The word icon is so loosely used these days that it has almost lost its meaning. But the question that continues to spur debates is that what makes an icon. Now, an upcoming series on National Geographic promises to decode the lives of five icons with the help of intimate interviews with personalities and their families and also through scientific research and analysis by experts. The list includes cricketer Virat Kohli, actor and politician Kamal Haasan, former president of India – APJ Abdul Kalam, spiritual leader and Nobel laureate Dalai Lama, and social activist and India’s first women IPS officer Kiran Bedi.
“The idea is to explore the lives of these extremely high achievers to find out how their lives are different from other people and what are those traits that make them special. The purpose of this show it to find out whether icons are made because of their DNA or their social conditioning,” says R. Madhavan, who will host Mega Icons , starting September 24.
A graduate in electronics, Madhavan understands both the variables. “What I have realised is that in life there is so much art and so much science that the two could not be mutually exclusive. I am able to see the spectacular turning points in the lives of each of these geniuses. It is almost like poetry. The kind of success curve they have had and their ability to push boundaries consistently come across as works of art. We have roped in psychiatrists and behaviour scientists to understand the behavioural patterns of these greats to find if there is a similarity between all these greats.” “The common trait,” adds Madhavan, “is their childlike enthusiasm and the passion to learn at any age.”
Expression of aggression
However, somebody like Virat Kohli is writing new definitions of greatness. He is overtly aggressive yet consistent. “Aggression is a manifestation of motivation and determination. Everybody has his or her way to express it. A colonel on the border has to make his aggression visible,” counters Madhavan. “But we can’t say that Gandhiji didn’t have aggression. He had the same kind of courage when he faced the might of the British Empire. But his expression was in the form of patience and sheer tenacity. Same for the Dalai Lama,” explains Madhavan.
But this expression of aggression is new for India. “I don’t see it as a change. The latent determination is the same. The language used is changing. Virat Kohli’s aggression on the pitch might be different from other cricketers, but not from other icons.”
Does he try to analyse himself? “No, I just live,” remarks Madhavan. Having said that, he tells us how his career shaped up. “All the characters that I have played in my films are the sum total of my life experiences. My stint with NCC and the Army helped me in Rang De Basanti. My strict workout routine helped me in SalaKhadoos . I had the good fortune of working in different areas before I became an actor. So I draw from all those experiences and they help me in characterisation. But I can’t say not being a murderer didn’t help me in Breathe !”
Of all these icons, Madhavan has worked closely with Kamal Haasan. “Kamal Sir and I have worked in two films together and one thing that I cannot forget is his childlike enthusiasm to learn and acquire knowledge irrespective of the source. It could come from a spot boy as well as a genius. And then he will do his own research and present the details to you.” Another trait of his is to take a stand on contentious issues. “He has always been outspoken. Although I admire his bravado, I am in no position to comment on his outspokenness right now. But as far as I know, he has been cheered for it.”
Playing Narayanan
Madhavan is now busy with the biopic on the ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan directed by Anant Mahadevan. The story of Narayanan, who was falsely charged with espionage, is back in focus after the Supreme Court recently awarded him ₹50 lakh in compensation. “The film has completely taken over my life. I cannot divulge the details right now. Hopefully, it will release next year,” sums up Madhavan.
Expert analysis
The experts on the show include L S Shashidhara, a geneticist and developmental biologist at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Pune and Dr. Santosh K. Chaturvedi, Dean of Behaviour Studies and Head of the Department of Mental Health Education, NIMHANS. They say they have studied the life altering events in the lives of these personalities and analysed their impact on their lives. Dr. Chaturvedi says there is no formula to greatness but one can study a pattern. For instance, Virat Kohli returned to cricket pitch a day after his father passed away to complete his innings in a Ranji Trophy match. It showed his single-minded focus which backs his natural talent.
