Amitabh Bachchan's Official Blog

Jalsa , Mumbai                     Aug 30,  2012                  Thu 11:25 PM

” A writer must be universal in sympathy and an outcast by nature : only then can he see clearly “

Time has been valuable for me ; not now, not of one gone by, nor shall it be for the morrow to come. It shall just be, hidden in the covers of routine, appointment and presence. For some it bears the glorious epithetical of puntualism, for others a damaged impression of a nocturnal insomniac. To me it represents a respectability towards order. A calling that deserves hearing and execution. Adherence to it begets form. A form of near militarized obedience. It is strange to find expression in such example through regimentation. But regimentation became the forerunner of accentuated discipline. Battles and wars of aggression, apart from its terror of destruction and invasion, gave birth to some such fortuitous goodness. The army was a physical and visual description of all that depicted ‘uniform’ity and thereby the executor of regimented command.

Not all in war were of classification. Some defied order, worked independently and were quite obviously defined as being underground - one that had potential to cause harm without notice. They were not of ignorant usage, for many such, displayed sacrificial courage in assisting and being of use, dormant and silent in operation, but at times more effective than those that marched officially. World wars may have ended, we hope God willing, but the manifestations of such presence exists under a variety of descriptions, and we know quite well on them without lingering on it through subject.

Those that lent support in the quiet of disguise, had the codes of conduct drilled regimentally into them. They operated in silent discipline, effectively.

Wars taught the battle trained, value of order. Submission to it was under any and every condition, its first mandatory lesson. That Japanese soldier who was discovered recently on an isolated island in the Pacific or thereabouts, cut off from any information, continued to believe that WW II had remained unfinished, because he had not heard the ‘order’ from his commander !!

The dedication to order by those that man posts for defense, is historic in countless examples and documented information. What provokes them then to remain steadfast in obedience ? Why is it then that one community remains thus, and the civic not so ?

I may be completely incorrect in my analysis, but in my most limited capacity I notice that those that have waged war and battle outside their realm have been the nations that today have some semblance of what regimented discipline expounds, in their civil countenance.

India, throughout its entire national history has never waged war or been an agressor to another country. It has fought the invader, it has sent support to combine with another that has asked for it, but never initiated war or agression against another. It fought to defend, never to offend another. And on occasion when it did cross the line it was stopped and asked to retain its original.

Has this philosophy of restrain given us the liberty of ‘trudging along the wrong side of the road, ignoring the efforts of pavements’ ? Does our passiveness deprive us of an important tool ?

Mahatma Gandhi drove us on the path of non violence and an independence from foreign rule, with such aplomb it produced awe and wonder in the entire world. Its respect and dignity shall forever remain etched in the annals of the history of the universe. Never before or after did the world witness the presence of such a man that walked the face of this earth …

But even in his non violent passive impassiveness, there was a self dedication towards order. An order that to this day emulates itself in many quarters.

If not one, then, cannot the other be propagated to bring within us that realization ?

My realization, is an infinitely small attempt to honor the spectrum of order, and my body permitting, I shall perpetually struggle to give it pride of place within me …

Welcoming, loving and admiring the beauty of my Ef … in many more colors than one can imagine … thank you for your persistent presence ..

Amitabh Bachchan

ps: I missed a Happy Birthday greeting to the dear Lily .. happiness my dear, and a fulfillment that you may want and desire … love to you

Jalsa , Mumbai                        Aug  29/30,  2012                       Wed/Thu  2:09 AM

Eating breathing and press conferencing KBC …

An entire day spent in the glory of the 4th estate, the right design, the right environ, the right time, the right status … everything worked to perfection for those that shall write and propagate our efforts on the small screen in the time to come .. 7th September 2012 over the weekends Friday, Saturday and Sunday ..

And then when the hour arrives, the multiple interviews of a host of channels and print media, all seeking the answer to the same questions but in an atmosphere of exclusivity. Each one desirous of being and having the capacity to ask that one question which would sound different, get a different response and be of different value than that of their colleague … such a joy to witness this competitive spirit even among those that normally would seek questions for us to answer on our competition within our work sphere !!

