Dangal Dangal!
Aamir Khan has done it once again. Mr. Perfectionist has come up with yet another super hit, with his latest being a biopic on the Phogat family, grossing almost Rs. 700 crores. Two and a half hours of pure class is what I would call the movie. It is a classic biopic in many ways. Split the movie into 4 quarters and you get — the initial struggle and rebellion, hard work & small success, overconfidence & downfall and the most important, comeback.
When you go to a movie hall to watch a film, you immerse yourself into it. You feel as if you are a part of the movie and try to draw parallels to your life. You have no idea how pumped up I was when I was watching Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (biopic on Milkha Singh). That night after coming back home, I went into a deep thinking mode.
“I am my only competition.”
“I will push myself beyond all limits.”
“I’m gonna go to the gym from tomorrow.”
I’m gonna do this. I’m gonna do that. And suddenly, I could hear people shouting out my name.
“Sashank!! Sashank!! Sashank!!”
Wow! That feeling! So many people were behind me but one voice stood out strong!
“Sashank!! Sashank!!”
Andddd there went my quilt. “Sashank! Sashank wake up!!”
And with my quilt, went all the ‘pump’. Damn.
Cliched right? The way I tried to explain what usually happens. I agree that I exaggerated a little bit. Okay, I exaggerated quite a lot. But, I’m sure most of you out there will relate to the feeling.
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag was over 3 years ago. I was very naive, gullible and fresh & bubbling with ideas back then. Completing my engineering studies, living in a new city and almost completing my management studies has not only put in more ideas in my head but definitely made me a little bit older and wiser. And, the emotions I went through while watching Dangal, were a little different as well.
Watching Aamir Khan and his daughters in the village set up first and then at the wrestling ring was quite inspiring. Though the dialogue delivery with the Hariyaanvi accent wasn’t the best around, the dialogues themselves stood out for me. One such dialogue in the movie is —
“misaale di jaati hain, bhooli nahi jaati”
and it translates into — examples are given, not forgotten.
This is such a strong line from such a strong movie. And as usual, it got me thinking. When I look around in my own college, they are so many amazing individuals. Amazing storytellers, superb photographers, great athletes, energizing dancers, mesmerizing singers, insightful thinkers, effective organizers and a few, are a mix of all. It feels great to be around so much of a talent as it pushes you to go that extra mile as well.
All these awesome people come together to showcase their awesome abilities usually in our annual fests, research conferences or by being a part of various clubs and committees within college. I really appreciate people stepping up and taking the lead in different situations. I feel that’s the premise for any management study, especially in MBA.
To be the go-to person and standing out as a leader takes a lot of courage. And going back to what I said earlier — “misaale di jaati hain, bhooli nahi jaati”, a leader sets an example for others to follow and build upon. In our 2 years of MBA, we are being nurtured to be future ready managers and leaders for which our annual fests, committees and clubs serve as a great platform. But, in our pursuit to be good team leads, event coordinators and captains, few of us lose the plot completely. Having power and authority is one, but acting responsibly with that power is more important. Many of us are taking this in a very different, not-so-encouraged way and missing the essence of being a leader.
I’ve seen people making promises and not living by them. This happens everywhere. Look at the names which make the headlines everyday. Promises are made, but have they been delivered? I myself have made promises to people and failed to stand by them. But looking at a college level, where we are learning to be better, I have seen people nodding their heads to many things and to many responsibilities, but failing to fulfill. I don’t know if that is a sincere effort in vain or it is negligence by an inflated self due to too much importance. It is not that hard to know, but I can only ponder.
What concerns me are the consequences which would haunt these people. What concerns me even more is the impact which their actions would have on others, their subordinates, associates and even superiors. Those who look up to them are being given a wrong example. Those working with them, would not want to again, and their superiors, who gave them the opportunity, will feel let down.
Credibility and accountability form the basis of leadership, and though the instances I mentioned here are not disastrous, as any wise person would say —
It’s never wrong to do the right thing.
