November 2008
44 posts
DAY 221
Mumbai November 30, 2008 9:08 pm
The text messages pour in for reactions to press and media. Cynical and provocative text come in describing the ridiculous utterances of the system and those that run it. And actions to placate themselves of dire circumstances, prevail among ruling governance. Ha !!
But the hurt and anger persists. I will refrain and not...
DAY 220
November 29, 2008, Mumbai 2:13 am/on 30th November
Portions of my blog of yesterday find place in some of the morning dailies. Some present it in the light it should be presented. Some do not. What else can you expect from the media.
Sensationalizing or giving the matter a color not complimentary to my demeanor is now a foregone conclusion.
It is a pity that the...
DAY 219
Prateeksha, Mumbai November 28, 2008 8:41 pm
Another day filled with vacant thoughts. Visual upon visual of unending misery and strife as our brave soldiers risk life to end the evil that has struck the nation. Visual upon visual of the emptiness in the words and expressions of those we have chosen to govern us and guide us. Visual upon visual of the courage...
DAY 218
THE SONG OF THE SENSIBLE
by Gorakh Pandey
What way the winds blow, I can understand
Why we show our backs to it, I can understand
I understand the meaning of blood
The value of money I understand
What is for and what is against, I can understand
I even understand this
We are scared to be able to understand, and remain silent.
I can understand the meaning of remaining quiet
When we...
DAY 217
Prateeksha, Mumbai November 26/27, 2008 1:23 am
MUMBAI UNDER TERRORIST ATTACK !! SEVERAL LOCATIONS BOMBED AND TERRORISTS FIRING ALL OVER THE CITY. MAJOR HOTELS UNDER SEIGE. TAJ HOTEL BATTLE GOING ON INSIDE THE HOTEL. MULTIPLE ACTION ON. ARMY CALLED OUT. OVER 60 REPORTED KILLED AND 120 INJURED. 7 OF THE POLICE KILLED.
TERRIBLE ! TERRIBLE SITUATION !
DAY 216
Prateeksha, Mumbai November 25, 2008 11:51 pm
“In prosperity our friends know us. In adversity we know our friends.”
“No one can predict to what heights you can soar. Even you will not know until you spread your wings.”
“Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for; it is a thing to be achieved.”
” We deceive ourselves...
DAY 215
Ptrateeksha, Mumbai November 25, 2008 11:10 pm
Yes I know.. there has been a lapse. But the timings of my day and my work are quite quite absurd.
Night shoots always do this to all. You cannot rest in the day for the night and you cannot night shoot without rest. So basically one remains a zombie for an endless period of time. And one such zombie is addressing this...
DAY 214
Prateeksha, Mumbai November 23/24, 2008 2:58 am
Just back from another night shoot and action… speeding cars, jumping on bonnets, whacking the villian.. Exhausting and tiring..
Its little Agastya’s birthday, 23rd November. My grandson.
But of that later. I must to the gym in the morning early, so must retire. Though the hours will be not at all substantial.
...
DAY 213(i)
Prateeksha, Mumbai November 22/23, 20008 3:11 am
…….back home finally and surprisingly not exhausted. But now as i write my head starts to droop away in slumber… dear me it is getting quite unbeareable to keep he eyes and fingers coordinated.. Allow me.. I retire.. to be with… yo…u to…m…..morr…owww…
a…b
DAY 213
On location, Horniman Circle, Mumbai shooting for ‘Teen Patti’
November 22, 2008 11:11 pm
Dark streets, wet roads, an isolated banyan tree, a 50′s Fiat and be-speckled me dropping off ransom money. Curious crowds even in this hour of the night and in SoBo ? Odd !! A music festival resonates the finer qualities of a ‘qawaali’ from a near by facility. Busy assistants...
DAY 212
Prateeksha, Mumbai November 21, 2008 11:59 pm
“The winds blow strongest against those who stand tallest”
“Pray as if everything depends on God. Work as if everything depends on you.”
“Don’t place your mistakes on ur head, their weight may crush U. Instead place them under your feet and use them as a platform 2 view your horizon.”
“Don’t be afraid to take a big...
DAY 211
Prateeksha, Mumbai November 21, 2008 9:58 am
Ok.. apologies for missing out on yesterday. But here I am today filling in for the 20th.
Several activities happened that prevented me from doing what I was supposed to do !
The shoot for ‘Teen Patti’ was at Kitab Mahal at Flora Fountain on the fourth floor, once supposed to be a library and chosen because reference in...
DAY 210(i)
Prateeksha, Mumbai November 19, 2008 10:27 pm
For your reading pleasure -
and understood in words, than a lifetime of talk.
My love,
Amitabh Bachchan
DAY 210
Prateeksha, Mumbai November 19, 2008 10:13 pm
I really want to feel an 8 hr sleep !!
To day is an opportunity for me to do that. Provided…. I can get off the blog.
So.. do I have the permission to do so ??
Thank you……..
