To shift from the last rites of a loved one to entertaining an entire nation at the start of a game show

Jalsa , Mumbai        Aug  15,  2011     Mon 11 : 35 PM

To shift from the last rites of a loved one to entertaining an entire nation at the start of a game show for television, must be termed as one of the most psychologically draining experiences ever. There may be more examples, but today for me was one such day.

The last rites at the burning ‘ghat’ of BaanGanga for Shammi ji began early in the morning and went on till the afternoon. I needed to tear myself away from it to get to the first day of KBC - a live event ! One does not know whether to live in the spirit of the moment, mourn and not work. Or, follow what we have been taught - to consider and execute a commitment to its fullest. I did follow and I did complete, but not without my share of anxiety and confusion in the mind. It is difficult to be by death in the morning and be in cheer by the evening. There shall be some percolation of emotions and thought. My thoughts ran through all those years of having spent good times with Shammi ji. And today as we sit in that very same ambience of his house, where his presence and charisma burst out in the open in free and open abandon, I find him motionless, unable to move, wrapped in cloth and rope and flower, ready to be carried on our shoulders to the cremation site. We do as do many others. And along the street to the site the people that line the route sling baskets of flower petals from home to home and through an ingenious device of the strings used, flip the basket in the air to allow the petals to fall on the body as it is driven by.

Occasions such as this introduce to us at times the other side of life. Not all that show sympathy and empathy for the moment are necessarily genuine. Positioning for the camera is a deft pastime, in order to ensure that their picture appears the next morning in the papers. Some in order to show familiarity will try to involve you in conversation that has no bearing whatsoever to the rituals that are being conducted. It is disgusting. Others try to position themselves in a manner so that what they are manufacturing or selling will become the conversation piece, right in the middle of this solemn moment. Where do these people learn basic social protocol ?

And worse still are the crowds that gather around on occasions such as this. They cheer and scream as though the celebrity was attending another premiere of one of his films. And the media ! Shoving their microphones right into our faces demanding a response for the occasion. Do they really think they shall be able to get it out of me ? Do they understand ethics at all. Is this the moment when anyone from the deceased shall be in a mood to talk to anyone. I slink away on moments like this head down. It is most awkward for me and I breathe only when I am away from the media onslaught, secure inside the car. But till then it is …..

KBC started today and we went on live ! This was something of an experience, since it had never been tried before. I wonder now how the results shall be ..

I intend to be more rested by the morrow .. and more vocal perhaps and maybe a bit ‘golden’ !!

Amitabh Bachchan

Its always that dreaded moment in the early hours or deep in the night when that phone call comes

Jalsa , Mumbai      Aug 14 , 2011        Sun  10 : 39 PM

Its always that dreaded moment in the early hours or deep in the night when that phone call comes and bears the news of a crisis. Shweta, over for a couple of days, walked into my room gingerly and in the dark spoke up softly - ‘Papa ! Shammi Uncle passed away just now !’

I sat up. The first words that come to your mouth are .. Oh! God! .. and then everything else takes over.

Shammi Kapoor, that rebel star, tall blue eyed handsome beyond greek god good looks, flamboyant, the life and energy and joie de vivre of the Indian Film Industry, that caring lovable elder, now a relative, gone … silent forever !

And a million memories hurry past as you drive down to his ‘Blue Haven’ residence. A cozy warm and welcoming apartment, where we had spent many wonderful evenings and nights with him and his effervescence. And there as I walk past his still pale figure embalmed and kept in a freeze container, you almost feel as though he would spring out of it and with his feisty elan invite you over to dine with him.

I think I first saw him acting in a play with his Father, the great PrithviRaj Kapoor as he enacted a scene for Prithvi Theaters at a hall in Allahabad. He had slid down an entire staircase on set, sitting on a ‘thali’. There was a carefree ambience about him, enveloping everyone around. He worked with Prithvi Theaters in those early years, and after the night show was over would be asked by PrithviRaj ji to join him and other cast members to listen to my Father’s recitation till late in the night.

