CHENNAI: Forty years ago, a movie — an epic space opera film — was released, paving the way to multiple fandoms and the creation of an extended fictional universe, across the globe. From black robes, Stormtroopers and helmets, ‘Jedi’ hoods, white combat uniforms to some even trying their hands at the famous ‘cinnamon buns’, a cult worship of George Lucas’ film series, Star Wars, became a phenomenon impressing people of all age groups. With the city’s Star Wars fanbase — men, women and children chanting, ‘May the Fourth Be With You’ (a play on the films catchphrase ‘May the force be with you’), today, City Express chats with a few, to know about how and when they stepped into this galaxy ‘far, far away’…
The first and original film of the series Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope was released in May 25, 1977 in the US, and like every Hollywood movie those days, India had to wait for a year to watch the film in theatres. But the wait was worth it, opine ‘old-timers’ who managed to watch the movie between 1978 and the early 80’s at Devi Paradise, Mount Road. For 49-year-old Vivish George, director, Aeria Living Spaces, watching the first movie without any expectations, made it memorable. “I remember going to the movie as a young teen. The movie certainly blew us away! That’s the charm of watching a movie without knowing anything about it…which is impossible today! But after getting a taste of it, I remember eagerly waiting for the other releases,” he recalls.
With a storyline that was way ahead of its time and never-before-seen VFX, the film series captured everyone’s attention with a surreal world that gave characters everyone loved and rooted for. “Though the graphics and the effects in the original and prequel trilogy might seem ‘lame’ for this generation, it was mindblowing then…it was like James Cameron’s Avatar (2009) of those times!” he exclaims. And for most, the interesting part was the order of the series. “Why someone would start with a Part Four was the question. But only people who have seen them all will understand it,” he grins.
And if you thought that only the Gen Y were into buying collectibles and merchandise of their favourite series, you are wrong! Alladi Mahadevan, an organic farmer in the city, shares that he had invested `50,000 to `60,000 on Star Wars Lego sets! “The movie has been part of my life since the 80s. I was a teenager then and the Lego sets based on two characters in the film — R2-D2, an astromech droid and C-3PO came much later. They are awesome characters that taught me a lot in life,” he shares.
Manick, an IT professional, recalls his school days and says, “I was supposed to dress up as Darth Vader for my farewell…but I couldn’t make it. Having Cosplay here in the city would be fun! But for now, I am just waiting for the release of The last Jedi and Episode IX.”
And so are some of us in City Express!
Did you know?
The Jawa language is based on a speeded-up version of the Zulu while what Greedo speaks is a South American language called Quechua.
Every Star Wars film has been released the week after George Lucas’ birthday on May 14.
The phrase “I have a bad feeling about this” is said in every film.
Harrison Ford was never intended for Han Solo. He was just helping other actors read their lines.
Eventually Lucas realised Ford already had the part down cold.
Doctor’s collection
To Dr Siddharth Ravishankar, an ophthalmologist, the franchise is ‘almost like a religion’. “I have a lot of merchandise and collectibles at home. From the ones I collected as a kid, to those that used to come with cereal boxes, I have plenty. The eye chart in my office is a secret. No one wants their doctor to be a Star Wars buff with a Star Wars eye chart! But many of my young patients are aware of it. And yes, I do have a normal eye chart too!” he laughs.
A ‘Star’ry wedding
Arun Moses says he was ‘lucky’ to find another
Star Wars fan in his wife! Did ‘the force’ bring them together? “We had the same connection and it came as a revelation when we found about our common love for Star Wars. We would have loved a Star Wars-themed wedding, but didn’t want to offend anyone or any tradition. But, we didn’t give up our dream; we had a Star Wars-themed reception,” he grins.