Posted on: June 24, 2008 - 2:27 pm
Click here to enlarge the above image
Prateeksha, Mumbai June 24, 2008 12:51 pm
The above article was written quite some time back and has remained with me since. I have attached it here not to make comment on it or to laud or criticize it. I have attached it here because it has brought to my mind a pertinent point that has been with me for long. Mediocrity.
I have observed, at times with great wonder, how some of the greatest talents in the field of cinema have referred to their creative contribution as being mediocre.
I have regarded Naseeruddin Shah and Marlon Brando as exceptional talent and have felt strongly that the former is one of the finest talents that India has produced. But on occasion have been alarmed by their confessions as being mediocre actors.
When brilliance refers to itself as mediocre, where does it place the others !
I believe that talent has the unique capacity to judge its own capability. I also believe that talent of some quality will and shall always be their own best judges. They do not need reward or award to be acknowledged that they are masters in their craft. Many among them respect the judgement of institutions that reward them and accept their accolades. Many do not. Brando did not. He rejected an Oscar and never went back there again. Aamir does not. Lataji has stopped the practice altogether and stepped back graciously.
So I question myself. If opinion and polls from the masses indicate achievement and achievement itself denies it because of its mediocrity, then who’s opinion is correct. Is the achievement displaying false modesty or are the masses ignorant towards true excellence.
And, if the masses count to hundreds of millions, would we then in a sense be accepting their choice and decision as the standard. Demographically and by the numbers this would be correct and justified. But in doing so do we not ignore the fact that our standards are then mediocre. Are those then that strive for excellence beyond the standard different or to put it more succinctly, elitist and therefore isolated in an unwanted and despised category. Is the elitist quite simply then because of its diminished numbers, a minority; a term often spoken or written of in hushed tones. And then would he not be eligible for special protection. Would he then enjoy the benefits of reservation; a topic more than just sensitive politically and socially. If the elite member purely on the strength of his superior aesthetics, or let us say presumed superior aesthetics brings betterment to an accepted standard, would that effort be classified as accepted by society at large. And if not, considering elitist is an ugly word in a developing socialistically minded nation, would his excellence get classified as mediocre.
If 350 million freshly rich middle class can dictate the consumerism of a nation, would the quality of their choice then become the standard of acceptance. And would not this acceptance, being mediocre in the eyes of the elitist, spell a lesser degree of aesthetics in quality.
We build our roads and airports and cities. Our drainage systems and electronics. We provide drinking water and quality food products. Transport services and infrastructure are necessary elements that reflect the quality of our nation. Does all of this comply with standards. Or mediocre standards ?
In the West, four designers - 2 Italians, 1 French and an American, the fashion elite, decide every couple of months what color the entire western hemisphere should clothe itself in. And dutifully the western hemisphere follows. Try practicing it here in the east. In our country, so diverse and different every 50 miles, we live around festivals and climates and seasons and food and language and customs and creeds. We seek convenience and comfort. We do not know the spelling of the word ‘elite’. Its a function that can never be prevailed upon. We accept the standard. So what if it is mediocre. Anything wrong with that. We still exist don’t we ? Or should we be trying something different, something better. But what is better. And is there better at all !!
Naseeruddin Shah considers himself a mediocre actor. He denotes in saying so, I believe, that he desires to be better. But what is better. They have already put a cap to it and acknowledged his brilliance. Would they really know what is better ?
Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh,
I am completely with you on this,
but still you have not mentioned anything about your role in the movie GOD TUSSI GREAT HO, how do you feel acting like the ALMIGHT himself, please tell us more about your experience on that movie and co-workers,
i”ll be waiting!!
thanks,
Prem
(Report abuse)
Dear Mr. Bachchan,
I took a while to get your chain of thought. Excellence is subjective - my perceived excellence need not satisfy me. Did Van Gogh think he was just ordinary? Or could Shakespeare have written the soliloquy a bit differently? Who knows? Yes. No. Maybe. I can question the locus standi of a person to judge me. But to my own self and my own standards? That’s the real me. The teeming millions worship you the movie star doing heroic things - the First Family, the acting institution, the One Man Industry. Sure you do have that extra something another brilliant colleague doesnt possess. When you give a superlative performance, you satisfy your self. I wouldnt bear to fall from the standards I’ve set for myself - that’s all that matters. Pity on those who dont comprehend.
(Report abuse)
Dear Sir,
In my opinion, what you have achieved are feats that no common man have achieved. Mediocrity is the face of a common man. Mediocrity is not humility. Both are distinctively different. You are the epitome of success the world over especially when it comes to Indian cinema and no one can deny that. By calling yourself mediocre, you are downgrading the efforts of the millions in our country. I want to put the same question back to you - If excellence is mediocre, what is good and where does that leave for better ?
I know that you know the answer. But you do not simply want to accept that you are par excellence. If you are not, why do we all still long to watch even many of your utter flop films ?
Because there is something in you that speaks way beyond the reach of the common man. Mediocrity is NOT the answer. Accepting for what you are, the way you are, is.
Yours truly,
~SR
(Report abuse)
Amazing Amitji, Amazing , BRILLIANT!
What a post..
And heaven knows how long we betterment seeking artists will have to go through this blindfolded tussle of Mediocrity & Brilliance..
It was only this thought, (something which i had read in my school days, during Hum’s release.. in one of ure interviews, which i am sure You wolud remember the comment) was made by Shantanu Sheorey the ace photographer about You, ” That if Mr. Bachchan was in Hollywood, God knows where he would be..!
My Prayers & Love,
Bhisham Mansukhani
(Report abuse)
Hello Mr Bachchan
I know what is better for me… I can choose only the good things. I can see differents among real life and celluloid. I have my own point of view on some many things, i never copy fashion, style, wear and first of all I never change my mind because my favourite actor or singer told something “cool”. I cant understand people who blindly trust or copy the others.
When I look for some interview with my favourite actor ect. i want/wish that He/She could say something important (feelings, thoughts, awareness, perceptions). Now, journalists feed us all time with the same topics. Why? Isnt there anybody who make some inteligent/brainy interview. We need somebody who wont be aware asking a question … smart questions.
