The man who flew wearing blue!!!

I first saw the magic thing called “television” in my neighbor’s house. The year was 1983. It was on my mom’s cousin’s house. Kamala chechi came to our home [both houses were in the same compound!], one afternoon, and told amma “Chechi, sent ur kids to our home. My brother has brought this TV and a VCR with some cassettes, from Gulf. We are going to put a film for the kids”. I was so excited. To start with, I didn’t know what the hell she was saying. But we have this excitement for unknown things, right? That was it.
 I gobbled my lunch as fast as I could, [I remember that I had stomach pain afterwards!] and was waiting at our doorstep, to get a call from kamala chechi. Finally she called “swathiiiii”. And I ran, faster than an arrow [I am pretty sure about that].

They had closed every single window in their sitting room. Even the air-holes were stuffed with clothes, so that it was pitch dark inside. I felt like entering a film theatre. There where almost 8-10 ppl in that single room, including 3 kids. We children had our seats on the floor. And soon the film started in a small square box, which was “Dyanora TV”.[later I learned it]. I didn’t understand the movie at all. There was this man who flew, who wore blue dress when he flew, and whose parents were killed, when he was a boy!!! [oooh! That made me sob!!] Yea, u guessed it right!!! It was the greatest movie of the life time: Superman(1978) !!!!!

After the film, I came out of the darkened living room, clutching my frock and blinked at the sunlight. I was feeling so sorry for the boy who lost his parents [that was the only thing that touched my heart!!! I didn’t care what he did when he grew up. [He flew or saved the world, I don’t care!!!!] . I was wondering how he grew up with NO parents!!!!.

I went home, with a very heavy heart. I was so sad that the one which aroused my expectation to sky high, ended so tragically!!! I told amma crying; “Ammaaaa, it was very sad… they showed blood [I was very scared of it!!]. And this boy’s parents were killed. I will never see TV again!!!”. It depressed me for next 2-3 weeks that I vowed I will never even go near “the TV”.


Now after 22 yrs, I saw “Superman Returns”, with my hubby and was laughing like hell, when superman carried an airplane, a rocket, a car, a train, and even a new continent in his own back! Can you believe that, a whole damn continent!!!
Ie how you change… from sobs to mocking laughter……..as you lose ur innocence!!

note: The movie led to three theatrical : Superman II (1980), Superman III (1983) and Superman IV: The Quest For Peace (1987), as well as several canceled sequel attempts after 1987. The 2006 film Superman Returns continues from the first sequel.