Sholay and the principle of non-linearity

Kitne aadmi the?!

Has there ever been a more powerful dialogue?

Gabbar Singh, master of all he surveys (actually – some pretty pathetic rocks in the outskirts of Blr – but thats a different story), finds his authority challenged by the village of Ramgarh.  His first question is – Kitne aadmi the? (how many men were they?) .

For India’s services sector, this obsession with head-count continues.  A person’s importance is measured by the number of people he manages (Kitne aadmi hain?). Kaalia and his friends were more perceptive –  they refer to the mass of villagers as a gang of incompetents – knowing they faced no threat from them.  Little did they know of the real danger.  As Gabbar painfully realizes later on, a smarter, small team can be a lot more effective than a gang of followers .

Today, firms that are truly able to leverage the capabilities of a its people are found to demonstrate non-linear growth.  Analysts worship these companies.  But really, they should be thanking bollywood!