Indian politicians must try doing a Shakti Kapoor on Bigg Boss. Its one of the best places to wipe out a muddy past I first saw Shakti Kapoor in 1980 at the premiere of Feroz Khans classic Qurbani. I was barely 12 years old at the time but remember being very impressed by this talented actor who portrayed the films crazed,machine-gun toting villain. But instead of consolidating his career as a versatile actor,Shakti soon,irrevocably lost the plot and descended into playing a crass vulgarian in film after film. His on-screen pairing with Kader Khan is legendary and such stuff as cinematic nightmares are made of. Shaktis repeated dropping of his chaddis,suggestive tugging of his naada and crude double entendres may have endeared him to the front-benchers but quickly alienated the actor from more discerning audiences. Even more scandalous than his on-screen vulgarity,were his off-screen antics. Shakti,who has had a well-documented love affair with the bottle,is often associated with drunken shenanigans that are part of film industry folklore. His alleged inebriated escapades involve urinating into swimming pools,wandering naked through his building complex and of course,dalliances with several struggling starlets. The infamous sting operation conducted by a news channel a few years ago resulted in a stunned nation watching as Shakti attempted to clumsily seduce an aspiring actress whilst babbling indiscreetly about the sex lives of established film heroines. In the aftermath of the massive public outrage,Shakti was roundly denounced as a degenerate,his house picketed by various political parties and even briefly banned from acting by the Film and Television Producers Guild of India. F Scott Fitzgeralds famous quote,There are no second acts in American lives stands entirely amended in the Indian scenario. If there is any proof required as to how short public memory really is and how perfectly willing we are to give our villains a second chance,then one has to look no further than Bigg Boss,where the reformed,rehabilitated,new,improved Shakti is on display,seven days a week. Cooped up with a dozen assorted women,Shakti plays the part of the affable,almost avuncular male to perfection. Loved by all,he is a consummate friend,philosopher and guide to this bevy of beauties even as he loses no opportunity to put his arm around them,compliment them freely on their figures or the ability to hold awkward Yoga poses. Ousted from his post as captain of the house,he has now started his wily machinations and is openly attempting to manipulate the other inmates. So rather than being a show about 12 determined women and therefore Naari Shakti,Bigg Boss has become a veritable showcase for Naada Shakti and I will not be surprised if this Bollywood baddie emerges as its eventual winner. A few seasons ago,the similarly reviled Rahul Mahajan,despite allegations of domestic and drug abuse,almost won the show before magnanimously removing himself from the running. Instead of embarking on rath yatras and hunger fasts,perhaps our politicians can sway public opinion far more effectively with a stint on Bigg Boss? This is an extraordinary opportunity to finally let the reality show. samarofdiscontent@gmail.com
