NO Means NO

Dear Amitji,

“NO means NO .. and when a woman says so, you stop .. !!” (DAY - 3092)

Sir, what a wonderful one liner which not only needs to be addressed to the youth in India but young men around the world. They have all grown up getting the wrong idea that when a woman says NO it means YES, whether born in India or anywhere in the world. Why blame Bollywood for spreading the wrong message through its movies - so many of them starting, perhaps, with Lal Haveli (1943) in which friend (Yaqub) of the hero (Surendra) defends his continuing sexist approaches to his love interest despite her NO: “ Are dost tum itni si baat nahin samajhte jab aurat kahe na to samjho usne kaha haan”, or through its numerous songs like the popular one - “Na na karte pyar tumhi se kar baithe….”, such misconceived ideas can be found in Hollywood films too, as the so called civilized society is as much a culprit in taking a woman’s NO as casually as in India. In fact, if Shoojit Sirkar releases his movie PINK in Germany, the women there will lap it up the way beyond his imagination They have been agitating with this very slogan - “No means NO”, to include it in the revised law on rape. Women have not had the success so far in wringing legislative change out of political leaders.

It was only in 1997 that the country passed a law to criminalize marital rape, in what at the time was a bitterly-fought cultural battle that united otherwise opposing female politicians across party lines. Now further changes are being pushed by the government to bring Germany's laws up to date and Bundestag (German parliament) is having session to debate new tougher proposals. But campaigners say that the draft law currently under debate is far wide of the mark.

“It’s frustrating and shaming that in Germany we are still fighting for ‘no means no’,” activist Kristina Lunz told The Local.

'Nein' is not enough for the law as it currently stands, Given the importance placed on violence and the lack of any language about consent in the law, campaigners complain that simply saying “no” to a sex act is not enough to class it as a rape in the eyes of judges.

“The idea that a woman is always sexually available unless she fights is a total tragedy, and beyond comprehension,” said Lunz.

Lunz, currently a graduate student at Oxford University in the UK, has herself helped found a campaign under the motto “NO means NO”

With regards

Tilak Rishi

Congrats To Big B For PINK!

Dear Amitji,

“IT is maddening to see and hear what is the reaction to PINK .. !!

For once even my modest impressions of film and its factor of success and failure have taken such a beating that .. well .. I’m actually enjoying it !”

(DAY - 3091)

Sir, heartiest congratulations to you and the PINK team! No other film in recent times has been acclaimed so highly by the critics and the audiences alike. We are as much enjoying its success as you are, and are grateful to you for giving us this joy. May God give you long and healthy life so that you continue to  give us high quality entertainment through classics like PIKU and PINK.

Sir, as it invariably happens, after the initial euphoria of enthusiastic opening response to a film is over, starts the talk about its successful take at the box-office. It is a fact of the history of cinema that high quality films like PINK, particularly, the low budget pictures go up the ladder of success slowly as compared to costly multi-starrers masala movies made only with the aim to make money. The former grow up gaining popularity through word of mouth while the later are declared a hit or a flop on the basis of the box-office figures of the film in the first weekend itself. In early era of films, almost all the movies gained popularity by word of mouth as the prior knowledge of the films was lacking because of the absence of wide publicity through internet or TV channels. Here are two classic examples of old super hit films which in their opening week looked like utter failures:

Baiju Bawra (Vijay Bhatt - 1952): One of the greatest musical classics, Baiju Bawra is about the legendary rivalry between Tansen and Baiju during the reign of Emperor Akbar. The musical spectacle goes into the period specified for a series of joyful jugalbandis between the arrogant Tansen (Surendra) and the humble and exceptionally talented Baiju (Bharat Bhushan). The music by Naushad is regarded as his best ever. Baiju Bawra demonstrated Naushad's grasp of classical music. The film won him the Filmfare (1954) award for Best Music Director. Meena Kumari looked superbly sweet and pretty as Baiju's innocent and lovelorn sweetheart Gauri. This was Meena's first major screen role, played brilliantly. She won Filmfare Best Actress Award.

The film opened to almost empty theaters for want of audience enthusiasm for classical music and comparatively unknown leading pair - Bharat Bhushan and Meena Kumari.  The only saving grace was that the few who watched the film on opening days loved the period drama tremendously and their praise for the film soon started spreading far and wide  by way of mouth, eventually making the film a mega hit musical of its time.

Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje (V. Shantaram, 1955): Song and dance extravaganza, JJPB is one of India's premier classics. Despite being a dance musical with two non-stars, the film was a landmark hit. There couldn't have been a more befitting testimony of Shantaram's foresight nor a better reward for his spirit of adventure. There was a standing ovation for Shantaram in every show when the screening ended. The film earned him President's Gold Medal for Best Film, besides Filmfare awards (1957) for Best Film, Best Director, Best Art Director (Kanu Desai) and Best Sound Recordist (A. K. Parmar). Sandhya never bettered her performance in JJPB. The role of a keen learner and a dedicated disciple fitted her like a glove. Gopi Kishan holds you spellbound as a choreographer and dancer. In the climax, Gopi Kishan visibly revels in the Shiva's famous 'tandav' dance with the magnetism of the blend of energy, undiluted anger and immense grace that draws in not just the dance-literate but every genre of viewers.

This film too had a miserable opening, the worst ever for a V. Shantaram movie because people thought it was all classical dances and music on which they did not want to waste their time and money. But those who watched the movie turned it into a super hit classic by their word of mouth.

Fast forward to recent times, PIKU is a classic example of how a movie can move forward at the box-office by leaps and bounds because of critics’ acclaim and audiences’ word of mouth.

The movie Piku had a superb Box Office collection over the first weekend. Directed by Shoojit Sircar, Piku started with a business of Rs 5.32 crores on its opening day and witnessed around 60 percent hike in its collection on Saturday and Sunday. After receiving positive reviews from the critics, Piku enjoyed a good word of mouth from all corners, which is reflected on its Box Office collection in the first three days. The family drama made a business of Rs 8.70 crores on Saturday, earning Rs 14.02 crores in just two days. However, Piku witnessed phenomenal hike in its Box Office collection on Sunday, earning Rs 11.20 crores.  Thus, Piku's Box Office business has reached Rs 25.22 crores in just three days, taking the fine first weekend earning. Shoojit Sircar's Piku came out as the Box Office winner on the first weekend after its release,

Now coming to PINK, it seems to follow the footsteps of PIKU. According to Taran Adarsh, reputed trade analyst and film critic:

“Amitabh Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu-starrer was declared a winner by the A-listers of the industry who got to see the film much before the release. It also received rave reviews from the critics alike. But as Pink hit the theatres on Friday (September 16), it started slow but picked pace as the day developed. Biz will multiply. The movie collected Rs. 4.32 crore on the first day of its release at the box office.” Taran Adarsh believes that the movie’s collections will escalate due to strong word of mouth. He shared the Pink movie box office numbers on his Twitter handle. He wrote, “#Pink Fri ₹ 4.32 cr. India biz… Strong word of mouth should ensure escalation in biz on Sat and Sun.”

Taran Adarsh prediction is coming true, as according to media reports in its second day,  a whopping Rs. 8.0 crores have been added in Pink Total Box Office collection. The movie has been made with a Rs. 35 crore budget, so in just two days, the movie has already collected almost half of its cost.

Sir,  once again CONGRATS!

With regards

Tilak Rishi

The DAY Dedicated To PINK

Dear Amitji,

Today. September 16, Friday, the DAY dedicated to PINK.

Sir, as on any day, I woke up at 4.00am and sat before my PC to write my response to your post of the day or any previous one which I thought it should have been responded to but missed to do. Nothing whatsoever came to mind, but neither was it blank. In fact, it was so full of one and only one thought - PINK...PINK and PINK - that there was absolutely no room in it  for any response or an idea to enter. What to do? After some sustained thinking the only way I could think of to be on the Blog but without any contribution of my own thoughts was to put in PINK reviews by prominent papers and critics for Ef to enjoy as much as I did reading them and thus this response today:    

The Times Of India

Pink Movie Review

Meena Iyer, TNN,

CRITIC'S RATING:  4.5/5

LET'S ADD MORE POWER TO PINK

Pink is a powerful statement on the existing feudal mindset of a majority of India, where men and women are judged by a different yardstick. And if the man happens to be from a powerful family, then the fight for justice is even more skewed. Pink questions the society's mindset where we think girls with short hemlines and those who enjoy a drink with men are low on morals. It also tells you that whether a woman is a sex-worker, wife or slave, if she says 'no' to being touched, then no man has the right to force himself on her. Or outrage her modesty.

The performances are pitch-perfect with Bachchan leading the way. Creative producer, Shoojit Sircar, who directed (Vicky Donor, Madras Cafe, Piku) makes another valuable addition to his repertoire.

Colour Me Pink India!

The Indian Express

Pink movie review: Gather everyone and go watch this film

Rating: 3.5 - ‎Review by Shubhra Gupta

All those associated with the making of Pink, please take a deep bow: finally, a powerful, brave Hindi mainstream film which focuses on real young women who live real lives and deal with thorny day-to-day issues, which young women the world over will identify and relate with.

