1009 views
Kaveeta Kaul
Presuming that this programme “Koffee with Karan” has been widely viewed one can get on to the business of opinionating. For those who have missed it, excerpts then assume importance, an option, nevertheless indispensable to the cause of experiencing a rather charming , for want of a better word, revelation of the man that is Richard Gere.
Lets not even get into the ” Oh he is so darn adorable..his eyes crinkle, his manner unfathomably enticing, his smile endearing’ kinda jargon. It would take precious lot to convey the purely physical while the purpose of this post is ..mmm.. beyond the purview of ephemeral externals…cough cough..It wasnt easy, I assure you.. to concentrate on the spirit of his words, step into the realm of the mind take a peek into his soul, when the thought that overwhelmed you was ” he is so overpoweringly attractive”.But then, I tried my darnedest ..presence of hubby, a cushion away, providing necessary grounding .
Seriously now, Richard came across as someone who was leading a charmed life, not solely because of his star status but because he was indeed lucky for having been blessed with opportunity to involve himself for the last 30 years in areas where his innate goodness found a window to be expressed, while his soul perhaps benefited by discovering the peephole to shine through.
Ofcourse this has a lot to do with his personal determination, focus and grit, undivided zeal, inner urge as well. Its no small feat that he has been coming to India to acquaint himself with her problems, create a blueprint for desirable course of action, garner necessary support and march ahead. Immediate reaction: guilt, what the hell are we doing?
His compassion for the Tibetans, their struggle and the ramifications of their loss, was as if writ large on his face..so strong was the synergy with their cause. I have always felt a special affinity with him,.. now dont smirk.. It has to do with his being a follower of Buddhist system of meditation, which I adhere to strongly myself. Unwittingly a bond develops.. his words echoed deep within.
I enjoyed thoroughly the simplicity of his words and the correctness of their usage e.g. he said ‘ Buddhism is about the mind and the heart..i.e. wisdom and compassion.. We have to learn to expand both”..Succinct and veracious.
This particular piece of conversation was so unexpectedly refreshing. Here goes:
Karan: We were reading some kind of stuff you know, the sexiest men in the business have actually dedicated their lives to a cause… There are so many of them working especially in your fraternity, you know be it Brad Pitt or George Clooney or you and there’s this whole perception of them being so sexy and yet all of them doing things like humanitarian issues they combating and fighting and doing stuff for… you know sometimes people feel that there is a contradiction, a) the perception is very sexy and you know of course you have been so sincere about it?
Richard: You know sometimes people feel there’s a contradiction when that happens, the perception that you being so sexy and you being so sincere about a cause… You know there is a tradition of this in America… I mean… there is a feeling that there is a responsibility that we all have whether we are movie stars or the technicians here in the studio; whatever maybe… we are all equal in our humanity. And we all do have a responsibility to help each other as far as transforming the planet and specially those people who suffer.
“Handsome he who handsome does ” an adage reduced to an anachronism in this day and age when physicality has with long strides taken over the bastion of spirituality!
When will our celebs/ stars/ industrialists/ A listers even begin to motivate themselves, find a higher purpose and pursue it dedicatedly. I’d hate to admit it but not a single one of our stars has bothered to look beyond his immediate environs and pledge support to a cause, not with money but with time, and a certain giving of oneself which is ‘giving’ in its true connotation. I wonder why?
Is it that we as a race are so concerned about survival? Our concerns center around the basic minimum to then retaining what we have managed to garner. So the struggle never really ends for us. This is the result of being citizens of a Third world country where comforts of life are considered a blessing not a taken for granted event, therefore its pursuance gets to be the journey…leaving little time/money/energy to bifurcate our selves with. This is not meant to be an excuse but rather an attempt at solving this conundrum. Just why are Indians especially those who can help, so disinterested in partaking into activities de centered from themselves?
Richard Gere seemed totally like a man on a mission doing his bit.. to create the ripple which may go ahead and stir up a storm. His simplicity came through as also his self effacing character. Nothing was being done or said for ‘effect’ but because he felt he was destined to do/say it. This interview truly touched my heart. I wish to be a member of the Gere Foundation and donate a drop in the ocean..in giving a bit of myself.
Amen!