But the media was generous and welcoming .. warm affectionate and supportive and for them one does give acknowledgement !

नारी देश की आधी शक्ति होती है . इसे जितनी जल्दी समझ किया जाए , उतना अच्चा .समाज के बन्धनों को तोड़ कर , परिवार के दबाव से परे , जब कोई नारी अपने बल पे अनेक दीवारों को फांदने के बाद , अपने ज्ञान और गुणों के कारण ,हमारे सामने आ कर KBC की Hot Seat पर बैठती है , तो हमारा सर उसके प्रति गर्व से ऊंचा हो जाता है .नारी हमारे समाज में अभिनन्दन योग्य है , इसपर जो लांचन कसते हैं और जो उनपर अलग दृष्टि से देखते हैं , उन्हें हमारा समाज कभी भी स्वीकार नहीं करेगा .कोई भी इंसान आम नहीं होता … सब में कोई न कोई खूबी होती है , कोई विशेषता होती है , और हमें उसे स्वीकार करना चाहिए , न की उसे धिक्कारा जाए .

KBC के माद्यम ने ये साबित कर दिया है की यदि किसी को  एक अवसर दिया जाए , तो  वो अपने बल पे और क़ाबलियत से ये साबित कर सकता है , की वोह भी कड़ी से कड़ी ऊंचाइयों को छू सकता है  .

I drag myself to completion only because I wish to be in time for tomorrows work schedule .. for this and for the shortness of my communication during the last few days, I seek forgiveness !

I promise to make up someday soon .. and till then I remain … with love

Amitabh Bachchan

Jalsa, Mumbai                         Aug 28/29,  2012                     Tue/Wed  2:04 AM

Emotions of those that tread the gentle path of opportunity become unbearable. They extract within us the pain that suffering has produced. At times the sheer unbelievability of their achievement can break the toughest skin into a rash, never to be visible, yet evident by its disfiguration.

The strength of spirit and the will of accomplishment to over ride those difficult circumstances, the pent up desire and its final out break on possibility, and the reasons of their condition, inspire you off your seat of comfort. More is gained by what is expounded by the other, even though they humbly accept the inverse. No. We are bereft of what they are made of. We are ignorant on what their meanings are. You can be stunned into submission, or be callous and look for greater copy. But never can one ignore the conditions that make them where they are today. It has been an incredible struggle. Disproportionate at times, uneven, filled with cynicism and defeat. But the lining in the sky beyond, of hope and that flicker of white light, one that has made them cue up to this final moment, cannot be attempted even for a suitable description.

The level difference could shame one. Why thus and why thus not ! What has been the discretion, the dissipation and the ultimate for one, and not the other. And yet again, divinity in all its ambivalence takes charge. The evils of the past, the penitence of wrong, the balance of universal earth factor begin to battle for their own supremacy within one body, destroying it completely instead of delivering it from injustice. They that suffer, do they not get deliverance ? Is the nobility and the good to lie among those that were born with it ? Why were they born in such and not the other ? What was it that they did that was different ? Who chose to give one less and the other more, and why ?

I am in quandary and in remorse and possibly extremely short of words ..

Colors and happy countenance are defeatist when one knows what bears within. This too shall be, like grief, one that shall remain individual …

Good night ..

Amitabh Bachchan

Jalsa, Mumbai                       Aug  27, 2012                     Mon 11:55 PM

The elements of the game show enhance an energy and excitement, which comes without warning and without any pre planning. The excitement of those that play and those that observe, palpably reflects in each minute of the association that flows out in uncontrolled manner. The continuance of this and more, throughout the day and most part of the night pours out in an uncontrolled flood of emotion, which vibrates the very insides.

But life in its unpredictable avatar, springs about you that heavy headed symphony drowning all else about, in sudden rapid conclusive strokes of eventuality.

