While the star-struck world celebrated the 58th birthday of ‘King’ Khan ( back into big business and superstardom with two back to back megahits ‘Pathan’ and ‘Jawan’ ) one is reminded of one of his sober, heart-wrenching & poignant films ‘Kal Ho Na Ho’ (2003). With elements reminiscent of the sublime tragedy of the immortal ‘Anand’, it’s still a favourite along with inspiring ‘Chak De’ and ‘Swades’, where SRK wasn’t his usual self !
However, now that we are in our autumn years the film’s title does make us reflective. Without sounding morbid and unduly pessimistic, it can become heart-breaking when you have to refer to old friends you’ve grown up with, in the past tense suddenly and out of the blues. In the last one week, two of my old friends from the last over five decades left us to the utter dismay and grief of their families, kith & kin. Sadly, both weren’t in good health and narrowly missed even reaching their 70s, if we use cricketing jargon. It’s again revelation, sans alarm signals, destiny’s vagaries can snatch away loved ones.
That said, the message from above is quite clear, age is just a number and one is about as young as he thinks or she is but as a line in ‘Anand’ went ‘It’s not the years in life, but the life lived in those years, that truly matter’. For those who are blessed with good disposition and positive attitude must look towards the brighter side and seek to find joy in every little thing, that makes their heart ‘happy’. Friends are the best support system, they offer unconditional love and advice and occasionally ‘dirty’ pics and ‘bad’ jokes too !
Coming back to SRK’s film, the title song composed by Shanker Ehsan Loy, is beautifully penned by Javed Akhtar and says in essence that ‘life is uncertain and tomorrow may not come, live to the full each moment, each day’. Sonu Nigam’s voice creates magic and has become an unforgettable number. So in this moment, I decided to try it myself !
Working on Living 