Vijay 69 (Hindi, 2024)
Director: Akshay Roy
To be sure, there is another movie called Thalapathy 69. That is an untitled, yet-to-be-released 69th film by Tamil movie star Vijay. This 69th venture would be his last, as he has embarked on a full-time career in Tamil Nadu politics.
This is a motivational movie aimed not only at senior citizens but also at the rest of society.
I vividly remember my father chatting with his friends when I was probably 15. Their common friend had died suddenly after an apparent heart attack. After the expected condolences and the sombre tone of the conversation, somebody cut in to say, "... but he is 54 and is due to retire next year!". It was then perfectly normal for someone past 50 to die. See how things have changed in 40-over years.
Recently, a dear friend, aged 63, succumbed to a coronary event. This happened even when being under the keen watch of a cardiologist. His friends had this say, "63 is not the age to die. He went off too soon."
How much has changed in 45 years? Malaysians have increased their life expectancy and are in better health than the previous generations. Naturally, when they retire from their jobs, anywhere between 55 and 60, they feel their wings have been clipped. Unlike their fathers, who wait for Lord Yama to come a-calling anytime after retirement, they think they have much wisdom and energy to impart to the generation after them. Unfortunately, their downlines are not looking at them as hindrances. The young ones want to prove their worth on their own terms. They want the oldies to take a bow. It is not they are annoyed with them or do not like them hanging around. The elders have their uses, but telling the next generation what to do is not one of them. Things have changed since the time their fathers learnt things.
Hence, the oldies are left to their cocoon, perhaps feeling worthless. Only so much can one interact with their respective better (or other) halves. The desire to fulfil unachieved ambitions or the need to leave a legacy soon pops up. They want to do so much. They think they have so much juice, but everyone around them thinks otherwise. At one point, the senior starts thinking about whether the others are gaslighting him. They would quote this person or that person who dropped dead like a swatted fly. The aura would be created for oldies to be convinced they must sit still at home, waiting to be engulfed by the flames of time.
Against this tide, a small group of madmen arises against the negativities to prove something to themselves. This is the story of Vijay Matthew, a foul-mouth 69-year-old small-time swimming instructor who had just lost his wife to cancer. Still reeling from failing to clinch the gold medal at the national swimming days in his young days, he is a man on a mission. He wants to complete a triathlon at the age of 69. This self-motivating comedic sketch is a joy to watch. Vijay is played by Bollywood veteran Anupam Kher.
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