Big B's greed overshadows need

The recent controversy involving Amitabh Bachchan in the purchase of a tract of agricultural land in the Barabanki town of UP degrades the stature of the matinee idol. On reading a probing article in Outlook, I was indeed left aghast at the less of need and more of greed that led the Big B to adopt such unfair means. As it turned out, the matinee icon wanted to purchase a plot at Lonavala which is known for its scenic beauty. But the land laws of the State of Maharashtra requires that the purchaser should be an agriculturist/ and must have agriculture land in any place that proves his status to be of an agriculturist. Mr. Bachchan had a discussion with his political friend(s) and they suggested that the best place to prove his title of an agriculturist can be Uttar Pradesh where the icon’s best friend was at the helm. Here records were fudged. But the fudging of records could not do much as the younger generation of the civil service officer suspected some foul play and took a personal interest in the matter and stuck to his guns despite odd situation vis a vis with the state (political) administration.

Here in this situation one is confronted with a lots of questions. Where is the need for Mr. Bachchan to acquire the land when he has everything in abundance? Is Mr. Bachchan having time to enjoy the property? Are the laws and rules of states at the mercy of the rulers that they can be bent/ moulded according to their whims?

The clout that Mr. Bachchan enjoys in the media as well in the political circles and given the intellectual orientation that he must have inherited and that is obvious from his personality and mannerisms, he was expected to have done something constructive. Given that acting is his forte, and the laurels he has achieved in the international arena, he is certainly in a position to dictate the lines on which films can be produced. We all know film is a very important tool of mass media. The audience had recognised themselves when he portrayed the image of angry young man fighting against the system. The need for the value based cinema portraying the reality of masses in the present times is crying hoarse from the roof tops. But the stalwarts of the media, who hold considerable sway in the sector yearn only for formula films.

Mr. Bachchan you have enough and even if you spend lavishly the present day wealth that you have amassed will be sufficient enough for your next seven generation. You hail from a family that has earned popularity due to its intellectual orientation. Please continue that legacy. Also think something about the society that has given you name, fame, money and everything that a human being craves for. Don’t forget the famous words of J.R.D. Tata what he said to Sudha Murthy when she resigned from her job to help her now famous husband Shri Narayana Murthy “Please don’t forget to pay back to the society when it has given you”.

Sudesh Negi