Bachchan Mania: Jahan hum khade hai line wohi shuru hota hai

The traffic is coming to a stand still. Maximum City has suddenly stopped in its track and hearts are beating faster. Cars and buses are honking at Juhu. A phenomena has already rose and hit the city this October 11. A tall shadow has emerged as tears of joy flowing and the roads are turning into sea everywhere. It's the Big B's birthday, Amitabh Bachchan, Don ke jaise banna mushkil hi nahin namumkin hai. There was Amitabh Bachchan, there is Amitabh Bachchan and there will always be Amitabh Bachchan, Kal bhi Bachchan aur Aaj bhi Bachchan.

Today, the man turns 73, the forever young and evergreen who rules our hearts for more than four decades of acting and entertainment. He remains an inspiration to me always. Whenever, I am in the dumps, I try to think how Amit Sir would tackle this situation in life for it's his approach that turned things in his favor despite the challenges he faced and lows in his career.

The connect he has with the audience and his fans, is not only phenomenal but mesmerizing and there are very few like him who would do several retakes till he gets the scene right. I mean, it's a lesson than we should learn in terms of dedication, never lose hope and fight till the end. The kind of commitment he shows towards his work and how he bounced back post the Coolie accident when he was in the coma and rose like the Phoenix after his company, ABCL failed, to overturn his fortune deserves respect. Simply admirable and indomitable spirit.

Bachchan Sir is an inspiration to many of us and is a grim reminder that nothing is permanent in life whether it's pain or sorrow. The kind of patience he has displayed in his entire career is a great lesson that I keep learning and how despite achieving so much in life, he has always remained grounded and rooted. It's something that many of us should learn from him and I personally admire how he has managed his career with the never-say-die-attitude. 

Sometimes back, I was going through a tough phase in life and Gayu, a good friend of mine who knows how much I admire Bachchan Sir, told me just imagine that my life is a film and that I am acting in it, I am Amitabh Bachchan and that he is sitting watching me. Once he is done watching me, he gives tips on how I could have bettered the act and change my perception about things.

Trust me, it was bang on and spot on action that brought a change in our attitudes to life. There are zillion fans of AB in India and many of us who aspire to be like him and be him. I cannot be him. There is only one Amitabh Bachchan who played an important part in shaping my life, whether it's watching his movies, overcoming his struggles and be successful in life. The very thought of thinking about the words he spoke and listening to him feels like magic. I tell myself, I gonna nail it. Just imagine that the man was in the dumps and people wrote him off, he overturned the situation to make KBC a household name and brought the world on its knees. This is power to me.

Now, you know why the man keeps inspiring me to be better at what I do and to overcome the rough weather. His baritone voice is like a magic wand and one gets the feeling that life will get better. What we need is patience, perseverance and hard work. Once I read in an interview how he said that his life is an everyday battle. How true! Or, reciting the verses of his illustrious father, Dr Harishnvansrai Bachchan verses, whether it's Madhushala or how pain or joy is momentary. It's one of my favorite quote: Mann ko ho toh achcha hai..no ho toh zyaada achcha hai!! Kyun ki phir wo ishwar ke mann ko hota hai aur iswar aap ko hamesha achcha chahega!!! (If things are moving against your wish then it's the almighty wishing good for you.), Jab tak Jeewab hai Sangharsh hai (Till there is life, there is struggle).

It couldn't better than that the Big B himself repeating his father's words that spread like magic and ushering positive vibes in my life. I get a magical feeling, listening to such powerful words. Friend, Philosopher, Guide, Inspiration, that's the role Shri Amitabh Bachchan plays in my life. My hero, my inspiration. Happy wala budday, Sir. Agneepath, Agneepath, Agneepath, na thakega na thamega kabhie, tu na mudega kabhie,, Kar Sharpath Kar Shapath, Agneepath.

As I Turn One Year Old (er)

The birthday came and went as it left many sweet-cum-wonderful memories along the way. It was a birthday to remember as I turned one year old (er) and it's been after aeons that June 24, Monday was such an enjoyable trip where I relished and enjoyed every second, minutes on the birthday. I feel like a one year old who is celebrating his first birth (day).
It's been longish time since I had so much fun for the birthday and the post header, As I Turn One Year Old (er) describe the budday celebration to the hilt. I woke up to a call from a good friend and former colleague at work, Sheetal, who was oblivious of the fact that I was born on this beautiful Monday. We caught up after a very long time and I told her bout my happy wala budday. What I got in return for the budday was something totally awesome and fab and I'm still relishing the amazing surprise for the day.

