COMIC RELIEF – MINDING ONE’S OWN BUSINESS!!-EPISODE 6

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Donald D'Silva, Karkala, Mira Road
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COMIC RELIEF – MINDING ONE’S OWN BUSINESS!!-EPISODE 6

BOLLYWOOD & TV STARS, LIKE OTHER PEOPLE WORSHIP LORD GANESHA! WHAT IS SALMAN’S HOUSEHOLD’S SPECIAL INTEREST?


By Donald D’ Silva, Mira Road, Karkala

Donald D’ Silva is an Advertising Professional & Brand Strategist managing his own Digital Marketing Company in Mumbai. He writes about Current Affairs, Political Analysis, Bollywood Happenings and a variety of Social subjects.

Background:

(There are four friends who were thick and thin in their childhood. They were inseparable. Now, today they are in their 50 s and late 50s. they regularly get together and make merry as, they have made their money and are well settled in their lives. It is the case of jumping early into business and tasting success. Two of them have taken VRS and settled down.)

  1. Jeevan Shetty: He is the owner of three Bar & Restaurants. One in Mangalore and two in Mumbai. A billionaire in his own right. From Karkala.
  2. Sathish Shenoy: He has a cloth store in Moodbidri. He has two veg Restaurants in Mumbai.
  3. Richard Almeida: He has one Bar & Restaurant in Mumbai.
  4. Melvin D’ Mello – He has two night clubs in Mumbai.

(The four friends again gathered at Jeevan Shetty’s house. Booze flows as the conversation gathers momentum)

Jeevan: Hello Friends, Life is very boring! Not because we are at home cooling our heels. Because, the surroundings when you see, there is a lot of chaos! No joy among people. The governments the world over are doing what they can do best, to no avail!

Sathish: Jeevananna, The Mangalore city or the Mumbai city, which is full of life…has begun to decay! Means, no happiness, warmth, no chivalry among people. Only worn out faces. Liquor shops have been thrown open. But, no takers!!

M: The initial two days, it was like celebrations! People climbed on each other’s shoulders to get their favourite booze! Now, no money!

R: It was expected anyhow! When there is no business for people or no taxable income for governments, the Bevdas will get income, the authorities thought. Fine, but, where is the money?

J: Now, there will be a scarcity of funds soon! People will clamour for liquor, but no cash. I was thinking of setting up a Liquor Shop for my Nephew, Kiran. He is not interested; Today’s kids just want to go to the states…Now he is stuck there in New Jersey. Can’t come back. He says, he will never go back to the US again.

S: This reminds me, that Suniel Shetty’s two sisters and Madhuri’s sister Bharati are in the US. People from the Bollywood industry have set up base there since two decades. The relatives I mean!

M: It’s obvious! There is surplus money and opportunities are there. So the next step is to rush to western countries!

Life is better there!!

J: I literally grew on the streets in Mumbai. I love Mumbai, its Vada Pav, Omelette Pav and the Bhel Puris etc. I mean was working in Uncle’s hotel, but still, on a free day wanted to roam around Chembur, Church gate, Colaba and also loved to frequent the streets at Bandra.

S: Bandra reminds me, that most of the stars are living there right?

Aishwarya Rai’s parents, Salman Khan, Rekha, Shah Rukh Khan, even Sachin Tendulkar and Jackie Shroff etc. Bandra is a nice place to live in.

M: Earlier, Ash and Tendulkar were staying in the same building. Ash got married and moved to ’Jalsa’! Tendlya constructed a dream bungalow. The building is the same, where a sozzled Sallu went and banged at the door and windows of Ash’s flat! Her father called the Bandra police though!!

J: That is a very old story!! Funny part is Amitabh did not invite all the three Khans for his son’s wedding with Ash. He wanted to deliberately keep Sallu out of sight!! Other two khans bore the brunt of not getting invited!

S: Salim Saab, the great scriptwriter is a family friend of Amitabh. But, the once upon a time angry young man never wanted to take any chances!! He never wanted any antics from a drunk Salman!

J: Everyone knew about it! Today, Salman has been reformed into a fine gentleman. The Film Industry and also the Award shows, Kapil Sharma show etc. joke about his marriage, which is not going to happen in this janam, anyways!!

The Star also jokes about himself. During one of Kapil’s shows, Katrina Kaif also joked about it! She said, only ‘Bhagwan’ and ‘Salman’ know about the marriage. Nobody else!!