I always want to tell You Sir, so many things… but my english is not very well and i cant express what i want (but its my fault, i could learn more english and the other language, earlier)
Please Take care of Your health, Dont give up and Keep going on Sir.
All the best
Mike
(Report abuse)
I started off thinking that Mayank was kind of right in assuming that you are one of the finest actors in the world, and should accept it - thats certainly how I feel and I am sure there are more who feel that way.
But your retort makes sense from your point of view - you seem to set the bar pretty high for yourself and feel you would like to do much better than you have done so far.
But if you were to rate yourself, on a scale of 10, how would you rate your performance in movies
- Saudagar (1973)
- Abhimaan
- Sholay
- Ganga Jamuna Saraswati
- Black
- Jhoom Barabar Jhoom
- RGV Ki Aag
- Sarkar Raj
On a scale of 10, how would you rate your performance in sequences which make us (audience) laugh, dance and cry
- The ending sequence of Deewar where your character dies
- Mere Angane mein song or Khaike Paan Banaraswala
- Kachca Papad Pakka Papad from Yaarana
Sorry if my examples aren’t good enough (its from my limited memory), feel free to add to them
(Report abuse)
Dear Mr Bachchan
this happens in every field
you feel you are the greatest in your field when you are actually mediocre
and
you feel mediocre when yoy are actually great ( sorry I am not saying greatest because there is always someone greater than you, may be unknown to you and me!)
cheers
dr girish
(Report abuse)
Maybe we are looking at this the wrong way. Perhaps the masses care less about the perfection and virtuosity in their entertainment than some indescribable connectedness they feel when being entertained. Whether it’s the recent frenzy for you in Indore or the past screaming for Elvis and the Beatles, there is something else there besides the acting technique or the level of musicianship. There is also the charisma, sex appeal, and connectivity. Personally, I like punk music and I know that most punk bands can barely play their instruments. But if I tried to sit through a 20 minute guitar solo that is played expertly I’d probably fall asleep. Usually I don’t like what the mainstream likes and I see that people are settling for mediocrity. But in the world of Indian movies that is an exception in my life since you are my favorite and for once I agree with the masses. Maybe you and Naseeruddin Shah consider yourselves mediocre actors in relation to some standard to which the mainstream public cannot understand or connect with. Maybe above a certain point the people love you enough that it only matters to the artists if they have achieved perfection. To me you are a great actor and that’s good enough for me!!
Love,
Rochelle
(Report abuse)
I am very proud that we Indians collectively excel in mediocrity. We are #1 in mediocrity. Woo-Hoo.
(Report abuse)
Dear Mr Bachchan
In one of your recent interviews (posted here), you were asked a couple of questions regarding your “frugal” food habits and it seems that you were too modest to discuss them. However, you would be rendering a great service to people, if you could indeed discuss your food habits (if they are “frugal”!!) and encourage people to adapt them. Too many of us have very bad food habits (i.e. we eat excessively) and suffer various problems as a result. I have noticed that various successful people (e.g. Mahatma Gandhi, Morarji Desai, LK Advani) have been able to maitain physically very rigorous daily routine at quite old age, which could be attributed to a large extent to their “frugal” food habits. So, perhaps your example would motivate many of us to change our bad food habits.
Best regards
(Report abuse)
Dearest Mr. B.,
There’s much to think about in the above. The interview itself that you added is interesting, but the conclusion … that the world has had enough of you … is demonstrably silly, since why the column, if you’re passe? To close the door on you? That would have been done much more efficiently if the writer had ignored you. Indifference is the one thing that ends a connection between a performer and a journalist.
Your own evaluation of your talent should be the final word on it. But it never will be, since everyone sees you in a different light. For instance, I think you’re far from mediocre, since mediocre actors aren’t skilled, and you are obviously able to let us know what you’re thinking on screen, sometimes without moving a muscle, and that takes immense skill. The fact that you find it easy, or even possible, to do, after 40 years in the industry, is not surprising, but it is a skill, nonetheless.
Do you remember Milburn Stone, the character actor who played “Doc” in the “Gunsmoke” series in America? I knew him briefly before his death. He had made 150 movies before he was on television, and there wasn’t much he didn’t know about making films. He told us once that while he was working with Burt Reynolds on the series, Burt asked him the secret of good acting. Milburn said he said to him, “Don’t let them catch you at it.” (Burt later attributed it to Spencer Tracy, but Milburn said it was he, and he often said it to younger actors.)
And that was the difference that I saw between you and other actors when I first began watching your movies on Netflix DVDs in 2004. You held me still while you showed me a character. I was never for a minute aware of directors, or props, or lighting, or even the obvious musical backgrounds … well, perhaps a little in the birthday party scene in “Sharaabi” … but for the most part you could get me so absorbed in the story and the person that for a time the world was shut out and you were really that person.
That’s not mediocrity. No, sir. No way.
So the person’s own evaluation of his talent isn’t always the last word. For instance, what would make a brilliant actor, in your estimation? Do you believe that it’s necessary to have some sort of instinctive knowledge of a role, without which it’s just mediocre, if all you’re doing is using the tricks and techniques you’ve learned over time?
I wonder if brilliance isn’t a combination of the two, and not just the instinctive part. In which case, you are brilliant.
And I’M not through with you, no matter what that writer says.
Aloha from Hawaii …
Love, Dorothy
(Report abuse)
Ahem!!!!!!!Great article…not expeced from FPJ…
Mr. Bachchan accept that we Indians like mediocrity otherwise how would you explain SRK winning all the prominant awards for all mediocre roles?
And please don’t call yourself mediocre…it hurts to see a talented and truly great acor like you in the company of the ‘bhaands’ like Srk, Salman, kapoors and khans.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE…DO NOT WORK WITH REKHA…I’LL CURSE YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART IF YOU DO SO.
(Report abuse)
don’t comment on lesser mortals. you will dimminish your status and stature you work so hard and acheive.
(Report abuse)
Thanks Abhi uncle! I am quite junior to you in age and profession, and have always looked up to you, beyond your acting skills, past your inter-personal skills and relationships, and admire every bit of you cause of your modesty, attitude towards life, and behavior. Your soul speaks of peace and gentleness.
