Lal Krishna Advani & Dilip Kumar

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           SEPTEMBER 19 , 2013           11 . 10 P.M.

I wanted to write this blog a week back , when Shri Narendra Modi was anointed as the Prime Ministerial candidate of Bharatiya Janata Party . But I was busy writing an article on Mahamana Madan Mohan Malaviya for a Kenyan magazine , which is published from Nairobi , capital of Kenya . Yesterday I mailed that article to Shri Ram Chandra Pandey , Pracharak of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh , Kenya . Today , as I am relatively free , I am sitting in my study and writing this blog .

I am a fan of Dilip Kumar . My veneration for him knows no limit . In his career spanning 54 years [ when he was working and was active ] , he has done only 59 films [ including Guest appearances ] . Out of his 59 released films , I have seen 45 . I have seen many of his films several times . Ironically I have not seen his first film ” Jwaar Bhata ” [ 1944 ] and his last film ” Quila ” [ 1998 ] .

Let us have a look on his career and achievements . He was nominated 18 times for the Filmfare Awards , and won it 8  times . He was awarded Padma Bhushan in 1991 , Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994 and was a nominated member of Rajya Sabha also for one term . In 1998 he got Nishan – E – Imtiaz from the government of Pakistan .

His towering and gigantic personality hovered over my horizon from ” Ganga Jumna ” [ 1961 ] , which I watched in 1967 , till today , when he is recuperating in the ICU of Lilavati hospital .

Thus from 1967 to 2013 , it is a 46 – year – long association full of reverence , veneration and respect . It refuses to ebb .

Dilip Kumar in MouthShut.com office in 2006 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

But Dilip Kumar’s benign and all-pervading shadow on my life was disturbed and somewhat eclipsed with the advent of Amitabh Bachchan in 1969 . From ” Saat Hindustani ” [ 1969 ] to ” Satyagraha ” [ 2013 ] , he has acted in 186 films [ including Guest appearances & Voice overs ] . And out of 186 , I have watched 120 films . ” Anand ” [ 1971 ] was the first film of Amitabh Bachchan , which I watched . Ironically I have not watched his first film ” Saat Hindustani ” [ 1969 ]  and his latest ” Satyagraha ” [ 2013 ] . An uncanny coincidence of my life , which happened in the case of Dilip Kumar also .

The Amitabh Bachchan juggernaut , in real sense of the term , started with ” Zanjeer ” [ 1973 ] . One year later Dilip Kumar came with a critically acclaimed but flop ” Sagina ” [ 1974 ] .

Two years after ” Zanjeer ” [ 1973 ] , Amitabh Bachchan gave two iconic super hits , ” Deewar ” and ” Sholay ” [ 1975 ] . Again one year later Dilip Kumar came with triple role in a much – delayed and moderate hit  ” Bairaag ” [ 1976 ] .

After hiatus of 5 years , Dilip Kumar started his second innings with hugely successful ” Kranti ” [ 1981 ] . But same year Amitabh Bachchan gave 3 super – hits ” Lawaaris ” , ” Yaraana ” and ” Kaalia ” [ 1981 ] and hugely likable ” Silsila ” [ 1981 ] .

They both , a year later , came together in critically acclaimed , highly likable but a box office dud ” Shakti ” [ 1982 ] .

Dilip Kumar last came in ” Quila ” [ 1998 ] and 2 years later Amitabh Bachchan started his second innings  with hugely successful ” Mohabbatein ” [ 2000 ] . And the juggernaut , which started with ” Zanjeer ” [ 1973 ] still continues unabated in 2013 also .

Thus from  ” Anand ” [ 1971 ] to ” Satyagraha ” [ 2013 ] , it is a 42 – year – long association of me with Amitabh Bachchan also .

Let us have a peek in the other achievements of Amitabh Bachchan . He briefly dabbled in politics and was member of the 8th Lok Sabha . He got Padma Shri in 1984 and Padma Bhushan in 2001. His achievements in the film world are no less spectacular compared to Dilip Kumar . He has got 3 National Awards and unbelievable 39 Filmfare nominations in several categories , though Dilip Kumar holds the record of winning 8 Filmfare trophies .

