Feb 05, 2015 01:39 PM
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What new can one say about a movie which has already achieved cult status in the annals of Hindi cinema? The movie that reaffirmed the credentials of the most enduring legend of bollywood who is still going strong? The movie whose dialogues and scenes were repeated by both classes and masses for decades and still seem fresh in the psyche of moviegoers?
Not much but I am still tempted if only to relieve those adolescent thrill packed days. Those were the days of emergency – the larger than life Prime Minister decided to make a mockery of democracy and rule the country as a dictator. Freedom was sacrificed in the altar of discipline and for once the vision of founding father of our constitution seemed blurry.
Those were also the days of naxalite movement in West Bengal – promising youth from elite educational institutions were sacrificing their career, family and life with the dream of transforming the society and political system. Thus, there was a simmering anger amongst the youth but hardly any legal way to give vent to it. The time was ripe for an explosion and it took the form of Vijay and his anger – against society, against father, against law, against system and ultimately, against God.
A tall lanky figure with knotted shirt, bidi in hand, stillness in eyes and thunder in voice created a character which still remains unsurpassed amongst the numerous ones created in this hero worshipping nation. Was Salim-Javed duo was aware of the impact he is going to have in the history of Indian cinema? Or even Amitabh Bachchan, for that matter?
I do not think so. For I believe history is not created consciously only by its lead players but also by circumstances which enable the lead players to give full expression to their genius. In retrospect, the historic events may look inevitable or merely a combination of lucky coincidences depending upon the inclination of the person analyzing. Perhaps I am digressing. I do so deliberately for I do not want to introduce the movie – it needs none. I just want to narrate the impression it had on me and my times. So, I may be excused for not commenting on trivia like script, music, screenplay . you got the idea!
Post Deewar the boys started knotting their shirts(thus making buttons in the lower half of the shirt redundant), smoking bidi became cool(the term was nonexistent though), polishing boot turned respectable(and with that turning down phenke hue paise), atheism was now the new religion(so what if ultimately the Hero had to plead in front of the altar ‘mujhe mere ma wapas kar do’) and even the biggest taboo of them – pre-marital sex became acceptable.
The movie also features set pieces and dialogues which are still a part of national obsession. With the possible exception of Sholay, no other Indian movie can boast of so many memorable scenes or tongue in cheek one liners. Just a few sample(for the benefit of persons like me who enjoys to relieve and recollect):
Mujhe meri ma wapas kar do ….(The temple scene)
Jao pahle us admi ke sign le kar aao ……(the show down with Shashi Kappor)
Mere pas bangla hai, bank balance hai ……
Mere pas Maa hai …….(at last somebody has something worthwhile to say – just to sprinkle a bit of water on the raging fire)
Bahut thak gaya hun, Maa ……………(the death scene)
Mai aaj bhi phenke hue paise nahin uthata ………(just revel the confident look while delivering the punch line)
Tum mujhe wahan dhund rahe ho …… aur main yahan …………(the roll of the bidi – from one end to the other in the mouth coupled with twinkle in the eyes)
Agle hafte se ek aur majdoor hata dene se inkaar karne wala hai ………………(watch the vacant look and you know the volcano is about to explode)
I better stop now before getting totally carried away. Just imagine, these scenes and dialogues coupled with whistles, claps, cheers and coins ………… even these scenes are never going to be repeated.
Ultimately Vijay died in the lap of his mother – he had to for he was too good for this world ………… but the legacy of Angry Young Man lived on and on and on ………………
It’s a shame that Amitabh Bachchan did not win the best actor’s award for this performance – either Filmfare(Sanjeev Kumar won it for Andhi – a very good effort no doubt but we are discussing History here and surely his performance in Andhi created no history) or National.
But then one can draw solace from the fact that even Mahatma Gandhi never won Nobel Peace prize!
