HIGH LIFE - Bol Bachchan
It must feel very empowering to be on the other side of the fence. Amitabh Bachchan now retaliates to every nasty word written about him. The man, who for years has been everybody’s favourite punching bag, has armed himself through his blog. Where, to say in filmi jargon, he gives eent ka jawab pathar se. My colleague confessed recently, “It is scary now to write about Bachchan. Any attack results in a counter attack.” Well, we can finally get a taste of things we have been meting out to celebs. Every other film journo is scripting or directing movies - once the exclusive domain of the filmis. Then, why can’t Amitabh write? Fair enough. I am all for the freedom of expression for if I hadn’t enjoyed the same privilege I wouldn’t have been writing this column.
I loved Pritish Nandy’s column last week about all big stars flopping on TV. But Amitabh is one exception. Kaun Banega Crorepati not only proved this but it also helped the iconic actor re-launch his career and catapult to new heights. Until KBC came along, the media and industry alike were damning Bachchan. To me he is a visionary who bravely survived a dreary phase at the time. All the superheroes are turning themselves into super brands. AB did it decades ago when he launched ABCL, which flopped. He may not be a great businessman but he remains Bollywood’s most successful actor. How many of today’s stars would be as successful in their sixties. Of course, Bachchan has this love-hate relationship with the press where he imposes bans on them every now and then.
He didn’t talk to the press for six years in the 90s and then came back on; an acknowledgment that he too needs the press just as much as we are enamoured by him. It is about time we start appreciating Bollywood’s pride. AB can inspire anyone on how to survive failure and rise like a phoenix all over again.
Tina Ambani charms
London
Now some hot khabbar from Tina Ambani’s classy world. The lady has been an art patron for years. She rocked London last week by hosting a dinner to celebrate her collection with Christies. Perhaps one of the most well attended dinners London’s high society has seen in a long time. But this is not all. London’s elite art circle is abuzz with speculation that Tina may have bought the most expensive Indian painting to date.
Apparently, her sister-in-law was bidding on her behalf for a Souza titled ‘Lovers’ which was listed on the Christie’s site for auctioning. While the auction house never reveals its buyers, the price was there on the website to see. It fetched $2.5 million. About Rs 11.5 crores. If this is not taking Indian art to international heights and fame, then what is it? Just for the sake of Indian art, we hope this khabbar is true. Cheers to Mrs Ambani who wouldn’t care to brag about her accomplishment.
(Simi Chandoke, Editor-in-Chief, Lifestyle and Society, Zoom)
I loved Pritish Nandy’s column last week about all big stars flopping on TV. But Amitabh is one exception. Kaun Banega Crorepati not only proved this but it also helped the iconic actor re-launch his career and catapult to new heights. Until KBC came along, the media and industry alike were damning Bachchan. To me he is a visionary who bravely survived a dreary phase at the time. All the superheroes are turning themselves into super brands. AB did it decades ago when he launched ABCL, which flopped. He may not be a great businessman but he remains Bollywood’s most successful actor. How many of today’s stars would be as successful in their sixties. Of course, Bachchan has this love-hate relationship with the press where he imposes bans on them every now and then.
He didn’t talk to the press for six years in the 90s and then came back on; an acknowledgment that he too needs the press just as much as we are enamoured by him. It is about time we start appreciating Bollywood’s pride. AB can inspire anyone on how to survive failure and rise like a phoenix all over again.
Tina Ambani charms
London
Now some hot khabbar from Tina Ambani’s classy world. The lady has been an art patron for years. She rocked London last week by hosting a dinner to celebrate her collection with Christies. Perhaps one of the most well attended dinners London’s high society has seen in a long time. But this is not all. London’s elite art circle is abuzz with speculation that Tina may have bought the most expensive Indian painting to date.
Apparently, her sister-in-law was bidding on her behalf for a Souza titled ‘Lovers’ which was listed on the Christie’s site for auctioning. While the auction house never reveals its buyers, the price was there on the website to see. It fetched $2.5 million. About Rs 11.5 crores. If this is not taking Indian art to international heights and fame, then what is it? Just for the sake of Indian art, we hope this khabbar is true. Cheers to Mrs Ambani who wouldn’t care to brag about her accomplishment.
(Simi Chandoke, Editor-in-Chief, Lifestyle and Society, Zoom)