Amitabh Bachchan – THE actor, THE star, THE icon that defines Hindi films. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about that. The man has brought success to Bollywood like no man before or after him has brought. There are men who are the face of a franchise or an industry. In the Hindi film industry, that face would be none other than the Big B. His career has spanned over 35 years, and he is still going strong even at the age of 65. The man has aged gracefully and even now, he is at top form and still at his prime, which is absolutely remarkable. He is able to stay at par with the new breed of actors, at times even exceeding them. The fact that he was the biggest star of his time is quite an accomplishment in itself, but to remain the biggest star, even now, when others are supposed to take the torch away from him is even more admirable. The best way I can think of describing Mr. Bachchan is he is the best there was, the best there is, and the best there ever will be. Period. Having said all that, it is even more befuddling to me as to why the living legend has been criticized as much as he has been lately. He has been the personal whipping boy of the media and the audience recently. Frankly speaking, it’s quite a bit unfair to do that to a man who has given his blood, sweat, and tears to the industry. The Big B is an institution and to look down upon on this institution is a very shameful act. The media and the oh so knowledgeable audience should be ashamed of themselves.
Mr. Bachchan, at a point in time, was the most beloved actor in the industry. Rightfully so, as he was the best and most successful actor they had. He had a good rapport with the media, and the audience loved him for his wonderful films and performances. Although there were misunderstandings with the media early in his career, things became better as time went by, and when he got his second innings post-KBC, the media was in his side. Also, the fans left him in the 90s, but soon came back when he started KBC. Everything was going hunky dory for the Big B in the new millennium. He was back and better than ever. When he became sick late 2005 and had surgery, all of Bollywood was in a standstill praying that the icon would be back in his feet soon. The media and the fans were all behind him because they didn’t want to lose their favorite star. Thankfully, he was back in good health soon and was rearing to go again.
After this, Mr. Bachchan started experimenting with his roles. Since then, he has played a skirt chaser in KANK, a man in love with a teenage girl in Nishabd, and a man in love with a woman thirty years younger than him in Cheeni Kum. People did not take these characters too fondly as they did not feel someone of his age and caliber should not be playing these types of roles. You can say this was the beginning of the Big B bash-a-thon.
It escalated a bit further after the release of Guru for two reasons: his reaction to his son’s performance in the film and the announcement of the engagement of his son, Abhishek Bachchan, with Aishwarya Rai. He made it be known to anybody that was listening how much he loved Abhishek’s performance in Guru. He got posters and ads made to show his appreciation for his son. People criticized these actions saying he was overdoing it and needed to calm down. My response to that is he’s a father who is showing affection towards his son. I know not all fathers would show affection that way, but that’s his way of showing love. There is absolutely no reason for us to put down a person for being a supportive and loving father. Just because our fathers or we, ourselves, would not do the same thing, does not mean we have to criticize someone who does. Actually, I say we criticize those fathers who abandon or don’t even acknowledge their kids. Apparently, these days it’s a crime to be a good father. Now for the second point, it is said he was rude to the media when he announced his son’s engagement. The media started turning on him at this point. But the people even started turning on him for this, which is a joke. People started defending the media, the biggest sleazebags in the world, over Amitabh Bachchan? Now that, itself, is laughable. Amitabh Bachchan is rude to the media, SO F’N WHAT! It’s not like those fools don’t deserve it. Plus, the man has been the most humble and classiest human being his whole career. Is he not allowed to snap in front of cameras once in a while? Granted, he brought the attention to himself and should have treated them better, but the media is no one’s friend. One day they’re arm in arm with you, while the next day they’re sticking a knife to your back. So, Amitabh Bachchan doesn’t owe anything to anybody, especially not the media. The media should consider themselves lucky and honored to even interview him, instead of complaining about his behavior with him. Can’t take the rudeness media people? Then stop giving it to others you pricks! Then they try to come after him with the whole wedding fiasco about how he treated the media poorly and how he didn’t invite the whole industry to the wedding. Well boo frikkity hoo; life is tough, so wear a helmet. Were there many absentees in the wedding? Of course there was, but let’s remember his mother is very ill at the moment, so it is very difficult for him to have a lavish celebration. He only went as far as he did because of Abhishek’s wishes. A man is juggling happiness (son’s wedding) with pain (mom seriously ill), and we try to find a way to bash him for it. Ah, what a world we live in! As for media not being treated properly, well he explained things were very tight and they were in a rush, so it was tough to cooperate with them. But he did apologize for that, so the media should just take their thumbs out of their mouths and start looking for their next scapegoat, since that’s all they are good for anyway. As for the people in the industry turning on him for not being invited to the wedding and returning the sweets he gave them, well I understand you’re upset, but relax, there will be other weddings for you to freeload off of. Amitabh Bachchan is a good person who should be allowed to be rude sometimes since he is a human being.