Death does that with the ease of a well rehearsed unfaltering final act, and all about simply shuts ! How quickly the joy of living comes under sudden review. There is amazement and wonder and disbelief. There is an immediate reflection to the Almighty ! Why ? Is it an instant realization of where it came about from ; a hidden insight that in its performance, the heavens needed to be addressed, for, there it is that those that perish eventually find residence ? An individual, a being, both human and animal cause similar pattern. An indicator of living being, the breath, has abruptly ceased. The light has gone out, darkness prevails, soul transfers wind up their belongings to journey one knows not where. Faiths and beliefs emerge over the centuries of time, itself a misnomer, because time too was an invention of regulation.

Regulation time has elapsed as we would like to believe and portray in thought and deed. There was need to be ethical and devout about its occurrence. After all, life itself, be it in any form, contributed to the universe that existed on a singular planet. Its departure needed propriety. Rituals designed for its execution took over. Once given its divine tributaries, the human required to honor it. Divinity was the closest answer to the myriad unanswered and unknown questioning. Belief and the contribution of all those that professed their proximity to the ‘person above’, multiplied. With each passing hour in the entire world about, repetitions of the act of what then became paraphrased as death, abounded. Mankind found it an impossible task to control it, or to revert it back. When in doubt the living had now discovered the ultimate answer - divinity !

Soon divinity acquired many other manifestations and synonyms. Whenever and wherever there was unanswered question, the default word emerged almost saint like as an indicator of control, in its inimitable style of guide.

A vulnerable audience caught within an improbable performance, is the easiest to mould. Mankind awoke to the hands that spun the wheels of fortune and existence, loved and adored it, for suddenly all that had remained in oblivion had a form now !!

It was the largest and most legitimate convenience devised !

Death too shall have similar treatments. Its pain shall have no medicinal cure. Philosophical and devotional ‘medicinal’ cures shall abound, and shall continue to abound, since there is nothing that has emerged since the evolution which guides us to the life ‘beyond’ - an expression that still has several questions riding beside it …

A breath line shuts and all further discourse closes with it …

Amitabh Bachchan 

Jalsa, Mumbai                      Aug 26,  2012                     Sun 11:45 PM

To those that matter, to those that drive affection, to those that be reason of my thriving and daily excess, I seek forgiveness for my brief appearance tonight. The rest is most essential for the work tomorrow on KBC and I do want to give it my all, as is most expected of me ..

My day after the long night last night, where thanks to the medium of the cyber my son Abhishek called from Chicago to admonish, was filled with the playfulness of my ‘little one’ who, God bless her, always has a smile to greet me with. It is the concentrated look on their faces as they encounter new aspects and objects around and about them that is most fascinating and attractive. Their likes and dislikes, vary from the color of textile flowers to the brilliance of the electric light, to the jingle of a key chain .. and at times the  French beard on their grandfather !!

Yes the Sunday happened with the well wishers at the gate, but pouring rain did not deter them at all ..

Love to all …

Amitabh Bachchan

Jalsa, Mumbai                       Aug 25/26,  2012                     Sat/Sun  1:37 AM

Driving from Jaipur to Jaisalmer on the barren desert road with colleagues that were a part of ‘Reshma aur Shera’, that love and revenge opus, being produced by Dutt Saheb, Sunil Dutt, we came to learn through a radio broadcast that man had landed on the moon. The immediate reaction among us was one of great wonder and amazement. An eminent writer and poet that travelled with us was the only one that lamented this achievement. When asked why, he was desolate in his response -

‘The Moon landing has destroyed the romance of poetry. The Moon in reference to all future ethereal writing shall never be the same.’

He was right in thinking so. The moon has always been symbolized as the very essence of all romantic interlocution. The thought that this element of extreme beauty - the moonlit night, the perfect moon like face, the romance of that ray of moon light that would enter your space through the window, those millions of lines written in its calm and peaceful  presence, that line from my Father’s work - “chandni pichele pahar ki paas mein jo so gayi hai”, all suddenly seemed to have been intruded by a stranger that inadvertently caused to pollute in a sense, the soft purity of its physicality.

Science and poetry have been interchangeable through centuries of their existence. The latter engulfs us with all that is in the realm of a dreamlike fantasy ; the former striking it all down with its technical, mathematical, calculated reality !