Bottom Line, when a girl says no, she means no. En O, which means ‘nahin’, nada, don’t want. It means go away, don’t bother me. It can also be a prelude to stronger language if the aggressor in question refuses to back off. The young woman can wear short skirts or jeans or Tees. She can be present at rock concerts. She can laugh and reach out to a young man in a friendly fashion. She can have a drink or two in his company. She can even be, shudder, sexually experienced.

When she says no, it means only one thing. No grabbing. No forcing. Take that groping hand and mouth away. She isn’t easy. She isn’t a person of ‘loose morals’. She is not, never, ever, asking for it.

Bollywoodlife.com

Pink movie review: Amitabh Bachchan and Taapsee Pannu’s courtroom drama is the STRONGEST women-centric film of the year!

Kudos to Big B and the entire team of Pink for the brilliance that the movie is! We bet you'll get the chills by the end of the movie.

By Anusha Iyengar

Not to forget, the dialogues are to the point and witty. The second half of the movie is more gripping and Big B steals the show in the second half. The last scene in the movie is bound to give you the chills. This is Bengali film director Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury’s Bollywood debut and is produced by Shoojit Sircar. All in all, this is the Movie of the Year for me. I urge you to watch it with your family and friends.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Hindustan Times

Pink review: Amitabh Bachchan is still the only boss around

Rohit Vats,  

Rating: ⅘

Bachchan gives it all and drives his points home with such force that you fall in love with him all over again. The master’s complete dominance silences the courtroom and the audience. Don’t be amazed if you start feeling uncomfortable and break into tears and claps.

Every single actor has upped the ante in this 136-minute riveting drama. If Taapsee excels in initial courtroom scenes, Kirti takes it to a whole new level in the finale. The girls have shown a tremendous range and Pink belongs to them. Nobody has overshadowed them, not even Bachchan or a shrewd lawyer Prashant, played by a super intense Piyush Mishra.

Pink keeps us gripped from all sides even as a strictly entertainment package. The intricacies of the case unfold like a thriller. You won’t miss the usual Bollywood courtroom theatrics either. Still you will get to know a thing or two about the contemporary feminist debates.

Pink shows what meticulous planning can do to a film. And, of course, Amitabh Bachchan’s enigmatic persona will guide you through the darkness. Not to be missed at all.

Mid-Day

'Pink' - Movie Review

By Mayank Shekhar

Rating: 4/5

What I’m interested in, or at least we ought to be, is where this film is going — ideally to all those people and places in India, still grappling with a seemingly radical idea that men and women are just, well, you know, equal. It’s shocking, as Pink puts it, the views some of the most unlikely men hold about women — on the basis of how they dress, what they drink, who they love, where they live… Even as we see more and more females in public, party, and workplaces.

Yes, Pink does compel you to think. And that’s not all it does.

Indiatoday

Pink movie review: Amitabh Bachchan's POWERFUL message is unmissable

Amitabh Bachchan and Taapsee Pannu star in this week's Bollywood release, Pink, a social thriller directed by Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury. Here's our Pink movie review.

Devarsi Ghosh  | Edited by Ananya Bhattacharya

Ratings: (4/5)

Pink, the new Amitabh Bachchan film, is a lot like Deepak Sehgal, Amitabh Bachchan's character in the film. Mr Sehgal, a lawyer, inside the courtroom, is all theatrics and showmanship - growling one minute, silent and mumbling the next. Mr Sehgal knows that Indians, particularly, the Indian man, has a hard time understanding Indian women the moment the latter do not fit into the feudal expectations set upon them. Screenwriter Ritesh Shah and director Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury know that as well. Hence, they have made a film which drives home the point with OTT sound and fury, just the way Mr Sehgal likes to conduct business; break open the Indian skull with a sledgehammer and drill into it basic concepts of human dignity, respect and honour because achchhe din is a long time coming for women in India. And while doing such social service, Pink, like Mr Sehgal, is never for a second, boring.

The screenplay is among the best-written ones of 2016 so far (even though that list isn't long). It is taut, does not beat around the bush and waste time in exposition.

When you have a great script along with actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Piyush Mishra, Dhritiman Chatterjee plus competent young performers like Taapsee and Kirti, you already have a winner in your hands.

