Like megasts Amitabh Bachchan celebrates his birthday today, filmmaker R. BalkiThe author-director behind iconic collaborations such as ‘Cheeni Kum’, ‘Paa’ and ‘Shamitabh’ has written a heartfelt letter to their long-standing muse and inspiration. In this exclusive note shared with Etimes, Balki reflects on the phenomenon called Amitabh Bachchan and traces how the superstar redefined heroism in Indian film and continues to inspire generations. With his brand Vidd and affection, Balki writes to Amitji about the man who even for 24 frames per second became bigger than life.Happy birthday, Amitji.Why do I write this instead of talking to you?Because it is safer to talk to you publicly than privately, where you will call me a fraudulent fool or, depending on your generosity, something a little more dismissive.I saw the most delicious Downton Abbey … the big final today. There is a dialogue in it … “Sometimes I feel that the past is a more comfortable place than the future.” I know you hate to look back; You are about looking forward to the new next day. You are equally competitive today, your nostalgic philosophy and “do” is your vitality, blah blah … but you are responsible for the film state today, so I have to make you spin a little.You were responsible for the birth of Ultra-Low-Motion 90 frames per second hero … Even if you hardly went in or went in slow movement in your movies. In fact, I can’t even remember a 48-frame shot, except maybe a lovely run here or there, in all your golden and platinum anniversary hits. (Maybe that’s why I shot you who went to taboo in Cheeni Kum in 48 frames for fun). You didn’t need it. You were just born with a personality, a voice and a gift to make the most outlands with a straight face. The villains hear your voice and “cut to” … they see you! Voilà … the biggest star in Hindi Cinema for 24 frames per second! How do you now expect the next generation or the younger ones in your generation, who strived to be you, to be as thunderstorm as you? Welcome to slow heroes. With each year, the frame rate has increased … Today, the average is 90 frames per second, cut to ear aid music. Cannot blame them. Blame you. You set the bar for a hero. You had some good lines, yes, but since such lines are only half as effective from another mouth, is a slow post and turn before and after delivery a must to add the place to reach the hero field.Now come back from KBC. We need some 24 frame measures on the screen for a change. Your past is not just a comfortable place for all of us to be in. It is an ambition for the future. Funny how a technically knowledgeable industry tries each stunt in the book to match the power of a zoom, a track and some ridiculous clock bottoms on a slim, poker-face cool man.Happy birthday to the eternal hope of all Indian mega heroes. “One day after the cashier’s office we will be … bigger than Bachchan.”
