I have been taking a break from Blogging, far away from the cosy charms of writing, busy with manufacturing (and occasionally drinking) Coca Cola. The break would probably have been a bit longer with our production season keeping me busy with microbiological activities, had I not sat down on a Friday evening to watch a heart-warming movie called Aamir. In a country where a movie like Swades fails to entice human emotions and where a capped bugger with an over-expressive nose is a musical sensation, it’s hardly a wonder that Aamir mostly went unnoticed.
I was deeply moved by the movie. The approach is very simple and appealing and the pace is wonderful. The whole movie is about a day in Aamir’s life. It’s strange, how it takes only a day to turn a life upside down.
I was surprised by the way the movie ended, I half expected there to be a hero, who would banish the bad guys, free his family and get a wonderful damsel. Instead, I got Aamir. Aamir is a simple fellow, he’s no Arnold Schwarzenegger, neither is he capable of a Tom Cruise. His worries are common and his options are limited. That’s where Aamir touched me. In his thoughts, his qualms, his fears, somewhere I found a deep attachment with our common life. In the end I couldn’t think of a better ending to a wonderful story.
As the movie ended and the cast and crew names started arriving, Ek Lau (the song) started. I am deeply influenced by music and the song instantly struck a chord. I managed to get hold of the song the following day (thanks to the World Wide Web!) and it was on my way back from work, the same day, listening to the song, that the movie started dawning on me. Ek Lau has this simple flow, with meaningful lyrics. It took me on a ride back through the movie. Who is Aamir? The final 3 minutes of his life define Aamir. What convinces Aamir to take his last decision? Fear? Grief? Conscience? Ethics? What would a sensible common man in his shoes do?
Peace comes at a very high price. Those of us who reside in amity, far from glares of conflict or hostilities can hardly estimate its worth. Peace can be valued only by the one who has lost his harmony. Wars have been fought and won and people speak highly of the courage involved. What we never realise is that an even greater courage, greater sacrifice is required to sustain peace. Aamir is a common man who had a choice to abandon compassion and sympathy and live his life, and yet He chose to differ. We all have options to discard what is wrong, in our lives, but lack in the courage to do so. Courage resides not in weapons, or in anger, courage resides in resisting what is wrong and abandoning the immoral alternatives. Life is about making the right choices and it’s the choices we make that define us as a person.
In this world
There are so many lives
Living in peace, moving ahead, passing by
Among all of them
There’s one for me
A life to call my own
But Almighty forbid
May no life have such a destiny here
To leave this world
Before a time brimming with only smiles and laughter
..............From the lustre of sunlight
From a droplet of dew
May I achieve Happiness
I have not asked for much
Only that I have a world without precincts
To call my own
But Almighty forbid,
In such desires of mine
No unnecessary innocent lives be sacrificed
May I not be destined to leave this world
Before the time convulsive with smiles and laughter
(Courtesy – Ek Lau, OST - Aamir)