However, as much as Pink pushes the envelope in Indian films in regard to discussion around morality, women's freedom of choice, etc., one can see Amitabh, the grand old patriarch of Hindi cinema, playing the sole voice of women's rights as regressive. But if not Amitabh, then who? Can one think of a more commanding voice and a more assertive personality than Amitabh Bachchan in Hindi cinema today, regardless of how many 'women-centric' films Kangana Ranaut has done? Pink is a giant leap, sure, but it can only leap so far. Keeping Pink as a starting point, future writer-directors should build on the foundation established by it to make more brave, more daring films on women's issues, where one day, not Amitabh Bachchan, but a woman can stand up and speak for herself and everyone will listen.

Pinkvilla

Pink Movie Review: Bachchan and his girls give us hope with this flawless film

September 14, 2016 Team Pinkvilla

Do you have the guts to provoke yourself to think? Well, be forewarned because Pink does just that. It isn’t a film for the feeble hearted; it stirs, moves and shakes you up with a jolt. Crude, prude and all of that, Pink makes you want to think where have we gone wrong as a society. It is a social thriller that has some deep, impactful messages in the story but director Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury refrains from giving us a crash course in aggressive feminism. For more reasons than one, we would dare to call this movie the year’s best so far.

Amitabh Bachchan leads the pack, with his fine portrayal of a lawyer; using his deep baritone to further the impact of his script. Taapsee Pannu, Kirti Kulhari and Andrea Tariang are fascinating. Yes, those girls could be in my family or be my friends. They sell the story to you as your own.

It is a riveting courtroom drama that makes you want to stop blinking so as to not miss even a moment. We all are familiar with the incidents that could’ve triggered the story but Pink is a film that will be memorable for the impact it creates. Are women equal? Not even close but there is hope for change. Let’s make a beginning.

We rate this film an 80% on the Pinkvilla Moviemeter.

With best wishes for PINK

Tilak Rishi

Cannot Wait To Watch PINK

Dear Amitji,

“ .. till then .. PINK .. “ (DAY - 3088)

Sir, PINK PINK PINK… not only “till then PINK”, but much before this, since the day we came to know from your post that title of the movie is PINK, we have been thinking PINK and Pink only and could keep thinking PINK  till your next release - Aankhen-2 or Sirkar- 3 or may be any other before these -  we assure you. Now that the D-day is here - September 16 - we send you and the entire Team our heartiest congratulations and best wishes and a quote from America’s celebrated poet that seem to relate to the three sweet and pretty girls in PINK:

A wise woman wishes to be no one's enemy;

a wise woman refuses to be anyone's victim.

- Maya Angelou

Sir, we are so overwhelmed to read about reactions of some of our female  celebrities who were invited to a special screening of PINK the other day:

An overwhelmed Kangana Ranaut actually left the screening before meeting the cast and sent a Whatsapp message to Pink actress Andrea Tariang. She wrote, “I wish I wasn’t so emotionally fragile and could say this in person but I loved your work – so honest and so natural. Congratulations and I feel this will be a big success, so be ready for it.”

Preity Zinta has already given Pink a five-star rating and wrote this on Twitter, “Preity Zinta Wow Just saw PINK ! The most RELEVANT film of this year. 5 Stars to all in this film & 500 Stars to @SrBachchan.” These kind of superlative reactions are being shared by everyone who watched the film.

Neha Dhupia also shared the sentiment. “Very rarely do u come across a film that touches every nerve,hurts ur gut n leaves u speechless. #pink u are magical.Congrats @ShoojitSircar,” she wrote.

Kriti Sanon also said it can’t be missed, “So glad that films like #Pink r being made! Amazing performances, relevant content & so well paced. @ShoojitSircar @SrBachchan @taapsee … Absolutely loved #Pink Real & super relevant!Questions the shameless mindset of our patriarchal society & hits the perfect note!a MUST WATCH.”

Shalmali Kholgade

@itsShalmali

Just watched #PINK ! Stellar performances and direction! Hats off to the entire team. People, watch this one!!We need films like this!

Yami Gautam

@yamigautam

A MUST WATCH... #PINK .. Thank u @ShoojitSircar @SrBachchan #speechless

'Pink' magical which left the 36-year-old actress speechless.

"Very rarely do you come across a film that touches every nerve, hurts your gut and leaves you speechless. #pink you are magical. Congrats @ShoojitSircar."

Sultan actor Amit Sadh was left in tears after watching the film. “Each & every character is a necessity in the film. I have not cried so much in so long. #pink is everything a cinema lover like me wants.”

Besides, here is what the renowned film critic Taran Adarsh felt about the film:

“Watched #Pink… Shocked. Stunned. Speechless… An OUTSTANDING movie in every respect… Taut writing and exemplary direction…”

Sir, we cannot wait to watch Pink on its opening day, “till then… PINK”

“Many of my movies have strong female leads- brave, self-sufficient girls that don't think twice about fighting for what they believe with all their heart. They'll need a friend, or a supporter, but never a savior. Any woman is just as capable of being a hero as any man.”

