Surfing for some decent entertainment on the idiot box can be quite a struggle. Like I keep discovering every time I have the remote control all to myself.
The other day, after flipping through dragging soaps, lousy reality shows, multiple 'Breaking News', cute-to-the-point-of-irritating Vodafone ads, not-my-idea-of-fun IPL matches, dedicated reportage to The Great Khalli and abusive
Roadies, I shifted my focus to the Hindi films scene. And what a welcome change it turned out to be. Almost every second channel was playing an Amitabh Bachchan movie, preferably from the 1970s.
A severely bandaged Amitabh plays inaudibly sick to gain nurse Hema Malini's hard-to-get affections only to get the hollering of his unkempt life in
Satte Pe Satta.
A super cool Amitabh shirking the advances of a red-hot Helen in
Don.
An aww-inducing Amitabh's absolute refusal to become a man of the world while cuddling up to his adorable Daddoo in
Namak Halal.
An overwhelmed Amitabh is more than happy to accept Rati Agnihotri's help in draining all the water logging mess before breaking into
Accident Ho Gaya, Rabba Rabba in
Coolie.
The mere memory of these flashes is overpowering enough to bring a nostalgic smile on the 1970s (or 1980s for that matter) smitten viewer.
The best part is, even though television is bursting with new channels every month with nothing substantial to offer, the tradition of airing AB flicks over the weekend remains unaffected. Truth be told, these movie-themed channels practically thrive on Bachchan bonanzas. And why not? The man's an entire library of blockbusters on his own. From Zanjeer to Eklavya, the anger lives on.
No matter how many times I watch these films, they only get better in my eyes. Familiarity doesn't have to necessarily breed contempt. Often they are a comforting reminder of the good old days, of the mall and mobile free moments which reveled in the smell of samosa and AB's roaring baritone.
That's why it strikes me as particularly caustic when someone states/suggests that it's time for the man to hang his boots.
Recently, a glossy carried a story about director Anurag Basu (Gangster, Murder, Life In A... Metro) making statements in similar vein on how the Bhoothnath star should now 'gracefully retire.'
I don't know if Basu was misquoted, but even if I give him the benefit of doubt, whoever wrote it, obviously, feels that way.
The actor published a suitable reply on his blog -- a superb forum of exclusive and unadulterated AB thoughts. His enthusiasm reminds me of the first-effects of blogging, I or you, may have encountered in our initial phase almost half a decade ago. Here's a reproduction of what he wrote in response to Basu: 'I took no one's advice when I wanted to enter the film industry and shall take no one's advice, as to when I should leave it!'
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