Bombayites are different, says Mahesh Thakur
TNN | Oct 11, 2011, 12.00AM ISTIt was the most beautiful eight colour pages, a totally new concept, here was the iconic 'Times Of India' dedicating an extra supplement on lifestyle and entertainment specially for the true Bombayite.
I was only 21 then and surely a true Bombayite. 'True' because we Bombayites have something different in us. I believe that we accommodate all kind of mindsets and various belief systems in our community. We are afterall the entertainment hub and it is in our genes therefore to embrace different cultures so we can learn from them, and at the same time, through our medium of entertainment, pass on the good to the rest of our Indian society.
These 17 years of my life have been captured like a time capsule in the Bombay Times, be it the role in Rajshree's Hum Saath Saath Hai or the various other films that have been publicised and written about right here. I remember when I had signed on to play a role opposite Sridevi in Boney Kapoor's foray into television, the news article appeared first right here.
Going back down memory lane and comparing the television and film industry to what is was and what it is, much is left to be desired, at least in my opinion. Television soaps back then were weekly shows. People waited and discussed what could be in store next for the characters. If one missed an episode one surely felt bad. But daily shows were also catching up and catching the attention of the audience. I remember Swabhiman, Doordarshan's first tryst with a daily show, even though it was a daily show we worked only eight hours, unlike today where a day's work is considerably more. Besides the work hours the content today is more focused on gloss, costumes and TRPs rather than content which makes a change for the betterment of our society.
Covering the problems of people and showcasing it is one thing, how to deal with it is another. Programming, therefore, I believe should move this one step forward. But all in all I would still consider this a 'golden age' for the film and television industry, for it has employed a lot of people, at least more than 20 times as compared to 17 years ago. People have made their lives just working behind the scene and I mean right to the spot boys and lightmen who work on the sets.
But freshers in the industry need to note - that it's not only about being a star, making money and being associated with successful people or projects. The reason for this profession must be to make a change for the betterment of our society in every which way you deem fit.
Ishaani
Cricket