But I must admit with all honesty that despite his unprecedented and unbelievable accomplishments , acceptance of Amitabh Bachchan was not easy for me . Though I watched his films with much admiration and appreciation , and as stated earlier , I have watched 120 films of Amitabh Bachchan but my hero , my idol was always Dilip Kumar .

Amitabh Bachchan at IFFA Award 2006 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

And I think being a fan and admirer of Dilip Kumar does not mean that I don’t accept Amitabh Bachchan’s persona or demean it . They both hovered on my horizon . They both influenced me immensely . I am a fan of both of them but it is also a fact that Dilip Kumar reigns supreme and stands few notches higher .

Coincidently photographs of Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan , which I have posted here , were clicked in 2006 .

L K Advani outside his residence. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Same is the case with Shri Lal Krishna Advani . I first heard of him in 1967 when I was in High School . 1967 is the same year when I came to know about Dilip Kumar through his film , a golden jubilee hit ” Ganga Jumna ” . So in an uncanny way my association with Dilip Kumar and Advani ji started in the same year , 1967 .

Advani ji became my political hero during my school , college and university days . I came to know Dilip Kumar when Amitabh Bachchan was yet to make his debut . In the same way when I started admiring Lal Krishna Advani , Shri Narendra Modi was yet to make his debut in politics .

Shri Narendra Modi , just like Amitabh Bachchan , has spectacular achievements to his credit . Shri Narendra Modi , just like Amitabh Bachchan , is hugely popular . Shri Narendra Modi , just like Amitabh Bachchan , is continuing with his unstoppable juggernaut . Shri Narendra Modi , just like Amitabh Bachchan , is the current idol and is liked by the cadre immensely .

Narendra Modi in Press Conference (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

But as I have said earlier , in my heart Dilip Kumar still reigns supreme . And being a fan of Dilip Kumar is in no way an insult to Amitabh Bachchan . Admiring Dilip Kumar is in no way derogatory to Amitabh Bachchan . In the same way my political hero is Shri Lal Krishna Advani . And being a Lal Krishna Advani admirer is in no way an insult to Shri Narendra Modi .

It is just a question of whom you grow with . Your hero of growing years is going to be your hero till your last breath .

Shri Narendra Modi , just like Amitabh Bachchan , is the current favourite . But it doesn’t mean that Dilip Kumar and Lal Krishna Advani have no relevance or have no achievements to their credit . I like Shri Narendra Modi and Amitabh Bachchan for their achievements , but I idolize Dilip Kumar and Lal Krishna Advani for their glorious innings and immense contribution in their respective fields .

I again assert that being an admirer of Advani ji does not make me an automatic hater of Modi ji . Persons like me who have admired Advani ji all their life , can’t accept a new icon in one night . It is going to be a slow and difficult process . This was the case with Amitabh Bachchan also . But gradually Amitabh Bachchan’s all-pervading shadow inundated me completely . Slowly and eventually same will definitely happen with Modi ji also . But till then Advani ji is my political hero as Dilip Kumar is my screen idol .

I told this story to all the students and staff of VIDUR Acting Institute , which is known as Vidur’s Kreating Charakters  . Today I am expressing it for the followers of my blog and general public , who visit my blog space .

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MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

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Related articles

• LK Advani praises Narendra Modi for Gujarat’s development (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)

Rastra Dharma Rakshak : A Denunciation

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           JUNE 17 , 2013           00.30 A.M.

“I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it .”  – Voltaire

I was closely following the political turmoil which gripped BJP after its Goa National executive Committee meet . I was particularly peeved when some disgruntled youth protested in front of Advaniji’s house in New Delhi . The banners they used informed us that they belonged to a little known organization called Modi Sena .

One can draw the inference that officially BJP or Shri Narendra Modi has nothing to do with it . But I remember one more protest of the same nature against Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee . When there was a rebellion against Shri Keshu Bhai Patel , Atalji went to Gandhi Nagar to broker peace . Keshu Bhai Patel was removed and Suresh Mehta was anointed as Chief Minister of Gujarat . There were protests against Atalji . When he was heading for airport , his car was gheraoed by few slogan shouting youth . At that time also protesters shouted obscene slogans against him . At that time also we were informed that they were some disgruntled youth and they don’t belong to the party . And we believed .