Another retarded excuse is his treatment of his daughter-in-law, Aishwarya Rai. People say he’s trying to make her do all her films with Abhishek. They’re also saying he makes her wear clothes that do not shed any skin. They also say he had the kiss scene deleted from the film Dhoom 2, among many other things. Excuse me, people of the world, but have you spoken to Mr. Bachchan? Did he tell you he did any of those things? Oh I see, we are going to listen to anything our good friends, the media, feed us. Because if the media says it, then it must be true. I’m the type of person who believes in giving people the benefit of the doubt. So, if there is no discreet evidence of him treating Ash that way, then why are we crucifying him for something so dumb? Ash is a strong enough woman to not fall into such traps. Any decision she makes, I’m sure she makes herself. People, go crazy over the Hrithik-Ash pairing all you want, but don’t blame Mr. Bachchan for not seeing it as often as you would like.
Now the biggest annoyance to me is how the “youngsters” react to Mr. Bachchan. Yes I am one of them, but I am ashamed to be among them. The new generation thinks they’re so cool and they know everything in the world. They love slurping up people like SRK, Hrithik, and Abhishek. So much so, that they don’t even know about the impact of the Godfather. Most of them were probably not even in their mother’s wombs when Amitabh was giving 15 straight hits, but greatness like this should be appreciated ALL the time, by ALL generations. Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player to have ever stepped onto that court, and I can guarantee 50 years from now, our grandchildren will know his name and game, and will respect it. I can’t make that guarantee about Mr. Bachchan because the current generation is filled with some of the biggest douche bags I’ve met in my life, when it comes to judging cinema. I’ve seen people say Big B should retire. That, by far, is the most absurd comment I’ve read in a long time. Why in God’s name should he retire when he’s still the best the industry has to offer? Just because you do not like watching him and his “bold” roles these days does not mean he’s not damn good anymore. Sure, the new generation can be all over their chocolate boys, but give me the Godfather any day. He’ll roll up all of today’s actors like a fatty and smoke them. Jack Nicholson, Al Pacino, and Robert De Niro are three of the greatest and most senior actors Hollywood has ever seen. They are still going strong and giving great performances. You won’t hear a peep from people about them retiring. That’s probably because those are the intelligent people, who have actually seen these men’s films. These intelligent people will know never ever to tell the Big B to retire, especially when he’s performing better than any of the current blue eyed boys of the industry. Telling a legend to retire is probably the biggest insult ever. Another sad thing is some people think his career is going down the drain. That’s stupid because no actor is getting more work than Amitabh Bachchan. The only reason for that is because there is no one better than Amitabh Bachchan. I’m tired of trying to teach the new generation what is good. They are ignorant and ungrateful people who do not appreciate the finer nuances in life. I’m glad to know I’ve noticed and appreciated the greatness that is Amitabh Bachchan.
I may sound like an obsessed and crazy fan, but I can assure that I am not. I am a loyal fan, and most definitely a very frustrated fan. I’m just speaking for all the Amitabh Bachchan fans out there in the world. You’re the greatest in our eyes Big B. Listen to your fans: don’t quit, keep us in awe with your performances, keep doing great films, be a little selective, and ignore the haters. Big B Zindabad!
