Pal Do Pal Amitabh Bachchan Ke Sang.....

Turning 65 is a big deal, especially if you are Amitabh Bachchan, an actor celebrated for his films, voice, performance, style, stature and poise. The perfect actor, this man has become the 'ideal hero' of the masses, and remains looked up to by the classes. Amitabh Bachchan still rules the roost in Bollywood. No other actor has enjoyed such iconic status in filmdom as the mega superstar Amitabh Bachchan

The man, the eminence, the Indian film legend. A hero of all times and for all times.
I thought why not write for the man, watching whom I have grown over the years...A man: work in progress….He is not the man in the movie but the movie himself. The pages cannot contain him, history cannot stop narrating him, and today even after having featured in all the possible permutations in over 150 films, he is still rewriting the rules of superstardom in the Indian film industry. Here is to celebrate the ‘Man of the Millennium’. I will not be able to chronicle all of my favorite movies of Big B….but surely want to mention two of his movies dear to me.

Kabhie Kabhie:

Yash Chopra’s movies showcase romance and love at their best. ‘Kabhie Kabhie’ is made with a theme that he is good at and that’s Love- A journey through several emotions and moments of recollection, remorse and repentance.

‘Kabhie Kabhie’…Love …poetry in action... watching the sunset in each other's eyes... dreaming of a perfect future together... two souls becoming one... fate deems otherwise... one generation later, friendship prevails... Kabhi Kabhie, life comes full circle.

The movie amazingly sets off with the dulcet poesy of “Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shaayar Hoon" and, ends with the song "Main Har Ek Pal Ka Shaayar Hoon". What lies between the two songs of the poet is a very well narrated love story spanning two generations that shows the transformation of the poet from "Pal Do Pal Ka Shaayar" to "Har Ek Pal Ka Shaayar". This movie cannot be solely called an Amitabh Bachchan movie. The movie cast deserves a special note as to have carried out spectacular performances…. Ofcourse it is Big B who steals the show. I have watched Kabhie Kabhie several times myself and in company of many others and can never get tired watching the movie from any scene that’s playing. The main reason for this is that as an audience I can associate to Kabhie Kabhie in different ways, to the characters, to the story, to the music or simply to the musings of the poet. Amitabh Bachchan looks at his absolute best in the younger version of his role.

Music has always been the salient feature of Yash Chopra's movies. Kabhie Kabhie is among the top ones in that list. Khayyam not only composed delightful music for beautiful songs written by Sahir Ludhianvi, but also scored one of the best background music in Hindi cinema. The songs melodiously rendered by Mukesh, Lata, Kishore to date are chart busters. Sahir Ludhianvi's poetry is simply breathtaking!

My personal favorite goes here...

"Mein Har Ek Pal Ka Shaayar Hoon, Har Ek Pal Meri Kahani Hai
Har Ek Pal Meri Hasti Hai, Har Ek Pal Meri Jawaani Hai

Rishton Ka Roop Badalta Hai, Buniyaden Khatam Nahin Hoti
Khwabon Ki Aur Umango Ki, Miyaden Khatam Nahin Hoti
Ek Phool Mein Tera Roop Basa Ek Phool Mein Meri Jawaani Hai
Ek Chehra Teri Nishaani Hai, Ek Chehra Meri Nishaani Hai Maein
Har Ek Pal Ka Shaayar Hoon...

Tujhko Mujhko Jeevan Amrit, Ab In Haathon Se Peena hai
Inki Dhadkan Mein Basna Hai, Inki Saanson Mein Jeena Hai
Tu Apni Adaen Baksh Inhen Maein Apni Wafaen Deta Hoon
Jo Apne Liye Sochi Thi Kabhi, Woh Saari Duaen Deta Hoon
Maein Har Ek Pal Ka Shaayar Hoon”

"I'm the poet of every moment, every moment is my tale
I exist in every moment, every moment is my youth

Forms of relationships change, their foundations remain intact
Dreams and aspirations, their durations do not expire
Your beauty lives on in one flower, my youth in another
One face bears your features, and another mine

You and I have to drink the elixir of life now with these hands
Make a home in their heartbeats, live in their breaths
You grant them your charms, I give them my fidelities
What I had once wished for myself, (I) give all those blessings"


