To Baburao Ganpatrao Apte

To Baburao Ganpatrao Apte, There's something about you that left an indelible laughter in my mind ever since the first time I saw you on screen. Wait, do you understand you are no comedian or joker. You are an alcoholic, debt stricken bloke always swaying to and fro between Raju's cunning mind and Shyam's righteous attitude. You affirmed your seniority everywhere but you never made any sense to me or anyone out there. Tenants need to pay their rent. You get it right? On my off days, when I see your unadulterated smile it bewilders me - I mean how can this man live with such conviction and ease. What about his isolated life? His debts? These questions linger on my mind. It's not okay to be unambitious and surrender to your fate but when life doesn't give you 'Star Fisheries', you can always show some content in your dilapidated 'Star Garage'. Your innocent gullibility, incorruptibility and rustic lunacy bought chuckles. Well, you need to learn that Shyam and Ram are different names. You don't always have to go by the literal meaning. I mean Raju meant 'Ishwar', the God not your Ration Guy. It was your 'Dhoti' not that girl. Oh! I can't forget that scene. You epitomise misunderstandings but you never went obscene. You were truly a child at heart and of course, your reasoning was as thick as your spectacles (Magnifying glasses). From sharing your griefs to lending your compassion to misfortunes of Shyam and Raju - you earned the tag of the most desirable landlord. When you guys sang 'Dene wala jab bhi deta' - the whole Indian middle class felt your joy and hopes. BabuRao, you didn't have to try - your jargon itself is comical. From slapstick to Dark, you bought all kinds of humours. You were a trendsetter back then and even now we say - 'Yeh Baburao ka style hai'! From, Your ardent fan