The Bachchan Series – Part 4-The Yash Chopra Factor – Silsila & Kabhie Kabhie!!!!

Vivek Kumar | Movies | November 14, 2006 at 2:17 pm

Hi Folks,

Continuing our walk towards that glorious day in April of 2005, when
the city of New York will celebrate the worksof one of the favorite
sons of the city of Bombay (actually one of the favorite sons of the
sub continent)- AB

A lot of what AB today is, is in part because every artistic,
creative and performance oriented gene in his persona was captured
by “that other favorite son of Indian cinema” Yash Chopra. Yash
probably realizing that AB being the son of a poet laureate of India
(Harivanshrai),probably had it in him to really potray that brooding,
yet reserved, poet personality on the screen. This he used to the
hilt in two films, each of which took AB the actor to a whole
different level….in effect it put him in that “zone” from where you
transform yourself, from an actor to a thespian, from a professional
to a performer, from a medium of emoting to a standard in expression.

SILSILA and KABHIE KABHIE did just that.

SILSILA, was a dual Bachchan attack…father and son came together,
add to that some fine performances by Sanjeev, Rekha and Jaya and
finally take the Delhi culture in all it’s finery (Lodhi Gardens et
all) and for three hours, a mesmerizing drama unfolded. Yet it was
bereft off all the drama and high octane shouting that generally
forms a part and parcel of the Bollywood film.However, it was poetry
at it’s finest and it’s rendition by the only voice and actor, who
was capable of doing just that

>>Majboor yeh halat idhar bhi hain aur udhar bhi
Tanhaiye ki raat idhar bhi hain aur udhar bhi
Kehne ko bahut kuch hain per kisse kahen hum
Kab tak yun hi khamosh rahen hum aur sahen
Dil kehta hain duniya ki har ek rasm utha dein
Deewar jo hum dono mein hain aaj giradein
Kyon dil mein sulgte huein logon ko batan dein
Haam hume mohabat hein, mohabat hein
Ab dil mein yehi baat idhar bhi hain udhar bhi>>>

The above lyrics were not written by Harivanshrai, but they give the
mood of this classic, which Bachchan Sr, Jr and Yash Chopra created.

Translation of above>>>
There is hopelessness here too and there too
There is lonliness here too and there too
There is a lot to say, but who do we say it too
How long can we just be silent and put up with this
The heart says taht break every rule created by society
This wall that exists between us, let us break it
Tell all those people that yes we are in love, in deep love
Now this thought is here too and there too>>>

Earlier, Chopra had also created a similar persona of unfulfilled love
with Kabhie Kabhie. Another magical yet reserved performance by AB,
gave new meaning to the word “emoting” There was none of the
loudness, none of the shouting, jsut pure expression.

A couplet in the film surmized the journey of AB

>>>mai pal do pal kaa shaayar hoo, pal do pal meree kahaanee hain
pal do pal meree hastee hai, pal do pal meree jawaanee hain

muz se pahale kitane shaayar, aaye aaur aakar chale gaye
kuchh aahe bhar kar laut gaye, kuchh nagmei gaa kar chale gaye
wo bhee yek pal kaa kissaa the, main bhee yek pal kaa kissaa hoo
kal tum se judaa ho jaaoongaa, wo aaj tumhaaraa hissaa hoo

kal aaur aayenge, nagmon kee khilatee kaliyaa chunanewaale
muz se behatar kahanewaale, tum se behatar sunanewaale
kal koee muz ko yaad kare, kyo koee muz ko yaad kare
masaruf jamaanaa mere liye, kyo wakt apanaa barabaad kare>>>>

Like any artist, there is a realization that you are only for the
moment, there will be others who will come after me, there were
others who went before me, each was a product of his time. The future
will hold more brighter talent than me, they will be better
performers, then who will remember me and why should they remember
me, it is a busy world and who has the time to spare to remember me.

BUT THAT WAS ONLY MIDWAY THROUGH THE FILM.This film was almost
becoming a biography of his career . There was the fear that he would
be a flame that would flicker and then die.

But this is 2005 and the flame is still very sound, truly like he
says in Kabhie Kabhie at the end.

>>>>>Main Har Ek Pal Ka Shayar Hun,
Har Ek Pal Mere Hasthi Hain>>>>>>

I am indeed the artist who will be remembered not only in his times,
but in ALL TIMES.

Ironically both these films AB played the male lead who does not walk
into the sunset with the love of his life, rather it was the “what if
that does not happen,’ scenario.

Chopra also created magic with AB in Trishul and Kala Pathar
(although Shot Gun Sinha nearly stole that thunder from him in KP)

Recently Chopra directed him in Veer Zara, in a cameo which I thought
was AB at his best. But more on that later………

Sincerely,

Vivek “a man for all seasons, all ages, all times” Kumar

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