'Lord Brahma Specially Created Him'...

Crowning Amitabh Bachchan 2nd Yash Chopra National Memorial Award, 2014.

- Vierendra Bhargav

Dr. T. Subbarami Reddy spoke like Socrates that day while describing a phenomenon at the 2nd Yash Chopra National Memorial Award, instituted by him in association with Anu & Shashi Ranjan to perpetuate the memory of his friend of 35 years, the Director parexcellence - late Yash Chopra. This Annual Honour is a salute to one legend of Indian Cinema every year with the 1st one going to one who has Divinity in her voice – the incomparable Lata Mangeshkar! This year, the Jury, comprising Mrs. Pamela Chopra, Hema Malini, Simi Garewal, Anil Kapoor and Dr. Reddy himself, cast the die in favour of an equally great persona - Amitabh Bachchan…

On the day Silk & Chiffon rustled and wafts and wafts of designer Parfüms and Eau-de-toilettes turned the air heady in the ‘Grand Sangam Ballroom’ of the upper crust JW Marriott Hotel in Mumbai with the fabulous enclosure getting even more glitzy with all the glitterati trickling in. And Amitabh Bachchan was already on the way and would be there in no time! But, of course, they should’ve known - Big B is a stickler for punctuality and exactly 2 minutes before the appointed time, he wheeled in and the shutterbugs were thrown into a tizzy - nay, frenzy, actually, while with that signature swing in his feet, the towering frame promptly took a seat in the 3rd row to the utter horror of the volunteers… but all appeals to him for moving to the front were softly, yet firmly declined with a quiet ‘I’m fine!’