My love,
Amitabh Bachchan
DAY 209
Prateeksha, Mumbai November 18/19, 2008 12:37 am
You remember I had put up an article from the Outlook on a foreign journalists impression on the conditions in our country. There had been substantial comment on it in the blog.
Well, the magazine too received several comments on the topic. Normally an article of this nature would never invite such reaction. In...
DAY 208
In the world of life and struggle, I wobble through the rivers of disdain and unwanted cynicism..
Of hatred and jealousy and malice and deliberate abuse..
I swim across to the banks where there are none. The sand below my feet is soft at touch but torturous and rapidly thinning.
The harsh rocks of deliberation and deceit lacerate a body that has known no injury.
I am consumed. I breathe with bated...
DAY 207(ii)
Still on location at the same cinema in the very same Mumbai of, would you believe it, the 16th of November in the year of 2008 at precisely 7:13 pm
And my oldest and most sincere fans from Jaipur – Delhi send me this -
ONE PARAGRAPH THAT EXPLAINS LIFE!
Arthur Ashe, the legendary Wimbledon player was dying of AIDS which he got due to infected blood he received during a heart surgery in...
DAY 207(i)
On location for Teen Patti, Capitol Cinema, Mumbai
November 16, 2008 6:06 pm
In days of hatred and violence. In times of alienation. In times of parochial division among communities. I find two articles that interest me. They teach me tolerance and respect for the other. They convey an attitude of togetherness and resolve. Of compassion and understanding. I read an interesting...
DAY 207
On location for ‘Teen Patti’, Capitol Cinema, Mumbai
November 16, 2008 4:48 pm
The article I spoke of in yesterday’s blog. On Nehru and speech and leadership.
When was the last time you heard a good speech. One that impressed you in content and text. In expression and style. In the usage of terminology and language.
Those stalwarts are hard to find in today’s world and...
DAY 206(i)
Prateeksha, Mumbai November 15, 2008 10:42 pm
Another day at the movies.. ha..
My movie, TEEN PATTI AND ITS SHOOTING… resumed work today. Tiring and exhausting. And felt weak by the time it was over. I suppose it will take some time to be normal again.
Its the CAPITOL cinema opposite the VT Station. Old world construction, boxes and opera house like feel. So...
DAY 206
Prateeksha, Mumbai November 15, 2008 9:48 am
CORRECTIONS :
The year that i was travelling to Jaisalmer for Reshma Shera and the moon incident in DAY 205, was wrongly mentioned by me. It is indeed 1969. Thank you for correcting me. Joined movies in 1969 February 15th with Saat Hindustani and by the winter later was on my way to shoot for Dutt Saheb’s film.
And also to...
DAY 205
Prateeksha, Mumbai November 14, 2008 10:23 pm
Shri Guru Granth Saheb not Granth Saheb !! Respect and servility to divinity, always..
The Chandrayan lands on the Moon !! India’s space craft creates history and the nation expresses exuberance and joy. This is a remarkable achievement from a country dubbed as belonging to the Third World and one that...
DAY 204(i)
Wishing all the readers a very happy GURUPURAB..
Love and peace, togetherness and harmony, respect and dignity for all.
May the blessings of the Granth Saheb be upon all of us…
DAY 204
Prateeksha, Mumbai November 13, 2008 11:00 pm
” To be kind is more important than to be right. Often people need a patient heart that listens, not a brilliant mind that speaks.” So… today I listen and not speak… Ha..ha !! Just kidding !! Final day off.. work starts tomorrow, with a soft ad., shoot for Dabur. Its wonderful to be getting back in front...
DAY 203
Prateeksha, Mumbai November 12, 2008 10:40 pm
” Your religion is what you do after the sermon is over “
Getting down to a routine, bringing back the timings that will encompass me in a few days and rescheduling my dates for films, has been the major activity through out the day. Apart of course from the time spent in catching up with Abhiishek and Aishwarya.
...
DAY 202
Prateeksha, Mumbai November 11/12, 2008 2:10 am
” One person with a belief is equal to a force of ninety-nine who have only interest.”
Abhishek and Aishwarya came back today from Kerala. They will be here for a few days. The house looks full and cheerful again. Shanuk, the Piraña Dane, went beserk for a while on their arrival. Just kept charging in and out of all...
DAY 201
Prateeksha, Mumbai November 10, 2008
10:59 pm
“ Wherever you go you carry your attitude and accordingly you get your results.
In June earlier this year the Class of 1958 met in Sherwood College, Nainital, to commemorate 50 years of passing out from school.
Those three days spent with the group had been incredible. Old memories, familiar surroundings, nostalgic...
DAY 200(i)
The Sun God emblem just after the foyer of the Udaivilas Hotel. The Sun God emblem, the emblem of the Mewar Maharana’s. The steps leading up to the rooms. Exquisite.