I’ve been an avid reader of your blog. I am awed by your spirit and motivation to be in touch with the world directly by expressing your heart’s deepest emotions and feelings in a nicest way. Where do you get this strength from? Trust me, it is hard to believe with you at such senior position and designation, you have time and vigor in truest form to be in touch - I wonder where do you get the time and energy from? I am touched….deeply touched! And you inspire me in various ways. I live far away from my mother land (they call it the land of opportunities – which I am not sure how much is that true), in U.S. and miss my parents, my friends a lot, cry for them at times. In spite of the love and affection I have for them, I have to motivate myself to scribble a few words back to them off and on (and I am not that regular). Looking at the slightest Iota of your particle, I feel guilty! Is it luck that has brought you where you are or is that hard work and honesty? Where did you get the gift of outreaching? Everyone inspires to be like you- but there could be only one Kohinoor! As an elder, how would you inspire soo many kids who wants to follow you or your footpath? If I may ask, do you feel that you’ve a responsibility to your fans? Is it cause of your social obligation? Or what is that thing that inspires and motivates you to write and express yourself so thoroughly back to us, us who you don’t even know, not even met and are from completely belong to a strange world?
One day, I would like to meet you in person, and want to feel how is it to be like in your shoes. Not sure if that is possible in this life- coz you are far, far, far away, not reachable (aka reachable through words which I am grateful to this technology)! Hopefully you can respond back to me atleast in my dreams ïŠ.
Love ya always… muuuah,
Adity
(Report abuse)
India has loads of talent. those in limelight usually take away the most-deserved shine from most-deserving folks. media and readers spend more time knowing who went for a complete makeover, who lost weight, who put-on weight etc. those that have real talent are often “ignored” coz it comes to them so naturally.
a few of those most-deserving folks may not get “lifetime achievement awards” at shows. they may not get even “best actor” award at the fuctions. how many times amitabh bachchan or shahrukh khan are going to get “best actor” awards? concept of “best” is so much related to “how much money this film made” these days. it’s all in the marketing.
i totally agree when you say Nasir Saab as the real talent. a few of these most-deserving that come to my mind are -
nasiruddin shah
pankaj kapoor
late utpal dutt
om puri
anupam kher
most promising these days are -
vinay pathak
kay kay menon
boman irani
(Report abuse)
Been here long. yet never heard of Mayank Chaya! Well you gave him IMPORTANCE, now we all know him ,hahhahah!
:)
Have good sleep ! good night .
Take care .
sumi
(Report abuse)
Dear Amitji,
While I am an admirer of your craft, I know that not all your cinema is brilliant (ditto for Naseer or Aamir). And that is true of each one of us in whichever field we belong to. We all show flashes of brilliance. And if one is a little ambitious or a perfectionist, trying very hard to be brilliant everytime, one rates oneself as mediocre. I personally feel self assessment is an invaluable device to know where one stands. The important thing is not to be swayed by what the outside world says. Judge yourself and do it immodestly and without your ego getting in the way. That is the surest way to keep improving.
So irrespective of whether one is a cook, a student, a painter, a business man or an actor— if one desires accomplishment, one needs to face the mirror. And make an unbiased judgement about oneself. After all who knows the hard work and the circumstances in which you achieved something better than yourself?
Love
Anshu
(Report abuse)
Amit Sir,
what a superb post.
Feel too small before such a fine writing.
Thanks for sharing.
best regards
K
(Report abuse)
yeah amit ji
i too believe NASEER U D DIN SHAH is a brilliat actor
now u have confirmed it ..i m very happy……….
amit ji
what do u think …about new generation actors …i would give 2 name ..
MANOJ BAJPAI ….and KAY KAY MENON …u have worked with both too
i think they r brillinat too like NASEER sahab
..what do u think ?????????
DONT FORGET WE R ALWAYS WITH U ,,
khush rahein …….ALLAH hafiz ….bye
with love ……..TANVEER ..PAKISTAN
(Report abuse)
sir,
sarkar raj was awesome movie!!..congratz!!!
(Report abuse)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
just a thought.
What ever you say whatever you do, Whatever media write. Viewer also has a unique capacity of judging star, their work and it is beyond good or bad journalism/media judgement . I am sure people who continuously update them-self with bollywood never blind ly believes everything comes in media as well. They are not aways take it informatively but becomes analytic too. They don’t always take it is a big B’s blog so it is Big blog. they question too “why this work “Big” is there? Why Amitabh loves to identify with this word Why? Perhaps his indication is towards …he says himself “I am the big one”. Just an example. And unknownly they feel Anurag basu’s “he should retire Gracefully” is absolutely right.
Viewer has also an unique way of feeling connected with stars.
A star and peoples has one to many relationship. Star doesn’t know them but people know him. But somehow both influences each other. Of course to be a hit , always good movie from all aspect is required. Along with that if someone can add some charm on that with this personality is all about Star Power. That is actually an indirect influence from people to star. And a star’s way of connecting with people with is the essence of that stat power. Star public appearance, word he uses in interview, gesture, reaction to personal question, being honestly real in public appearance influence a lot.
Anyway i have to go now to live life beyond bollywood analysis.
(Report abuse)
I am unsure whether an ‘artist’ (in the widest sense of the term) is always the best judge of his or her own art, or even if such a figure is in any sense the best thinker on questions of art. History would seem to suggest otherwise. Few artistic figures (writers, painters, musicians, actors and so on) have been acute critics. ‘Artists’ always have something interesting to say on the arts but this is not always the equivalent of important criticism. In much the same way great critics in any field, great thinkers of any art and/or artist(s) have hardly ever been artists themselves. Art perhaps comes into being from a ’site’ that is different from the one where art is ‘examined’. There is always something a little mysterious, a little enigmatic about artistic creation and this is possibly most so for the actual artist. All understanding requires a measure of ‘distance’ and the artist is therefore most disadvantaged in this sense from the very outset. This is why the ancient Greeks thought of ‘muses’ and the poetic ‘daimon’. The art work cannot be reduced to the intentionality of the artist. When the work comes about it transcends its creator (might one blaspheme a little and state the same about God’s creation?!). Even in this way the ‘creator’ has no privileged access to his or her ‘creation’.