The conquest of and the ‘destroyer’ of the myth and theosophy, that was synonymous with this planetary wonder, Astronaut Neil Armstrong passed away today at the age of 82. Reports describe him as a brave individual who loved adventure and loved piloting an aircraft. Soon after his moon landing he became a recluse, reticent and withdrawn, and not comfortable with all the attention of fame that came his way.

Reticence and withdrawal symtoms have through the ages been an important character description of those that attain celebrity. For most others in the category it may be an expected norm, but I believe a great irony exists among those that attain celebrity status in a profession where your visual presence, when denied, could have severe psychological repercussions, particularly in the field of entertainment. Artists that seek a space in this world crave most sincerely to be noticed and recognized, for the attention of adulation and for the urge of achievement in their respective crafts. But having done so, most, opt to be not noticed by public and mass response. This is where the irony begins and ends.

Reclusive tendencies add at times to the mystique of the star. During an interview a couple of years ago, a journalist once put the same argument to me.

” You expose yourself far too much Mr Bachchan, through frequent public appearances, through your efforts with the social media revealing all details not just of your profession but of yourself. Don’t you think you are in danger of losing your mystique ? “

My response was simple and honest - ” At age 70 madam, what mystique are you talking of ? Its over and gone !! It would be futile to make any silly efforts to protect it !! “

For once perhaps a journalist admitted, that she had no answer to it !! Rare, but true !

Marlon Brando, whom I have regarded as the greatest, did just that. Walked away from the limelight, and what a limelight, to an isolated island and lived there by himself, with the freedom of nature about him. It is almost like a saintly perpetual sabbatical - close enough to ‘the gentleman with that White Beard’, as many believe to be the Almighty at the gates of heaven !!

I do not slight this revelation. Who knows it could be true. But how does one, or ever will, get to know of it. That is a realm that has remained unchartered territory, but one that excites with curiosity.

During my 1982 ‘Coolie’ episode and my subsequent hospitalisation, I had been clinically dead for some minutes after I did not come out of the second surgery. One of my colleagues actually asked me this question - ” so did you see that White Bearded Gentleman ?”

No, I did not see any such gentleman. I was comatose. But, each morning when I get up and look into the mirror, I do see a half white bearded gent, looking back at me in a form that can only be described as destroyed and shattered !!

at the promotional shoot for KBC, and of the many pictures that I could not post due to technical errors … found out today that they were all there and that I was making all the mistakes … a tight SLAP !!

Impossible to believe that this is Mumbai, right in the heart of the city - Film City. A natural lake filled up and greened by the monsoon rain. Did so many shootings around and about it. The odd Leopard and Cheetah come by across the other side for a drink now and then, sending entire units into a panic. The other day one of them decided to visit one of the shooting floors, just before the main gate … got scared by the electronic doors that were opening and closing at the will of its movement !!

That is the Trikke and me sailing down from the Helipad location at Film City down to the KBC floor .. a lovely breezy ride, minutes before I almost crashed ..sent one of these to Agastya, and he is thrilled beyond measure … got a rare thank you BBM message from him … delighted !!

And that ladies and gentlemen is the Scootie and me trying desperately to climb on to the floor of the shoot, the expression on my face showing sincere concern, on its feasibility .. the scootie’s ..

As I sailed passed on my Trikke, this young man almost felt like abandoning his version of it … the facial expression says it all !!

And this young man thought little of my endeavor … !!!

Time to leave you in peace … and the quiet of the night …

Amitabh Bachchan

Jalsa, Mumbai                     Aug  24/25 ,  2012                      Fri/Sat  12 : 42 AM

Still enjoying decent timings I wonder if it matters at all ! May I just say that it does indeed. Good rest they say is sufficient to revive all kinds of lost energy, and having got an excess of that this morning, along with the gym routine, I do feel that swell of easy vibrations, all day long.