― Hayao Miyazaki

With regards

Tilak Rishi

The Tribune, Lahore My First Love

Dear Amitji,

“People say that the age of the newspaper is over and that their relevance has been challenged by the ‘digital revolution’ ..

I do not seem to find that relevant. The number of print media that exists now has been more than what it was earlier. The joy of picking up that entire bunch of newspapers, and running through them, even though by midnight they are available on the net, is a habit that shall not be easily removed…” (DAY - 3086)

Sir, the above lines from your post on print media, particularly the newspapers - “The joy of picking up the entire bunch of newspapers…” - touched my heart and soul to the extent I cannot ever overemphasize. They brought back beautiful memories of my lifelong romance with reading newspapers right from my childhood days in Lahore, immersed in my love for The Tribune, my first love. A glimpse into this journey of joy and love will give you an idea of why I got so emotional and sentimental after reading your simple, yet truly real statement of facts from your life:

Lahore: I was not even ten yet when I had a crush on Lahore’s most popular and politically most important paper, The Tribune. It used to be still dark, 4-5 am when the hawker at his loudest would be heard from a distant location in the neighborhood…”Aaj ki taza khabar… London per bhari bambari etc. etc.”. I would instantly jump from my cosy bed and come down running at my fastest to be the first in the family to fondly hold my favorite paper, before my eldest brother Bodh - celebrated his 100th birthday February this year - or Raghu - my brother who motivated me to contribute in Film Critic, the magazine he edited - both equally fond of being the first to read the paper. Of course, I would pass on the paper to them as soon as any of them showed up - normal courtesy to elders. And once the paper was gone from my hand in the morning, it would disappear for me for the full day - everyone in our large family had something of his or her interest to read, and being the youngest in the family there was no way I would get a second chance to see the paper. Apart from the WWII news from the front (censored version because of the British Raj) and politics of the day, what interested me most was the review of the latest release in Sunday Tribune. It made be prepared for what to expect in the movie which I was to watch on the next Wednesday with my mother in the ‘Ladies Only’ matinee at half the rates. Sad to say, even The Tribune could not escape the horrific happenings that we all the non-Muslim Punjabis suffered in the aftermath of the Partition and the paper, without its bag and baggage moved out of Lahore to start afresh from a scratch,  in Simla to start with and then from Ambala.

It speaks volumes of the strength and resilience of The Tribune that it resumed publication soon after the Partition. It had stopped publishing for 40 days. After the Partition, the first issue of the paper appeared from Simla on September 25, 1947. After his return from Kashmir, Rana Jang Bahadur Singh (interestingly my teacher in class for Diploma in Journalism which I did from Punjab University, Chandigarh) tool up his duty as Acting Editor and The Tribune wrote:

The last seven or eight weeks have been weeks of great tribulation for the people of Punjab. They had to pass through terrible experiences. Not only have they been uprooted, but also complete ruination stares lakhs of them in the face. Their sufferings are unimaginable; words cannot describe them. We felt that at such a time we should be by the side of our people and try to serve them and champion their cause to the best of our ability. But certain difficulties stood in our way. Now we have succeeded in overcoming those difficulties, though partially, and have arranged to bring out The Tribune in a smaller size, for the time being, from Simla.

It was ,indeed, a very sad separation from my first love in print media as our family had opted for  New Delhi to settle down after leaving Lahore, where we chose The Hindustan Times as our daily paper. But as they say the first love lives with you for life even if in memory, I have never been able to forget my beloved paper from life in Lahore - The Tribune.

With regards and best wishes for PINK

Tilak Rishi

PS: Sir, not to make my response too lengthy, as advised by a dear Ef, someday, I would love to continue my contribution with a few lines on my second sweetheart from the print media, The Hindustan Times, New Delhi.

PINK Is Social Thriller - Big B

Dear Amitji

“No it is not women empowerment .. no it is not on rape .. it is a social thriller and one that touches upon many aspects of what morals and society norms and practices women in our city and in our country go through .. “

-  (DAY - 3085)

Sir, hats off to you for achieving what no one in the world ever achieved, not even Abhishek Bachchan, who broke the guinness’ world record for maximum public appearances in 12 hours while promoting his film Delhi - 6:

“Abhishek Bachchan breaks Guinness record

IANS, Mumbai |  Updated: Feb 23, 2009 19:52 IST

Abhishek Bachchan broke the Guinness' world record for maximum public appearances in 12 hours while promoting his latest film Delhi 6.