When I came to Mumbai to join films he soon ‘noticed’ me at some of the social events that I had the pleasure to visit and when I did ‘Anand’ and after, he became a constant for us. Neela ji his second wife after the sudden death of his first, the wondrous Geeta Bali, became extremely fond of Jaya and I as did Shammi ji and from then on there started a constant family like relationship. Little did I ever realize that one day it actually would fructify into a family relationship. Shweta married Niky, Raj Kapoor ji’s daughter Ritu’s son and we had become official relatives.

Shammi ji and I worked together in a few films and it was moments that can never be forgotten. His verve for life, its excitement, its energy was infectious. He would enter a room and suddenly everything would electrify. You were happy in his company and his optimism. Spending a few moments with him could pump up the adrenalin to its maximum degree.

In College when we first saw his film ‘Dil Deke Dekho’, we were mesmerized by the sheer power of his presence. His style his dance his clothes, his puffed hair style that lazily yet provocatively would often fall on his forehead, all became images that every young around the country wanted to emulate. I loved a jacket that he wore in ‘Junglee’, but never ever in a position to buy one like that, had asked my Mother to tailor something similar by cutting up a discarded blanket of mine, which looked like a really bad copy. When we met friends and spent time with them, we would fling our hair and body in the way he did in all his pictures. Somewhere, everyone of us thought we were Shammi Kapoors in the making, if not already.

He would affectionately call me ‘Babua’ and every time he saw me excel in something his was the first call. He just loved life and all that it threw to him. He never gave in. Strong and full of happy will, even as he struggled in his later years, he would never give the impression how gravely ill he was. He would laugh and joke on his numerous visits to the hospital for his dialysis, joke with the staff in the hospital, pull their leg. He would almost make you feel that he was visiting you in hospital, rather than the other way round.

In hospital during one of my visits I told him of my recording of the ‘Hanuman Chalisa’, a rendering he had been most fond of and revered. When I sent my CD to him he would ask to listen to it everyday. Loved cars and driving them. He may have had problems walking during his last moments, but it never deterred him from getting behind the wheel.

‘I want to ride a Rolls Royce’ , he would often say. And when I offered to send him mine to keep and drive at will, he would resist it. ‘Let me come out of the hospital then we shall both go for a drive in it’ he had excitedly told me.

We never could get that ride together.

He had got tired during the last 2 days. Never one to give up, he spoke for the first time in a tone that conveyed that he had had enough, to Jaya a few days ago. ‘I am tired, I can’t take it anymore’ he lamented, with choked emotion. This morning at 5:15 he gave himself up to the heavens !

Tomorrow morning he shall be cremated at Ban Ganga a religious spot on Malabar Hill, where his first wife was cremated. He had wanted that …

Amitabh Bachchan

The opener for the KBC 2011 season on August 15 will be live on Independence Day

Jalsa , Mumbai    Aug  13 ,  2011            Sat  11 : 45 PM


The opener for the KBC 2011 season on August 15 will be live on Independence Day and this is what the rehearsals looked like today .. it was an emotional moment, filled with pride … there was a sense of excitement among all .. and one hopes all goes well on the day ..

Its RakshaBandhan today .. the day sisters seek protection from their brothers by tying the traditional ‘rakhi’ on their wrists .. Shweta is down from Delhi but Abhishek is not in town .. virtual rakhi is now the trend of the day ..

Virtual is now the be all and end all of all exercises .. at the Purple Haze Studio of Shankar Ehsan and Loy I have gone in after the rehearsal to sing a portion of the song that shall appear on the show and Shankar tells me that they and a group of his friends have started a virtual coaching singing lessons and other classical form of teaching music through the virtual … amazing ! I need to access that. Was contemplating doing that for myself soon and visualizing sitting on the floor with a guru, the harmonium in hand, learning the ragas and the finer moments of classical form. Now I believe I can do it in front of my lap top .. what has the world come to …!!!

I have been forced to turn in early irrespective, eat controlled diets and rest .. I do not want to disobey them, but I shall catch up on a lot more by the morrow ..