I also do not think that one ought to confuse critical reflection with democratic urges. ‘Majorities’ might like or love, dislike or loathe many things. This hardly seems to be relevant beyond the purely commercial (which of course is an important factor for the survival of certain kinds of art and artist). In other words have not the majorities already passed rather negative verdicts on Naseeruddin Shah and his brand of ‘art cinema’ (a label which I dislike though I won’t get into this here)? There are only small minorities that watch these films. Minorities that include various critical voices.
‘Judgment’ has to be linked to ‘education’. I cannot have an opinion on various aspects of the Finnish Constitution as I know nothing about it! I cannot have an opinion on Shanghai popular cinema of the ’30s (their golden age) as I have been exposed to very little from that period. Initially it’s a question of exposure and knowledge but finally it is a question of education and training. I do not mean either term in the formal sense. To understand why Shakespeare is so ‘great’ should one not know something about his iambic pentameter? Should one not be a little acquainted with various Renaissance literary devices (figures, metaphors, allusions, and so forth)? Should one ultimately not know a little about other playwrights of the period, so as to establish norms and points of reference? Should one not be a little familiar with modes of thinking in Elizabethan England (political, religious, cosmological etc)? ‘Majorities’ might enjoy and adore Romeo and Juliet without necessarily being equipped to understand why this is a significant work. One might derive a great deal of pleasure from Tchaikovsky’s Winter Symphony as I do without really knowing why it is such an extraordinary musical work. There is nothing wrong with responding impressionistically to a work. This is what majorities do. But this cannot be equated with the superior understanding of someone who has far greater insight into the same work for all kinds of reasons. I hasten to reiterate that this is not an argument for ‘elitism’, just one that establishes a caveat. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. Not all opinions are equal, depending on the subject in question. Wouldn’t it be quite absurd if I expected to be taken as seriously on British law as William Gladstone?! I have a reasonable acquaintance with Wordsworth’s poetry but based on this I would not put up my opinion against that of a Wordsworth scholar! My majority to his minority!
I must confess that I find your confessions as perplexing as you do Brando’s or Naseeruddin Shah’s. Perhaps you try to be modest in the manner suggested by this journalist (even if I have on opinion on such ‘modesty’ and one that I have expressed before on this blog), perhaps you are genuinely unaware of your gifts or your influence or your extraordinary legacy. Whatever the real answer here I am perplexed. But not yet alarmed. This latter sentiment makes an entry when I sometimes read your opinions on other actors and other films. Perhaps, an in an analogous move, you are only being diplomatic. Or polite as you see it. But when I come across utterances from you where you routinely praise (I will leave everything unnamed today) the most mediocre actors in Bombay, the most pathetic films on display as good works I am truly alarmed. Actually you do offer ‘clues’ sometimes that help those with some degree of discernment to gauge when your statements might be completely from the heart and when these are simply perfunctory and bland. Why am I alarmed? Because I think that in the first instance there could be a certain extraordinary level of modesty or self-effacement that prevents one from speaking about oneself but surely one would not have the same issues when speaking about the work of others? Does this mean that one should publicly call certain films and actors by the names they deserve? Not at all! I think there can be a mean between these extremes. There can be different strategies employed to indulge in the meaningful. You have given some very meaningful interviews over time. But these are always the exception. The media is certainly to blame as this journalist states. But note that Brando did not feel himself obliged to appear each time the media summoned. I am concerned about certain kinds of responses because these I believe devalue language. When Amitabh Bachchan says that Naseeruddin Shah is a brilliant actor this means a lot. But what if Amitabh Bachchan also says the same for a number of other actors who are as much actors as Naseer is an astronaut?! I personally think the first of these statements is genuine, the others not so (there are clues in your media interviews that might help one decide this). But why should it come down to this? Why should a reader like myself have to become a kind of ‘linguist’ to unravel these codes? Aren’t those ‘majorities’ being misled? I think there is a bond one has with language and there is an even greater responsibility on one to preserve this bond when one is a public figure. One statements should mean something. This is especially important in a country like India where there is a complete absence of proper film culture and the attendant apparatus. We do not have film critics (barring one or two exceptions). We have journalists who write on films. We need people who are trained in cinema to write intelligently on cinema, be they critics or actors or what have you.
Your media interviews would fail the test of your own blog! Your writing on the blog is a model of clarity, self-reflection, polemics, thoughtfulness and so forth. There is often the attempt at the literary. It always makes for an intoxicating combination and I look out for a new post from you with as much eagerness as I did on the very first day when I discovered you were going write something in this medium. This is also why I have engaged so thoroughly (more often than not) with almost all of your posts. As you can see many others have done the same. I think that this is the kind of commentary you should aspire to in your interviews. Yes, the media asks the most asinine questions. Yes, the media asks the same 4-5 questions again and again. Yes, the media is quite simply bankrupt. But you have some control over what kinds of questions you agree to respond to and more importantly how you respond to these. There can be a mean. One can be intelligent without offending anyone. certainly someone as gifted as yourself in matters of language should find this rather easy to do. Assuredly, you can bring to your media responses at least some of the same sparkling intelligence that you bring to your blog. I have to be fair about it seen a certain degree of change for the better from you since you have begun your blog. I just hope to see more. What can I say? I have always held the bar highest for you…
(Report abuse)
PLEASE TRY TO GET THE FOLLOWING FILMS CLEAN, DIGITALLY REMASTERED AND PUT ON BLUE RAY IF POSSIBLE:
ZAMEER
TRISHUL
MUQADER KA SIKANDER
SILSILA
DEWAAR
DOSTANA
YARAANA
SHOLAY
AMAR AKBAR ANTHONY
BARSAAT KI EK RAAT
ABHIMAAN
SHAAN
SUHAAG
RAM BALRAAM
NAMAK KALAL
NAMAK KARAM
LAWARIS
DON
KASME VAADE
NASEEB
KAALIA
KUDDAR
ZANJEER
AGNEEPATH
HUM
KHABIE KHABIE
JURMANA
BESHARAM
MR. NATWARLAL
MAJBOOR
This will be a threat for your fans worldwide.
Thank you.
(Report abuse)
One has to have confidence to say he is the best . He was being humble,he probably fishing for complements ,( no pun , respect him a lot ) lo be hold he got one from you . I need to read your post couple of time to get the gist of it .Have to ponder to answer, which will take a while .
