Among many lively taglines that creative ads conceived of in last few years. was an old favourite ’Har Ek Friend Jaroori Hota Hai’ or that every friend is important in life. Yet, too many ‘friends’ can be a pain as rich & successful people realize, when ‘new’ ones can spring up like wild flowers to befreind them ! Earlier, we had a ‘best friend’ syndrome, one to whom you felt closest to, but time taught us, friends are just ‘a few good men’ !
On the other hand, famous story-tellers, writers and spinners of film yarns, created that truly special character alongside their main heroes, who played important roles albeit with an understated, genial disposition akin to that of a loyal assistant. The Greatest fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes had Dr.Watson to bounce off his theories on, while the fastidious but brilliant Hercule Poirot liked to have Capt. Hastings as an aide.
In helping them solving curious cases, these amiable ‘associates’ bore the brunt of their eccentricities and quirks (somewhat like what an enduring spouse does !), yet never lost patience like foot soldiers. Closer home, legendary Satyajit Ray’s ace detective ‘Pheluda’ however, had a budding ‘Topse’ as his understudy, which Bengali audiences know from classics like ‘Sonar Kella’ and ‘Joy Baba Phelunath’ and the entire ‘Pheluda’ series.
My favourite of this genre was Col Pickering of ‘My Fair Lady’ fame. A lovable ‘old chap’ on whom the indefatigable Henry Higgins would let off steam uttering expletives such as ‘never let a woman in your life’ and ‘why can’t a woman be more like you ?’. As their friendship was deep, the loyal Pickering with stoic calmness, assisted Higgins in his mad efforts to transform wild ‘Eliza’ into a proper lady. Let’s remember that such guys were no pushovers, but gentlemen with no egos and reliable friends for all times !
With all this happening in the world of English literature, how could Bollywood be left behind. Even with Saratchandra’s tragic ‘Devdas’ was effervescent Chunilal for company and in almost all movies of 1960-70s, the film’s hero would’ve a sidekick for comic relief. Roles were written for fine actors like Johny Walker, Mehmood, Rajendranath, Asrani etc – there were times when they would steal the show ! Later when lead actors (read Big B, Govinda, SRK etc) delved into comedy, the funny sidekick kind of got lost in crowds.
Today, the noble, enduring essence of a friendship that plays second fiddle to another person’s eminence or success has been replaced by opportunism and sycophancy where everyone wants a slice of the cake or a place in the spotlight and for that people resort to ‘networking’ & connections rather than maintain relationships with no strings attached. The genteel era of associates ’Watson’ and ’Hastings’ is passé. It’s what it was – fiction !
Working on Living 