Its been a day of spending time with the little one and some of Jaya’s close friends, who requested for a poetry session of my Father’s works. I complied. An exercise which fills me with pride and comfort. Most of the guests were non Hindi speaking and explaining the depths of the translation was a delight. To come back to the Blog and the Twitter and the Fb after those prized moments, was a change in attitude and mind, one that takes a while to adjust and comprehend with, but all the same most desired.

Its a very early morning call again tomorrow, and I really feel pressed for time to spend what I would like to here with the Ef. But suffice to say that my connection is willing mandatory, without any bindings. The only bindings that I shall understand will be those that assist me in connecting with you my extended family.

Many have complained to me regarding the missing comments that they respond on the Blog with, expressing frustration. I have immediately informed the team at tumblr. and have their assurance that it shall be sorted out immediately. Some key words or expressions it seems have been filled in to the system, and when it is detected by computerized excellence, it automatically blocks it. The authorities have been pulled up, and they are cleaning it up. My deep apologies for this mishap.

With the bash ful Mary Kom, medal winner at the Olympics for India. The first time women’s boxing was introduced at the Olympics and India wins a medal. For traditional, conservative India, a woman and a boxer just do not make sense, but Mary Kom did it for our nation. A dainty little lady, who sings wonderfully some of the old Hindi Film Songs. She did so at this function to honor them at the Taj …

At the KBC first dat first show .. all smiles for the camera. Its been 12 years since the start of this programme in year 2000 .. and its magic continues !

I shall keep this short and telling …

Love you all,

Amitabh Bachchan

Jalsa , Mumbai                        Aug 23/24,  2012                        Thu/Fri 2:46 AM

When the work that you do increases, so does your capacity to give it your best. If your best is measured by others, it no longer remains the best. The best of you is the best that you measure. Gauged by others, is gauged without distinction or merit. Masters of all that pervades your life shall eternally be the ones that shall decipher your worth. My worth when declared to me personally by another, is an embarrassment for me. Acknowledging it would be the epitome of arrogance ; showing acceptance, rudeness. Pretense of humility shall ever be caught in its moment. Trouble me not with such occurrence. I am capable enough of recognizing it. Challenge me then with truth and sincerity ! How would I imagine in deciphering it ? Simple ! I read a face with certain dexterity and design. I know not how, but I know !

Praise is often made with subject within hearing. It would be its silence that would be greatly more effective. Do not waste time and energy in the belligerence of learning your good. That you already know. I would prefer continued work, to any kind of time spent on wasteful research about human behavior.

When passion rules all the waves that slap against the edges of the ocean, remember that the wave does return - back into the waters of its existence. Passionate deliverance to your work shall and will come back to you, like the waters of the ocean. The ocean, the larger and more generous body, which welcomes and devours you in the purity of its vastness, almost insignificantly, shall remain the largest symbol of all that sympathetically accepts all that gets trashed into it. Many comment on it and on its benevolence. Would the ocean really be informed of the measures of absurdity that pours into it. I would think not. Impurity would bring change, a change in its configuration. But no. It perpetually remains the color of the blue in the sky. Rivers change, as do lakes and seas and bays, but not the immense three quarters occupated dimension of the Earth.

When many concerned, talk of the wretchedness and rigors of work and its ugly repercussions on body and health, I give attentive audience. But within me I do know that were it to be not so, it would not be so. A commitment is as passionate and valuable and strong as that understanding between a man and woman, when they become husband and wife - you never carry the credentials of your link, you merely announce, and the other merely believes. It is the most well guarded moral verbiage that exists between two humans of opposite structure. What is the ritual of the church priest as he announces your life long togetherness in Christian faith and belief ? What then the seven steps around the gods of flames on the chanting of the pundits in Hindu rites ? What of the three words of acceptance across a shielded veil between two when you come together in holy matrimony in Muslim and Islamic faith ? What of the sharing of sliced blood from each others veins in acceptance of marriage in some African tribes ?

They are all designed procedures that, when made in the presence of many members of family and friends, and at times through Governmental paper registration, bring promise and evidence of the bodies that join.

Does a material ring on the designated finger, or a thread across the neck of decorated woman confirm the alliance. Is that all that is required to justify such ? In many eyes perhaps yes. In mine, it is the promise and commitment of understanding, that has its weight beyond all.

