I am still recovering.

From a reaction to a phenomenon called Amitabh Bachchan –a phenomenon that can leave you numb and completely transport you to another plane. Momentary numbness and awe played havoc with my mental faculties as I joined the ranks of millions of star-struck Indians on Thursday waiting to exhale the out-of-the world phenomenon called the Big B.

Cynicism took a backseat. Reason fell by the wayside. All those feelings of scorn and contempt that I’d had towards lesser-mortals who worship the ground that stars walked on and would go to any crazy length to fulfill their equally crazy filmy wishes, dissipated. Like that.

At that moment, I was one. With the rest of the star-truck souls who’d do anything to catch a glimpse of the man they call the Big B. Like the hundreds of non-Network18 employees who’d converged in the office lobby to catch a fleeting glimpse of the star. And those who waited patiently for more than an hour to just see him wave at them from a distance, record their as-close-as-it-gets-Bachchan moment and go home, contented souls.

The Man didn’t disappoint them. At all. That one fleeting glance of his lit up so many smiles and happiness (even if it was momentary) flowed.

He didn’t disappoint me, either.

One of the lucky (ye, blessed I am!) few who was present in the studio as Bachchan recorded a programme with IBN18 Editor-in-Chief Rajdeep Sardesai, I stood transfixed as the performer in Bachchan got into the act. The disciplined professional in him did not show any sign of irritation as takes and retakes happened.

The baritone was trademark Bachchan, the disarming smile more so. Coupled with a no-nonsense attitude, wit and humour and an affable personality, his genteel disposition proved that he is truly, a cut above the rest. Cuff-links (why on earth have men stopped using that lovely accessory) and brightly polished shoes only enhanced his gentleman-like appeal to me. It also made me realize that the fascination had clearly moved from the reel to the real.

That smile, that conversation and that fleeting eye contact laid to rest any misgivings I’d had about Brand Bachchan being on the wane. No way. Even as I thought the dilemma that existed in the ‘good performer but poor politician’, I instinctively knew that this was a man for all seasons and all reasons. Which is what probably explains his political follies where he trusted his friends more than he should have and his personal fall-outs.
At 68, the gravitas, the intensity and the aura that he has is unbelievable. With the roles that he has essayed in the recent past, he has proved once and again that age is only a state of mind. And those who (only) mark it, need to rewind!

Mr Bachchan, they truly don’t make men like you any more.

The post originally appeared here