To Hrishi Da...with love

Dearest Hrishida,

I was in fifth grade when I saw Guddi and wanted a frock just like hers. I wanted to sing Kucch dil ne kahan like Anupama someday. Can’t believe but someday I also wanted to flaunt a moustache…the Golmaal effect. And finally after all those moments of pure joy I finally dropped a tear as Anand cried out Babu Moshaiye in his final moments. And I still wonder how you did it?

As time passed I was exposed to other mediums of cinematic expression. The mushy whispers of Raj and Simran, the raw appeal of Rambo, the sleek and swank effect of James Bond etc etc. But there was something about you and your style that I couldn’t let go. No offence to anyone, but that X factor was unparallel. A difference of a different kind. And surprisingly that X Factor, that difference here was merely simply- Simplicity.

Simple plots with a much deeper meaning, heart rendering music, one frame where being a part of the middle class is not a problem and finally a reel that’s real enough to carry a bit of you and a bit of me.

Today I am not writing to a Dadasaheb Phalke or a Padmabhushan award winner. Nor to a man who saw unparallel success with a string of hits. Not to a man who made actors like Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bacchan, Jaya Bhaduri, Sharmila Tagore and many more famous. But to a science and mathematics teacher who decided that the camera was his ultimate destination. To the one who gave us immortals like Parimal Tripathi, Babu Moshaiye, Anupama, Guddi and of course Anand. To the great film maker who told us that Simplicity is beautiful and you do not really need a reason to smile.
You actually meant that song didn’t you- Maine tere liye hi saat rang ke sapne chune…sapne surile sapne

Thanks Hrishida! For all this love wrapped in those three hours of cinema

With love and loads of gratitude
Himika