I can't claim to have been there when his first film was released but I certainly had arrived a year before Deewar and Sholay hit the screens. Both my parents were avid film buffs and before I realized, I had become a passive participant in the world of cinema. My contribution was never more than listening quietly to the dialogues in my mother's lap while my parents enjoyed the new release. I chose the word "quietly" because unlike other kids in my age at the theatre, I never cried or created a scene. Maybe I realized early that it was the prerogative of the protagonists to do so.
My first memory of watching a Amitabh Bachchan film dates back to 1978 when Trishul was released. I was all of four years and had just begun to understand Hindi. I watched Bachchan light his beedi and casually stroll without a care in the world while dynamite blew up everything behind him. It was then that I enrolled myself unofficially into the Amitabh Bachchan fan club. Since then I have lost count of how many times I have watched Trishul. While the debate on the best ever Bachchan film mostly revolves around Deewar & Zanjeer, I try and push for Trishul when any opportunity arises. I can't claim to have won the debate ever but I remember having always stood my ground. There are parts of the movie which have left an indelible impression in my mind. Be it the sequence where Big B arrives in an ambulance to take on the Pehelwan or even the legendary exchange between Sanjeev Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan (though other Bachchan fans may rate the Dilip Kumar-Amitabh Bachchan face-off in Shakti higher), Trishul is for me an unforgettable Bachchan film.
This is not to say that it is my favorite Bachchan flick. A die-hard AB fan that I am, it will be gravely unjust to the superstar if I were to pick just one film as the best. So, I decided to take the easy route and choose one film in each decade (Trishul in the 70s, Shakti in the 80s, Agneepath in the 90s and Black in the twenty first century). These films, to my mind, represent his finest work till date. Having said that, I realize that there
are over a billion people in India and each will have an opinion (which may be different from the other) on the great actor.
I have never really been enamoured with celebrities. After joining the television business, I was exposed to the biggest stars of the day walking in and out of our television studios on a weekly basis. My childhood had never involved seeking autographs of either film stars or cricketers. No one was larger than life, though I had many favorites. However, I cannot say what happened to me on that December morning of 1999 when Big B emerged from the office of my Editor-In-Chief (my previous boss) accompanied by my boss. His interviews to the Channel were over and he was ready to leave for Mumbai. No one dared stop him, particularly since the boss was present. I do not know what engulfed me but I found myself walk right up to him and extend a piece of paper to him to leave behind his impression. In a state of daze, I had forgotten to carry a pen. Gracious that he is, he reached into his breast pocket, took out his pen and penned, what I believe, is the greatest statement ever inked.
Many others, emboldened by my audacity, rushed to seek the same. From correspondents, producers, engineers, camerapersons to support staff (administration, security and housekeeping), everyone wanted a share of the pie. My boss tried his best to control the crowd (this huge congregation of people were no longer his employees who had the greatest respect for him and who obeyed every word of what he said) but failed miserably. While my boss was deeply embarrassed, Mr. Bachchan never stopped smiling. He continued to sign till he was ushered to the door.
My boss was livid and that was the closest I came to losing my job. I had readied my resignation letter and felt a strange pride in the thought of being the only person to lose a job because of Amitabh Bachchan. I was ready to write a book and had already thought of its title.
That was seven years ago when I was much younger. I am not sure if I would do it again if the same opportunity presented itself. What I am sure of is that I am not ashamed or embarrassed. If I had lost my job, I would have felt what Shaheed Bhagat Singh felt when the noose got the better of him. I know that it may seem naïve but that's exactly the effect the Big B has on his fans.
Mr Bachchan, Happy Birthday. Wishing you the very best in the years to come.About the AuthorRajen Garabadu Rajen Garabadu is Chief Executive Producer - IBN18 Network....Read Morefirst published:October 11, 2006, 11:26 ISTlast updated:October 11, 2006, 11:26 IST
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How do you wish your childhood hero who has impressed and influenced you throughout your adolescent years? It may be very difficult for someone in the present generation to comprehend the cult status which Amitabh Bachchan enjoyed. But for those who those who were born in the 60s and early 70s, the name Bachchan meant the world.
