That’s where you will meet Imtiaz Ali’s yet
another existential tale- Tamasha. Also, this is not a review. This is the one
where I talk about ‘grey’- not just a great shade for your Ralph Lauren sweater,
but also a hugely awesome area to establish your existence in.
If
you are looking for a learned critique on the compelling cinematic experience
of Tamasha, please feel free to exit the premise because that’s not why I am
here. I am here for an an idea that has hit me as I sit listening to Rehman’s addictive soundtrack of the movie that is eliciting bipolar reactions from junta with some calling it Poetry in
Motion, to others who are still looking for ‘the story’. My personal opinion on the movie aside, the
idea or the question that got me pondering (not for the first time) - why exactly
are we such suckers for absolutes? Why
do we have such aversion to the unknown? And by ‘we’ I mean you, the society.
Me? My whole life so far has been the
world’s vastest shade card of ‘grey’. Here
I would like to clarify what I mean when I say ‘grey’. In psychological sense,
‘grey’ is an area of uncertainty, or as
the most credible source of information- Google, states- an ill-defined situation or area of activity not readily conforming to
a category or set of rules.
Those
familiar with Ali’s work, would recognize that most of his protagonists have
championed the art of Grey, and are suffering from a chronic case of confusion.
Whether it’s battling societal conformity (Ved/Veera/Jordan/Geet) or choosing to not choose anything (Tara/Aditya), most of his
creations have questionable decision making skills. And while he might drive them to a happy
ending in most cases, do we, the permanent dwellers of grey
area, succeed in finding contentment in this constant bamboozlement? The answer is unfortunately as grey as the
subject I have chosen to write about, on a bright Sunday afternoon.
The
Grey Area or the uncertain life, is por
obvio not ideal, there is constant anxiety that you have to learn to live
with. Your loved ones don’t exactly love to see you maintaining status quo when
it’s time for decision making that should ideally sound like chop-chop. But let
me tell you the beauty of living in the grey, it’s a bright shiny word called-
POSSIBILITIES! Living by the rules and being sure will rarely lead you to the
path full of surprises (or shocks, who can say really?) But here in this space
where you just don’t know, this is where the room for serendipity is.
I am
not taking anything away from those like to plan their lives to their last
breath or follow rules like their lives depended on it. It’s great! But as
someone who, with full awareness, resides in the grey, I expect the same
respect. Why exactly is the world so scared of being in the unknown? I will
tell you why- the same reason why you will never put 90s music in your phone
but would secretly OD on it- fear of judgement! We are forced to take snap
decisions or label people instantly or fear ambiguity, all because we are
mortified of that one single consequence - Arey
log kya kahenge(ALKK). I can say this from the very recent and very long work
sabbatical I took. There I was, sitting
on my tiny ass everyday fantasying about getting a foot massage from Idris
Elba, instead of deciding which mediocre job offer I should take up.
Unfortunately even those who love me dearly, and with their best intentions,
couldn't spare me the judgement for uncertainty. And quite a many times, I
succumbed to this judgement and went dangerously close to acting on my fear of
ALKK. Thankfully better sense or, the power or grey prevailed. Even as I write
this blog I have atleast 10 important things in my life I don’t know where to
place. They have made a comfortable little nest in the grey and don’t seem to
budge however hard I try to confuse them with my supposed ‘clarity’.
But
that’s the good part about growing older; you don’t really mind the greys after
a while, in your hair or your existence. You gracefully accept them, try to
make some sense of them, fill your empty time analyzing them but mostly you let
them take their time. Whenever your heart and mind are in tandem they will
quietly leave the nest and naturally move to that defined place, the world so desperately
seeks. Till then you let them live, in Imitiaz Ali’s movies, and in a cozy
little corner of your mind.