Take care .
sumi
(Report abuse)
Amit Sir,
Years before you were young. Now a days rains create havoc in mumbai and you will also not be going out to be drenched in rains but see this song of yours how you are enjoying the rains.
Hope this song opens an entire kundilini of memories inside your mind and you give us post covering your old memories related with rains.
do watch this song.
rim jhim gire sawan.
simply click the link given below
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmD6GfZgKX8
regards
K
(Report abuse)
Dear Mr. Bachchan,
Your rumination on the gap between how an artist judges his or her talent and craft and the way their admirers do is quite fascinating. It is true that an artist of high merit, in this case an actor, often holds himself or herself to far more exacting standards than what the audience does. Consequently, what might seem mediocre to the artist would, conversely, seem excellent to his or her audience. Of course, there are no universal or absolute standards to judge excellence or absence thereof. If 350 million people choose to celebrate a particular talent, does it really make it exceptional? The answer depends on who it is being asked of– the artist or the audience.
It is a fundamental question about who defines aesthetics– the artist or the audience or both?
Throughout history we have seen artists using a set of benchmarks to judge their talent which may or may not converge with the popular judgment. I suppose it is this gap in perception that motivates and propels the artist to an ever higher trajectory.
Cheers
Mayank Chhaya
(Report abuse)
Wow, deep thought indeed. I tend to agree that mediocrity is the standard of society at the time, very fluid and often inaccurate. But isn’t it a human trait to keep trying to better ourselves. To learn something new, to see something new, to ask the question so we know that one detail that might just put us ahead. We raise our children with this expectation that they can and will do anything they want, reach for the skies we tell them. Often the conflict then comes when they are older and realise that really was it all that important, what significance does it all play in the end. I tend to like just living life with a smile and hope to raise my children with the same lesson. I admit I do teach them to aspire for more but am hoping they understand not to reach at the expense of their own personal smile
Hope you have a simply fantastic day. Its a beautiful day this side of the world.
(Report abuse)
Dear Mr Bachchan….
Achievements….wanting to be better……desiring to be better….how so many try. And whose opinion matters….
Honours, Awards, Trophies, Accolades. Where will they be when the person who has received them are dead and gone? Perched on a shelf being admired by others. Maybe some are broken and thrown away. Some boxed considered to be too precious to handle. Some sold as priced possession better exchange for monetary value?
What is the purpose of it all?
Wouldn’t it then be better to attempt the highest goal - where there is no honours to gain, no awards to give, no trophies to handle, no accolades - but a treasure. “GODLY TREASURE”, the most valuable possession of all:
“Stop storing for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break in and steal. Rather, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth or rust consumes, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is there your heart will be also”.(Matt 6: 19-21)
Isn’t Godly wisdom the real treasure - much more valuable than anything we can achieve in life?
“Happy is the man that has found wisdom, and the man that gets discernment, for having it as gain is better than having silver as gain and having it as produce than gold itself. It is more precious than corals, and other delights of yours cannot be made equal to it. Length of days is in its right hand: in its left hand there are riches and glory. Its ways are ways of pleasantness, and all its roadways are peace. It is a tree of life to those taking hold of it, and those keeping fast hold of it are to be called happy.” (Pro 3: 13-18)
So whose opinion matters??? If any at all…….
May you be called happy….
Rose C
(Report abuse)
Hello Amitabhji,
This is the first time I’ve read one of your blogs. In fact, I had just recently heard about, and jumped to the first chance I got to read one. I must say, it is very amazing you have taken time out of your life to write to the millions that are in awe of you. Your blog was insightful, intelligent, and I look forward to reading more.
(Report abuse)
Great thought
The term better is moving target.You can’t set benchmark/clear definition for better.we expect better performance be it Sports personality or movie staror any aam insaan.If Dilip Kumar todays decides to come back in a movie the mass expectation would be he should to better. I rememeber watching Ocean 13 last year and when I entered into the theatre I was expecting mindblowing performance from Al Pacino even though he had proved himself in couple of movies.
The question is do we have to be complacent ? Is it wrong to set moving target?
In the life we always keep chaning our success goal to do better?
Can we say Rajeev Gandhi’s 1984 performance was best as he could never go better .We can say it today but during those days every one was expecting him to do better than 84 elections.
In my opinion let “better ” be vague no one should have clear explicit definition then only we can strive for better.
Cheers
Praveen Boston
(Report abuse)
Dear Sir,
This is indeed a very profound subject you have touched upon. And just like the examples you have quoted, it purely depends on the individual. Good, Better and Best are not absolute measurements - they are an individual’s perceptions!
Yes, it is true that people, art, creativity, trends and anything that can be judged is judged by a chosen few and the remaining people are happy to follow their judgement. The sad thing is that ‘truth’ too is not an ‘absolute’ term today! Once the media was attributed to be the harbinger of ‘truth’ but today media, too, simply ‘propagates’ what it deems as ’sellable’! Worst still, even some of the laws of the land are ‘tailored’ to suit what the masses ‘vote’ as being right (either via SMSes or internet poll) which is more often than not driven by ‘emotion’ rather than ‘reason’! It is as if we are living in an ‘artificial’, ‘hypocritical’ world! I feel this truly is the saddest part of ‘modern’ world.
Now, coming back to the topic regarding ‘great’ individuals considering themselves simply mediocre. I agree with you that it is so because they want to be better and they know they can be better! It is a matter of them having raised their bar of standards. Nothing wrong with it. It could also partly be attributed to their modesty but then isn’t modesty an attribute of ‘greatness’! After all, when Newton (after having achieved greatness) was asked how he felt, he replied in all modesty “Like a child on the seashore of knowledge collecting pebbles!”.
Warm regards and all the best today, tomorrow and always!
Anurag.
(Report abuse)
An error in my earlier long response. Somehow I compounded the British PM Gladstone Small with ‘Blackwell’, the author of the legendary commentaries on British law. I meant to invoke the latter not the former!
(Report abuse)
I think pondering is pondering - let’s leave it that. Media judging, your neighbors judging, ourselves judging - it is endless. Are you the best, who is the best - it is all relative. There will be no absolute answer. And I can tell you one thing for sure, at least my 2 cents - there is no such class as elite. It is all relative again. I would love the company of “good’ people - whatever that definition is in my mind - maybe that is elite for me. Your elite maybe totally different.