The worth to the understanding between two of differing, is to me the true test of continuance. That understanding shall remain forever mine - unpolluted, unharmed and with unmitigated promise.

When this understanding and promise has a life now of almost 40 years, does or will it ever demand a period of rest. Rest from its rigors and its perennial presence ?

Why then must I be made to consider any other form ? The marriage between two individuals of opposite gender, in most cases - the social paranoia not withstanding, is a matter of understanding commitment. For me then all forms of commitment seem similar. Whether in choosing a partner, or in regular commit to the word promised, my work …

I must remain tireless in both.

I cannot then be a disciple of the leader at work, on one, and an undisciplined manager in the other …

With many hours of rest tomorrow and unperturbed presence I shall return ahead maybe of the work hours and ponder what many think on this ..

Amitabh Bachchan

Jalsa, Mumbai                        Aug 22/23,  2012                    Wed/Thu 1 : 36 AM

It is now a recognized fact that the busiest person should be given the job you want done, for it shall be done. A hundred work loads today and even though its past the hour when one should be recovering from the rigors of the day, I feel I am ready to start all over again … naaah !! Just kidding ! Flacking out !

But nee’r a moment without the Ef, without the TwFmXt and now the FbXF - the Facebook extended family, which I might add has shown extraordinary support in crossing 1 million likes or fans or the good name they may be, in a mere matter of a single day !!

The new medium has some rather fascinating features, and in due course of time I shall hopefully be gaining enough about them to start putting them to good use and giving it a slight personal touch. But …. may it be known that the Ef and the Blog which in many ways began this entire story will be first.

So to get back to business .. the day started early after a mere 4 hour rest. I was to be at the press conference of the release and the inauguration of the KBC Van, a mobile unit that carries with it the entire KBC module from city to city and gives an opportunity for those that wish to play a mock game by planting themselves on the hot seat to answer questions, paying not what KBC pays, but a small token amount of prize content, which we hope the winner could enjoy !

The traffic was horrendous. A journey that should take not more than 20 mins, took an hour and 20 mins., somewhat defeating a recent complementary article by that very endearing journalist Ali Peter John, of how punctual a person I was !! I did inform the press, of my travails and to their credit they were most understanding - many of them having faced similar condition !

A ribbon was cut, in slow motion. The media wanted that, so I mimed a 60 frames movement and that brought several smiles, thankfully, a few pertinent questions were asked and answered, and I was allowed a quickish departure to another floor in the Film City to shoot the promos for the Press Conference to be held on the 29th of the month. After several takes and safety takes and many lens changes and film speed changes, an approval was given and it was back to the KBC floor - same as last time, no 16, the one where I remembered my association with it for the shooting of the film ‘Black’.

Remo, the gentle and kindly choreographer was there to demonstrate the song movements and after a dozen rehearsals and a hundred discussions by the tech team on set, I was packed off to the van to make a costume change for the rest of the rehearsal.

By far the most delightful moment of the day was meeting and seeing the Shillong Choir, a young group of boys and girls from the North East, performing some wonderful renditions of … ahah .. cannot disclose all that just yet, songs. It was pretty ‘goose bumps’ material !

Does anyone know why its called ‘goose bumps’ ??

Anyway .. its not over yet .. a quick change of props and it was on to the game itself, with contestants from random pickings coming on most sportingly to support our tech rehearsal. A few minor corrections later I was eventually allowed to find my way home .. and to face even greater traffic. This time it took me 2 hrs to get in, but the getting in was quickly reversed from irritation of delay to one of elation. Shweta and Aishwarya and Aaradhya there to receive me and give me dinner. The little one had gone out for a drive and dozed off, so she was not too receptive, but on seeing strange gent with white beard, she gave her first smile of the evening, in somewhat reserved fashion. No issues there. Even the gentlest of expressions have the ability to wipe and wash away all the fatigue and tensions of the day .. little ones are naturally gifted with such godly attributes.

