DAY 1835
Noor-us-Sabah, Bhopal Apr 24/25, 2013 Wed/Thu 12 :48 AM
Two faces .. two circumstances … one man !
An actor does don many, professionally. But which the real is and which not, shall always remain a mystery, not just for those that observe him from the outside, but for the actor himself.
It is often asked of us, ‘who the real Mr Bachchan is’, and it is often replied with an inconclusive, incomplete and an utterly unconvincing response. Not because there is difficulty in finding an adequate reply, but that there really is none. The question itself is in many respects incongruous. There is a touch of insinuation in the asking, because the person seeking response, has determined beyond all reasonable doubt that there are more than one person behind that name. This is objectionable in a funny sort of way.
Why would I exist with two when I have only one. Or, why would anyone want to assume that there are more than one. I would imagine this dilema comes into reckoning because of the profession I seem to represent. If film provides me the opportunity to play characters that are diverse and different from what is imagined my present self is, then that surely cannot form the basis of the questioning. But it does.
Now … I can go hoarse trying to submit to the questioner, that I am but one ; the one that they encounter now. Or, admit that there are indeed two, and object to why it is expected of me to disclose this for public consumption on who the other is.
In reality though, there may be many of one in each one of us ! The son, the father, the brother, the husband, the grand father …. and each may claim to be the real one ! So what really is the big fuss about …
I may be one as you read now, another on different medium and yet another for each situation that I may have to face. How would it bother anyone ? If it does not bother me, what is it to you …..
We tend to keep much within us, that is unknown to many, despite the efforts made by those of proximity. Would that be something wrong ? No, of course not ! It is quite possible that what I project and want others to believe, could be agonisingly different from what I really am - if at all, there is a 'really am’. But I am not obliged to tell or disclose this.
Would it really make a difference … ??
Good night
Amitabh Bachchan
