Ah, first crushes! They’re often a memorable part of growing up, wrapped in a mix of excitement, innocence, and new emotions. For me, it all began during a summer holiday when I was just six years old. My cousin had come over, and to keep us entertained, my dad rented a VCR…. a common practice in the time before computers and digital entertainment took over. He brought home a collection of children’s classics and cartoon movies, including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Escape to Witch Mountain. However, the movie that truly stole our hearts was Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, or QSQT as it’s known today.
A Tale of Timeless Love
Ironically, my first crush happened to be a movie about first love. QSQT, an Indian retelling of the classic Romeo and Juliet, tells the story of Raj and Rashmi, two young lovers from feuding families whose love blossoms against all odds. Watching their journey unfold, I was captivated by the purity and intensity of their love. It made me believe in the magic of love at first sight, a love that knows no boundaries or societal norms.
Probably not the most appropriate movie for kids, given the tragic ending where both main characters die. But this was back in the eighties, and the movie was a craze. Surprisingly, for many years, I remembered everything about the film except the ending. When I watched it again years later, I was shocked by how it panned out… . Needless to say it didn’t age well with time… Despite this, QSQT had already left its mark on me, one that continues to this day.
My First Crush.. My First Dreams
After seeing the movie,….. I for the first time had ambitions.. dreams…
- I wanted to have a love marriage like they did in the movie.
- I wanted to stay near a mountain like they did.
- I wanted to be an actor and work with Aamir Khan someday…
Remarkably, two out of these three dreams have come true….. And hopefully will get to work with Aamir Khan someday! Probably the film’s exploration of themes like familial expectations, societal norms, youthful rebellion and questioning the rigid structures of society, encouraged me to dream beyond the conventional.
Music That Echoed the Heart
One of the most enchanting aspects of Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak was its soul-stirring music. The melodies were not just background scores; they were anthems of my growing-up years, capturing the essence of joy, heartbreak, and hope. Songs like “Akele Hain To Kya Gham Hai” became my personal soundtrack whenever I felt lonely. I would look in the mirror and sing to myself….. (roughly translated)… “Why should you be sad if you are alone? I can achieve everything with your support.”
In those days, when I lacked purpose and felt pressure from my parents, there was always “Papa Kehte Hain“….
A Lasting Impact
I would like to say that my first crush was Aamir Khan…. but I guess the movie had a way bigger impact on me in my childhood…. Like a first crush, QSQT has faded into the deep corners of my memories, overshadowed by other movies that resonate with me more today. However, QSQT was the movie that ignited my dreams, shaped my aspirations, and taught me the magic and mystery of first love…. It was the movie that started it all!…….
What was your first crush?….
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