Today is a sad day. We lost one of the most versatile actors Hollywood has ever seen, Robin Williams. Human loss is always sad, but it feels worse when somebody who made millions smile
leaves the world.
There are lots of funny actors, there are lots of comedians, there are lots of stand up artistes, and then there’s Robin Williams. The man didn’t just make you smile, he touched your heart and inspired you with his powerful performances. He wasn’t your stereotypical mainstream actor who would go on 
to attain a certain level of stardom, but he went on to acquire a special place in people’s hearts, and he will remain there forever.
I first got to see the genius of this man in a movie called Mrs Doubtfire. As a kid, he filled me up with giggles and made for great entertainment, but that, as they say was only the tip of the iceberg. Jumanji followed, and it helped me get further acquainted with this man’s comic genius. It was as I grew a little older and saw this absolutely brilliant movie called Patch Adams, that I truly fell in love with this man. Just incase you missed seeing this heart warming film, it was the story of a medical student, who starts an alternative clinic to help people who can’t afford regular treatment and medication, and how he fights the system for his rights and eventually goes on to do what he was meant to do. Based on a real story, this character couldn’t have been played by anybody else more convincingly, for this man simply breathed life into it. His amiable nature and caring attitude came across through innumerous such roles.
But I was yet to grow older, and yet to witness some more magic by this man. Dead Poets Society happened. Reluctant at first to see it, I gave it a go, and wow, what a masterpiece it turned out to be. Teaching they say is a noble profession, but it is teachers like the one he was shown to be in the movie, that make it worth it. The man inspired not just the few students in his class, but a million other souls across the world, who want to dream, to try, to fly, to break out, to go out there and do something they’ve always wanted to do. Movies, a lot of people feel are frivolous in nature, but in my opinion, a lot of movies hold the key to unraveling the many mysteries of life. I finally saw Goodwill Hunting last year, and while I felt sad for seeing it so late in life, I was glad to have seen yet another classic. Now what can the story of two individuals teach you about life. More than you can imagine, if you ask me. When genius meets genius, when unconventional meets unconventional, when a broken person another of his kind, then magic happens. A clueless Matt Damon is shown direction in his life, thanks to the under achieving, unambitious genius that Robin Williams portrays. It told me it is ok to be a crackpot, it told me it is ok to be unambitious, it told me you could be great, yet be unhappy, it told me you could have many friends yet miss that one, it told me you could be as clueless as you could be, yet an answer may be round the corner, it told me, it’s a great thing to stand for somebody, be for somebody, do something for somebody, it told me miracles happen, it told me that immaterial of how twisted one’s life is, if things have to work out, they find a way.
There is a lot more that can be written about the genius of a man that Robin Williams was. The only truth I know right now is that he will go on to inspire millions and make them smile even now that he is gone.
“Boys, you must strive to find your own voice. Because the longer you wait to begin, the less likely you are to find it at all. Thoreau said, “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation.” Don’t be resigned to that. Break out! Carpe diem, seize the day!”
asha chaudhry
thank you for this lovely tribute prateek. who better than someone who strives to make people smile (like you) – to be writing this tribute.
i’ve been trying to figure out what to say all morning. though the loss is not personal, i’ve taken it very personally. somehow i find “apparent suicide” & “battling severe depression” very disturbing. it must get lonely up there. but still….
to me, robin williams will always be mrs doubtfire. a character which is very entrepreneurial, if you ask me. imagine someone taking your startup (kids) away from you. you will do whatever it takes to ensure you’re still a part of your startup! you will spring out of your comfort zone, you will take up different roles, learn on the fly, master every skill that is required….
every role robin williams took up is memorable. i’ll leave patch adams, dead poets’ society, and the rest for others to comment on.
robin williams was a funny guy – the guy you wait to listen to at any awards ceremony, ‘coz come rain, come shine he would crack you up. alok has a post about how entrepreneurs can never shut down. well comedians can never shut down… or so i believed.
rest in smiles robin williams. you will be sorely missed.
Prateek Shah
Absolutely Asha, every characters of his was so memorable, and almost every role of his had a new story to tell, it brought with it a new source and sense of inspiration, and if you look back at each one of them, there is something we can all learn from. We never knew him personally and will never get to know what exactly happened with his life, but depression, especially among the people who make others smile is a very serious and severe issue, one I hope we find a solution to. Everybody’s busy making the extra buck and achieving that extra thing and going that extra mile, but what about happiness? Why isn’t the world trying its best to make it a happier place. I personally fear the time when there will be more success stories on the planet than happy stories, and I personally dread that day.
May there be happiness. May there be support. May there be strength. May there be peace.
asha chaudhry
prateek,
i know that you meet people without any agenda once a month or so. i reckon more of us should come out and meet like-minded people so that no one ever feels lonely. grab a coffee together. but more important, grab some conversation together. entrepreneurs are lonely people….
Prateek Shah
Absolutely Asha! Entrepreneurs, specially are extremely lonely! Same goes for a lot of other professionals. People really need to go out, meet, talk, all for no reason! Problem is people usually only end up meeting others over business conferences or official meetups, what is required is that people start meeting people just like that, thereby increasing chances to find some more like minded souls or just spending a good time together. Might take some time, but will write about the smile spreaders meetups that we do, and how more people could do something similar or just be a part. Agenda Less Meetups are oh so important!
Aninda Manna
Thanks to Prateek and Asha. The “smile spreaders meetups” sound not only awesome but crucial. Not only entrepreneurs or professionals, we come across a lot of lonely people every day. Would love to know more about these meetups. We all need them.
And yes, rest in smiles Robin Williams!
Prateek Shah
Hi Aninda,
You can know all about Smile Spreaders Meetups right here – https://on.fb.me/1wwpSWZ
The Smile Spreader Meetups are essentially agenda less meetups where strangers who are part of this community meet, talk, make new friends and smile So far we have had multiple such meetups across Delhi(https://on.fb.me/1qvwY5T, https://on.fb.me/1i0puE0), Pune, Jaipur(https://on.fb.me/1mT0kfG), Hyderabad (https://on.fb.me/1mT0Iuy), Guwahati and Chandigarh.
Aninda Manna
Thanks a ton Prateek. Am based in Kolkata. Will check out what’s going on here!
Whatever happens, happens for something good 🙂