I can't claim to have been there when his first film was released but I certainly had arrived a year before Deewar and Sholay hit the screens. Both my parents were avid film buffs and before I realized, I had become a passive participant in the world of cinema. My contribution was never more than listening quietly to the dialogues in my mother's lap while my parents enjoyed the new release. I chose the word "quietly" because unlike other kids in my age at the theatre, I never cried or created a scene. Maybe I realized early that it was the prerogative of the protagonists to do so.
My first memory of watching a Amitabh Bachchan film dates back to 1978 when Trishul was released. I was all of four years and had just begun to understand Hindi. I watched Bachchan light his beedi and casually stroll without a care in the world while dynamite blew up everything behind him. It was then that I enrolled myself unofficially into the Amitabh Bachchan fan club. Since then I have lost count of how many times I have watched Trishul. While the debate on the best ever Bachchan film mostly revolves around Deewar & Zanjeer, I try and push for Trishul when any opportunity arises. I can't claim to have won the debate ever but I remember having always stood my ground. There are parts of the movie which have left an indelible impression in my mind. Be it the sequence where Big B arrives in an ambulance to take on the Pehelwan or even the legendary exchange between Sanjeev Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan (though other Bachchan fans may rate the Dilip Kumar-Amitabh Bachchan face-off in Shakti higher), Trishul is for me an unforgettable Bachchan film.
This is not to say that it is my favorite Bachchan flick. A die-hard AB fan that I am, it will be gravely unjust to the superstar if I were to pick just one film as the best. So, I decided to take the easy route and choose one film in each decade (Trishul in the 70s, Shakti in the 80s, Agneepath in the 90s and Black in the twenty first century). These films, to my mind, represent his finest work till date. Having said that, I realize that there
are over a billion people in India and each will have an opinion (which may be different from the other) on the great actor.
I have never really been enamoured with celebrities. After joining the television business, I was exposed to the biggest stars of the day walking in and out of our television studios on a weekly basis. My childhood had never involved seeking autographs of either film stars or cricketers. No one was larger than life, though I had many favorites. However, I cannot say what happened to me on that December morning of 1999 when Big B emerged from the office of my Editor-In-Chief (my previous boss) accompanied by my boss. His interviews to the Channel were over and he was ready to leave for Mumbai. No one dared stop him, particularly since the boss was present. I do not know what engulfed me but I found myself walk right up to him and extend a piece of paper to him to leave behind his impression. In a state of daze, I had forgotten to carry a pen. Gracious that he is, he reached into his breast pocket, took out his pen and penned, what I believe, is the greatest statement ever inked.
Many others, emboldened by my audacity, rushed to seek the same. From correspondents, producers, engineers, camerapersons to support staff (administration, security and housekeeping), everyone wanted a share of the pie. My boss tried his best to control the crowd (this huge congregation of people were no longer his employees who had the greatest respect for him and who obeyed every word of what he said) but failed miserably. While my boss was deeply embarrassed, Mr. Bachchan never stopped smiling. He continued to sign till he was ushered to the door.
My boss was livid and that was the closest I came to losing my job. I had readied my resignation letter and felt a strange pride in the thought of being the only person to lose a job because of Amitabh Bachchan. I was ready to write a book and had already thought of its title.
That was seven years ago when I was much younger. I am not sure if I would do it again if the same opportunity presented itself. What I am sure of is that I am not ashamed or embarrassed. If I had lost my job, I would have felt what Shaheed Bhagat Singh felt when the noose got the better of him. I know that it may seem naïve but that's exactly the effect the Big B has on his fans.
Mr Bachchan, Happy Birthday. Wishing you the very best in the years to come.
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