
He was voted BBC's Actor of the Millennium, overshadowing the likes of Brando and Chaplin. Perhaps because of the sheer number of Indians who must have voted for him. Whatever said and done, if you want to know how hard and difficult the journey of a legend can be, then read To Be Or Not To Be Amitabh Bachchan. You will read what struggle is about. You will, I promise, be left with a heavy-heart, a bagful of admiration and some profound learnings that this man has to offer.
God Bless Amitabh Bachchan.
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