All the fans standing outside 'Pratiksha' waiting for his darshan did not translate into money when Amitabh was down and wanted it most. When Amitji lay in financial ruin, The magic was lost. The money was gone. Fans deserted him in droves. Amitabh was alone. (Mein aur meri tanhaayi)
Just when all looked lost, in walked a starry eyed Amar Singh and introduced hope, and the Ambani connection into Amitji's life (and those large superstitious rings on his fingers.) The success of KBC that followed, rekindled his celebrity, fan following, and brought endorsements, movie offers - and wealth - back into Big B's life.
It may be difficult for us fans to comprehend but most of Amitji's assets today are essentially post KBC (and post ABCL bankruptcy). All the block busters - including Deewar and Sholay - from his golden years, and nostalgic dewy eyed fans like us, dont translate to money on his balance sheet. We are mere Goodwill! ("Oof tumhare oosul, tumhare adarsh. Kis kaam ke hai tumhare is oosul jo ek waqt ki roti tak nahi bana sakta?")
The hard knocks of life taught him that we fans are fickle. Here today, gone tomorrow. It is money, that keeps his - much like our - life going.
Amitji strode the world of cinema churning blockbusters for the best of 4 long decades! He left us spell bound all these years making us feel like Alice in wonderland. Every time we went to the theaters and looked at the silver screen he gave us one magical performance after another. He rarely failed us. He gifted us some of life's greatest moments. And some of our fondest memories.
At 64, and with time running out, Amitabh realizes that his best years are behind him. He has more years lived, than left.
All good things in life come to an end. However hard he tries, he may never be able to produce another Deewar or Sholay. Not even one last time. Not even for us.
All the great dialogue writers, sriptwriters and directors of his hey days are no longer around. The hey days themselves have long gone by. Times have changed. Tastes have changed. People have changed. The industry itself had changed. Even the reigning Shahenshah of Bollywood has changed!!
All good things in life come to an end. Amitabh has accepted this reality.
Only one thing remains the same - Our expectations of him.
Perhaps it is time we changed too.
Lets enjoy his talents, voice, songs, his mere presence, the happiness of seeing him on TV and films while we still can. In addition to being his, and our, passion - his acting also happens to be his livelihood. Lets not begrudge him that by holding his every role against our stringent moral expectations.
Lets celebrate and enjoy Amitabh's talents while we still can.
I have seen many messages written about Amitab's performance in Ekalavya. Whether it is Ekalavya or kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gum or Black, Amitab has done his role very well. Let me say this that at 65 he is still wanted by Bollywood. I would like to end by saying that he is not an Actor but an Institution by himself. I pray God that he gives him a long healthy life so that he could make more films and make people like me ( i am also 65) feel that there is still a lot to do in our life before we call it a day.
RE:AB SAALE BUDDE USELESS FELLOW
by gopal gupta on Feb 19, 2007 12:03 AM
you don't know movie ; niether you know how to talk about father figure people - wrong upbringing or wrong genes ?!?!?!?
We, million of fans here would still love to see again and again setting examples for actors like srk (who wants to be a actor one day) etc.. Bravo..... The only man in this world wwho could do miracles.
RE:amit
by ARIANNE JOYCE on Feb 13, 2007 11:14 AM
tumhari jan chootane wali hai, amarsinghji amitabh pachpan ko Rashtra pati bhawan me bhejana chahte hai, refer to IBN news of 12-feb and dainik bhasker of 12 feb-fir to rashtrapti bhawan me bhi kale kajrare hi kajrare, salame ish meri ja zara kabool kar lo, tum hamse payer, fir rashtrapati bhawan me hongi bentley cars
RE:amit
by Kishor Pawar on Feb 17, 2007 09:59 AM
Dear Dilip & you,
or should i say u both JOKERS, Don't compare Big B with SRK., compare him with you both nuts, before using any foul language assess urself first., where you stand!!!
on all fronts,HONORS, FAME,MONEY & ABOVE ALL INDIVIDUAL.,
you should get your answers!!
u are tooooooooooooooooo tiny... neglegeble.... to be seen in COMPARISN..,
We wish you good luck.,
I'm not Big b fan. nor a bollyhood enthu.., but facts n realities are to be compared & and not virtuals.
the combatants management consultants www.combatantplacements.com
RE:amit
by varun krishan on Feb 12, 2007 07:59 AM
He is a true professional. You cant ask a professional to quit till he himself make his mind. And who do you think can replace him? If we had one of his persona and professionalism, he would not have been there.
Amitabh Ji, Will you please retire now, we are so fedup of waching you on the big and small screen that we have lost interest of bollywood all together.
RE:big b
by varun krishan on Feb 12, 2007 08:00 AM
He is a true professional. You cant ask a professional to quit till he himself make his mind. And who do you think can replace him? If we had one of his persona and professionalism, he would not have been there.
RE:RE:big b
by Satish Krishnamurthy on Feb 15, 2007 09:49 PM
stop sucking up to SRK.... if u dont like BigB then u better not watch him.... i dont like u doesnt mean that u should retire from doing something which u like....grow up...
RE:RE:RE:big b
by Parag Parulekar on Feb 16, 2007 10:43 AM
I dont know how old u are (Dilip) or what you do. But u should ask the question to urself. Will u stop doing what u love the most and what has been ur passion and the only FEED for ur family???
No one is forcing anyone to watch AB....there are so many other movies which u can watch and stop the torture on urself...
RE:big b
by Anwar Ali on Feb 11, 2007 09:52 PM
People like Amitabh never retires. He is BIG, VERY BIG, BIG B. Khatam hone me time lagega. Uske agey tum retire ho jaoge. ;-000000000
RE:big b
by ajay kumar on Feb 17, 2007 09:48 AM
Mr dilip chopra, u r true nonsense by making your comments. tell me who can deliver performances like him at an age of 65.He is great and always remains great.He can work till any age.....i think in 65 years u will spend your time on bad only
U have no sense how to give respect u have no idea how to understand acting U please go to SRK and do pray for him , but don't speak like this
u remember ACTING and level of Understanding of Mr. Amitji in following Cinema
> DEEWAR [NEW AND OLD] > TRISHUL > SHOLEY > RAM BALARAM > BLACK > ANAND > NAMAK HARAM > NAMAK HALAL > ONE AND ONLY ONE "DON" > AMAR-AKABAR-ANTHONY > SHARABI > MAI AZAD HU > LAWARISH AND U GIT THE LIST FROM SRK BECAUSE HE IS STILL TRY TO COPY ALL PICTURES WITH THE HOPELESS HELP OF KARAN JOHAR AND DAFOR GANG