My love

Amitabh Bachchan

Aarakshan Movie Review

Aarakshan Movie Review


Unbiased, Gutsy and Inspirational



Rating: 

Director: Prakash Jha

Cast & Crew: Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan, Manoj Bajpai, Deepika Padukone, Shabana Azmi

Plot Summary: Aarakshan is the story of Prabhakar Anand (Amitabh Bachchan), the legendary idealistic principal of a college that he has single-handedly turned into the state’s best. It is the story of his loyal disciple, Deepak Kumar (Saif Ali Khan) who will do anything for his Sir. Of Deepak’s love for Prabhakar’s daughter, Poorbi (Deepika Padukone), of his friendship with Sushant (Prateik). It is the story of their love, their lively friendship, their zest for life, and of their dreams for the future. Centered on one of the most controversial issues of recent years, with the Supreme Court’s order on reservations, the story suddenly becomes a rollercoaster ride of high drama, conflict, and rebellion, which tests their love and friendship for one another, and their loyalty to Prabhakar Anand.

Review: Solid performances, hard hitting subject matter, more than a few tear jerking moments, unbiased treatment. What else do you need in a good film? But film making aside, there is a greater good involved in this film. It’s not just about Reservation and quota and what’s right or wrong. It’s simply about the importance of education and everyone’s right to acquire it. When schools are free and every child is treated as an equal, why wouldn’t there be equal opportunities, right? Hence, it is definitely a film everyone MUST WATCH. 

That doesn’t’ mean it’s a perfect film. Yes, the first half has a song too many and the whole film is a little lengthy and exaggerated but that’s all right. Things have to be exaggerated in order to grab attention. Just like in an advertisement – you have to exaggerate it to sell anything…but that doesn’t mean the product is any less potent or doesn’t do the job. 

Simply put, ‘Aarakshan’ is about Prabhakar Anand (Amitabh Bachchan), the legendary idealistic principal of a college that he has single-handedly turned into the states best. Anand is seen caught in between a world for and against Reservation. Centered around one of the most controversial issues of recent years, with the Supreme Court’s order on reservations, the story suddenly becomes a rollercoaster ride of high drama, conflict and rebellion. Deepak Kumar (Saif Ali Khan) a Dalit junior professor & Sushant (Prateik), the son of the rich college trustee, former friends; now find themselves fighting on two sides of the  issue that threatens to ruin much more that their friendship. Poorbhi (Deepika) is Prabhaar Anand’s daughter, who gets caught between loyalty for her Father and her love for Deepak. 

How do all of them find a way out of this dangerous and painful situation? And yes, they do find a rather inspirational solution. Watch to find out. 

The solid performance that each cast member pulled off definitely adds weightage to the film. Saif is sincere and bankable as usual. Deepika manages well given her limited range. Manoj Bajpayee and the rest of the cast fit perfectly well in their OTT roles. No prizes for guessing that Amitabh Bachchan as the idealistic and principled old man is the hook, line and sinker for the film.

In short, an absolute must watch. Kudos Mr. Prakash Jha for your guts and sincerity. 

Verdict: Our education system needs a revolution. This film has the potential to start one.

Malvika Rao
Blog

The first public showing of Aarakshan and I have cried throughout not because of the film BigB

Jalsa  , Mumbai           Aug  11/12  , 2011         Thu/ Fri 2 : 53 AM

The first public showing of "Aarakshan" .. and I have cried throughout .. not because of the film ..yes the film does have those moments too .. but because an art form of such intense creativity should be kept away by banning it in certain States of this our beloved country.

I stood, as did all of us at the beginning of the show when the National Anthem was played, and sang along with perhaps a handful of others in the sincerest of emotion and belief in an anthem that brings all of us to our feet in respect dignity and most importantly, our pride.

Jana gaṇa mana adhināyaka jaya hē
Bhārata bhāgya Vidhātā
Pañjāba Sindhu Gujarāṭa Marāṭhā
Drāviḍa Utkala Baṅga
Vindhya Himācala ẏamunā Gaṅgā
Ucchala jaladhi taraṅga
Tava śubha nāmē jāgē
Tava śubha āśiṣa māgē
Gāhē tava jaya gāthā
Jana gaṇa maṅgala dāyaka jaya hē
Bhārata bhāgya vidhātā
Jaya hē jaya hē jaya hē
Jaya jaya jaya jaya hē

O! Dispenser of India's destiny, thou art the ruler of the minds of all people[9]
Thy name rouses the hearts of Punjab, Sindh, Gujarat, the Maratha country,
in the Dravida country, Utkala and Bengal;
It echoes in the hills of the Vindhyas and Himalayas,
it mingles in the rhapsodies of the pure waters of Yamuna and the Ganges.
They chant only thy name.
They seek only thy auspicious blessings.
They sing only the glory of thy victory.
The salvation of all people waits in thy hands,
O! Dispenser of India's destiny, thou art the ruler of the minds of all people
Victory to thee, Victory to thee, Victory to thee,
Victory, Victory, Victory, Victory to thee!.

