Salim Javed tapped into the pulse of a generation waiting to see real people in somewhat over-dramatised situations speaking and articulating their hopes and aspirations. And who better than Amitabh Bachchan to put a voice to their words? Amitabh was the underdog, the bad guy, the good guy…the man on the other side of the law. In one of his most remembered double roles #Don which also earned him his Filmfare for best actor, Amitabh was at once both suave and menacing as he was naive and unpolished.
What can you say about this birthday boy that’s not been said already? He’s been referred to as a sociological phenomenon, a wonderful human being, an enigma, a philanthropist and above a terrific actor. He’s the master of reinvention, the king of role-playing. When he steps into the turbulent darkness of the theatre we become his characters Vijay, Anthony, and Amit who have embodied heroism. He showed us grey is cool. He showed us macho is cool too.
Amitabh Bachchan you gave us hope, you moved us to tears, you made us laugh till our bellies ached. We love you for your stoicism, we love you for vigilantism and we love you for your non-judgemental stance as an actor. Non-judgmental because in screen you walked on the not-so-mild side, you received your comeuppance and that was okay too for you.
On screen you had progeria, you had a conflicted relationship with your father, you could be an unforgiving father yourself. You showed us your soul and you told us it was okay to be weak. In your weakness, we saw your strengths. In your silence, we heard your words. And that’s why we teared up when we saw you grapple with your inner demons in Kaala Patthar (1979), Trishul (1978), Deewaar (1975) and Shakti (1982). It’s your desire to excel, your will to succeed and your inner quest that makes you on top of your game. Thank you for showing us time and again how it’s done correctly. You were able to get under your skin and even if you did bad you made us cheer for the bad guy as much as we did for your good guy. The ultimate mark of a fine actor. Empathy. You could empathise when Amitabh Bachchan said “Don ko pakadna mushkil hi nahi namumkin hai.”
Thank you for the wonderful memories. Here’s wishing you good health and cheer.