Modern Sholay

No, it's not about Jay and Veeru, the heroes. Nor Basanti, the heroine, or Dhanno, her steed. Not even Asrani, the angezon ke zamaane ka jailor, or Soorma Bhopali, fond of spinning yarns. I am curious about the simple villager in the 1975 epic, who keeps asking mind-bending questions during Veeru's 'attempted suicide' scene. Apparently simplistic, but full of depth, in my view. Yeh Suicide kya hota hai, is one question (What is suicide?). Yeh Goodbye kya hota hai? (What is a goodbye?) is another gem. What would he say in 2012?

1. Yeh depression kya hota hai?

The answer might be- jab angrez gaddhe mein girte hain to usey depression kehte hain.

2. Yeh angst kya hota hai?

Jab angrez bahut pareshaan hota hai, to apne aapko angst ka shikaar kehlaata hai.

3. Yeh tensionwa kya hota hai?

Jab angrez ke paseene chhootte hain na, to use tensionwa bolte hain. Yeh Raamgarh mein sirf Gabbar ke aadmiyon ko dekhke hota hai.

4. Yeh road rage kya hota hai?

Jab apne ghode ke aage peeche doosre ghode aajayein, aur hamein raasta na dein, tab aanewale gusse ko road rage kehte hain

5. Chill ka kya kya matlab hota hai?

Jaise hum apni 'chillum' sulgaake uske kash ka mazaa uthate hain, to usiko yeh angrez chill kehte hain