But some disgruntled youth again appeared and shouted slogans against Advaniji . Coincidence can’t happen again and again . Who is responsible for this act . How come few disgruntled youth appear on the scene when something happens which is not liked by someone . And yes , they have audacity to protest against Atalji and Advaniji and that too with impunity .

Apart from the protesting disgruntled youth , there is one organization called Rastra Dharma Rakshak also in the arena . If you write or say anything against a leader which is not liked by them , they will hurl abuses and post extremely obscene comments on facebook . You can visit their facebook page to get first hand knowledge :

http://www.facebook.com/hindudharma.rakshak

I am curious to know about the Rastra Dharma Rakshak and Shri Dhiraj Desmukh , who seems to be heading this organization . They proclaim to admire Shri Anna Hazare , Baba Ramdev and Shri Narendra Modi . But in order to admire above mentioned great personalities , you need not ridicule or insult the other ones .

Hon. Anna Hazare in Nanded , Maharastra . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Baba Ramdev (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Narendra Modi at the World Economic Forum in India (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Previously they used to post obscene comments and insulting  pictures of Shri Manmohan Singh and Shrimati Sonia Gandhi . In democracy you can oppose any person or leader and even criticize them . But it should be done in a decent , civilized way . To Photoshop any leader’s photo and then posting it on social networking sites is unethical .

Their bent of  mind is puzzling . Is it necessary to support everyone whom they support ? Are we duty bound to acquiesce to their dictates ? If it is so , is it good for democracy ? Or it is democracy at all ?

If Advaniji says that he is not well , so he is not well . If he doesn’t want to go to a particular meet , it is his choice . He doesn’t need Rastra Dharma Rakshak’s nod for that or their permission to skip the meet . Any one wanting to know their bent of mind can send them friend request on facebook and see what they write . It is filthy . It is vulgar . It is uncouth . It is demeaning to even reproduce those postings here .

Shri Lal Krishan Advani

Yesterday the man to be abused was Shri Lal Krishan Advani . Today the goal-post has changed . It is now turn of Shri Nitish Kumar . I also wish that in the interest of the nation BJP and JD ( U ) should work together . But if  JD ( U ) wants to break the relationship , it is their choice . But all of a sudden according to Rastra Dharma Rakshak , Nitish Kumar is supposed to be getting money from Pakistan . May I demand to know  why was it not reported earlier ?

Nitish Kumar (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In politics it is your right to criticise . But to rebuke , ridicule or insult is neither your right or your prerogative .

I denounce Rastra Dharma Rakshak . They have no place in democracy . Their autocratic behaviour poses dangerous signal . I do respect Shri Anna Hazare , Shri Narendra Modi and Baba Ramdev . But I won’t allow myself to be forced to like or admire them . In fact years ago , when the embers of Gujarat riots were still hot and burning , I wrote two blog post in support of Shri Narendra Modi . Anyone can visit the Political Category of my blog post and can read the blogs .

1 – In Defence of Narendra Modi : March 24 , 2010

2 – Narendra Modi & His Detractors : December 20 , 2012

There was another post which I wrote when Kokrajhar riots happened :

1 – Kokrajhat & Tyranny of Distance : September 06 , 2012

But I refused to be dictated by Rastra Dharma Rakshak and its patron Shri Dhiraj Desmukh . To admire Shri Narendra Modi , I need not be ridiculing Shri Advaniji . As I have written in the beginning :

“I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it .”  – Voltaire

If it is right of Rastra Dharma Rakshakt to admire someone , then it applies to me also . They cannot dictate terms or force me into subjugation . I may be small . I may be alone . I may be in minority but I still have the mind of my own which refuses to be cowed down by a Rastra Dharma Rakshak . I finish my blog by remembering a poem written by Dr. Dharam Vir Bharti .

मैं
रथ का टूटा हुआ पहिया हूँ
लेकिन मुझे फेंको मत !

