The Bengali movie Autograph(2010),has been one of the most thought
provoking movies I have watched in the recent times.Reading so many views about
it had confounded me,and I wanted to discover why I found it so appealing.
An arrogant superstar has been irked. His worth challenged. Status
threatened.
Thus, he wants things clarified,power reinstated.
He sees an opportunity to do so when a aspiring director,with dreams in his
eyes and a script in his hands,knocks at his door.
The smirking star is unmoved by the display of grit and determination,
But when the guest sticks to his principles,and does not give in to the
pressure,
The gleam in the stars eyes shows his recognition of a quality he long ago
possessed and has long ago forgotten.
So, this seemingly upright director gets the opportunity of a lifetime.
Unfortunate though was the fact that he could not anchor himself well,the
first gush of achievements swept him off,and took with it his superficial garb
of morality.
So the now shrewd,manipulative aspirant, blinded by glory’s light played a
gamble of his lifetime to ensure his flight to the peaks.
Thought the star would also play along, after all, his ambitions were being
met too.
There lies the irony.
The unveiling was not a one sided one. The mask had come off the star as
well. And much to the surprise,a noble soul was revealed.
Yes ,though his sheets were not perfectly clean,he had his own share of
weakness,mistakes and brashness.
But he also had the gift-a pricking conscience which ensured that the ghosts
of his pasts,were never put to sleep.
And so a man tormented and lonely, displayed some vulnerability-generated a
confession,before her who was a catalyst to his change.
Whose simplicity had bought him back to his roots,who had stripped him off
his baggage of stardom and eased his journey.
But his journey was far from over,the change needed a manifestation.
So Fate played it's role and his encounter with his inner devils was
recorded and leaked. The opportunist director exploited the stars most true
moment
to meet both their ends-a successful movie.
And magnificent cross- roads were created. Two paths could be easily
comprehended. Either the star plays along with this move and fulfills his
desires. Else he punishes the director for taking him for granted. He had the
power and temperament to do both.
But he took the road less traveled.
He stared at the betrayal calmly, his eyes revealing both the pain and the
strength and a subtle indifference. He did not seek any explanation nor did he
provide the world his justifications. He held no grudge against the offender,
decided to rectify his own mistakes instead.
And so, a film which began when his ego was hurt, was scrapped when his
identity was threatened.
He decided to burn the pyre of his ignorance, falsehood, ambitions and
pride. And the ashes were all he was left with and a priceless smile which
conveyed more than words.
A man struggling to win the race all his life, had just withdrawn from it.
He knew the consequences,but cared not to evaluate it. He realized his guilt
and his disgust was misplaced as in spite of being in the swamp,there was
something which was untouched-It was still burning. And he had found something
truer. And was willing to go to any extent to protect it.
As for the world.they would have surely scorned and mocked. Would have
called it an impulsive,foolish decision. They would have easily trampled
him-for them his downfall had just begun……..but he was scaling different
heights. He has become a true Hero. Because:
There are some bargains which just cannot be made,
Some stands which just cannot be sacrificed.
Some Beings which just cannot be betrayed.
All your life you can swim in ignorance,
But when It’s voice is heard
Drown if you must.