"Kabhi kabhi mere dil main khayal aata hain

Ki zindagi teri zulfon ki narm chhaon main guzarne pati
to shadab ho bhi sakti thi

Yeh ranj-o-gham ki siyahi jo dil pe chhayi hain
Teri nazar ki shuaon main kho bhi sakti thi

Magar yeh ho na saka aur ab ye aalam hain
Ki tu nahin, tera gham teri justjoo bhi nahin

Guzar rahi hain kuchh iss tarah zindagi jaise,
Isse kisi ke sahare ki aarzoo bhi nahin

Na koi raah, na manzil, na roshni ka suraag
Bhatak rahin hai andheron main zindagi meri

Inhi andheron main reh jaoonga kabhi kho kar
Main janta hoon meri hum-nafas, magar yoonhi

Kabhi kabhi mere dil main khayal aata hai"

"Often a thought comes in my heart
If I have life under shadow of your hair
It would have been more peaceful
The ink of pain and sorrow on my heart
Could've been lost in your eyes
But it didn't happen
But it didn't happen; now life is on a fringe
That I don't have you nor sorrow nor hope
My life is going on in such a way that
It does not expect any supporting hand
No road, no goal, nor a way to see light
My life wanders around in darkness
I will be lost in this darkness someday
I know it's my love of life, but
Often a thought comes in my heart"

Silsila :

Beautiful and stylish, romantic and dreamy, indulgent of emotion using the melodramatic elements without going over board… yet another Yash Chopra’s romantic saga Silsila is one of my favorites for its rich haul of lyrics, lilting music, lovely songs, terse dialogues and a theme that explores myriad aspects of romance, both young and mature.

This movie apart from being a romantic musical can be signed off as sensitive, humane and intense of movies ever made. The subject of infidelity is handled delicately in this movie trying to maintain the dignity of love. It showcases the burning flames of desire at blaze for the lost and found first love twisted with the society’s demands and obligations. Amazing casting complementing one another’s performance at their best.

Amitabh’s sizzling on-screen chemistry with Rekha worked wonders in the film. They look so much made for each other. No wonder, the delectable duo was considered one of the most successful Bollywood pairs.

One of the best romantic verses of Javed Akhtar recited by Amitabh and coupled with the song Yeh Kahan Aa Gaye Hum sung by Lata Mangeshkar renders a magical feel to the entire song picturised on handsome Amitabh and scintillating Rekha. I mean the duo just rocks on the screen.

"Mein aur meri tanhai aksar ye baatein karte hain
Tum hothi tho kaisa hotha, tum ye kehti tum who kehti
Tum is baat pe hairan hothi, tum us baat pe kitni hasti
Tum hothi tho aisa hotha, tum hothi tho waisa hotha
Mein aur meri tanhai aksar ye batein karte hain

Yeh raat hai ya tumhari zulfein khuli huyi hai
Hai chandni ya tumhare nazron se meri raatein dhuli hui hai
Yeh chaand hai ya tumhare kangan, sitare hai ya tumhara aanchal
Hawa ka jhonka hai ya tumhare badan ki khushboo
Yeh pattiyon ki hai sarasarahat ki tumne chupke se kuch kaha hai
Yeh sochta hoon mein kab se gumsum
Ke jab ki mujhko bhi yeh khabar hai ke tum nahi ho, kahin nahin ho
Magar ye dil hai ke kah raha hai ke tum yehin ho, yehin kahin ho"

Another romantic duet, sung marvelously by Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar, for the most beautiful and picturesque song picturised on this lovey dovey duo in the colorful tulip gardens is an yet another favorite. Superb song which is like a breeze of fresh air….

"Dekha ek khwaab to yeh silsile hue
Door tak nigahon mein hain gul khile hue
Yeh gila hai aapki nigahon se
Phool bhi ho darmiyaan to faasle hue
Dekha ek khwaab...

Mera dil hai teri panaahon
Aa chhupa loon tujhe maein baahon mein
Teri tasveer hai nigaahon mein
Door tak roshni hai raahon mein
Kal agar na roshni ke kaafile hue
Pyar ke hazaar deep hain jale hue
Dekha ek khwaab..."

Yash Chopra has done a great job as a director, handling the theme of the movies very well. He keeps the story telling simple and linear, develops each character very well, and never goes far from the crux of the story even when touching issues like premarital relationship and infidelity.

