Amitabh Bachchan: the real Muqaddar Ka Sikander

@KeepUpWithKaustubh

The road not taken in HR corridors

Koi bhi Deewar ho ya koi bhi Zanjeer,

Chaahe ho Agneepath par kitne hi Sholay,

Ya ho unke saamne bas ek Aakhree Raasta

Par phir bhi, AB ko haraana mushkil hi nahi, namumkin hai! 

He is the real Shahenshah of fate, the Jaadugar on the silver screen and the Don of Indian cinema. From being a struggler to being the Star of the Millennium, from being bankrupt to being a crorepati again, Padma Shri Amitabh Bachchan is the quintessential Phoenix who rose from the ashes – never tired, never stopping. Undoubtedly, Big B has had a tumultuous life, especially when he almost lost his life after an on-shoot accident, and also his home when he was debt-ridden. 

But as Vijay Dinanath Chauhan puts it:

 “Tu na thakega kabhi, tu na thamega kabhi

Tu na mudega kabhi, kar shapath, kar shapath, kar shapath  

Agneepath, Agneepath, Agneepath”

This is the core essence, the mantra which outlines the life and times of AB. Millions of Indians adore him, including me. And each of us claims our own, personal bit of his legendary story. Here are the parts of the awe-inspiring evergreen icon that have stayed with me through thick and thin.

The Voice Of Vijay

“Rishtey mein toh hum sabke baap lagte hain, naam hai Vijay Dinanath Chauhan!”

Fret not, I have simply merged two iconic dialogues for a reason - try imagining this dialogue in any other voice. Any actor’s voice. You simply can’t, can you?

Come to think of it, in the ‘60s, this very voice was rejected multiple times by All India Radio, until AB broke better barriers to enter Bollywood and became the voice of India. He represented the voice of millions of young people whose own voices were stifled under the impending post-war furor, unemployment, and broken dreams. His voice represented the desperation of an angry India, waiting to break out. During this time, from exemplary cinematic expressions like Zanjeer, Deewar, Agneepath, Trishul, Coolie, Kaalia etc, AB emerged as that rebellious iconoclastic figure – as the ‘angry young man’ from the underbelly of this turmoil. And that angry young man was “Vijay” – a name synonymous with the common man’s fancied victory over the socio-political chaos.

“Main aaj bhi pheke hue paise nahi leta”

In the film Deewar, while trying to make two ends meet, a young Vijay polishes the shoes of the ‘sahebs’ of the city. And when one of the sahebs throws the money to pay him for his services, he refuses to pick it up and instead doles out the dialogue “main aaj bhi pheke hue paise nahi leta”

AB’s character as Vijay tells us how to retain the dignity of one’s own life, no matter what. Even if life throws us amidst extreme turmoil, it’s upto us whether we succumb to the circumstances, or maintain our self-respect.

“Maut, tu ek Kavita hai” – Death and debt teach indebtedness

It was July 1982. AB was shooting for Coolie when an unfortunate accident almost landed him on his deathbed. The nation watched aghast as the best team of doctors strived to keep him alive.

But AB lived in the hearts of these people. And these millions of people who respected and loved him deeply, prayed for his survival. The Doctors made a last ditch effort, and the impossible happened. He was back from being dead. It reminds me of his popular dialogue from the film “Maut, tu ek kavita hai”…

AB’s real life crisis represents his undaunting spirit - the real spirit of a Coolie who lugs about immense burden, yet keeps walking on. “Hum mazdooron ka seena lohe ki deewaar hai, aur yeh humaare hathiyaar hain. Yeh humara pet paal bhi sakte hain aur tum jaison ka pet phaad bhi sakte hain" as he says in the film.

Till date he believes that it was the love and prayers of his fans that brought him back from the jaws of death. And he is indebted to them.

Crorepati to Kaun Banega Crorepati: A journey to zero and back.

By the 1990s, AB was the only superstar who was being paid in 8 figures. He floated a production and event company called ABCL, which did fairly well in the first year. However, bad management of the company’s operations led to a major downfall, so much so that the mighty AB was debt ridden. He was almost going to lose his home. His financial advisors suggested that he shut down the company, but AB didn’t relent, and instead spent sleepless nights thinking of the debts. Being a man of strong ethics, he was determined to return every penny he owed.