And, do you really think the West follows the four designers. Don’t think so!! I see the Cameron Diaz and likes of her from the fraternity sporting the latest Jimmy Choos and Malaika, Karishma, Kareena and the likes with the obnoxiously priced LV, Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Birkins…… Most people are satisfied with our functional fashion accessories who don’t need to make a statement. Yes, most of India is happy wearing their Shalwar Kamiz of varying lengths and so does the West - Blue denims and shirts will rule - designers will come and go and target the wealthy and the rich. Most intelligent people will not fall in that trap whether they are Indians or Westerners.
(Report abuse)
i was just shaking my head reading this entry thinking how amazing are your writing skills,may i call it brilliant?
Rajeev Shrivastava.
(Report abuse)
Good Morning Aby,
Just an excellent piece of writing….Cheers!!
Refreshed my morning……..
Your language is so good and ,bundled with the purity of your thoughts, it is a gr8 pleasure to read…
Keep up the good work!!!
Have a fruitful day ahead…
Love You even more….
Nive..
(Report abuse)
Wow..very thought provoking post
Someone mediocre can enjoy low expectations but gets the opportunity to surprise with excellence.
I don’t think anyone is mediocre but yes some people never get to live up to their potential. Everybody has a natural knack or aptitude for something in life. And then there are others who get to follow their passions and get the golden opportunity to master their talent with continuous practice. If they had stopped then they would have been mediocre but if they were fortunate enough to harness their strengths they are elite to us. But for those elitist they have to continue the journey.
Also, I think this article was just a space filler, couldn’t finish it. Was confused in the beginning whether he was appreciating your work or not. Please continue with your journey …
(Report abuse)
I just watched Monsoon Wedding again (it’s one of my favorite movies ever) on Sundance Channel. And I realized once again that Naseeruddin Shah is a great actor. And then a couple of days ago, I watched Khuda Ke Liye again with the same realization. Wonderful actor and films!
Also, please please please please please get your Unforgettable Tour to come to Detroit, MI. I delayed my trip to Pakistan for this. There is a HUGE South Asian population here that would LOVE to have the show here. Guaranteed sold-out concert. In the past, all the shows have come to Detroit so it’s really surprising that this tour is not coming here. Please come. It is about 5 hours away from Chicago so please try to fit Detroit in. PLEASE!!!! I’ve been waiting for this tour for over a year being very sure it was coming to Detroit! SO PLEASE COME!!!
(Report abuse)
SirG,
I wonder is GOLD mediocre, is SILVER mediocre, or PLATINUM. How do you define excellence. And how do you maintain that excellence. And how do you excel this excellence.
Gold as long as it is gold is pure in the mines till it does’nt get refined in the laboratory to its best purest form .999. Same is with Silver and Platinum.
Physics will have their properties in detail of their strentghs and capabilities to assist in forms of their usages.
Gold as many times it is put up with other hard properties metals to make it usable in the best form which is jewellery gets impuretised. Without its 18K - 22k impurity it will be so soft that the diamonds which are more precious than the Gold itself will give away.
Does GOLD then becomes mediocre?
Or it has excelled its use now that it has borrowed hardness from his metal family !!
Can’t the Diamonds remain Diamonds and GOLD remain GOLD?
Gold can oblige diamonds to collaborate with it to make a fine art of jewellery, but can Diamond on its own make any use without a precious metal like Platinum and Gold?
Diamonds will remain a shining CARBON in the museum if precious metals dont choose to become mediocre (impure) to hold it and get acceptance from the mankind who believe as always that these precious craft of jewellery enhances all forms of beauty.
As long as GOLD or any precious metals choose to colloborate for beauty and become mediocre that much longer it will be tested and refined and challenged for purity.
GOLD specifically because of its soft and other malleable properties continues to remain the most important forms of trade and security untill today since the mankind discovered it.
Your self crowned CHELA,
Vinod Agarwal ( Finished a 2 year full time production course in Business of Films and Television at Whistling Woods International. Looking for an opening as Assistant/Associate/Executive -Producer Motion Pictures )
(Report abuse)
Mr Bachchan,
The master of the craft is indeed lonely. Because he wants to better himself … and how can you better yourself if you agree that you are excellent / superior / the best? It is not modesty, it is the master’s very quality that made him a master of the craft … the search for excellence. For me, Big B could have stopped to act after Agneepath, and he would still remain the greatest actor there was. But then, he went and did a Black. And Sarkar. And still aims to do better than all of these put together.
And then are those who say, ‘the master has nothing new to offer’. Oh really? The master has set the bar so high for himself, that his performance becomes the standard - however superlative it may be.
It was the masses who rejected a gem of a movie in Agneepath. I have often wondered what Mr B thought of that. In my eyes, and in the eyes of many, V D Chauhan was a performance par excellence. Voice and all. Hearing Mr B speak about it, also lead me to believe that he may not be all too unpleased about it. But if the role, the character, the peformance did not ‘work’ for the masses, does it become inferior?
Regards and Best Wishes,
Pinak
(Report abuse)
Bachchan saab,
Insecurity is the biggest gift to a creative person and this is not restricted just to an actor.
The day anyone believes that he is achieved the best he is capable of, the next performance is bound to be inferior in his own mind than the previous.
When the role of the media transformed from tranmitters of information to transmitters of judgement, one will never know.
Until then - we wait for the next performance you will give us in which you will strive to do better than the last one you delivered.
Love,
Sameer
(Report abuse)
Namashkar Shri.Amitji,
I don’t understand why media always try to put you on wrong side!!!! When your carrier was at peak in first episode also media pilled ban on you and now again you are reaching peak in second episode and media trying to pull you one or the other way. And why only with you?? Is it because no other actor have ever reached the level or state where you stand? or its just an another political move of congress against you?.
But in all circumstances people have been supporting you unconditionally and will do the same.We respect your talent, hard work, honesty, punctuality and so many things about you. We judge you on our knowledge not on media articles. I have always believed that media can not be believed or trusted 100%.
Anyways congratulations on your mega deal with Reliance group.
