Ben-Hur – A classic novel by Lew Wallace

Long before Amarendra Bahubali and Bhallaldeva fought for kingdom of Mahishmati in Bahubali movie, there were two friends in Rome – Judah Ben-Hur and Messala who clashed due to the difference in ideals. One favored Rome while other was proud to be a Jew. For Messala, Romans were powerful and Jews inferior. Apart from these two protagonists, there is a third protagonist – Jesus of Nazareth in this classic novel. Set during the times of Jesus Christ, this story begins with meeting of Messala and Judah. During the friendly meeting, Judah discovers that Messala has become egoistic and considers Jews a weak race. Both the friends part away. A tragic fate lands Judah Ben Hur in imprisonment, accused of killing a Roman official. Messala not only imprisons Judah, but also seizes his property, home and belongings. Judah’s mother and sister are sent behind bars on order of Messala. 

Poster of 2016 movie adaptation - Ben-Hur 

Here the story doesn’t end. Jesus is crucified and Ben-Hur is helpless to save his son of God from getting crucified. Ben Hur offers water to the bleeding Jesus and here he remembers it was the same saintly figure who had offered water to Judah when he was being taken to galleys. Judah Ben-Hur realizes that forgiveness is the biggest redemption of all as his lord didn’t even protest against the sufferings inflicted on him. Judah Ben Hur becomes the biggest messenger of Christ and lives his later life in helping the needy. 
Lew Wallace’s novel ‘Ben Hur’ is set during biblical era and it is an enlightening experience reading about Jesus in this fictional epic book. Ben-Hur was adapted into motion pictures and TV movies countless times. It is the 1959 adaptation that swept the Oscar. Ben-Hur has everything that you desire in an epic movie – Betrayal, Redemption, love, roman battles and breathtaking chariot races. Once you have completed reading Ben-Hur, you will definitely be curious to read Bible stories and the legend of Jesus Christ. I had read Ben-Hur in 2013 and found it an interesting epic. In the second time, I understood the spiritual philosophy and found the reading very enlightening. Along with Ben-Hur, I too realized that forgiveness is biggest redemption. Once you have completed reading Ben-Hur, you will also enjoy reading King Arthur and knights of round table, Ivanhoe, Three Musketeers and Man in the iron mask.

Judah Ben Hur is subjected to inhuman torture in galleys, rowing a gigantic slave ship. But good fortunes are on side of Judah. A pirate attack on the Roman ship gives an opportunity for Judah to escape from the Roman ship and seek refuge. With the help of his new allies – Simonides, Balthasar and Sheikh Ilderim, Judah competes against Messala in a chariot race. He not only defeats Messala but also leaves him penniless. After seeking his vengeance, Judah goes in search of his mother and sister. Here he meets the son of God – Jesus Christ and begins on a new mission to spread the greatness of son of God. Jesus heals the leprosy of Judah’s mother and sister and finally Judah finally reunites with his long lost family.

Morning show: adventures of youthful days

Today when I look behind the time, I regret for not trying the youthful adventures every youngster craved for – Morning shows. In late 80’s and early 90’s there were no multiplex theatres. Single screen theatres had their dominance. Apart from mainstream cinema (Bollywood), Single screen cinemas had a special morning slot for hot adult movies (both English & Hindi). In early 90’s there were neither adult websites nor adult foreign magazines which would thrill the youngsters (Magazines like Playboy & Debonair were too expensive). For middle class and lower middle audience, these morning shows were the only medium where they could unleash the wild side of their youthfulness. These adult movies were targeted for the raunchy audiences. Movies like ‘Junglee Jawaani’ & ‘Lady Tarzan’ (B Grade English movies) were in hot demand those days.

Sharon Stone's Basic Instinct attracted huge crowds in morning slots

Before the arrival of Sunny leone, bold actresses like Bo Derek, Ursula Andress, Demi Moore, Sharon Stone and Silk Smita ruled the silver screen with their adulterous moves. Majority of the students of schools and junior colleges bunked their special classes to watch ‘Basic Instinct’. Sharon Stone was craze at that time. Her bold avatar in Basic Instinct attracted more viewers in the morning shows and tickets used to get sold in black. Watching such movies was a sin for boys belonging to conservative family. Either it was fear or cultural upbringings, students of high class families never dared to watch such movies even if their heart craved for. Whether these movies were meant for sexual education or for spoiling our youthfulness will always remain a subject or debate. Students used to watch these movies because there was no medium available for them to get familiar about puberty, infatuation and the thrill of first romantic touch. Released in 1980, ‘The Blue Lagoon’ was a romantic movie set on a beach as a backdrop where a boy and girl discover the thrill of adulthood. This movie was a big hit in 80’s. Bollywood never came up such movies like ‘Blue Lagoon’ which would connect the youngsters about youthfulness in a matured way. In early times, grown up kids were too shy to discuss such things with their things with their parents. Due to age gap and parental fear, most of the kids found the solace either through these movies or in conversations with their close friends. Continuous viewing of such movies not only corrupts our minds, but also shows perception of love in a heinous way. Even James Cameron shot an exotic scene of Kate Winslet in movie ‘Titanic’, but the scene was shot aesthetically without any touch of obscenity. Even after several years, Kate Winslet is highly remembered for that memorable painting scene from ‘Titanic’. Indeed she looked sensuous, but not cheap. Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. It depends in which mindset a viewer observes a beauty.

Today it is easy for youngsters to access adult videos on tablets, laptops and PC in privacy without feeling guilty, conscious or awkward. The arrival of multiplexes has lowered the scope of single screen theatres and brought end to the morning shows. Slowly, year by year, single screen theatres are getting shut down due to stiff competition thrown by Multiplexes. Even the posters of the adult movies are nearly non-existent. Gone is the era of morning shows. The seats of the single screen theatres are damaged and will soon be thrown away in garbage. Only the young masses of the 80’s and 90’s will miss the presence of the morning shows.