Abhishek Bachchan's whirlwind, record-breaking tour of Delhi and neighbouring cities began two days later than scheduled, but was packed with record breaker chock-a-block post-release flurry of activities.”

If Abhishek’s whirlwind, record-breaking tour for promotion of his film deserved to be recorded in Guinness book of records, surely, your feat of promoting your forthcoming film PINK in the widest possible area with the smallest number of words - Pink is a social thriller - is worthy of being recorded in Guinness Book of Records in the category of using the minimum number of words to achieve maximum promotion for a film. Sir, it is unimaginable how the above quote from your Blog was picked up instantly by every prominent paper and channel and splashed in bold headlines:

Pink is a social thriller: Amitabh Bachchan

The Indian Express‎ - 7 hours ago

Amitabh Bachchan says his forthcoming film Pink is neither about women's empowerment ...

Amitabh Bachchan touts 'Pink' as a social thriller

Economic Times‎ - 8 hours ago

'Pink' is a social thriller, not about women's empowerment | World News

'Pink' a social thriller: Big B | Afternoon Voice :: Views & Vision of City

Breaking News Point - Pink is a social thriller: Amitabh Bachchan

Headlines News 24 - Pink is a social thriller: Amitabh Bachchan

World News Magazine - Pink is a social thriller: Amitabh Bachchan

Pink is a social thriller: Amitabh Bachchan - Holly Bolly Buzz

Pink is a social thriller: Amitabh Bachchan | Punjab Times

Breaking News Headlines 24 - Pink is a social thriller: Amitabh ...

Morning News Times - Pink is a social thriller: Amitabh Bachchan

'Pink' a social thriller: Big B - Latest News 360

Search News Online - Pink is a social thriller: Amitabh Bachchan

Morning News Headlines - Pink is a social thriller: Amitabh Bachchan

Daily News Updates 24 - Pink is a social thriller: Amitabh Bachchan

'Pink' a social thriller: Big B - India Everyday

Pink is a social thriller: Amitabh Bachchan [Indian Express .

Latest News coverage - Pink is a social thriller: Amitabh Bachchan

Get Current News - Pink is a social thriller: Amitabh Bachchan

Whois In News - Pink is a social thriller: Amitabh Bachchan

Daily News Updates 365 - Pink is a social thriller: Amitabh Bachchan

Current Reportage - Pink is a social thriller: Amitabh Bachchan

Current Affairs Magazine - Pink is a social thriller: Amitabh Bachchan

Fast News Nation - Pink is a social thriller: Amitabh Bachchan

News Check Out - Pink is a social thriller: Amitabh Bachchan

And hundreds of more media websites and Press reports published worldwide splashed your words to create renewed biggest buzz for any movie releasing within a week could ever achieve. The media not only gave multi-column headline to your one liner, but also reproduced the full text pertaining to PINK from your post. Not only this, some even opined on the meaning of your message - “Pink is a social thriller”:

“In social thrillers the conflict between the main characters is mental and emotional, rather than physical. Characters, either by accident or their own curiousness, are dragged into a dangerous conflict or situation that they are not prepared to resolve. Characters are not reliant on physical strength to overcome their brutish enemies, but rather are reliant on their mental resources. This sub-genre usually has elements of drama, as there is an in-depth development of realistic characters who must deal with emotional struggles.  Megastar Amitabh Bachchan says his forthcoming film "Pink" is neither about women's empowerment nor on rape but a social thriller and one that touches upon many aspects of what morals and society norms and practices women in India experience.”

Yet some others tried to explain what to expect from a social thriller:

“Nail-biting suspense which does not allow you to rest your mind and keeps you thinking hours after the film is over could be the correct description of a social thriller film.”

“Social thriller is mainly a thriller which emphasizes on the psychology of its characters and their unstable emotional state. They suck the viewer in completely and you go through a roller-coaster of theories while the film is on and pull the rug from under your feet when you least expect it.”

Let me conclude with the report that really is praiseworthy for its truth:

“Amitabh Bachchan is yet proving again he is the ocean of talent when it comes to acting & entertainment. What a mind blowing this man is ! He reiterates very clearly that the proverb is 100 % true i,e. Old Is Gold. He has so much energy at this age that it’s too difficult for the young actors to compete against him in acting. Amitabh Bachchan’s eyes speak it all.