M: They are a good example of Secularism. Salmaji, Salman’s mother is a Maharashtrian. Her original name is Sushila Charak! They celebrate the Ganapati Festival every year! They had adopted Arpita, a small baby who was abandoned by her Mother, a Baajiwali at Salim Saab’s doorstep.

It seems baajiwali tai had Cancer. Salim and Salma named her Arpita and then the child grew into a beautiful but intelligent girl. Also, she brought luck to the house! There were only three boys and Alveera, Now new entrant Arpita!

J: Correct! Arpita brought wealth to the household. After the split with Javedsaab, Salim became a pauper. No income. He had got married to His second wife. The great Bollywood dancing delight and once upon a time Vamp! Helen helped the family financially. She is a Burmese Christian!

S: Yes, Sallu and other siblings are very much in awe of her. Till Salman made money after the success of “Maine Pyaar Kiya”, Helen supported the family. Salman had to struggle a lot in the initial days! But, he became a star with many movies in the late Nineties. Hum Apke Hain Kaun!  The sugar-coated film ran for 100 days at the Liberty cinema and was a tremendous success!

R: Some of the Industry watchers say that Ganapati worship every year gave them wealth!! Salma was adamant and Salim Saab and children had no problem with it!

J: Let me explain: Goddess Laxmi is the goddess of wealth. And Ganapa is called Vigneshwar, means He is the deity who drives away evil and any untoward problems in life. Any bad luck is driven away! His Pooja is done everywhere, be it a celebration, be it an inauguration of a company, Film Muhurat or any event! His Pooja is to drive away any evil!!

S: So, He brought prosperity to the household!!

J: To an extent, Yes!! Ganapati Puja was indeed one reason for the newfound career of Salman and rejuvenation of his two brother’s Film career. Salim Saab is a secular-minded person!

Arbaaz also married a half Catholic “Malaika Arora”! Her father is a Sikh, Mother is a Malayalee Catholic. Also, Sohail married a Hindu, Seema Sachdeva! They celebrate all festivals!

S: Ekta Kapoor visits’ Siddhi Vinayak Temple before all her Film Muhoorats and also before the start of her serials! She has tasted success in her life at an early age! She walks barefoot from her Bungalow in Juhu to Prabhadevi in the wee hours of the morning!

She has two security guards in tow and has her close confidante’s for company. They have a VIP entry. Even the late Sreedevi, did that before her first movie ‘No Entry’s release!! Boney had produced the movie! He had lost money in ”Run” starring Abhishek Bachchan in 2004. It turned out to be a damp squib!! In 2005, ‘No Entry’ a comedy flick made approx… 43 crores!! Sridevi was very happy! Her monetary situation improved leaps and bounds! So, the power of Lord Ganapati was evident!!

Most of the film producers and TV serial producers vouch for the fact that there is great power in worshipping the Vigneshwara!! The God who drives away all evil and bad luck! He is the elephant-headed Hindu god of beginnings. He is the patron of Intellectuals, Bankers, Scribes and authors! He rides on his vehicle, A rat!

M: What is the story of ‘Ganapati’? I am curious to know!!

J: Ganesha is the son of Shiva and Parvati. He is the brother of Karthikeya or otherwise known as Subrahmanya, the God of war!

The story goes like this……………….

One-day Goddess Parvati was at home on Mount Kailash preparing for a bath. As she didn’t want to be disturbed, she told Nandi, her husband Shiva’s Bull, to guard the door and let no one pass. Nandi faithfully took his post, intending to carry out Parvati’s wishes.

But, when Shiva came home and naturally wanted to come inside, Nandi had to let him pass, being loyal first to Shiva.

Parvati was angry at this slight, but even more than this, at the fact that she had no one as loyal to Herself as Nandi was to Shiva.

So, taking the turmeric paste (for bathing) from her body and breathing life into it, she created Ganesha, declaring him to be her own loyal son.

The next time Parvati wished to bathe, she posted Ganesha on guard duty at the door.

In due course, Shiva came home, only to find this strange boy telling him he couldn’t enter his own house!

Furious, Shiva ordered his army to destroy the boy, but they all failed! Such power did Ganesha possess, being the son of Devi Herself!

This surprised Shiva. Seeing that this was no ordinary boy, the usually peaceful Shiva decided he would have to fight him, and in his divine fury severed Ganesha’s head, killing him instantly!

When Parvati learned of this, she was so enraged and insulted, that she decided to destroy the entire Creation! Lord Brahma, being the Creator, naturally had his issues with this, and pleaded that she reconsider her drastic plan.

