Why the comebacks of Khan and Kohli boost our national equilibrium

Kolkata: It takes a measured blend of hard and soft to define the equilibrium of a nation. Exactly why the success of superheroes is almost as important as the asking rate for petroleum and LPG.

Both Bollywood and Cricket are well-established industries and there are many candidates who perform regularly and enjoy satisfied constituencies. But their stature relies considerably on the cult of the superstar, a modern-day version of mythology, whose exceptionality elevates the stature of the craft. When they are on song the general air of calm extends to our personal lives, as if all will indeed be well. If they seemingly collapse, we start doubting comfortable fundamentals and get shaky without due cause.

Virat Kohli’s fabled cape was in inexplicable hibernation for endless months, ascribed eventually to a mental health situation. It is true that the Indian team did perform adequately in this period, liberated thankfully from the depressing culture of over-dependence. But something was not quite the same, as the others were mortals playing an earthly game and not on secondment from the heavens. So, when Virat resurrected his dramatic flair, an entire nation was relieved and we could partially forgive even the perils of inflation.

Shah Rukh Khan is inarguably even larger-than-life than the cricketer, the 70 mm canvas in a controlled environment perhaps an unfair advantage. Ever since Mr Amitabh Bachchan abdicated his crown, Khan has been our go-to cinematic deity, breaking any and every barrier on screen or off. In the four years that he was missing in inaction, the South Indian stars came to the Hindi belt mainstream, as proven by box office records and OTT preferences. One very good reason could well be the spontaneous superhero-ness of their movie culture, which Bollywood rendered insufficient due to the commanding icon’s absence.

By now, it is very clear that Pathaan is not just controversial but rather successful as well, with Shah Rukh regaining mainstream mojo as the James Bond cum Ethan Hunt combo offer, rendered uniquely in his patented style. Just as Virat is proving regularly that he is non-mortal on most clinical parameters, the Gills and Yadavs still firmly rooted to the 22 yards whatever be the statistical excesses. Both Kohli and Khan are now above routine measures of success and their sheer presence in full regalia is sufficient to keep a nation off the shrink’s couch.

Getting back briefly, to the subject of national equilibrium and how the prolificity of superstars elevates our joys, albeit being a possible aid to denial. When Argentina won the FIFA World Cup, the pressing problems were voluntarily suppressed as belief systems were restored by Messi. This is a common pattern in the developing world, where the halo of a superhero passes by entitlement to every citizen as if a virtual ration card with emotional subsidies. There are way too many examples in India from our times as well as the ages now departed.

Amitabh Bachchan, MGR, Uttam Kumar and their ilk had this power over their fanbase - the prolific ability to infuse extraordinary energy for vital moments. While ensuring the triumph of good over evil and that is where the equilibrium gets reinforced - these became surrogates for the imminent demise of worldly problems. Kapil Dev’s exploits in the 1983 World Cup, from Tunbridge Wells to Lord’s, is a fine instance of this pattern, acts of divinity forging precious socio-economic balance. War heroes are no exception and the fraternity of Vikram Batra remains a never-ending tap of inspiration laced with a sustainable foundation for daily living.

Whether you like Pathaan or not frankly does matter as it is patently a work of crowd-pulling fiction. Equally, it is not necessary for me to be a fanboy of Kohli’s antics, bat or otherwise, for these are performance cum persona-enhancing devices. But what matters to most is their continuity on the thrones of superherodom, more non-comparable than incomparable in the view of the common citizenry. Its role in fermenting a holistic national equilibrium can seem underwhelming but is actually very vital.

The India of 2023 will present its fair share of opportunities and challenges, affecting the exchequers of mind and wallet. Every time Kohli roars or Shah Rukh scores, our strength to combat surely increases a wee bit.