Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Once Upon a Time with Shobhaa. Column -4

Is Haji Mastaan really dead….?

Don’t gasp! It is a question worth asking. People still speculate whether Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson are really, really dead. Seriously. Some charismatic individuals generate this kind of macabre debate. Haji Mastaan, with his larger-than-life reputation, and a very colourful romantic history continues to generate a lot of comment…. a lot of fear. His money! His molls! His power!Everybody still quakes. Particularly people in Bollywood. People who are still indebted to him. Maybe owe him money to this day. They are the ones who live in dread… afraid of that midnight knock … the pre-dawn call from the Don himself…perhaps masked men at their doorstep growling, “ Paisey wapas do…. varna…” It was always the ‘varna’ that made the victims’ blood run cold. And there was no dearth of ‘varnas’ during Haji Mastaan’s reign. All it took was one nazar, one ishaara… and Bollywood Biggies scrambled to do the Don’s bidding.
Haji Mastaan is alive and well…. and still operating out of Mumbai \ Dubai. That’s the verdict on the street. The ‘original’ may have died years ago, but Mastaan’s legacy lives on. Not very much has changed when it comes to funny money in movies. People talk about the corporatisation of Bollywood. Yes, it is underway. But let’s remind ourselves that there was a time, not so long ago, when even Hollywood was run by Mafia bosses. It took four decades and a great deal of concerted effort to clean up the system there. Bollywood is trailing, but only by a few years . Mafia and the molls have since become a staple of Hollywood hits from that era. In India, we are just about waking up to the richness of the material. If ‘Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai’ manages to recreate the menace and magic of the Mastaan years , a fresh generation of movie goers will get a taste of what used to happen each time Hajibhai decided he was interested in a new project – or a starlet. In terms of casting, Kangana is perfect enacting the role of the plaything of gangsters. But I am getting ahead of the plot! Haji Mastaan was the one who created the monster we call Dawood…and Dawood, as we all know, is indeed alive and well ….Haji lives on….

19 comments:

Janhavi :-) said...

u have been a big part of the movie "Once upon a time in Mumbai " . what do you think. .
does this movie reflect all the details of the Haji mastaan's time ??

are u satisfied with the overall make. .

u didnt complete the story of your visit to haji mastaan in Taj Hotel. .

we are eagerly waiting to know more

Anshul Kumar Pandey said...

Is it true shahrukh khan called you 'cynicism wrapped in sari'? haha!

http://stirrupking.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

i add to srk's comment: cynicism alongwith sex wrapped in sari.

Sidhusaaheb said...

I rather enjoyed watching Satya, Company and 'D' and think that the writing, direction, characterisations and even the production values were excellent. Let's see if this one can measure up to the high standards set by those films.

Anonymous said...

Publicist
And
film critic later?

kakaka said...

ok so u quickly wrote this one so that people forget the previous one and you dont get any more bad rep for it.
I dont wanna sound rude. but i am not a very big fan of these articles.
In fact even though it is immoral i would rather read your articles bashing up people from all walks of life. it is certainly more entertaining.

Divya (Virmani) Chadda said...

I completely agree w/ Krutika's comment! I think you made a huge fool out of yourself by starting this cat-fight. Sonam too apologized just so she could shape up her image...
It would be nice if you focus on other things in the world.
To me, it just looks like a publicity stunt from both the parties. You got tons of readers pouring in and So-numb got her share of limelight after the release of IHLS!

However, in this mess you forgot that readers who actually respect your opinion and/or writing styles gave you 'hate-looks'...

shobana said...

hi shobhaa mam...
i am happy to write something to you and about you..
b'coz i read ur few novels and i would like to take up a research work on ur novels...
i love you so much because u r bold enough to speak out ur mind..
if u dont mind please tell me ur email id....my id is sona_shobu@yahoo.com...i would like to share some ideas with u...u r something different from other women i.e ur frankness and boldness....thats it ...shobhaa mam i am waiting for ur reply....please....

Anonymous said...

Arent you in enough controversy already? Now you want to get into the underworld link controversy or what?

silly woman, you never know how the media interprets your writing. Just mere mention of the D name spells doom

O Fish said...

well i dont know how you choose your topic for blogging ...but it would be interesting to hear from you the true inside stories of bollywood and may be someday your life story as well...in confirmation or non- confiramtion to the speculated one..

Unknown said...

plz....finish that Taj mahal story on Haji bhai....Part 3 created curiosity and interest among reader.....plz. finish that story...!..Keep up the good work....your blog is the best among all....!

Unknown said...

If shobha is cynicism wrapped in a sari, shahrukh is over acting wrapped in a maniac's laugh.

I'd rather be cynical than fake but to each their own.

aloka1900 said...

bla bla bla na big blaaaaa

.. said...

interesting view point..thanks for sharing

Unknown said...

''Is Haji Mastaan really dead….?

Don’t gasp! '' ''His money! His molls! His power!Everybody still quakes.'' Lol!

i AM gasping Aunty...with LAUGHTER!! Please please please Shobha, start writing childrens books....please!

Actually on second thoughts, dont. We dont want our kids growing up on THAT now, do we? You seriously need to attend some writing workshops!

Diversionary tactic fell flat on your face. I suppose you noticed.

Unknown said...

Oh, & I also suppose we (who see through you) are the 'Sonam camp insiders'?? rofl

ashu said...

hi mam its great to know of how well u know bombay and such the way you are clear with your thoughts and your way of saying things staraight to the face.......im a huge fan of yours.....

Buzzintown Blogger said...

Wow what a mathematics equation 'Haji Mastaan was the one who created the monster we call Dawood…and Dawood, as we all know, is indeed alive and well ….Haji lives on…' A=B, B=C hence A=C!!!! AACHI HAI

Regards
Regards
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