With regards
Sandeep.
s_chaf@rediffmail.com
(Report abuse)
Hey now - not fair to generalize the entire west based on their fashion choices!! I mean, I agree with you that the fashion world is dictated by a select few and the whole thing is pretty stupid, but most real people don’t subscribe to that crap anyway. Maybe the rich people can afford to get a new wardrobe every few months, but I certainly cannot, nor would I want to. I’d much prefer if we all wore colorful saris and salwar kameez type outfits over here, honestly. Comfort and style!
In any case, you can’t blame a whole hemisphere for a few people’s bad tastes. We’re not ALL sheep.
Love Melanie, from Canada
(Report abuse)
Here are some opinions I have on topics relevant to this blog.
Choosing to stay in commercial stream involves diluting your talent (although it is getting better nowadays), art stream choice risks alienating your doting fan base and “damaging” your legacy.
1) The world measures artistes with how much joy they provide them
2) The artiste measures him/her self by the God given ability they have.
3) Indian masses historically needed to be fed (dialogues) the plot upto the last spoonful. (This is why a 3 hour movie story can be summed in 2-3 lines)
4) Acting in its higher form is how much content can be conveyed visually and with voice modulation.
5) When Indian actors call themselves mediocre, they must bemoan the lack of scripts with content strong enough to make full use of their potential.
6) Commercial Director’s would not pick such scripts because it would be labelled “Art Cinema” and collections would spiral downwards.
7) The true artiste in India faces the conundrum of choosing between “Art Cinema” (Reach the elitist few) & “Commercial cinema”(Reach and affect a huge audience)
9) Naseerudding Shah is among the best if not the best Indian actor.
10) Amitabh Bachchan is the greatest on-screen persona of Hindi cinema.
I have been your fan since childhood (Zanjeer, Deewar, Muqaddar ka Sqander, Trishul) but as I grew up I found myself drifting away from your films (Mard, Toofan etc.). Your second stint is providing me as much and maybe more joy than the first one. May God give you the strength to keep going for another decade.
(Report abuse)
Difficult to understand.. someone please write a simplified version…
(Report abuse)
wow Dear Ami jee i Completely agree with you…really..the way u explained is really excellent………….well what can i say more….but the more and more i read your Blog it seems you are here..and sometimes i post 1st comments..and think u might reading it and will reply to me….
really cant wait to..mee u in New York…and really sir…by reading this article..
i cant say more..but to agree with u….
May Allah Bless u always and keep yu in Good health…….
Love and Hug….
(Report abuse)
I see it this way - when we achieve something knowingly or unknowingly with the natural talent and intelligence we have we always think that what I have achieved was not a big deal. If I could do this (small or big) anyone can. This is very natural. After all what we do in our respective professions is within the limits of that industry.
(Report abuse)
Mr. B.. as beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, so does the acknowledgement of talent.. If I can see the “spark” in you - then you must be talented. But if someone else cant see the “spark” in you - then you must be useless..
Also, safety in numbers helps in acceptance and we wrongly perceive that to be brilliant. Since he is a success he MUST be brilliant- there is no 2 thoughts about that..
But then we forget that destiny has brought the acceptance and God has a big part to play.
One should always ask someone whom one considers better than oneself to judge, rather than the masses..
(Report abuse)
Respected Sir,
The work speaks for itself. I believe that people who can excel in arts are the people who believe in innovation and innovation never comes so easy.
I believe in you and so as my fellow countrymen.
Regards
Mohit
Kabul
(Report abuse)
Dear Mr Bachchan,
Reading the article scanned by you and your statement thereafter does give food for mind and really the people you have mentioned are par excellence ! why do I also think of naseer lataji aamir not when you mention these names but when I always thought of the best, these names were there and there were some more like balraj sahni, gurudutt kamalhasan and ofcourse YOU as the finest in indian cinema and many including marlon from the west.
If one of the best himself is talking about such people being brilliant and one of the masses like me has a list similar does prove how good they are!!! Even I think like you? or because gold doesn’t have to prove its worth it is what it is and everyone knows it.
Being humble is one of the finest virtues and all these people possess it.
This reminds me of a time long long ago may be 20yrs ago when a few yrs had passed after a marriage and there was a party game where partners had to prove they know the most about their better halves.Questions were put separately and one of the popular questions was “the favourite actor” i wrote
Naseer and my husband guessed what i must have written and it was Amitabh Bachchan !!! when i heard that I was so guilty that how come the first name was not yours at that moment in my mind.I was not sad about losing the game but that .. did my husband know me more than I did myself? And.. it wasnt a lie that Naseer wasn’t one of my favourites and he is too good but I have never worshipped him they way I worship you.
That guilt kept gnawing me for years and when ever I made an attempt to write to you or tried all ways to meet you i was never successful.This blog came out to be one of the ways to connect to you yet my replies have never been recognised or answered.i have admired all the above but never had the burning desire to meet them or write to them.. yes they are good and my favourites.
But, but, but… Amitabh Bachchan, every dialogue of his ,every thing associated with him have been a part of me all through and my dream would be fulfilled only when i meet you once.
I do not know whether this reply of mine will be read by you or not.. I sincerely hope it is…Even after 20 yrs of that incident..it hurts me.
Namita
(Report abuse)
I think this is a good reply from you instead of the ‘usual’ outburst at such articles
(Report abuse)
Respected Amitjee,
Hope ,you are feeling better and enjoying your work .
Sometimes a small fight keeps going in my mind about the issue,that what should be the “priorities ” in our lives..???? whether to listen to the people what they say, what their openions are ..etc..etc….or its better to concentrate on our work, projects..spending time on our hobbies,for example, i like to write and these days trying to complete my small book for children.
I think , the later, …the second option is better…..
therefore, I personally feel that “its better to overlook a lot because.. there is a lot waiting for, to be looked upon”….
” Your movies are special . Its a rare achievement…Your roles live in are unmatched and marvellous………people all over watch and enjoy them..”.this is all just to remind you and to enjoy these achievements …the applause from those who watch your movies appreciate and praise them whole heartedlly….with the words…may be wronglly spelled and the language may not be so much literary, polished.. and full of so many complecated words..
Well,these are just my thoughts ..may or may not be appreciable..but still …. we are thankful to you for giving us importance,space to share our thoughts and views..thanks Sir.
