"I bunked classes to go to movies" -Big B
By:
Subhash
K.
Jha,
IndiaFM
Tuesday,
November
14,
2006
"I
was
there
in
Delhi
with
my
entire
family....Jaya,
Abhishek,
Shweta,
my
son-in-law,
Amar
Singhji.
This
is
my
third
doctorate
and
given
to
me
by
the
vice-chancellor.
The
first
was
from
Jhansi
University
and
the
second
at
de
Montford....
It
was
nice
being
on
the
Delhi
University
campus
on
Saturday
again...I
went
there
after
a
very
long
time.
I
do
keep
going
now
and
then.
Lots
of
changes
have
happened.
A
whole
contingent
from
the
college
was
there
cheering.
It
felt
really
good.
I
met
up
with
old
friends.
Delhi
University
is
much
like
Cambridge
University
in
the
way
the
campus
is
laid
out
with
all
the
colleges
bunched
together.
A surge of memories came back to me...But I must tell you, receiving the degree at Delhi was very different from de Montford. In England the trumpets are blown and the organ plays. Here in Delhi Vedic mantras were recited. I'd have liked to spend more time. But the crowds got restless. So we had to depart in a hurry. I think it was Abhishek's presence that caused all the commotion. We weren't able to say our traditional bye-byes. But it was a happy occasion.
There're times when I'm in Delhi, I sometimes drive by Delhi University with my children , incognito. That's a wonderful experience. I've kept up with some of my friends from college, though they're out of the country. I look back with great affection at my college days . After the regimented life in school and the discipline observed by your parents in the house, college is very liberating...just attending classes, relaxing in the canteen, going off to see movies... There's a freedom of choice of thought, and you can use your time as you want. I bunked classes to go to the movies, stand outside girls' colleges and get into buses with them....When I mentioned this in my speech in Delhi on Saturday there was loud jubilation since fifty percent of the students are ladies. Shiela Dixit who was present, enjoyed that.....Delhi was fun.
Then began the struggle to get a job in Kolkata. I worked in two companies. Then a couple of months in Delhi to decide what to do next. And then to Mumbai to pursue my acting dreams. Acting was always an abiding passion. I was always in plays in college. I did my father's Hindi translations of Shakespeare. I miss watching theatre. I wish I had time to watch plays now. I'd love go back on stage. But it's frightening thought."