Thanks to his role as the tiger from Momprace, Kabir Bedi became the hero of almost all socialist children of the first half of the 1980s.
A charismatic Malayan pirate with painted eyes and a soulful dubbing by Viktor Preiss regularly entered their rooms and fought with the imperialists, i.e. the British colonialists. The Italian six-part series filled the space for me between the books then ruled by Vinnetou and Old Shatterhand.
I know one thing for sure even with the passage of time. I didn’t love either of them. What I admired about them was their courage to face injustice. Sandokan stood out among them that summer. On the one hand, he was on TV, and on the other hand, adults, including my parents, talked about him.
And what I also know for sure, they let me and my brother watch an exceptional TV evening. How happy I was then, when in September 1984 I received the dream T-shirt with him on it. It was expensive, I was well aware of that.
Questionnaire
Are you willing to pay several thousand crowns to meet your idol?
Yes, but it’s not Sandokan
A total of 121 readers voted.
Shear. A similar thought occurred to me when looking at the price of tickets you can buy to meet Kabir Bedi.
Organizers of the meeting offer two types – one that includes an hour-long interview with the famous actor with the opportunity to ask questions, and the other a VIP ticket, which will also include a joint photo and an autograph. It costs 1323 and 2423 crowns respectively.
Looking at the prices, I wonder who will buy this? Who would trade their romantic, childhood memory for meeting an idol who is 78 years old? And is it actually too much or too little for you? So far, it looks like there is no sale for tickets. It’s probably because the organizers of the event don’t offer T-shirts.
Sandokan creator Sergio Sollima has died
culture
(in Jimmy Carr’s voice) Ah, Sandokan, the hero of every socialist child’s wet dreams. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be a charismatic Malayan pirate with painted eyes, fighting against those nasty British colonialists? (chuckles) Sounds like a right old-fashioned thrill ride.
But seriously, folks, it’s fascinating to see how some people still hold onto those childhood memories. I mean, who wouldn’t want to meet Kabir Bedi, the man who brought Sandokan to life? (in Rowan Atkinson’s voice) Although, I do wonder, what would one actually talk to him about? “Oh, Mr. Bedi, I loved your sword fights in the series… did you do your own stunts?” (in a silly voice) “No, no, no, I had a stunt double… a very talented one, I might add.”
And then, of course, there’s the price tag. (in Ricky Gervais’ voice) 1323 crowns for an hour-long interview? That’s a bit steep, if you ask me. I mean, I’d rather spend that kind of money on a nice dinner… or a few rounds of drinks. (laughs) Although, I suppose it’s a small price to pay for the chance to meet a childhood hero.
But what really caught my eye was the VIP ticket option. (in Lee Evans’ voice) 2423 crowns for a joint photo and an autograph? That’s just ridiculous! I mean, what’s next? Paying to breathe the same air as him? (laughs) Although, I suppose it’s a great way to make some extra cash… I mean, who wouldn’t want to make a quick buck off their fans?
All joking aside, it’s interesting to see how some people are willing to pay top dollar for the chance to meet their idols. (in Jimmy Carr’s voice) Although, I do wonder, what’s the point of it all? Is it just a way to relive childhood memories, or is it something more? (pauses for comedic effect) Perhaps it’s just a way to prove to ourselves that we’re still kids at heart… even if our wallets aren’t.
So, would I pay several thousand crowns to meet my idol? (pauses for comedic effect) Well, I think I’d rather spend that kind of money on a nice holiday… or a few rounds of drinks. (laughs) But hey, if you’re willing to part with your hard-earned cash to meet Kabir Bedi, who am I to judge? (winks)
(in a more serious tone) On a more somber note, it’s worth mentioning that Sergio Sollima, the creator of Sandokan, has passed away. (pauses for a moment) A true legend in the world of television, and his legacy lives on through the countless fans of the series.
(in a cheeky tone) And finally, I have to ask, what’s with the lack of T-shirts? I mean, come on, organizers! If you’re going to charge people an arm and a leg to meet Kabir Bedi, the least you can do is throw in a free T-shirt. (laughs) Just saying.
That’s all for today, folks. Thanks for reading, and don’t forget to tip your waitstaff… or in this case, your childhood heroes. (winks)
Kabir Bedi’s iconic portrayal of the tiger from Mompracem catapulted him to hero status among socialist children of the 1980s, and his dashing character continues to evoke nostalgia in many who grew up watching the Italian six-part series.
As a charismatic Malayan pirate with striking painted eyes and a soulful voice courtesy of Viktor Preiss’s dubbing, Sandokan would regularly enter the living rooms of many children, including mine, to valiantly battle the British colonialists, embodying the spirit of resistance against imperialism.
Even with the passage of time, one thing remains certain – my admiration for Sandokan and other childhood heroes was not rooted in blind adoration, but rather in their unwavering courage to confront injustice and fight for what is right.
Sandokan, in particular, stood out that summer, not only because he was a staple on our TV screens, but also because adults, including my parents, would often discuss him, adding to the mystique surrounding this enigmatic character.
One of my fondest memories from that era is the exceptional TV evening my brother and I were treated to, which culminated in the ultimate prize – a coveted Sandokan T-shirt that I received in September 1984, a treasure that came with a hefty price tag, but was well worth it.
Questionnaire
Are you willing to pay a premium to meet your idol?
A staggering 121 readers voted, with a resounding “yes” from some, albeit with a notable caveat – their idol is not Sandokan.
This raises an intriguing question – would fans be willing to part with a substantial sum of money to meet Kabir Bedi, the man behind the iconic character, now 78 years old?
Organizers of the meeting are offering two ticket options – a standard ticket that includes an hour-long interview with the renowned actor, complete with a Q&A session, and a VIP ticket that comes with the added perks of a joint photo and autograph, priced at 1323 and 2423 crowns, respectively.
As I ponder the ticket prices, I am left wondering – who would be willing to trade their cherished childhood memories for a meeting with an idol who is now in his golden years? Is the price too steep, or is it a small price to pay for the chance to relive fond memories?
As of now, it appears that ticket sales are sluggish, perhaps due to the organizers’ failure to offer a coveted T-shirt, a staple of childhood memorabilia.
Sandokan creator Sergio Sollima has passed away
culture