A quick bite of dinner followed and it was back to the traffic again to meet the Shillong  Choir at Aadesh Srivastava’s recording studio, where a few lines had to be done by me on their request. The few lines ended up in many more and more time consumption. Incidentally the studio is exactly 3 mins away from my place, but tonight it took 45 mins !!

Make up followed next as tests. The programme KBC will be broadcast on HD, high definition and make up needs special care for it. As soon as that got over .. i migrated to the best part of the evening - this and many such other pages, that occupy my life entirely these days ….

I had wished to load many more pictures but, something is not being done right. Which is why just one has managed to creep in on the Blog.

Tomorrow begins the formal game show recordings. Just one to start off, later to increase to two. Then from FilmCity straight to Prabha Devi and a function being organized by Vijju Shah, Kalyanji Bhai’s son in memory of his Father on his death anniversary. A must for me, even for a short while. Many memories of time spent with him and his music in his music hall, shall someday form the text of my Blog, hopefully. 

Soon after that another longish drive to the Taj Hotel to honor all the Olympic winners at a function organized by a non profit body that is training and encouraging more sportsmen and women to compete and represent the country at the great games, the Olympics.

The long drives from one venue to another shall be utilized of course in catching up with paper work and phone calls, that shall need immediate attention.

That dearest Ef is just another day in the life of your AB.. 

My love to you …my sincere wishes for a pleasant night, and a hope of seeing you again in the morrow ..

Amitabh Bachchan

Jalsa , Mumbai                      Aug 21/22 , 2012                    Tue/Wed  2 : 43 AM

Welcome to the world of knowledge and wit and patience and all that goes into thinking once you have placed yourself on the seat that promises to provide with plenty, provided plenty is duly earned !

The Film City looked green as ever and the lake where often are seen panthers lurking around for that afternoon drink, was serene and quiet and not quite Mumbai, as many think it to be ..

The different locale changes within the city, gave me opportunity to get my bikes out - the little chair scootie, used often by invalids in hospital, but a most joyous ride irrespective and my latest acquisition the Trekke - another three wheeler, slim sleek and a dash more powerful than the other mobility device. Riding it from one locale to another, zooming around on the scootie on set, much to the amazement of the crew, was a delight. A permanent now in my equipment that travels with me to the studio !! Ha ha ha !

My system fails me today else I should have at least put those pictures up. But it is late and I know that if the bed is not hit pretty soon there shall be repercussions for tomorrows shoot ; a final mock and tech rehearsal before we start to face the music from the 23rd, for the first broadcast on the 7th of September, and this season only on the week end - Friday, Saturday and Sunday !!

But my goodness, the FaceBook has simply been an overwhelming experience - 907K in just the one day. This is so humbling, and for the team at FaceBook many smiles. Apparently the offices at USA have been thrilled and called up the team to congratulate them ! Hmmm … !!

But a lot more needs to be done and gradually we shall be putting up many more hopefully interesting objects of social networking interest. Any suggestions shall be more than welcome .. !!

Ok … let me give it another try with the pictures ..

Giving up they are just not happening … maybe tomorrow when I am saner and not conscious that my eyes need to shut now ..

Sorry for this inconsequential post and one that does not maintain my rather large word count ..

Love

Amitabh Bachchan

Jalsa , Mumbai                       Aug 20/21 ,  2012                      Mon/Tue  2 : 36 AM

Its been a day filled with many expressions that are really quite unnecessary and unwanted ! We worry over the effect without ever pausing to see whether it shall affect those that you worry over at all. Most of the time it works the other way, and we all end up feeling stupid. But stupidity has many faces ! And you are at the moment looking straight at one - the one that turns these press buttons into a language nick named a Blog !!

I would not dare you to contradict such utterances … it is late after all and in time to be of very little sense making. But there it lies and there shall it remain for posterity !!

Reaching conclusively on my predicament, I am perhaps to be of blame than any other ! Many shall wonder why and wherefore goeth thou ! I goeth the route that prescribed by vanity and a dish dash of arrogance, coerces me to pretend on a situation that could well be prepared in a manner to attract an attention not forthcoming otherwise !!

