A naïve enquiry by a Danish woman sets the internet rocking with amusement because she thinks Amitabh Bachchan is simply a brand ambassador, who makes Indian papads, and whether she could have more of the same from him
They say Fame and Fortune can be fickle, if anything at all. Their entry and exit into the lives of people, especially mega celebrities, can be swift, sudden and sometimes quite contrary. This is particularly true of film personalities with their larger-than-life public image. But sometimes despite the universal acclaim, accolades and adulation, anti-climaxes of the most unexpected kind can send shock waves or ripples of hilarity across the world.
A recent incident that involved megastar Amitabh has rocked the internet providing waves of viral amusement worldwide. Straddling across five decades of Indian Cinema, his fans regard him as something far beyond mega proportions, a towering colossus; someone no less than a demi-god.
And yet there are some who are completely unaware of the Big B’s staggering impact on Bollywood and Indian cinema. Recently, Mr Bachchan was knocked out cold and flat, speaking metaphorically, as flat as a ‘papad’ by the naive innocence of a Danish woman from Copenhagen.
During her recent trip to Nepal, internet influencer Frederikke came across a packet of ‘papads’ (a thin crunchy snack popular in India) made by Indian brand Bikaji. She later shared with her Instagram followers how much she loved the snack and mentioned that she was nearly out of them, unable to find the same brand back home in Copenhagen.
Seeing Bachchan’s photo on the ‘papad’ packet as its brand ambassador, and totally ignorant of his Bollywood mega status either, she tried to reach the megastar through the internet, only to tell him “how delicious” his ‘papads’ were and to send her more of the same as her supply was running low”.
In the end one can only hope that the lady in question hopefully manages to get her supply of ‘papads’, with or without the intervention of Mr Amitabh Bachchan. The underlying message that comes through from this is that “one man’s fame, is another person’s papads”, if one may take the liberty of paraphrasing a well-known English proverb with some liberties
The internet crackled with mirth and laughter. Users across all digital platforms responded with loads of humouros remarks. It is highly unlikely that the incident escaped the attention of Mr Bachchan.
He has so far chosen to keep mum but what if Mr Bachchan had to say: “Bhai, duniya mein kayee ‘papad’ belne padhte hain”. This is a well-used Indian proverb which means that to succeed in Life one has to work very hard. The implication stems from the fact that to roll out perfectly round, and paper thin ‘papads’ is tedious and painstaking work.
Papad, known in English as ‘papadoms’, are a savoury add-on, a delightful crunchy bite to an Indian meal. It is also popular as an in between nibble, or a dainty snack at kitty parties or bridge gatherings.
In the end one can only hope that the lady in question hopefully manages to get her supply of ‘papads’, with or without the intervention of Mr Amitabh Bachchan.
The underlying message that comes through from this is that “one man’s fame, is another person’s papads” if one may take the liberty of paraphrasing a well-known English proverb with some liberties.
