Waking Up Soppy
Just watched Wake Up Sid.
Strangely enough it took a rather unspectacular film to evoke a feeling I don't think I've ever admitted to having in the past 15 years.
I miss my dad.
It's been 15 years since he's gone, and now I realise I do miss him.
Maybe it's because I try not to think of this too often.
Never quite thought what it would have been like to give him my first paycheck.
I'm not quite sure what he would have made of my career choices.
Wonder what he'd have thought of my life as I live it now. The long hair would certainly not have been appreciated! In many ways the Army defined him and his discipline.
And then, there's all the people in my life now, who never got to meet Baba. And him, them.
Am pretty sure he'd have been grudgingly fond of Vishal.
Dad loved music (he was a Indian classical devotee of sorts but he truly loved music in all it's avatars) and I know he'd have been proud of Vishal's talent.
Baba would have even braved the pierced, inebriated wannabe groupies just to nod his head in chaste encouragement at Vishal's club performances.
(And I'm sorry Baba, I'm sorry that I thought accompanying you to the Sawai Gandharv fest was such a chore.)
Baba would have loved Jaggu. And Jaggu would have loved him.
I can see them talking endlessly about market, income tax policy, bureaucracy (Baba was every bit the conscientious IRS officer), Rakesh Jhunjhunwala's business acumen and of course, land deals.
In Jaggu, my dad would have found his ideal wannabe real estate tycoon partner.
And they'd have both ruminated joyfully about deals that should have been cracked and the acreage that could have been ours.
(Yes Baba, we still do the proper flag hoisting on every Independence Day at Bhugaon, and yes, the flag is always unfurled with flowers.)
With Mukul it would have been a cakewalk.
IIM-A graduate. Enough to warm my father's academic heart instantly.
And more than enough to let Baba conveniently overlook the fact that Mukul's been gainfully unemployed for the past few years.
Infact I can see them now, discussing the state of Marathi theatre versus English with my father manfully trying to act like he actually likes the single malt that Mukul's poured for him.
(What do I say Baba? Ask Mukul. Like father like son he'll tell you - at least as far as the whisky is concerned.)
I was 15 when my dad passed away.
And today, suddenly there's so much I would have wanted my Baba around for.
Annoying that it would take a damn movie to make me so stupidly soppy.
Sounds mighty petty, but I'd have wanted to show him that I get smses from someone like Pritish Nandy.
An avid reader, Baba thought the world of literary people like Mr.Nandy.
And I like to think they'd have bonded too.
Over their love for their books, their animals and of course, their daughters.
(Yes Baba, I still think you love your daughter more than you loved me :) but it's okay… I love her too!)
15 years of growing up.
And yet, it's only today that I realise how much has happened in those years that my dad wasn't a part of.
All the girlfriends. I'd have wanted him to know them all. They'd have loved him. And he'd have doted on them all too.
(I know you would have, Baba.)
And then there's the 'better' half.
I wish she could have known him.
I wish she could have had him around. To gang up against me.
To be on her side for any argument -always.
To spoil her rotten.
(Baba, she's super & she's a doctor! Yeah, yeah, everyone wonders what she sees in me!)
Ah well, I think I'm done with my 'soppyness' quota for the next 15 years.
Dumb bloody film. Wasn't even that good.
(I know what you're gonna say Baba, but I'm not as spoilt as Ranbir in the film.)
He had his dad around.
Strangely enough it took a rather unspectacular film to evoke a feeling I don't think I've ever admitted to having in the past 15 years.
I miss my dad.
It's been 15 years since he's gone, and now I realise I do miss him.
Maybe it's because I try not to think of this too often.
Never quite thought what it would have been like to give him my first paycheck.
I'm not quite sure what he would have made of my career choices.
Wonder what he'd have thought of my life as I live it now. The long hair would certainly not have been appreciated! In many ways the Army defined him and his discipline.
And then, there's all the people in my life now, who never got to meet Baba. And him, them.
Am pretty sure he'd have been grudgingly fond of Vishal.
Dad loved music (he was a Indian classical devotee of sorts but he truly loved music in all it's avatars) and I know he'd have been proud of Vishal's talent.
Baba would have even braved the pierced, inebriated wannabe groupies just to nod his head in chaste encouragement at Vishal's club performances.
(And I'm sorry Baba, I'm sorry that I thought accompanying you to the Sawai Gandharv fest was such a chore.)
Baba would have loved Jaggu. And Jaggu would have loved him.
I can see them talking endlessly about market, income tax policy, bureaucracy (Baba was every bit the conscientious IRS officer), Rakesh Jhunjhunwala's business acumen and of course, land deals.
In Jaggu, my dad would have found his ideal wannabe real estate tycoon partner.
And they'd have both ruminated joyfully about deals that should have been cracked and the acreage that could have been ours.
(Yes Baba, we still do the proper flag hoisting on every Independence Day at Bhugaon, and yes, the flag is always unfurled with flowers.)
With Mukul it would have been a cakewalk.
IIM-A graduate. Enough to warm my father's academic heart instantly.
And more than enough to let Baba conveniently overlook the fact that Mukul's been gainfully unemployed for the past few years.
Infact I can see them now, discussing the state of Marathi theatre versus English with my father manfully trying to act like he actually likes the single malt that Mukul's poured for him.
(What do I say Baba? Ask Mukul. Like father like son he'll tell you - at least as far as the whisky is concerned.)
I was 15 when my dad passed away.
And today, suddenly there's so much I would have wanted my Baba around for.
Annoying that it would take a damn movie to make me so stupidly soppy.
Sounds mighty petty, but I'd have wanted to show him that I get smses from someone like Pritish Nandy.
An avid reader, Baba thought the world of literary people like Mr.Nandy.
And I like to think they'd have bonded too.
Over their love for their books, their animals and of course, their daughters.
(Yes Baba, I still think you love your daughter more than you loved me :) but it's okay… I love her too!)
15 years of growing up.
And yet, it's only today that I realise how much has happened in those years that my dad wasn't a part of.
All the girlfriends. I'd have wanted him to know them all. They'd have loved him. And he'd have doted on them all too.
(I know you would have, Baba.)
And then there's the 'better' half.
I wish she could have known him.
I wish she could have had him around. To gang up against me.
To be on her side for any argument -always.
To spoil her rotten.
(Baba, she's super & she's a doctor! Yeah, yeah, everyone wonders what she sees in me!)
Ah well, I think I'm done with my 'soppyness' quota for the next 15 years.
Dumb bloody film. Wasn't even that good.
(I know what you're gonna say Baba, but I'm not as spoilt as Ranbir in the film.)
He had his dad around.
posted by Da Flamingo at
4:43 AM
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6 comments
