Zohra Sehgal, who played my Mother in ‘Cheeni Kum’ turned 100 years today ! A hundred years ! That is no joke. And the smile and sparkle in her eyes, the mischief in her demeanor, her childlike countenance , just so endearing lovable and heart warming. You spend time in her company and though you are 30 years younger than her, you feel old. And her mind … so rich and active and all gathered. She is like a little teenager on set, full of bubble and mirth and part of the gang. Just amazing !!

I had met her first in my home town of birth Allahabad, when she was a part of Prithvi Theaters, a touring stage players group of contemporary actors and directors, instituted and led by the great Prithviraj Kapoor – Father to Raj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor. Grandfather to Dabboo Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor. Great grand father to Karishma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor, and an entire lineage of so many artists of eminence. A historic family tree, and perhaps the largest in the history of cinema. Now with my daughter Shweta married to Raj Kapoor ji’s daughter’s son, we have also become a part of this exceptional family.

My Father and Prithviraj ji were contemporaries and admirers of each others works and when Prithvi Theaters travelled to Allahabad, they would visit our home. It was during one of these visits that Zohra ji also accompanied the group at our house at 17, Clive Road for tea, when I had met her. She has not changed a bit from those years – I think the mid 50′s or earlier. I had taken her autograph then, which must be there among many of my very scattered paperwork. On set, almost another 50 years later, she still remembered those days, and watching her talk to the media today and yesterday, you marvel at her spirit, joie de vivre and those mischievous eyes and expressions, as she relates with such candor and fun of the extraordinary life she has led and still continues to. God bless her !!

They do not make them like her anymore .

I am grateful to the media – the electronic in particular – that keeps track of the earlier days and the history of cinema and the wonderful contribution made by some incredible talents. I am often pained to hear some of the modern generation ask, who some of our greats from early times were, when they see them on screen or in small character roles that they venture out for. There is hardly any formalized institution that systematically records the journey of our cinema through either museums or research centers for archival purposes. A dear friend of mine from the UK who was writing a book on the subject went across to Pune and the Film Institute archives to dig out some information. All that they got was a very large number of gossip magazines and very little material to assist in the venture.

I think partially it was our own social system that was to blame. Cinema and being a part of it was infra dig, in the eyes of the elders in those early years. Movies were whetted by the parents before the kids could walk in. And today as we get ready to celebrate a 100 years of Indian Cinema, all kinds of agencies and indeed the Government is taking steps to oversee the celebrations. Cinema in India, whether we like it or not has become almost a parallel culture. I cannot say whether this is good for a country that has been looked upon with a cultural and ethical history of almost 5000 years ! But this is indeed, arguably, a description of fact ! There is today, almost in every walk of life, an element of our popular cinema, and that to me, that has spent 43 years in the profession, most laudable. The cynically looked upon ‘song and dance routine’ now forms a part of almost every celebratory occasion. Each wicket taken, or a boundary hit in the IPL T20 is commemorated by dance and loud music, which sets the stadium dancing with joy. It is a stunning atmosphere to witness and be a part of. The crowds come to cheer their respective teams, but also I think to get an opportunity to simply be a part of a 40-50,000 mass of people, who have come out to have a good time. To scream and shout and wave and dress up in funny costumes. It is just such a wonderful moment of release. Release from the daily problems if any, from the vagaries of life and its inconsistencies.

Much like the attitude adopted by the wonderful Zohra ji, who has just scored a century !!

My love to you and more ..

Amitabh Bachchan