Stepping out of a silver coloured SUV, young Sukhbir adjusts his sunglasses and then greets the people waiting for him with a deferential look. The waiting crowd admires the car. The attire of the young man -- a white kurta over which there is a shawl -- also elicits some awe-filled exclamations.
Sukhbir asks politely but firmly: “Everything alright here?” To which the people respond in unison: “Bhai, when you are in charge how can something go wrong?” There is emphasis on the word “bhai.”
Sukhbur is delighted. He nonchalantly waves his hand to which another man swiftly steps out of the car to stand by him with a reverential look: “Oi! Slaughter three goats today; there will be a feast here for all those who could not have enough meat for Eid,” Sukhbir commands. There is a roll of applause; an echo of “Bhai, Bhai, Bhai ...”
This “Bhai” is quite different from the usual bhais which we use in everyday life. This “Bhai” means saviour, protector, leader, and a man of curious contradictions. Thanks to the Hindi film gang culture plus the local movie scene which is almost 90% dominated by mafia-don-like villains shown to have an inexplicable blend of softness and cruelty, the Bhai term has entered our real life with much fervour.
In fact, many youths now aspire to be one. It’s the ultimate wish fulfillment when a young man is deemed the Bhai by a bunch of people. Of course, to be a Bhai one needs money or a firm financial background before all else. A family farm or a large village home provides the ideal setting. Even better if the upazilla police chief comes to pay his respects. If the DC knows the name of the Bhai, then our man is next to God!
One can also be the Big Brother without a country home. In that case, one needs to be a leader in some public education institute. I know such a person, in fact, he is close to me. Let’s call him Jamal. He is around 15 years junior, but since he has already graduated from university, he commands an awe-inspiring following. Jamal is the campus Bhai lionised by current students.
Once upon a time, he was also a student leader, so his claim to the Bhai epithet has links to politics. Once more, the car is essential here because one cannot be a Bhai without four wheels. Jamal is my junior, so he also calls me brother too, though, that is totally different. I am Toto bhai (my nickname) but certainly not Bhai! Jamal settles student disputes, advises on various issues, from education to affairs of the heart, playing pivotal roles in aiding jilted lovers find a way for reconciliation. His stern advice to some girl, “please make up and give it another shot,” is hardly repudiated. After all, Bhai has asked it.
In the meantime, this exalted role is not without certain benefits, because Bhais have access to the right political plus administrative offices. Officers of government departments also treat them with respect. This two-sided veneration is astutely exploited to broker deals encapsulating all conceivable contexts. Think recovery of occupied land to having a deadlocked loan request passed against a contentious piece of land. The brokering brings more honour, filling up the coffers too -- the Bhai business is good; lucrative to say the least.
Benevolence is also integral to projecting the right image. Throwing lavish banquets for all in the area is a must, so is arranging special milad mehfils to invoke divine blessings for some project. Catchy dialogues are needed to boost the image and circulate the cult surrounding the man.
Some common lines that have come my way, “Bhai er ekta haashi maney file pass hobey aaji” (if Bhai gives a smile, no one can stop the passing of your [clogged] file), “Bhai bolse hotei hobey, dourer upor thak shobey” (Bhai has said, it will be done. Detractors, stay on the run).
Weapons only add to the mystique! At a time when ordinary people are given mind-boggling rules to obtain a gun license, a legal weapon-carrying Bhai sends the message that he is the brother but not like the tea stall-wallah whom we embrace in a fraternal way.
What about the female factor in the lives of these cinema-influenced heroes? Well, the women have to be stunningly beautiful, though the Bhai may have one earlobe missing (blown away while making molotovs in his early days), some feminine companions have religious head-coverings, even though the entire dress is noticeably slinky near the buttocks.
Some Bhais drink alcohol, preferring to hang out at five star hotels. They also have selected singers or dancers in such places who are showered with Tk500 notes while performing. Obviously, ordinary punters never dare talk to such women! While slumped in a drunken stupor, their bar girl-friends tell them in mock anger: “Ai, please ar drink koro naaaaa” with their bodyguards, adding, “Bhai, aijka ar khaen na” (Bhai, enough for today).
The Bhai likes such affectionate attention which turns him to ask philosophically: “What is life, fame, and wealth?” While leaving the bar, he will possibly hand over wads of cash to guards, doormen, and others. There will be an echo of “Bhai, Bhai, Bhai” all around. In the bar, others will drink easily now, or even take a furtive glance at the luscious dancer, because, Bhai has left the building.