1009 views
Sachiniti 
Like Muhammed Ali who gave up his title at the prime of his career in support of the anti-war movement, Mr. Gere suffered from the burden of his humanitarian stand. Yet it does not seem that he has any regrets or second thoughts. Truly a mark of greatness.
Comment by Shaan Khan — May 23, 2007 @ 4:24 am |
Everyone seems only concerned with the Shilpa Gere episode. Few feel for the man other than the gossip he creates.
Comment by D Ghosh — May 23, 2007 @ 7:07 am |
There is no doubt that “people” don’t expect a handsome man to be caring & understanding.
Comment by Shaan Khan — May 23, 2007 @ 9:21 am |
Imagine seeing him on K jos show! After that nonsensical episode with the kapoors this one was quite a welcome. The kapoors came across as a spoilt boistrous empty up there lot.Richard Gere is such a cutie.He seemed calm relaxed in control..not like karan who was sitting on the edge of his chair the whole time. Even these two looked from two different planets..you know an what i mean 🙂
Comment by Neha — May 23, 2007 @ 12:29 pm |
Hi Shaan,
Oh Yes! Like I mentioned in the post he seemed as if blessed and happily surrendered to the business of showing responsibility towards the woes of the world. It is his calling, as it were and he has no qualms playing it the way its meant to be.. sincerely, dedicatedly.. Impressive, to say the least.
Hi D Ghosh,
I think sometimes our mettle is displayed not only in what we choose to write about but also what we choose to ignore.
Hi Neha,
Well the kappor clan came as guests and were themselves, having Koffee and frolicking around.. no major harm done there..
With Richard I must admit, I did not find Karan acting as a psycophant.He resolutely asked the questions he wnted to..clearly enjoyed the enlightening take on life as expressed by Richard and offered him the Hamper albeit with reservations, which I found candid.. Well done!
I honestly think after Kuch Kuch Hota hai this is Karan at his best.. he is endearing and shows great flair as a host.. the spirit of the show, except for this single instance, where it was really thought provoking, the others are fun n games..Considering its meant to garner TRP’s its only fair..
Comment by kaveetaakaul — May 23, 2007 @ 1:59 pm |
Hi Kaveeta,
…True…I enjoyed the show , he is very humble and honest…. teachings of Lord Buddha had lot of influence on his life it seems…Some people feel if you are blatantly honest about others(not about yourself) then you are frank….(i liked his not so rapid answers).Its nice of you coming up with a review(or anything you name it) on koffee with kjo.. i hope you also come with something like this on Indian Idol3 .
Comment by Laxmi — May 23, 2007 @ 6:08 pm |
Thanks Laxmi.
Indian Idol3? Hmmmm..perhaps a three in one .Sare gama and the one on Star plus and Indian idol.. I try and see these as I am a complete talent freak.. give me good singing and I’ll happily leave all else..
Comment by kaveetaakaul — May 23, 2007 @ 7:42 pm |
Thanks you very much.I’ll be looking forward…
Comment by Laxmi — May 24, 2007 @ 7:36 am |
I would have liked to see Ab or the oldies like Anil Kapoor and even dilip Kumar do something of this kind. But except for some money donations nothing has been heard. They are too obsessed with their star status and take it too seriously. Being human is way far from their minds.
Comment by Krishnan — May 24, 2007 @ 11:52 am |
True Krishnan..
A couple of days back my walk at Joggers park saw me face to face with Dilip Kumar and saira banu. I guess the heat may have got to them and they came for a breather. Which was not to be… they were surrounded by a coterie and what have you.. so what might have been an attempt at perhaps a good walk turned into a public meeting.. the price for celebrity hood is prickly.. to me atleast.I’d hate to give up my privacy for anything..But this was an aside.
Yes, the names you mention could perhaps comfortably have partaken in activities devoid of personal gain ..but then.. Kahaan hain woh log?
Comment by kaveetaakaul — May 24, 2007 @ 6:27 pm |
Hai Richard gere..
Kithe phas gaya karan naal?????
Comment by monica — May 26, 2007 @ 5:51 pm |
Nice description of the show..
Comment by Daman — May 29, 2007 @ 9:48 am |
Hai Monica ji..
tussi bade dukhi lag raye ho..
Hi Daman,
Thanks pal!
Comment by kaveetaakaul — May 29, 2007 @ 2:35 pm |