He is coming again in his upcoming movie whose name is PINK. It is a social thriller that reflects on the dubious morals of today’s times. Amitabh Bachchan is playing a role of a lawyer who is interrogating a girl who was victimized & molested by any lustful man. It is made by the makers of PIKU & VICKY DONOR. But in movie it is still a suspense whether the girl was wrong or she was victimized by others. After watching the trailer we are also as much blank as you are. In order to find the complete story, we also will go to watch the complete movie. It is going to release in Theatres on 16th September, 2016.”

With regards and best wishes for PINK

Tilak Rishi

Amitabh Bachchan COLOSSUS

Dear Amitji,

“That is what you need to get and disbelieve ( that mag above ) .. much has been put in this one that is really most undeserving .. so I could have scanned all the pages on it .. but I shall leave that for you to discover ..

COLOSSUS .. !!! heheheh” (DAY - 3087)

Sir, your above reaction to caption of your magnificent picture on the cover of “HI Blitz” - Amitabh Bachchan, the COLOSSUS -  was expected by us  because we believe you are the most modest person on the planet. But, the truth is the magazine must be admired for giving the most appropriate caption to your cover picture. (Hi! BLITZ is a premium lifestyle magazine that introduces India's aspiring affluent to the good life. It covers iconic personalities from all walks of life and creates lifestyle benchmarks for readers to aspire to. It''s the magazine that India's rich and famous love talking to and with whom they share their most intimate moments!)

Sir, your mentioning of the magazine Hi Blitz brings to memory my most favorite weekly journal in the 50s and 60s - Blitz -  to which I was sort of addicted to reading, especially its popular column “Last Page” written by noted writer Khwaja Ahmad Abbas. Blitz, was a  very popular investigative weekly tabloid newspaper published and edited by Russi Karanjia from Bombay. It ceased publication in mid-1990s, when I had already moved to the U.S. Much of my love for Blitz was because it leaned towards leftist views in its contents, which matched to somewhat my own views in many matters. The other weekly magazine I loved most during that period was the Illustrated Weekly of India, especially when my most favorite journalist and author Khushwant Singh was its editor. Both these weeklies were brought to us every week by the hawker who delivered our daily newspaper, The Hindustan Times, New Delhi. Sir, I’m writing about my love for these magazines and papers at length is to convey how relevant it is to what you stated with reference to print media - “People say that the age of the newspaper is over and that their relevance has been challenged by the ‘digital revolution’ ..

I do not seem to find that relevant. The number of print media that exists now has been more than what it was earlier. The joy of picking up that entire bunch of newspapers, and running through them, even though by midnight they are available on the net, is a habit that shall not be easily removed…” (DAY - 3086)

Sir, There’s no doubt that the world today is defined by information. Whether it’s news, opinions, interviews or advertising, written, spoken or in filmed, it’s information (and marketing content) that provides the direction and structure to our lives. Media determine our lives. Perhaps the most important benefit of print media is tangibility. Among the reasons why many people prefer print is to do with the feel of the paper, having it in their hands means that the content is real, it exists. Print media is unique in its capability to trigger a number of senses; of course the feeling of paper. A print piece is a physical thing. Magazines and newspapers can stay in houses or offices for months or years, while Internet content can disappear into cyber space instantaneously. There is something about print that gives a sense of legitimacy. The saturation of popups and banner ads on the web can be overwhelming and the fear of spam and viruses is enough to make people wary of clicking. There is no imminent danger in a print content. Reading a magazine at the kitchen table over morning coffee. Browsing a catalog from the comfort of an armchair. Clipping out coupons on a Sunday afternoon. Paper gives us the choice to respond to advertising on their own time, and in their own way. It doesn’t yell. It doesn’t flash. It just sits, patiently, and waits to be read. No Sir, the age of the print media is not over, in fact, we cannot do without it, whether at the doctor’s office waiting for your turn to see the doctor, or at the salon before the barber is ready to serve you or dozens of other places where you are happy to pick up a paper or a magazine to pass your time most comfortably before the place is ready to receive you.

With regards and best wishes for PINK

Tilak Rishi

My Father And His Brothers

Dear Amitji,

Today, September 10, is birth anniversary of my late father. May I have your permission to use this pious platform to pay homage to his memory by sharing a very special chapter from his life, to be cherished for his love and respect for his brothers:

My father was born in Dasua in Punjab. He had two other brothers, both his weakness, one elder and one younger to him, though all three having very different personalities. Elder, Mulk Raj, was a very popular village poet who participated in almost every ‘mushaira’ in his hometown as well as small towns and villages spread for miles around it. No ‘mela’ or mushaira was a success without the sound of his loud voice introducing himself from the stage to the large crowd come to hear poets from far and near in the district:

“Meem Mulkraj mera naam samjho,

Kad madra te thathli zabaan samjho..”

