The National Role-Model of India!

28 JAN, 2015
by Bikash Mohanty

A role model is a person whose behaviour, example, or success is or can be emulated by others. The ever-widening reach of the media in popular culture has elevated certain celebrities to worldwide acclaim. This boom of media coverage and constant exposure to these individuals resulted in a change of mindset toward celebrities in both adults and youth alike.

Amitabh Bachchan is the number one role model in India - ahead of Mahatma Gandhi, Bill Gates, Sachin Tendulkar and Shah Rukh Khan! So says a survey conducted by Indicus Analytics, ranking Bachchan above all the other celebrities who figure in the Top 10 list of role models, including A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Dhirubhai Ambani.

Having shared the same birth date as him, I have always been curious towards Mr Bachchan since my childhood. Quite unlikely! Considering gap of a generation between us. He has influenced and impacted lives of all Indians, for last four generations, - as a dutiful/respectful son; as a affectionate/caring father; as a responsible citizen of our country and as the great ambassador of our nation/culture/ our civilization; in real-life and reel-life.

Today a long cherished childhood dream has came true; a DREAM to see/meet Mr. Bachchan in person. I was in the audience today to see, meet and listen to Mr.Bachchan in BBC’s program “In Conversation with Amitabh Bachchan” in London. I don't think my appreciation for him, has anything to do with his huge stardom. My Appreciation for him ignites from my curiosity to understand how a man of such stature, can be so down-to-earth, gratified, balanced and polite!!! That is why he is our national role-model.

Two lines from his age old movies are very very popular amongst his fans, myself included.

  • One is from Film “Agneepath”, which goes like this: “Kishi shale bhediye ko bolo, mere MAA, mere BEHEN ke taraph ankh utha key dekhe! Dekhehga shala? Nahin Dekhega. Hayein?”.
  • Other is from movie "Kaalia", which goes like this: “Hum kisike ke piche khade nhi hote. Hum jahan khade hote hain line wahin se shuru hoti hai.”

It may appear these two dialogues can only be delivered by some/one goon or villainous type personality. But I always say, there are two sides to every story and in my side of the story, here are the meanings of these two golden lines from Amitabh Bachchan movies in English.

  • I am dutiful and responsible for the well being of my MOTHER & my SISTER – no odd can get through to them without dealing with me first.
  • I am not following anyone, I don’t need to. I try to be unique, with my every move. I try to set and follow my rules, rules backed up by ethics and principles. I am not competing with others. I compete within myself constantly to excel. I am my own competition. I don’t stand in any other queues for competing with others.

WAIT WAIT; LET ME TRY: “Kishi shale bhediye ko bolo, mere MAA, mere BEHEN, mera BETA Rishi  (my personal touch here) ke taraph ankh utha key dekhe! Dekhehga shala? Nahin Dekhega. Hayein?”.

I am talking gibberish now. Ha-ha. Its time to go to bed. I am still intoxicated by the charms of one my THREE role-models in life…Lord Mahadev, my Grandfather and Mr. Amitabh Bachchan. Good-night friends!