Page 3 - Seniorstoday September 21

Publisher’s Note

The Unlikely Superstar

What is it that ensures the longevity of Amitabh friendship song and finally at 70 Amitabh carried
Bachchan? He is not conventionally good-looking, off the Kajra re number.
doesn’t have a great physique or sex appeal, and yet What is amazing is how Amitabh reinvents
he continues to rule the roost. His biggest asset is himself and remains relevant. His Kaun Banega
his baritone voice. I think Amitabh’s appeal lies in Crorepati saved him from insolvency. They were
Central India, in the Hindi heartland. If South India a few others eg Shahrukh Khan who tried their
has Rajnikanth, North India has Amitabh. His hand at Kaun Banega Crorepati but none has the
dialogue delivery, his mannerisms in the movies panache of Amitabh Bachchan. His communicating
are what ensures his popularity in the Madhya – skills with people of different strata of society
Bharat region. Every paanwala, cycle rickshawala makes him the man everyone wants to talk to.
to the young guys in this region, they all aspire to A lot of his contemporaries faded into oblivion
be Amitabh Bachchan. Agra to Aligarh, Banaras but Amitabh reinvents himself, whether it is
to Bilaspur, Jhansi to Jabalpur and Mathura to congratulating Pappu for passing or coaxing you
Moranipur it is Amitabh all the way. Like they say to eat Bikaneri bhujia and applying Navratan Tel
in politics, if you win UP you win India. and buying jewellery from Kalyan Jewellers. If all
I have my own list of Amitabh song and dance these don’t work maybe you could breathe in a bit
numbers and they are in no particular order. To me of Gujarat.
the most romantic song was Yeh kahaan aa gaye I was curating Tina Ambani’s Harmony Show
hum from Silsila. The chemistry between him and and Amitabh Bachchan had come to inaugurate
Rekha was amazing. Then there is Aaj rapat jaaye the exhibition. He was on time, as he is renowned
toh, highly sensuous, Main pal do pal ka shaayar for being. Went round the exhibition and showed
hoon. The Zeenat Aman - Amitabh number Khaike genuine interest in the artworks. Post the
paan Banaraswala, great chemistry between the inauguration, we went to Ms Ambani’s residence
two, made it the anthem of every paanwala and for dinner. There were probably a hundred guests,
young man who hoped to romance Zeenat Aman. Amitabh was completely at ease clicking pictures
Jumma chumma de de and Yamma yamma both with guests, not at all conscious of himself. Great
were amazing foot-tapping numbers and Amitabh conversationalist, impeccable manners and a
carried the songs very well. His dance steps (some pleasure to have dinner with.
say a la John Travolta) had the country on its feet.
Main hoon Don and Amar Akbar Anthony were
both picturised when Amitabh was in his mid-30s.
Jahaan teri yeh nazar hai became popular and so
did Rang barse and Mere angne mein. At a certain Vickram Sethi
time Yeh dosti hum nahin chhodenge became a Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #27 | SEPTEMBER 2021 3