She said she would, but only if two conditions were met: one, that Ganesha is brought back to life, and two, that he be forever worshipped before all the other gods.

Shiva, having cooled down by this time, and realizing his mistake, agreed to Parvati’s conditions.

He sent Brahma out with orders to bring back the head of the first creature he crosses that is laying with its head facing North.

Brahma soon returned with the head of a strong and powerful elephant, which Shiva placed onto Ganesha’s body.

Breathing new life into him, he declared Ganesha to be his own son as well and gave him the status of being foremost among the gods, and leader of all the ganas (classes of beings), Ganapati!!

What does Parvati stands for?

Parvati is a form of Devi, the Parashakti (Supreme Energy). In the human body, She resides in the Muladhara chakra as the Kundalini shakti. It is said that when we purify ourselves, ridding ourselves of the impurities that bind us, then the Lord automatically comes. This is why Shiva, the Supreme Lord, came unannounced as Parvati was bathing.

Nandi, Shiva’s bull, who Parvati first sent to guard the door represents the divine temperament.

Nandi is so devoted to Shiva that his every thought is directed to Him, and he is able to easily recognize the Lord when He arrives. This shows that the attitude of the spiritual aspirant is what gains access to Devi’s (the kundalini shakti’s) abode.

One must first develop this attitude of the devotee before hoping to become qualified for the highest treasure of spiritual attainment, which Devi alone grants.

Shiva is the Lord and Supreme Teacher. Ganesha here represents the ego-bound Jiva.

When the Lord comes, the Jiva, surrounded as it is with the murky cloud of ego, usually doesn’t recognize Him, and maybe even ends up arguing or fighting with Him!

Therefore, it is the duty of the Lord, in the form of the Guru, to cut off the head of our ego!

So powerful is this ego, however, that at first, the Guru’s instructions may not work, as Shiva’s armies failed to subdue Ganesha. It often requires a tougher approach, but, eventually the compassionate Guru, in His wisdom finds a way!!

S: Yes, Correct!! Devi threatened to destroy the whole Creation after learning of Ganesha’s demise. This indicates that when the ego thus dies, the liberated Jiva loses interest in its temporary physical vehicle, the body, and begins to merge into the Supreme.

The physical world here is represented by Devi. This impermanent and changeable creation is a form of Devi, to which this body belongs; the unchanging Absolute is Shiva, to which belongs the Soul.

When the ego dies, the external world, which depends on the ego for its existence, disappears along with it. It is said that if we want to know the secrets of this world, which is a manifestation of Devi, then we must first receive the blessings of Ganesha.

Shiva restoring life to Ganesha, and replacing his head with an elephant’s, means that before we can leave the body, the Lord first replaces our small ego with a “big” or universal ego.

Ganesha is given dominion over the Ganas, which is a general term denoting all classes of beings, ranging from insects, animals and humans to the subtle and celestial beings. These various beings all contribute to the government of the Creation; everything from natural forces like storms and earthquakes to the elemental qualities like fire and water, to the functioning of the body’s organs and processes.

If we don’t honour the Ganas, then our every action is a form of thievery, as it is unsanctioned. Therefore, instead of propitiating each Gana in order to receive their blessings, we bow to their Lord, Sri Ganesha. By receiving His grace, we receive the grace of all. He removes any potential obstacles and enables our endeavours to succeed.

R: So, Ganesha is very powerful!!

J: We have even, apart from Hindus, Christian organizations who deal in Securities and shares having a Ganesha’s portrait garlanded and worshipped daily with Diyas at the entrance. This creates more wealth They believe!!

S: In Jeevan’s hotel the waiters told me once. I will not name them though! Two of them needed urgent money! They did not get sufficient customers that day and were strived of cash they daily take home!

So, they knew Jeevan or his cashier daily puts a fraction of the day’s earnings in front of the idol’s statue. They stole some money after praying to the deity.

Their problems for the day were solved!! The very next evening they replaced the amount and kept more amount there as a mark of gratitude!!

Only, out of guilt, they told me secretively. I told them not to worry, and not to do the same anymore!! If they require money, they should ask the cashier and return it the next day!! They said sorry and vowed to never do the same!!

J: Arre, Sathish Maam, you never told me this before!!

S: Just, the boys were feeling guilty and afraid!! So, I gave a warning and kept it to myself!! Only today during the course of our conversation, I thought of bringing it out!!

R: We are allowed to visit Siddhivinayak Temple?