क्या जाने कब
इस दुरूह चक्रव्यूह में
अक्षौहिणी सेनाओं को चुनौती देता हुआ
कोई दुस्साहसी अभिमन्यु आकर घिर जाय !

अपने पक्ष को असत्य जानते हुए भी
बड़े-बड़े महारथी
अकेली निहत्थी आवाज़ को
अपने ब्रह्मास्त्रों से कुचल देना चाहें
तब मैं
रथ का टूटा हुआ पहिया
उसके हाथों में
ब्रह्मास्त्रों से लोहा ले सकता हूँ !
मैं रथ का टूटा पहिया हूँ

लेकिन मुझे फेंको मत
इतिहासों की सामूहिक गति
सहसा झूठी पड़ जाने पर
क्या जाने
सच्चाई टूटे हुए पहियों का आश्रय ले !

…………………… धर्मवीर भारती ……………………

On behalf of all the students and staff of VIDUR Acting Institute , which is known as Vidur’s Kreating Charakters  , and on behalf of VIDUR Editing Studio , VIDUR Club and VIDUR Theatre I express my voice in favour of personal freedom and against dictatorial tendency of few uncouth , sycophant paper tigers . They proclaim to be admirers of few great souls whom even I admire but not  the way they wish me to admire them .

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

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Thinking About Advaniji !!

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           JUNE 13 , 2013           01.15 A.M.

On June 10 , 2013 , while sitting in my institute’s office , I suddenly heard a TV anchor’s voice . He said , ” Lal Krishna Advani resigns from all the posts of Bharatiya Janata Party [ BJP ] .”

Shri Lal Krishna Advani outside his residence. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I was shocked and dumbfounded . BJP without Advaniji or Advaniji without BJP is not comprehensible . I left every work and was glued to the TV set for a while . I watched the news for sometime and then started recollecting the incidents of past few days .

In BJP since almost 1 year there was a clamour for bigger role for Shri Narendra Modi . No sane person can find fault with this . But the picture was being painted as if Advaniji was against this . The fact of the matter is that Advaniji was solely responsible for Shri Narendra Modi’s elevation to the post of Chief Minister of Gujarat and he also saved Gujarat strongman from being sacked in the aftermath of Gujarat riots of 2002 . Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee wanted to remove him from the post . So how can he be against Shri Modi ?

Every BJP leader , who were assembled at Goa for the party’s National Executive Committee  meeting , took a decision to appoint Shri Narendra Modi as the Chairman of  The Campaign Committee for the 2014 Lok Sabha election . Since Advaniji didn’t attend the National Executive meet , he was painted as a villain , a greedy old man who was hankering for power and pelf. There was even a demonstration in front of his New Delhi house by some organization called Modi Sena .

I was pained by the sight . It was unbelievable and unthinkable few years back . No sane BJP worker will demonstrate against Advaniji . But some Modi Sena staged protest and instead of condemning it immediately and wholeheartedly , BJP leaders simply distanced themselves from it . That is all for this deplorable act .

Then , when asked about Advaniji’s health , BJP spokes-person Prakash Javdekar said in Goa , ” jab mausam badalta hai to log beemar pad jaate hain ” . I simply ask , is it fair ? ” …………….. mausam badalta hai ……………. ” indicates some connotation and it carries unambiguous meaning in the given present context . A Prakash Javdekar commenting like this and sarcastically taunting Advaniji , is deplorable . In my opinion it all started after the 2009 Lok Sabha defeat .

The then former Goa chief minister Shri Manohar Parrikar reportedly told a local news channel Prudent Media, “Pickle tastes good when it is left to mature for a year. But if you keep it for more than two years, it turns rancid…Advaniji’s period is more or less over. Another couple of years and after that he should act as a guardian or mentor for the party.  It’s like Sachin Tendulkar.  However mature an innings he may play, he will have to stop playing sometime.”

Parrikar said though he respected Advani for his integrity, the party should give importance to younger leaders. “I am not against elders, but the BJP should give prominence to leaders who are between 40 and 60 years.”

