BUDDHA HOGA TERA BAAP

He ain’t no old man folks. Apna Bacchan Senior is no senior citizen. The title of his new film aptly sums the angst of this ‘’angry young man.’’ In filmdom no one wants to be a buddha, and the stars and the superstars are almost allergic to (old)age.

If Dev Anand has maintained his pristine youth and earned the sobriquet of ‘’evergreen hero,’’ others of his ilk have never stopped trying.
More so in today’s era of gym-bred heroes where muscle-hustle is more important than histrionics. So we have the 45 plus and 50 plus iron-pumped, hair-weaved,face- lifted, botox-injected , and what-not brand of heroes who are desperately trying to not appear buddha.

In this scenario if the original angry YOUNG man Amitabh Bacchan maintains a youthful persona despite the merciless onslaught of all of his 68 years it is no wonder. The guy deserves it man.

Look at Bacchan’s filmography. In all his acting years though his’’ old man act ‘’ in films like Baghban, Black etc have been critically applauded, it is his ‘’young man act’’ in films from Deewar to Kaante and beyond that has created frenzy amongst his old and new fans.

Watch his body language even now. Compare it with Deewar days. No difference. Same disdainful gait, same growl in his baritone and the same fire in his eyes. Action or Jackson, it is Bacchan of 70s revisited.

Bacchan’s youthfulness shows up all the more when he shares screen with stars of the day. The 40 plus macho men pale into insignificance when Bacchan gets into the act.Quiclky rewind mentally to KKKG group dance sequence or a Baghban dance number, and you will get the point.

Part of Bacchan’s young persona springs from his tough mental attitude which gets reflected in his work ethics and lifestyle.

He is a teetotler and a spartan eater. A discplined, no-nonsense man who gets up at 5 am to gym, and then works incessantly till he collapses in his bed. He is a perfectionist who still sweats to get into his roles.

Takes up jobs ranging from small ad. Film of nondescript hairoils to tv shows and makes them big. The type of assignment which other superstars would think twice before taking up. He takes up challenges whatever the world thinks ….and that is youthfulness.

He drives his own car, bonds well with guys half his age, visits nightclubs at dead of the night, surfs Goa waters on speedboats and flirts well as and when he likes. And that is youthfullness.

And in such a scene and shot, if someone tries to write him off as an old dodo, then you will have to forgive him for swearing ‘’ BUDDHA HOGA TERA BAAP.’’