J: Yes, you can! Many of the non-Hindus visit. I have Christians who visit my Ganesha pandal every year at my place and are present during Aarati!! Two times we have Aarati!! They are present during the welcoming of the deity and also accompany us during visarjan!

M: Coming to Salman, it is alleged that, he is not on talking terms with Arjun Kapoor, son of Boney Kapoor and his first wife Mona Shourie!!

S: Yes!! First Arjun Kapoor was having a relationship with Arpita. It did not last long!! Then, now heard, he reportedly has got into a crazy and strong farcical relationship with Malaika Arora, the erstwhile wife of Arbaaz Khan!

M: Ok! That’s how the divorce took place!! Malaika is also mad!! She is in her wrong forties and Arjun Kapoor is 33 years old!

R: What a mad relationship that prevails in Bollywood!! Arbaaz, bechara got himself a foreign girlfriend to save face!!

J: Arbaaz was the unluckiest among the three brothers!! He is superbly talented and did not get much recognition. His voice is good, he has a good personality and also is an excellent dancer!! But, he apart from one movie called “Daraar” with Juhi Chawla, which was a remake of “Sleeping with the Enemy”! A Hollywood grosser starring the irrepressible Patrick Bergin as the crazy husband never got any due in Bollywood. His career got finished as soon as it got started.

Arbaaz acted well as the eccentric, wife-beater husband and won accolades! But, his career took a deep dive!!

He acted in some other movies, then stopped.

His father once said, ”Arbaaz” only went to drop his son to school and brought him back!! Malaika, on the other hand, was famous for her item numbers like” Chaiyyan Chaiyyan” and ‘Zandu Balm” song (Munni Badnam Hui …Darling Tere Liye.!! and others in Houseful” Anarkali Disco Chali”….and many more!!

News has it that, Salman is so miffed with her that, he did not cast her in the third installment of Dabangg and hates her very much!

S: Arjun Kapoor, once said that Salman was there at the bedside of his Mother when she died!! Salman helped him get a foothold in the industry.

Also, Salman helped, Boney and Sridevi again, when their “Wanted” movie was being made! It was the remake of “Pokiri”, a south movie!! It was a big success!! Ayesha Takia Azmi starred in that and also was a great money-spinner!!

M: Still, the mad Arjun Kapoor deceived Salman!! Really, they say, Love is Blind!!

R: Blind and is also a method of madness!!

M: Salman can worship Lord Ganesha and get married to Lulia Vantur now!! He is a Bollywood success today!! He is anyways secular!

J: He is 54 years old yaar!! What marriage?

I remember, when I was in Dubai at Hyatt Regency Hotel in 1990, there was a function there to felicitate the Paki Cricketers. One scribe asked, Imran Khan, the then Pak Captain!! Why he is not getting married?

He answered in his typical manner that there is a huge population in Pakistan, growing day by day and he does not want to add to it. The same guy married Jemima Goldsmith, daughter of Jewish billionaire, the Late Sir John goldsmith and he was 44 years old then!! Jemima was only 22 years!!

M: He had many children from his flings!! What crap yaar? Sita white, one gori from England won a parental suit against him. He had fathered a child. He must have given money and shut her mouth!!

S: All lies!! This reminds me of our own Dilip Kumar!! He married Saira Bhanu, who is 22 years younger to him! Today the old Thespian is in his late nineties!!

J: Imran has married for the third time now!! Sallu should have started early…if so…he could have been a father!! He is just playing with Arpita’s and Alveera’s children now!!

R: Salman is a kind-hearted man! He has a heart of gold!! He has launched many heroines who happen to be newcomers…. helps many…!!

J: You know something! At times I think, it’s best I believe he is not married!! Because, he would not have been able to help so many, do so many charities and donate so much money if he would have married!! He owns a lavish farmhouse in Panvel! He has a lot of money and owns many properties. In fact, surprisingly the farm is also named after Arpita.

M: Why?

J: Arre Saab, Wives don’t allow their husbands to just go around and distribute money!! Forget others, my wife does not allow!! I do the charities and donate money without her knowledge!! Ha! Ha!!

S: Same here!! I also do the same!!

R: So, you mean in other words, God or the deity Lord Ganesha does not want Salman to marry for the betterment of mankind…or at least the Bollywood unit hands, workers, etc.

J: Is it some kind of a joke!! God wants someone to stay a bachelor for the sake of humanity!!

R: Just kidding. Anna!!

(it was time to end the day, next is of course…dinner time…The best part is they do not gossip or get into a discussion at the dinner table! They have a habit of carrying their booze glasses there, though!)

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