After schooling in Dasua, my father left for Lahore where he did his B.A., M.A. (English) and B.T. (Teachers’ Training), all with very high scores, and settled down in successful career in two jobs - Vice Principal in D.A.V. High School and as Chief Representative of Oxford University Press, London. He had also called his younger brother to live with him in Lahore, who also did his M.A. (English) from Government College and made a name for himself as Champion Gymnast of Punjab. He went to Srinagar (Kashmir) to settle in sports goods business - a factory and a showroom, all with financial support from my father. After they were well settled, both the brothers completed legal formalities to transfer their share of the huge ancestral property in Dasua to their elder brother, so that he could freely indulge in his love for poetry recitals without worrying for day-to-day living expenses which could be comfortably met from the income generated by the property - rents from shops and residential tenants in a portion of the property. All three brothers well settled in their respective pursuits, comes a crucial twist in the story of the youngest and father’s most favorite  brother:

Uncle remained so busy in his sports business in Srinagar that he never came back to Lahore after leaving, though we have been going to him for many a summer vacations and enjoyed his hospitality. The only time he came was when he  attended my sister's wedding. He came with a contingent of the famous Kashmir cooks, to supplement the cooks hired locally, so that a wide variety of Mughal and Kashmiri cuisines could be served at the wedding dinner. After the wedding was over and all the guests were gone, including the out-of-town relatives who had stayed on for some more days to enjoy my mother's hospitality, father took the first available opportunity to have a brother to brother talk on whatever was bothering uncle that had affected his health so badly. As if waiting for the opportune time to talk about his troubles to father, uncle responded to father's initiative with detailed narration of what really had happened to disturb him so much:

“I made the biggest mistake of my life in having relationship with Shakun. She had left me shaken, breaking my heart and leaving me broke by stealing all my money. All her love and devotion to me was a well-planned ploy to deceive me of my money. Like a fool I went on falling into her well knit trap and took long and frequent vacation from work to enjoy life with her at various resorts in the Valley. She even manipulated that I empower her brother to look after the business when we were away on vacation. He abused my trust by making many dubious deals during my absence, including raising money against mortgage of the factory and fraudulent transfer of funds to his personal accounts. I came to know of it only after they had disappeared, deceiving me of all that I owned except the shop. I'm now left with nothing except a small inventory at the shop and some furniture in the house.”

Father kept listening to him quietly, without interrupting him even once. He spoke only when he saw that uncle had said whatever he wanted to say.

“I appreciate your telling me all that you have gone through. The most important thing for you now is to stop worrying about it, and not to blame yourself for the crime committed by Shakun and her brother . Treat it as a bad patch in your life, which can be there in anyone's life. But that is not the end of the world. You must move on to make a fresh start. I would suggest that you start with the shop first, filling it with sufficient stocks to increase its sales, for which I will give you as much money as you may need to buy goods. After the shop is in full gear and starts giving enough profits, you can go for expansion of business by buying back your factory or by setting up a new unit. But before all this, you must get your health back by getting rid of your worries and trying to recoup in a very relaxed atmosphere. For this, you have to stay with us till you are absolutely fit, even if it takes weeks or months.”

Father stopped only when he found tears from uncle's eyes starting to fall on his hand with which he was holding uncle's hand throughout their conversation. Uncle was too overwhelmed to say even “Thank you” on hearing father's affectionate words, though he said it all through his body language, by bending to touch his brother's feet.

It was decided that uncle would spend at least one month with us, his first ever vacation with the family in Lahore ever since he had left for Srinagar. He soon started making remarkable progress in restoring his health and regaining his high spirits. Uncle was persuaded to extend his stay for another two weeks, after the one month period originally planned passed too fast. But the time did not stop even during his extended stay, and the day had come when he was all packed to depart early next morning by bus for Srinagar. At dinner that evening, the last one with uncle before he was to leave the next day, he invited the whole family for a holiday with him in summer, and father readily accepted the invitation. He was still very concerned about uncle's business and was keen to see him resettled after the big set back he had. But destiny did not let it happen. Uncle had a massive heart attack early morning when he was getting ready for the journey, which he did not survive. He had breathed his last before the doctor arrived and declared him dead.

To keep his name and memory alive in Srinagar, uncle’s most beloved city, father sent my elder brother to Srinagar with money to buy inventory for the shop, which was to be given over to his trusted shop assistant, Rashid, with the condition that he would never let the shop close down to let uncle’s memory live forever.

With regards and best wishes for PINK

Tilak Rishi