Amitabh: Angry young man and 'angry Nagaland'

New Delhi

October 11, its Amitabh Bachchan's birthday. 

Here is a quiz. In which film Amitabh uses the word/Nagaland capital 'Kohima'?

The film was 'Agneepath' wherein he plays Vijay Dinanath Chauhan. But the research was poor. As Vijay, Amitabh says he would buy land even in Kohima to help the poor! Well, ILP provisions and Article 371 (A) would come in the way if not some extraordinary exceptions are made !

Vijay Dinanath Chauhan ! 'pura naam...' 

More seriously, Bachchan's films will of course keep giving refreshing memories to millions of Indians about the roles he played – umpteen number times as Vijay – much befittingly portrayed every Indian's desire of the time that a man always feels that he could have achieved more.

Is the so-called 'angry man' image relevant to Nagaland of today in circa 2022 ?

Born on October 11, 1942 in the family of noted Hindi poet, Harivansh Rai Bachchan and socialite mother Teji - also a friend of Indira Gandhi, Amitabh grew up with best of both the upbringing culture – western lifestyle from mother and the oriental values from his father.

Many of us have grown up in almost similar manner. Got the 'best' of Bong/Indian culture from parents and the upbringing of the best of Naga culture among friends and acquaintances. And some of us developed the bad habit of being inherently 'angry' ! Undoubtedly, most of the time the anguish would be directed against parents, society, the government, the system and also the disobedient girl friend. 

One kept on getting jobs and also quitting them.

".....lekin maine aap se jyaada garib aaj tak nahin dekha. Good bye, Mr R K Gupta" - This one linerfrom 'Trishul' - an illegitimate son telling his father has been an iconic dialogue.

In fact many youngsters from Nagaland state -- boys and also girls - can tell their parents --- "well dad, well mom !

All of you have brought so much money, so many big cars....But I will settle down either in Pune or Kathmandu or even Singapore. I have not seen helpless poor parents like you".

The younger generation is longing for peace; they are longing for opportunities to prosper in career.

They hate gun culture and an atmosphere of mutual suspicion.

Why should they come back home - where job is at the mercy of 'ministers' --- a class of people they never liked? A class of people who have never been sincere to what they say !

There is another gem from 'Trishul' where protagonist (played by Amitabh) says, "I do not have Rs 5 in my pocket, but I have come to do this deal worth Rs 5 lakh". That's actually the great spirit --- youngsters often show.

That's the spirit that can guide some people from humble background to try out multiple kinds of projects under StartUp India or Skill India. Somewhat this kind of 'madness' guides us in journalism as well.

Moving over to another plane, Amitabh's one-liner from blockbuster 'Sholay' ---- "Hum bhi to roz khatro se khelte hai" (we also deal with threats and dangers on a daily basis)" is another fact of life in Nagaland.

From a faceless rickshawallah to a journalist from shopkeepers to government Babus -- who does not know about 'threats' in Nagaland?

But, here is perhaps the most relevant part of Amitabh's dialogue vis-a-vis contemporary Nagaland politics.

Curiously this 'dialogue' is not from his films. It's from quiz game 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' -- the famous KBC magic of television.

Blogger in North East 

Well, my reference is to 'Lock Kar diya jae' ---- should we close this now. Yes, I come back to 'hot potato' -- the Naga peace talks. It's time -- Lock kar diya jae.

Let us take four options here to make it more simple for stakeholders and the '60 wise people ready to sacrifice' but will do so only after the game is over ! Nagaland has  60-membr assembly and the neta class had promised earlier to resign to facilitate a solution to the vexed Naga political issue.

Option A: Sign the Agreement, B - Do not sign the Agreement but continue Ceasefire and Talks Option C - Do not sign the Agreement and abrogate Ceasefire and Option D - Do not sign the Agreement and get ready for the Kashmir formula.

As a crusader of free speech and freedom to write - I believe in democracy.

So, please make up your mind. You have a choice of Phoneþ a Friend --- but never call G-60. They will not

Facilitate but they will ask you a minor share of the prize money. They have elections ahead.

"Don ko pakadna mushkil hi nahin, naamumkin hai" --- our version will be "You cannot make MLAs resign, you just cannot make them understand that they should resign".

"My name is Anthony Gonsalves". Any takers?

ends