I’ve said on these pages many times that actors in Hindi cinema become like family after you watch enough films over the years. The same faces, essentially playing the same roles…eventually you wake up one day and realize that they are as familiar to you as the people you grew up with (well, many of you DID grow up with them, you lucky souls!).
Anyway, I got to thinking the other day about what a Memsaab family photo might look like. Who would be in it, who would be cropped out. Of course, I would be at the center of it: me and my beloved Shammi, and little Gemma too—probably trying to lick Shammi’s hand. Sisters Laxmi Chhaya, Kumari Naaz, Bela Bose, and didi Helen would flank us, completely overdressed for the occasion. Moody and unstable brother Shyam Kumar would be off to the side, so that we could easily trim him out should he really go over the edge one day. Naughty-boy neighbors Ranjeet and Feroz Khan would lurk nearby, waiting for Shammi to turn his back so they could wink at me and maybe cop a feel. Faithful family retainer Nazir Kashmiri would water flowers with the “help” of dog Moti; but horses Raja and Badal would be absent, off grazing in the meadow and keeping an eye out for that rascal dacoit Vinod Khanna, who is constantly trying to kidnap me. Which is why Shammi hired Dharmendra as my bodyguard (he’s trusting, is my Shammi).
The point of all this is mostly to remind you to keep an eye on my long-lost kin, and check out updates to our old family photos. I want to take this opportunity to especially thank Ash, Beth, Trinidad, Raja and Neena for providing me with screenshots and names to go with them!
I’ve been busy with other stuff lately and not had much time for movie watching or blogging (mindless Photoshop idiocy I can do while on conference calls, writing not so much). I did find time to make a new banner too: a chhoti memsaab (me) dreams of growing up to be a voluptuous vamp who parties with Shashi, but gets more than she bargained for when he brings his handcuffs and some festive balloons.
And yes, I do realize that this entire post makes me seem insane.
Header images (except me) courtesy of the awesome PC at Third Floor Music.
Paper doll clothing and accessories image source here.
MemsaabStory 