Please take care and do have a great time .
with due regards.
deepti
(Report abuse)
I believe that talent has the unique capacity to judge its own capability. I also believe that talent of some quality will and shall always be their own best judges. They do not need reward or award to be acknowledged that they are masters in their craft. Many among them respect the judgement of institutions that reward them and accept their accolades. Many do not. Brando did not. He rejected an Oscar and never went back there again. Aamir does not. Lataji has stopped the practice altogether and stepped back graciously.
So I question myself. If opinion and polls from the masses indicate achievement and achievement itself denies it because of its mediocrity, then who’s opinion is correct. Is the achievement displaying false modesty or are the masses ignorant towards true excellence.
If 350 million freshly rich middle class can dictate the consumerism of a nation, would the quality of their choice then become the standard of acceptance. And would not this acceptance, being mediocre in the eyes of the elitist, spell a lesser degree of aesthetics in quality.
We build our roads and airports and cities. Our drainage systems and electronics. We provide drinking water and quality food products. Transport services and infrastructure are necessary elements that reflect the quality of our nation. Does all of this comply with standards. Or mediocre standards ?
hehe, yes standards, it exsits in society, and it’s true that younger people always struggles to maintain, who suceed maintaining for whole life, the person feels like a successful , it’s a fact.
(Report abuse)
I believe that, in this post -Einsteinian era of Relativity, excellence and mediocrity must be in the mind. Freud and Jung would agree with us that every moment in life is perspecitval. So, Sir, I’m sure you wouldn’t grudge us if we consider you brilliant(which you have repeatedly proven beyond doubt). On the other hand, if the likes of you and Nasseeruddin Shah view yourself to be mediocre, I would say that therein lies your brilliance and capacity for excellence. The day you agree with our frenzied worship of your talent would be the day when you stop the progression of your God gifted power of creativity and revert to a vicariously regressive narcissism. Sharbani
(Report abuse)
Dear Amitji
I have my own views in this. Whether a person is mediocre or better or best it all depends upon the particular individual him/ her self. It is good if an individual considers itself as mediocre so then it gives them an opportunity to excel. Excel in the field they desire. Else if they consider themselves as best then the hunger to excel and better the performance would fade.
It happens in all the fields wherever you see. The industrialists, doctors, professionals, painters, singers, etc. That is why you see Ambanis still hungry for the growth, so as Mr Gates.
You are also looking forward to excel in each and every movie and give better than your previous ones. So carry on. Yes there is no measure to define what is better , it is individual’s perception
Warm regards
Ramesh “kaps “
(Report abuse)
Dear Amitji,
You have put the deep philosophical issue of “Greatness” in an easy to understand way to all. It very much explains the being of “Greatness” and ” “Mediocre”. Its not mere an issue of acknowledging to the masses but to our inner self too.
The moment a person feels he or she has achieved the ultimate…the journey ends…creativity stagnates. Its the way, majority of masses like us live along. We strive to reach the point of setteling down as soon as possible. “Struggle” becomes a piece of life attached to ceratin youthful days only. As soon as our struggle ripes fruit we tend to be comfortable and CEASE ourselves to secure that. The ultimate is achieved- “mediocrity”. Now we tend to analyze and judge the “Greatness”. The results are quite evident everywere.
(Report abuse)
Hi,
With good wishes to you, Sir…
But please do let me use this to address Maya Chaya.
Thanks.
@ Maya Chaya
The Free Press Journal
Your reasoning is appalling and fallacious!
You’re hoping to bias people (readers, fans,) by presenting your personal (with a grudge?) unfavorable info against some one who really needs no introduction from you, and this sort of fallacy as you well know is called ‘trying to poison the well’!
You too leave yourself open to suspicion from readers when you purposely stride out to get your fifteen minutes worth of fame through the very person you use to pen (in the first part) your shrouded (not very!) hostility!
My question to you is that if it annoys you to hear AB calling himself mediocre then are you very thrilled with SRK’s (for the sake of taking a name much beloved) saying g he’s the best? When he lies like that, do you lap it up? Why don’t you write a word- to- word article on the same base for SRK? Because, Maya, Free Press Journal would not buy that article as it would not be worth it’s weight in crap.
gilga
(Report abuse)
Hello Sir,
Very good morning,
Mediocrity is an epidemic masses are comfortable leaving it uncured.In every field be it IT or fashion ,it’s a wide spread malady.being different or standing out per se has become a cliche ppl hardly acknowledge the essence of originality.I believe it is important for the brilliance to bring to notice and that how the mediocre standards get a push.It is impertinent the true excellence of talents shewed be it any field thats how intellect and new wave,horizons get a life in this space and matter.Its a battle sadly,btn the high-brow and the middling rabble.Its ironical how a true intellect has to swim across a herd of ordinary who fail to understand the essence of higher ideals.Everybody wants to be noticed without having a special purpose.We all have a purpose on this plane which has to be fulfilled and learned before we embark the sojorn on the higher dimensions.For mediocre this is a fashionable thing to state as they donot understand the value of such reflection.
Also the saddest part of media is that it’s getting frivolous day by day.they are sometime bringing in to light the hole-and-corner- of the hoi polloi and sometimes keep giving a tiring recap of,for instance,how ranbir and deepika kissed in bangkok.You want to open the tele for some news and you get series of frivolous things being showed on and on,its tiring.They need to know,they got to get a life!!
I throughly agree with you sir.Is not for the masses to set standars and dwell in comfort of it.However,I also believe its ppl like you who can make a huge difference in pushing these standards coz you got a huge following and most of all an amazing zeal of true human spirit that masses follow.
(Report abuse)
Hi Amit Sir…
the blog of today had put a food for thought!!!!!
An individual is the judge of himself…but he should also listen atleast to what people say about him..after that its upto him to take it or not!!
its a very complicated area…
people who r brilliant in there field like You,naseer sir, lataji,amir… they have that talent n r god gifted but there fight is with themselves to better it more!! so what looks like genius to others like ur fans ,may look a mediocre to u of ur own performance as u r the best judge of ur own act!!!
n sometimes people with less talent who r mediocre are high in the status n popularity.. not to name any one..they r praise by there fans n