Pushpa, I hate biopics

I recently heard in horror that Rajesh Khanna’s biopic is in the works. And maybe Farah Khan is helming it. Why? Because he made a movie like ‘Retro’Calmness In which Shahrukh Khan was asked to perform Rajesh Khanna (and Jeetu, Dharam Paaji et al) in a song? I can’t think of another reason. While I was wondering if Akshay Kumar would play him (as Kaka)Damdi, he gets dibs) or will mata Kanganaben Ranaut stake claim with a window pane-shattering acrimonious ‘with nepotism’ fight-cry, I have heard that a biopic of Kapil Sharma is also being planned. Was being Yes, you heard me right. Today we are taking the same range for biopics.

Perhaps Navjot Sidhu will play the character of Kapil Sharma. Why not? And when Sidhu’s biopic is being made together, maybe Ranveer Singh can play Sidhu. After all, he has the experience of playing a cricketer of the 80s. And Singh can juggle between this role and playing the role of Govinda in a biopic, titledchi chi number 1, I mean, sartorial, who better than Ranveer Singh to portray Govinda.

I think this bullshit should stop. Not because biopics in themselves are bad or Rajesh Khanna biopics don’t deserve it, but because where are we going in terms of reveling in the glory of the past. Not to mention the lazy, diabolical intent with which the lives of the living, dead and just-born ‘heroes’ are being co-opted by third-rate filmmakers as fodder for a public that is OD-ing on hallucinogens which ‘they were the day’.

The dynasty began when India’s number one ethical science uncle, Rajubhai Hirani, decided to create a clean bio of Sanjay Dutt. in consultation with him. And tried to tell us that Baba was just such a big, crazy, teddy bear that was misunderstood, and that his collusion with terrorists and arms dealers was just a big misunderstanding. Since then, we’ve been bombarded with so many biopics that are downright offensive and deafening (likemarie comowith Priyanka Chopra in prosthetics!) Rumor has it that Akki goes to the sets and asks ‘who am i today, scientist, archaeologist Then freedom fighter?’ Not that it adds an extra nuance to his arsenal of three expressions: clunky, clingy, and mercenary.

our only reason public Will go to the biopic of Rajesh Khanna – or any filmstar – to see if there is any sledge in it. And it won’t happen, trust me. Because Mrs. Hasya Hadith and Akki would not allow it, would they? And the only reason our countrymen go into a biopic of a historical character is to feel ‘proud’, which basically means they don’t want anything else. Other than beating someone up when needed.

I feel that when our present non-glory is not being addressed, we have gone far beyond the saturation point of drowning in our ancient glory, real and hallucinatory. Not much is being said – or allowed to be said – about how great we are today.

Yes, movies and books around the world feature cool historical characters, and sometimes great art is created in the process. But that cannot be our primary goal.

I am constantly keeping my eyes on the road ahead. I won’t be distracted by the ‘beauty’ in my rear-view mirror.

Krishna Sastri Devulapalli is a satirist. He has written four books and edited one anthology.