Tribute to Vinod Khanna: Debonair star and unparalleled aura

Debonair star, memorable strike of acting, spiritual man and down-to-earth cum relatable demeanor gliding on-screen, superstar Vinod Khanna was all that in delivering stupendous performances that makes him ‘Amar’. It came as a rude shock and very saddening to hear that one of the most loved stars of the 70s and 80s, perhaps the only one that could match the Amitabh Bachchan mania and histrionics breathed his last today.

Image credit: Google

I was introduced to the Vinod Khanna’s movies while growing in the late 80s and remembering watching his Jurm and Dayavaan that made me relate to the actor. He was the quintessential hero, effortless in his delivery of stupendous performances during the heydays and a charm that many would envy. It was bliss watching him serenading his love lady with a sensitive touch. Who can forget the song, Jab koi Baat Bighar Jaaye tab Koi mushkil Pad Jaaye? He belongs to an era that saw many of his pairs fading away and sad to see that after we lost Om Puri Saab, another light eclipsed today. He was Vinod Khanna. I loved his pairing with Amitabh Bachchan, be it in Naseeb, Amar Akbar Anthony or Parvarish. The aura and charm that he displayed was unparalleled and probably hard to emulate by the six packs and biceps flouting new millennial stars. He would wade his way effortlessly on-screen and calm composure in delivering lines made me in awe of this amazing star that rules the hearts of our parents and us.

Vinod Sir was quite the ladies man and his unique sex appeal vis-a-vis them made it his USP. A man who choose to leave Hindi cinema at the peak of his career to embrace spirituality. He was a follower of spiritual guru, Osho. It speaks a lot of his ability to disconnect, something very few could have done. A legacy that stays forever, beautifully captured in the acting histrionics on the big screen. I was so amazed by his portrayal of the gangster in Dayavan, making it sexier than ever that the film stayed with me forever. A huge risk taker, he didn’t shy in kissing the diva Madhuri Dixit in the film which was shot in an aesthetic manner. In the late 80s, kissing on-screen was still taboo. He was known to have a big heart and according to publications, film crew would work in chappals in those days and he bought 100 pairs of shoes for a film crew in the 90s.

There was a certain vulnerability behind that dashing look, a softness that wooed and won hearts. His sensitive portrayal of the romantic roles in Qurbani and Chandni, angry young man cum cop portrayal in AAA, Satyamev Jayate and Jurm, the teacher in Imtihan, army officer in Achanak, don in Dayavan and villain in Purab aur Pachim or bond of friendship in Muqaddar Ka Sikander, Hera Pheri and Khoon Pasina all with Bachchan. Both shared some crackling chemistry and were direct competitors and at the same time good friends who recited their dialogues together. It’s such a lesson to the current crop of actors when today arch rivals slug it out publicly in an ugly manner.

The charisma and magnetism in his personality spoke to the audience directly and one of the rare actors who had complete control over his character, dialogues, scene and audience alike. The aura is what makes Vinod Sir relatable to the hilt and watching his movies gives the feeling that your dreams are realized on screen. I could be one of the characters made so much believable by him and which he immortalized on the silver screen.

I remember a very elder cousin who was a huge Vinod Khanna fan and me being a die-hard Bachchanalia telling me how during the AAA, audience were split in opposite camps and in the fighting sequence, seethis and taalis were thrown when both superstars wriggled it out with fists. The fists and jabs were counted and fans cheered on who won the battle. It’s the iconic scene in AAA, helmed by Manmohan Desai when Bachchan and Khanna met for the first time.

Vinod Khanna was always a composed and gentle soul who believed no job is too big or small, abandoning everything to follow his Master Osho. It’s one thing that I have in common with Vinod Sir: Osho.  He is a man who made a comeback as an actor who lost every penny and started from scratch in the 90s. The magic of the silver screen is that it captures live the histrionics of an artist who ruled for decades in the heart of admirers and swearing by cinema. The legacy be it as an artist, spiritual man or politician-cum Minister from Gurdaspur lives forever in our heart.

Perhaps, this sensitive song from Imtihan which is one of my favorite sums up when words fail. Ruk Jana nahin tu kabhie har ke….O Rahi o Rahi! A huge void and loss to the entire industry to see this polished diamond taking a bow.

Forever alive and taking a bow Vinod Sir for decades of love and entertainment. You shall be missed forever.

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Shahenshah Amitabh Bachchan at 69

Amitabh Bachchan, Preity Zinta in The Last Lear

An actor that transcend age, ever green hero, the last emperor whose appearance makes one wants more and more of him. The more the merrier. He doesn’t need to open his mouth but his very presence and intensity in his eyes  is enough to charm birds off the trees. The forever young Amitabh Bachchan turns a year older on October 11. An actor whose modesty, histrionics continues to inspire millions across the globe.

A look at his career over the last 4o years and the amazing transformation and experimental roles he has done speaks volume of the man. The recently released Bbudah Hoga Tera Baap is icing on the cake and the indomitable spirit and energy displayed puts his younger contemporaries to shame. Looking at his career as an actor, there were the entertaining flicks like Amar Akbar Anthony, Zanjeer and Kabhie Kabhie. Often devoid of logic, the main aim was to entertain the masses. Some questioned his choice of the films quite naturally. There was another phase with memorable movies like Don, Agneepath and Hum as well as Amar Akbar Anthony  are always subject to remake. Now wonder one of the remakes failed blatantly at the box-office as there is only one Amitabh Bachchan. Then, we had a Black. Eklavya and Paa followed . When we wondered whether he reached his elixir, he gave us Bbudah Hogaa Tera Baap which is one man show. The show of a man whose name and aura spells sheer magic. His best is yet to come! One after the other. I  feel that Mr Bachchan need to challenge himself over and over.

His Kaun Banega Crorepathi 5 opened to the highest TRP. What better gift he could have got on his birthday. A man who changed the face of Indian television and post KBC television as a medium was no longer considered to be the poor cousin of cinema. More actors emulated him and wanted to become the next big thing on TV. Some did! They became successful and no one came close to the enigma called Amitabh Bachchan.

His spirit and joie-de-vivre is a reference. His passion for his craft is admirable as at the age of 60 he doesn’t show a lack of finesse. He doesn’t seem to slow down as he treats his audience with an entire gamut of varied roles and memorable performances. The aura seems unchallenged. The Shahenshah is eternal. Bachchan at 69. What can we expect from him? Playing an out-and-out negative role that will shock the audience sensibilities, diligent choice of movies-I have no doubt on this one and doing films from the likes of Mani Ratnam, Vishal Bharadwaj, Shekhar Kapur and releasing an entertaining youthful music album. Why not directing a movie?

Happy Birthday to Amitabh Bachchan.

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