As you enter, this is what is seen. The grand architecture and that white design you see is actually awater pool and the flowers are of marble and floating on the water… beautiful…
Love
Amitabh Bachchan
DAY 200(ii)
Crowds along the route to Nathdwara. I took these through my car. Interesting
pix
DAY 200
Jalsa, MumbaiNovember 9, 20089:10 pm
” Tolerance beyond the point of absurdity is not a virtue but cowardice “
Back in Mumbai and home. Back to the grind. Back to traffic and noise. Back to people and phone calls and issues and …
But its home..good to be here !!
Nathdwara and Sri nath ji was crowded and jostled. The streets leading up to the main temple were narrow and full. But...
DAY 199
Udaivilas Hotel, Udaipur November 9, 2008 8:00 am
I finally stepped out of the room . And the experience within the Hotel was overwhelming. It prompted me to become inconsistent and I missed the date. But I write today to make up.
It is bright and sunny and beautiful as always. The water fountains spill over artistic murals and I prepare myself to travel out. Nathdwara Temple,...
DAY 198
Udaivilas Hotel, Udaipur November 7, 2008 12:00 noon
” People don’t change when you tell them to change, they change when they realize that they should change”
“In life..MANY people help you when it suits THEM; BUT very FEW help when it suits U.
Make the FEW and … BE the FEW to the MANY.”
” You aren’t wealthy until you have something money can’t...
DAY 197
Udaivilas, Udaipur November 6/7, 2008 00:25 am
Some bizarre photography !! The view is the same.. except it is night. The City Palace in the distance and in the foreground the green of the lush lawns and on the sides the traditional turrets, symbolic of Rajasthan.
Another restful day spent mostly in monitoring Abhishek’s condition. He repairs well. The fever has subsided, but...
DAY 196(iii)
A mural on the wall of my room exciting and decorative.
The bobbing turrets of the hotel around the premise..
A view from the terrace of my room. Exclusive, elegant and so pretty..
The Palace of the Maharana.. towering and majestic
More beauty outside the room.. the private pool and the cozy ‘jharokas’ in the traditional shape..
The lotus with the marble an stone, by the water...
DAY 196(ii)
Udaivilas Hotel, Udaipur November 5, 2008 5:45 pm
The water flows out from a lotus receptacle made of marble and stone. It drops into a water body with constant intensity. The sound too is unwavering, sonorous. It depicts a note. The drone of a constant sound has always formed a basic backup to the creation of music; of songs and melodies. You pick up...
DAY 196(i)
Quote of the Week
‘I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties
than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to
control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by
deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks
will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up
homeless on the...
DAY 196
November 5, 200 Udaivilas, Udaipur 8:50 am
I am livid and annoyed and fed up !
Wrote a whole piece late last night and it did not go through. Lost it.
This morning made two more of them, full of details and feelings. Lost again.
I need to calm down a bit so shall refrain a bit. Excuse
AB
DAY 195
Udaivilas Hotel, Udaipur November 4, 2008 11:45pm
Across the famous and historic Udaipur Palace and the Lake Palace; across the waters there existed a mound of nature. It was wild and barren. On the several visits to this magnificent city and on the several boat trips around the palace, this wild barren land was ignored as a part of the beautiful landscape. We had...
DAY 194
Prateeksha, Mumbai November 3, 2008 11:29 pm
I am grateful for the responses that came about in discussion and debate, on issues brought out by the articles that were published on the blog. There has been a strong desire to acknowledge the idea of discussion. There is the odd one which disagrees. It is healthy. Nothing in the world is...
DAY 193(ii)
Prateeksha, Mumbai November 2, 2008 10:51 pm
Ok… so I was able to down load the four articles that I wanted to put across to all.
They are from very recognized senior writers from respected magazines. They write on troubled times in the nation. They give independent opinions and owners of the journals give riders at the end of each write up,...
DAY 193(i)
Prateeksha, Mumbai November 2, 2008 10:44 pm
Al-Azhar backs women’s rights to defend themselves Monday, 27 October 2008 Two scholars and one renowned Islamic thinker believe wives can beat back their husbands in self defense. Head of the Cairo-based al-Azhar University’s committee for fatwas or religious rulings has approved a woman’s right to fight back if her...
DAY 193
Prateeksha, Mumbai November 2, 2008 10:30 pm
A Blog Post by Singapore’s Youngest Millionaire By Adam Khoo On Money | Some of you may already know that I travel around the region pretty frequently, having to visit and conduct seminars at my offices in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Suzhou (China). I am in the airport almost every other week so I get to...
DAY 192(i)
Prateeksha, Mumbai November 1, 2008 11:03 pm
“It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong” – Voltaire, 17th Century.
“A leaf that falls from a tree goes wherever the wind takes it. Be the wind to drive others, not the leaf to be driven by others.”
“If you think, you can.. if you think, you can’t…. Either way you are right.”
Love
Amitabh Bachchan
DAY 192
Prateeksha, Mumbai November 1, 2008 1:17 pm
Above an interview that I gave to DNA and below what I actually said through my email. If you notice changes, you may like to conjecture how media does what it does. Perhaps it does not like the idea of being told what to do, or simply dislikes the idea of the interviewee trying to up stage them. This is of...
