Superstitions that rule Bollywood

Call them superstitions, quirks or monomania, that’s one mega-anxiety shared by the denizens of Bollywood – right from auspicious dates, numerology and propitious publicity hoarding sites to favourable licence number plates for swishy cars and vanity vans - Jyothi Venkatesh

Not just the Bachchans, but even Ekta Kapoor to the newbies, a majority resorts to lucky mascots, gems, colours, charms and regular visits to shrines. Most film families consult god men on subjects ranging from whether or not they should sign a certain film and even on which day (and at what time) to catch an air flight.

But why single out the nation’s most high-profile movie town for this fear factor? Black cats crossing your path, an accidental walk-through under a stationary ladder, the evil eye – to be warded off with amulets, beads and charms – are commonplace beliefs in film circles, whether you like it or not!

All of us, however rational we may like to believe we are, have our lousy fetishes, finicky aberrations and principles of faith.

Believe it or not, Ekta used to make it a point to consult her favourite female astrologer Sunita Menon before finalising the title of her film but the day Kyunki Main Jhoot Nahi Boltha flopped, she discarded her practice.

For instance, when a family-owned production banner’s expensively mounted superhero adventure tanked, the exact date, place and birth time of all its employees across the board, were placed under scrutiny.

A trusted pundit was called in to determine which employee was ‘lucky’ or ‘unlucky’. Those who didn’t make the cut were told politely, “Sorry, we’ll have to let you go.”

Still, no one believes in destiny and luck by chance more intensely than the B-townies do. Defy destiny and even a superstar’s career could go kaput. Amitabh Bachchan has stated on record that he doesn’t watch ‘live’ telecasts of cricket matches.

There was a time when he did and India would lose the match. Instead, believe it or not, he only watches repeat telecasts. Incidentally, Bachchan, like Ringo Starr of The Beatles, wears a variety of rings on his fingers to keep diabolical elements at bay.

And that includes carping critics. An emerald ring is contended to have upped his market longevity ever since 2000. No wonder that the legendary actor is quite strong career wise even at 80 now.