[ I have taken this above quoted piece from DNA of September 22 , 2009 . ]

Therefore there seems to be a conspiracy against Advaniji . I think that is the reason he took a painful decision of resigning from the Bharatiya Janata Party , which he nurtured whole of his life . He resigned on Monday , that is on June 10 , 2013 .

What followed afterwords is more sinful and shameful . Verbal abuse on twitter was unleashed . Obnoxious postings on facebook by some Rastra Dharma Rakshak and it’s patron Dhiraj Desmukh started with ferocity . This Rastra Dharma Rakshak supports Shri Narendra Modi and posts obscene comments about  Advaniji . Some comments are not even worthy of writing . Again a deafening silence by BJP on such posts is baffling .

A day after his resignation , when efforts were on to persuade Advaniji to take back his resignation , a certain  Prabhat Jha , the vice Prsident of BJP , said that one individual is not above the party . In fact this sermon is being dished out from several other sources also . Can I ask why the party was not above the individual when it got just 2 seats in 1984 ? From 2 seats in 1984 to a first BJP led government in 1998 , and to 182 seats in 1999 , Advaniji worked tirelessly . May I know why party was not above the individual in those momentous but dark and futureless 14 /15 years ?

He is accused to be driven by personal agenda . From 2 seats to 182 seats , from a party on the periphery , to the ruling party at the centre , he led BJP to unimaginable glories and when the clamour for him to become the Prime Minister was reaching a crescendo , he proposed Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s name . And the same person is now called by some minions and upstarts as driven by ambition and self – agenda .

Map of Indian Provinces as Ruled by Political Parties (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Even today BJP rules 4 provinces [ Gujarat , Madhya Pradesh , Chhattisgarh and Goa ] on its own and 3 provinces [ Punjab , Bihar and Nagaland ] as dominant coalition partner . But votaries of new order say that BJP lost 2004 and 2009 parliamentary elections and its seat tally came down . It won only 138 seats in 2004 and 116 seats in 2009 . But such people conveniently forget the gradual ascent of the BJP . 2 seats in 1984 , 89 seats in 1989 , 120 seats in 1991 , 161 seats in 1996 , 178 seats in 1998 , 182 seats in 1999 , 138 seats in 2004 and 116 seats in 2009 . Even if seat tally came down to 116 in 2009 , it was much better than 2 seats in 1984 .

But political calculations are driven by convenience . And the current convenience is winning parliamentary elections in 2014 . And some people feel that for this task you need Shri Narendra Modi’s face .

It is absolutely fine . Every one welcomed the decision . But to anoint a new leader , you need not ridicule and mock the aging patriarch . This is India and respecting elders is our tradition . That is precisely the reason that people cutting across part line are supporting Advaniji and showing sympathy. Not only Indian National Congress but even CPI and CPI-M showed empathy towards him . Urdu press , which is not favourably dispensed towards Advaniji , was sympathetic and supportive . They called this behaviour of sidelining him unfaithfulness and betrayal of an aging senior .

I am a non entity . But I was saddened by the turn of events . I am only trying to raise my voice against the ridicule , insult and mocking of Advaniji , who is now 85 . We should not left him in the cold . To play a Balraj Madhok on him is not possible in this age of social media and if some one , driven by personal agenda , is trying to do this , he should be condemned .

I am raising my voice fully knowing that I may be in minority . But  TRUTH ALWAYS WINS .

” SATYAMEVA JAYATE NANRITAM ”

I , along with my above mentioned institutions , wholeheartedly condemn the verbal attacks on Advaniji . After writing this blog I am relieved of my guilt . At least I have raised my voice against the insult being heaped on the aging patriarch of the family .

I am happy Advaniji , I am not in the list of people , who failed you at this juncture of your life .

VIDUR

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Related articles

• Pro-Modi social media warriors taunt Advani (thehindu.com)
• Advaniji- Bheeshma Or Shikandi? (topoftheroof.wordpress.com)
• BJP leadership continues work as usual, Advani camp refuses to budge (ibnlive.in.com)
• Dismay and disbelief among BJP leaders (thehindu.com)
• LK Advani resigns from all posts in BJP (ibnlive.in.com)