But may it be left alone .. in despair hopefully, for, the concern methinks is not worth the computerization of typed words !!

Tomorrow is a long day, a day that has to start early at distant location. I am drained of time, not the will, time ! If I were to divorce it, it would cost me the greatest alimony that I would never be able to present … hence I wish to be excused for the present.

I wrestle many odd aspects in an entire day. It is time to allow the ‘seconds’ to come in and wrestle with my body to bring it to some fighting state ..

May you be blessed with sound sleep and the dreams of your wish ..

Amitabh Bachchan 

Jalsa , Mumbai                   Aug  20,  2012                   Mon  2 : 58 PM

Blessings for EID and happiness and love and peace always .. 

Thank you Fatima … love and happiness always ..

Amitabh Bachchan

Jalsa , Mumbai                     Aug  20,  2012                   Mon  2 : 36 PM

Forgot Forgot Forgot !! Forgot to post a few pictures of yesterday, in the enthusiasm of getting to bed early … so here they are ..

The expression on Shanouk’s face says it all I think .. he feels a bit left out on such Sunday events, but does go out to greet the crowds a little later .. ha ha !!

More later tonight .. and with love 

Amitabh Bachchan

            Jalsa , Mumbai                     Aug 19,  2012                   Sun 9 : 44 PM

The rain it raineth, a Sunday cometh and cometh the wishers .. wet, but enthused. Always there in all condition, a deed for which I carry great warmth, but regret what I could do in return for the affection. In a few weeks from now shall be the coming of my 70th, and the entering into the 71st. Seventy for some reason sounds better than 71. As perhaps does 75, be better than 70. Mankind and womankind has borne it upon itself that these figures shall be of relevance and importance ; milestones that shall remarkably demand respect and celebration. Why so ? An answer sought but never a reply acknowledged.

Multiples of 10 !! Or its divisibles attract, no one knows why. Why not the divisibles of an 8 or a 7 be given the respectability that they deserve. They are after all numericals upon which all science and mathematics originates and progresses. The importance of the 9 is also at times intriguing. Well … not to some sage wisdom - the human body is replete with 9 openings, the largest majority around the face - the face which forms our identity, because we speak, express, have vision of, and smell and hear with its attributes. In Hindu mythology and its occult existence, the third eye hidden behind the forehead, lying between the space within the two eye brows, forms the 10th opening ! Could it be that this then, is the element that designed our calculations for eternity ??

The expressions associated with the numerical ranging from 1 - 5, have a better chance of being popular than say a 7 or an 8 ! The range of 1 - 5 resides in but one palm of the hand. On the finger 1 is expressive, a reprimand a pointer, as is 2 often for a sign of victory. 3 has some difficulty in its formation when it uses the three tallest fingers, but easier if you start with the smallest. 4 and 5 form well and with some ease … but 6, 7 and 8 and the use of the other hand comes in - not entirely handy - pun unintended !!

The palmist that predicts our future by feeling our hand and the lines that depict our fate, observes our right hand. Why is the right right and not the left. Would it derive its sympathy from the common and more popular use of the right than the left. What of those then, that are left. Would not the palmist consider the left for its readings and not the right, if most of the work done is by the left. Those predominantly left have their functioning brain on the right they say. Should that not have, or be given some relevance in the final analysis when assessing our future ! It harbors a paradoxical truth, this argument, and much like many other paradoxes, should be given the liberty of exercising, an exclusive silence !

Paradoxical … hmm … an interesting expression.

‘by glorifying the acts of violence they achieve the paradoxical effect of making them trivial.’

‘paradoxically, the more fuel a star starts off with, the sooner it runs out’

Are we in glorification of violence and thereby paradoxically making them trivial, or on the verge of running out of fuel !!

There is success in our timings tonight. Any success makes it special and we fall in that category finally. Let us then pray for its continued life, without error or excuse and give it the desired space, which it may require, to express expand and perhaps rejuvenate !

We began today with an analogy for time and ended it well within it too.

Good night dear ones .. shubh ratri, shabba khair ..

Amitabh Bachchan