A poignant moment of truth, it reminds me of the dialogue in the film Trishul “ Main paanch laakh ka sauda karne aaya hoon lekin meri jeb mein paanch phooti kaudi bhi nahi hai”!

Though he was a superstar who was about to lose his stardom and status, he stood his ground and took some tough decisions; even if it meant resorting to the small screen. Despite being bankrupt himself he hosted the mega show Kaun Banega Crorepati, and set about making other people millionaires.

Gradually, with this and help from some friends like Yash Chopra, he changed his fortunes. From bankruptcy he went back to being a crorepati. He paid off all his debts, every penny. Today his company still remains in the name of AB Corp. and has produced successful films. Perhaps the underlying inspiration for him in this situation would have been these lines from Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s poem:

“ Jab Tak Na Safal Ho, Neend Chain Sab Tyaago Tum

Sangharsh karo, Maidan chood mat bhaago tum

Kuch Kiye Bina Hi Jai Jai Kar Nahi Hoti

Himat Karne Walon Ki Haar Nahi Hoti”!

From AB to Big B: The Shahenshah of People’s Hearts

His dialogue in the film Mohabbatein cites another life lesson “Izzat darr se nahi, Mohabbat se banti hain”.

In 2000, KBC ushered in a new millennium superstar in AB. The audiences loved him in this new avatar, and one can easily say, he shot to stardom overnight (again). But this success always remained mystic to me. Why did the same audience, who had recently rejected him in films like Lal Badshah, suddenly fall in love with him all over again?

To me the answer is that he is relatable. No matter how big a star he is, he appears human – fallible, emotional and accessible.

If you notice AB’s demeanour, his style and humility, it is awe-inspiring. A superstar who had almost lost stardom, his fortunes, his home and even his life, was seated there – oozing grace and calmness laced with his signature humour, to make the contestants feel at home. He handled the audience with unmatched warmth, he chose the warmest words acknowledging their love for him, and always connected with them on a one-to-on basis.

And then it dawned on me – when he introduces himself as a commoner “Main Amitabh Bachchan bol raha hoon, Kaun Banega Crorepati Se”, that is the real Amitabh Bachchan, the person, and not the actor AB who was dishing out practiced dialogues and stunts.

And in these 17 years, he has spanned a new journey, a new life for himself from being AB to being Big B, beating the new-age stars hands down. He truly is the Star of the Millennium. All this because of a strong character, ethics, professionalism and humility.

AB – The Professor of Life

Whether it’s Mr Natwarlal singing ‘Oonchi oonchi baton se kisi ka pet bharta nahi’ or Professor Sukumar talking about ‘gobhi ka phool’, AB, his films and his character are timeless sources of inspiration.

Probably we can pick up a few pearls of leadership lessons from him like:

Personal Connect: Connect with people won him immense respect. Despite being on top, stay humbled, stay grounded.

Punctual: He is known to be thoroughly professional and punctual on the sets or at functions, right from his pre-star days, till date. He remains a fabulous example of ‘Babu Mushoi’ (great gentleman) even today. So be punctual, respect other people’s time.

Professional: Wonder if anyone has heard Big B embroiled in too many controversies? Not me, for one. His maturity, and his professional approach towards his circles including the film fraternity, the media and friends is utterly professional. Be professional, do not spread negativity.

Poetry in Prose: His words ooze the beauty of poetry (a genetic trait maybe). The way he speaks and the words he chooses spell grace. Always speak to people around you with immense respect, however small in status or hierarchy.

The name “Amitabh” means ‘unending brilliance’. What a perfect name for this star who has shone through the darkest times of his life, and still shines as bright as ever? As an ending Let me cite a short poem written by the legend himself:

Girna bhi acha hai,

aukat ka pata chalta hai...

Badte hai jab haat log ke uthane ko,

tab apno ka pata chalta hai...

Jinhe gussa aata hai ve log sachche hote hai,

mainne aksar jutho ko muskurate dekha hai..

Sikh Raha Hun Ab Main Bhi Insano Ko Padhne Ka Hunar,

Suna Hai Chehre Pe Kitabon se Jyada Likha Hota Hai

To me, he is the real conqueror of his fate, he is the real Vijay, the real ‘Muqaddar Ka Sikander’. 

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