Initially I thought I would write a few lines on each of my favorite Amitabh Bachchan movie…but restricted myself to only two of his movies. Listed out are my absolute favorite ones which I feel can be passed as once-in-lifetime kind of movies.

Some famous dialogues and trivia from his films….

Anand (1971)
I like Amitabh Bachchan in this movie although he plays a secondary but crucial role.

Abhimaan (1973)
I like all the songs of Abhimaan… “ Teri bindiya re”… “Loote koi man ka nagar”

Chupke Chupke (1975)
"Jis tarah gobhi ka phool, phool hokar nahi hota, waise hi gainde ka phool bhi phool hokar phool nahi hota"

Deewar (1975)
"Haan, main sign karoonga, lekin main akele sign nahin karoonga, main sabse pehle sign nahin karoonga. Jao pehle us aadmi ka sign le ke aao jisne mera baap ko chor kaha tha; pehle us aadmi ka sign le ke aao jisne meri maa ko gali deke naukri se nikal diya tha; pehle us aadmi ka sign le ke aao jisne mere haath pe ye leekh diya tha..ye.. Uske BAAD, us ke baad, mere bhai, tum jahan kahoge main wahan sign kar doonga."

"Sapne bhi samundar ki lahron ki tarah haqeeqat ki chattanon se takrakar toot jaate hain."

Mili (1975)
Mili belonged to Jaya Bachchan…I liked the role played by Amitabh as a stubborn alcoholic self-made loner

Sholay (1975)
"Tumhara naam kya hai, Basanti?"
"Pehli baar suna hai ye naam.”

"Ghadi Ghadi drama karta hai, saala."

Kabhie Kabhie (1976)
"Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein khayal aata hai."

Amar Akbar Anthony (1977)
"Aisa to Aadmi Life mein Doich time bhaagta hai. Olympic ka race ho, yaa Police ka case ho. Tum kisliye bhaagta hai bhai?"

Don (1978)
"Don ko pakadna mushkil hi nahin, naamumkin hai."

Trishul (1978)
"Sahi baat sahi waqt pe kiya jaye to uska maza hi kuch aur hai, Aur main sahi waqt ka intezaar karta hoon."
"Mai panch lakh ka sauda karne aya hoon, aur mere jeb me panch phooti kaudi bhi nahin hai!"

Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1979)
Like the song “ O saathi re…tere bina bhi kya jeena”

Kaala Pathar (1979)
"Pain is my destiny and I can't avoid it."

Silsila (1981)
“Main aur meri tanhaai -- aksar ye baatein karte hai...." Very intoxicating!

Namak Halal (1982)
"I can talk English, I can walk English, I can laugh English because English is a very phunny language. Bhairo becomes Byron because their minds are very narrow."

Satte Pe Satta (1982)
"Daaru peene se liver kharab hota hai. Bahut boori cheez hai."

Shakti (1982)
"Hamare desh mein kaam dhoondhana bhi ek kaam hai."

Sharaabi (1984)
“Moochein ho to Nathulal jaise warna na ho."

"Zindagi ka tambu teen bambuo pe khada hai."

"Do aansoo is aankh se gire, phir do us aankh se. Phir do is aankh se, do us aankh se. Phir do is aankh se, do us aankh se. Kitne huye?...Nau lakh ke haar ke liye, barah lakh ke aansoo? Daddy hote to kehte: Vijay, tumhe business karna nahi aata?"

Black (2004)
While watching this movie, I laughed, I cried and I enjoyed myself. This movie was an experience to watch … direction, performances….everything was amazing!

Cheeni Kum (2007)
And when Ghaas Phus (64).. meets this Delhi gal Tangdi Kabab (34), they keep talking, all about chhatris, vegetarianism….. perhaps this movie is the best movie evermade in this genre with everything keeping good balance, nothing more nothing less. You would have never heard or felt such a fresh treatment and dialogues with sarcastic humor laugh and comic but still with strong messages which you will always carry in your head.

Romanticism at its finest!

Like to end my post citing some lines from Silsila…….

"Meri baat ka meri hamnafaz tu jawab de ke na de mujhe
Teri ek chup mein jo hai chupi woh hazaar baaton ki baat hai
Meri zindagi ka harek pal tere husn se hai juda hua
Tere honth thirakein to hai subah, teri zulf bikhare to raat hai"

-Manasi