And as I come to learn hour after hour the various objections and restrictions that various states raise in banning this creative art form, this example of one of the most significant tenets of our Constitution - the freedom of expression, I read and reread the very first stanza of the Anthem -

O ! Dispenser of India's destiny, thou art the ruler of the minds of all people ..

I am saddened that India's destiny, the dispenser of which rules the minds of all people, has no effect on those minds that sit in the most august houses of our legislative assembly, those very people that take on oath the truth of wanting to protect the integrity and sovereignty of this nation, pander to unsubstantiated rumor and belief, without as much as any verification of its validity.

Without any knowledge of what the film contains, without any desire to determine in the truest and most basic principles of law in democracy, fact. It has merely strengthened my and many others fears the weakeness it conveys in our belief in governance and its ethics.

UP, Punjab and today Andhra Pradesh have given notice to ban the film and not allow it to be projected for another 2 months - a provision given administratively to each government. After that period is over the film can have exhibition and … the Producer is not obliged to carry out any changes that the administration in governance may have found, because the film technically and legally has found certification without a single cut !! What good will 2 months do then in the law and order situation - the reason given for the non showing of this product ! So the same film is a law and order problem now and today but shall not be a problem after 2 months ?? You will destroy the commerce of the producer and all those that have invested time blood tears and money into this film, when even after waiting for 2 months there cannot be any change that will be accepted to be done !! What is the need then of the Censor Board, a statutory body instituted by you, the legislatures and Parliamentarians that govern this land. You nominate what you believe, to disbelieve what you nominate !! Better to remove it altogether then rather than give it disrespect.

I do not care and never have cared about the fate of any film of mine, and I never shall. I do not care if this film does well or not, but I shall admit this … this film has shown a mirror to the country and to one of its conditions. This film has shown a path that needs to be taken for a better and more secure future of this country. And if God forbid this film fails at the box office, it shall demonstrate to a large extent the failure of the reality in the country, that today it struggles with.

I shall believe and will always believe in the words that Dr Prabhakar Anand pronounces during the course of this film -

Is desh mein do bharat baste hain .. aur sahi mano mein agar hum samaaj mein parivartan chate hain, toh in dono ke beech ka jo antar hai use mitana padega ..

'Two India's reside in this country .. and truthfully if we have to see any progress in our society, then the distance between these must be erased ..'

Disturbed as I am on the happenings that one endures every hour, I am deeply disturbed by what a person of the eminence of Rajdeep Sardesai, owner controller chief of CNNIBN has to tweet regarding the film -

sardesairajdeep Rajdeep Sardesai

only 2 winners in aarakshan debate. prakash jha whose film will now 'sell' and ramdas athavale, dalit leader who has struck a 'deal'

For you Rajdeep, a journalist of such esteem, all that attracts you to a film you have not even seen, is the factor of its 'sale' and the 'deal' that it will strike - an accusation that does not even have the basics of journalistic respect and truth. For those that have through years constructed something of such value, that its value may never be evaluated, all that you can sarcastically put across in typical word play that all journalists follow is, how amusing it can sound. That is so regrettable. Particularly so, because in a moment of truth you had disclosed to me privately, of how your idealistic periods of training were such a revered moment in your career. Is this a reflection of your reverence. Is this what it taught you ? Go see the film Rajdeep, like it or dislike it, but I shall challenge you that you shall not have a word in disregard to the motive and bearing of the film. For, this film will have the capacity to make you think and nod in approval towards many truths, a desire that I would have and shall expect from people of your standing.

Amitabh Bachchan

--
Mahi