I have been a huge fan of Amitabh Bachhan like a lot of you. What has started getting on my nerve is the nonsense he represents these days. His movies are trash and if that was not enough, he had to grab land from poor farmers to prove himself a farmer of yesteryear.
First, lets talk about his screen presence. I haven't seen an actor so completely out of touch with aspects of image management. In fact, I was watching one actor on Larry King recently who has done wonderfully well in managing his persona. Al Pacino said that by being a recluse, he is able to deliver performances without being stereotyped in any particular image. Now think about Amitabh...he endorses cars, cola,hair oil, chocolates, banks and tons of other things. If you try to look up the Indian sky, what might be blocking your view is an Amitabh billboard. And if you are lucky enough to not see Amitabh or hear his voice in narration, someone else from the Bachhan family would be there to screw you over. And really, how many good Amitabh movies have we seen since he started freaking us out with his 30 movies a year schedules?
Just think what would happen when Abhishek and Aishwarya decide to produce a kid( heaven forbids if there are multiple products ) because then whatever roles remain for children will also go. Are we allowed to quarantine recently wed legally? Or can we set Sanjay Gandhi of the gone era loose on Abhishek?
In real life, Amitabh has done even more wonders. Till recent times, he had created an image of a come back man who wouldn't default on his obligations of Amitabh Bacchan Corporation Limited(ABCL). I am sure he was a role model for a lot of people in the way he worked at his age and repaid all the money due. A little initial help from crooks from a particular party helped. But now comes the story about how he tried to prove himself to a farmer to get land in Mumbai for bargain prices.
Mr. Bachhan, why don't you just stop what you are doing and live your remaining days in the glory you have accumulated? I promise no one will miss you!! And like Dolphin Free Tuna or "Manufactured in a Peanut free facility" , would someone come up with a certification called "Amitabh Free Movie"?
If Indian cinema has to start producing quality stuff, then the biggest expenditure for the worst content, Amitabh and his family have to be stopped.
2 comments:
I think your piece on Amitabh is hilarious and accurate as well...like Jon Stewart!
Well written Kapil! I guess Amitabh is trying to make hay while the sun shines.. His career has (surprisingly) hit a prime (again!!) and he wants to make the most of it till it lasts.. He should, although, try and bring some sanity to it all. I heard an interesting thing about Amitabh lately.. That comment said that Amitabh romanced with an 18 year old kid in Nishabd.. moved on to a 34 year old Tabu in Cheeni Kum.. At this rate, Zohra Sehgal should not be too far :-)
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