Google wished me many happy returns of the day:)

I mean, when I woke up, I had no idea that the budday will turn out to be totally awesome and will add zing to my entire existence. It was a day and budday to die for her. Sheetal, together with another friend, Suzanne, ordered a Brownie cake adorned with syrup and a cute-si candle. It simply made my along with the pics clicked from my HTC One X. It was totally awesome and I felt like a kid who was enjoying the day. A small act of kindness can spark thousand lights in a beautiful heart:)
It is not everyday that wonderful surprises spring its way in my life and it's after ages that my birthday was a memorable one and am eternally grateful to the wonderful gals. It was a b'day special treat and one should learn to be grateful to life and people. Life is a roller-coaster ride and brownie coated with syrup. The wonderful budday gently reminded me that we were born so as to make wonderful things happen and spread happiness around our existence as well as to enjoy and live every moment in life as if it's the last day on earth. Let's weave magic and make our life sugar coated with unblemished happiness and joy.
There were quite a few wishes on my facebook profile page and this time, I choose to innovate by tagging Mr and Miss everybody as a way of thanking them for remembering the birthday. Earlier, I used to make it a point to reply to every other person who wished me and this time, I tagged friends who wished me in order to spread happiness in their wondrous lives. On my other blog, somebody asked me, what are the plans for this year's celebration.
Well, we all abhor growing up in age and, as the header suggest, I prefer to call it the act of turning One year old (er) and I believe there is no point in  setting unachievable targets to be met during the year that will soon elapse. I have decided to go with the flow in life and let myself be guided and carried away with things that shall unfurl itself. This is the beauty of life. Having said that, there are certain achievable targets like I am planning to either move to Dubai and/or relocate to either Mumbai or Delhi to pursue my career in journalism. Fair na? For a birthday wish and I am confident that it will happen slowly but swiftly. Of course, making a difference into people's lives and the budday was also a day to spare a thought to the victims of the Uttarakhand flood and may God give the afflicted persons strength to overcome their difficulties.
Till then, ta-ta and have lotsa fun. By the way, Dad budday coming in two hours and thirty minutes and wish that the jolly fellow is very happy.

Birthday and happiness

Wassap people,
Celebrated ma budday on June 24 and as I write this post on Sunday it is eck jhackly one week. I am born again or if I put it that way,  re-born. The new kid on the block is blossoming slowly into one-week old cute baby boy. I received so much love during ma birthday via Facebook, sms, chat and phone calls. The wishes kept flowing even after budday got over. I am forever grateful to life and frenz that matters.
I cannot whine about life and whatever I have received has been a complete bundle of joy, happiness and success as I look back at the years that elapsed. It has been a beautiful journey, making so many good friends and earning a beautiful place in people's hearts. The reason I made so many friends is because I wear my heart on my sleeve and open up to people with honesty and genuine care and concern. I connect the dots with people and there is no hidden motive in my interaction with people. That's me.
One thing I have learned in life is to act in a selfless manner with people. I love people!!!! I have learned a lil bit of lessons in life and I honestly believe that one..errr sorry me..shouldn't have a sea of expectations from people. If I connect with people, I will go out of my way to do everything but I shouldn't expect that they will give back in the same manner. Expecting too much is wrong from my perspective.
In that way, I have received so much from people and for which I am eternally grateful to life. Yes! Indeed! I have received so much love from people..a thousand splendid suns. My reasoning is simple: If things come your way, great! If it doesn't and if like me you don't expect too much, there is very less or no grief and disappointment. That's the way I am. I go out of my way to make people around me feel comfortable and I am not going to change that part of me. Sure! Some people have told me to stop being like that since people will take me for granted. Par kya karein! That's the way I am and I believe that life is more about giving and less about receiving.
Next point. It's been an amazing journey of life and it's been a great learning experience and happiness. I have my fair share of success. I made the best of friends and studied in one of the best colleges in India and the best in Pune, Fergusson College. I am blessed. I would do nothing to change this. What I wouldn't give to get back this life. Haan! There are certain things in life that I wished for and has so far eluded me. Theek hai! Not all that we wished for is turned into reality. May be I haven't tried hard enough to achieve all my dreams. But, we live in a world of immense possibilities and it's not too late as someone pointed out to me the other day. My dream of becoming an actor and a film-maker has become a distant dream so far. But, that doesn't mean that it will never become a reality. I am quite confident and intend to start soon with a short film.
Today, a dear friend of mine got hitched in Pune. I am damned happy for her as she has finally found love. She is such a wonderful person and she deserves every moment of happiness. As far as I am concerned, quite a few people have discussed on when I am taking the plunge or whether I will ever get married.
My present state of mine is:NO. I love my freedom too much to ever get married and I feel that marriage is a trap imposed by society to impose their rules and I don't want to bend to the rules. Marriage like religion is imposed by society to exploit our state of being. If I have to make a choice in life, I will always opt for the triumph of my individuality and I am not going to trade it for anything else in my life. I refuse to get bogged down by the rules of society.
Where does love come into the whole business of marriage? I don't think that we can link love to marriage. Sure, from a different perspective love is connected to marriage but I have an entirely different take on that. I believe in the very concept of 'free love'. Assume tomorrow, I fall in love with someone, yeh zaroori nahin hai ke next step should be marriage. If we truly love each other, we can always be there for each other when needed. If she decides to be with someone else who will provide her with care, security, emotional and material comfort, I will not stop her. This is true love. If you love someone, that doesn't mean that you should not respect her wishes if she chose not to be with you but rather with someone else. Why get into the marriage business? But, it's my own perspective on life, love and marriage. What is good for new kid on the block is not necessarily true for the whole world. But, then I am rebel and that's the way I am!
Have a good day.