Amitabh Bachchan's Official Blog

DAY 1543(i)

Jalsa , Mumbai July 9, 2012 Mon 10 : 22 PM

Swagatam .. suswagatam !

A new beginning a new world, new surroundings and a new and fresh environ. Any experience that begins afresh must always be acknowledged, for they shall always be the harbinger of good tidings.

Welcome then to tumblr.com our new home, dearest members of my extended family, and I do hope you shall enjoy this ride as much if not more, than what we have so far. tumblr.com as many of you that study and are familiar with the cyber shall endorse, is a large and prestigious platform and we are all delighted to be a part of it. Fresh associations are being fructified, newer innovations and presentations shall follow in the days to come, which I am certain shall not only be of interest to you, but indeed to those that shall come here as added members.

The initial days are always awkward. We shall stumble a bit, have our share of hiccups, but hopefully they shall all be short lived.

Okaaayyy … that was the most insipid welcome address I could ever have mustered, but I think the gist was acceptable and that shall remain most important for the moment.

It was back to the grind from the early hours - a campaign designed for an endorsement that I have taken on for Kalyan Jewelers. Gold jewelry is their pride and passion and are the largest group in the Southern regions of our country. They now begin their foray into the North and today was the first day of this most intricate advertising campaign of theirs.

Gold and its different forms of decoration on the human body, particularly the ladies, is an ornament that has fascinated the universe from the beginning of time. Prestige, value, position, all go to make this element a most cherished possession.

A nations strength in its wealth is often evaluated in the amount of gold it possesses. In times of war, battles and invasions the prime subject of possession was the gold vaults, or the hidden treasures, before the time of the developed world. During the two major World Wars, the protection of this fine treasure was given utmost importance, shifting it to other friendly areas in order that the enemy did not discover it. In India of course the gold ornament is the ultimate indicator of wealth. Women love it, as must they should, with everything that is decoratively expensive. Men would rather want to deserve it on the sports field - the gold medal being their ultimate goal. More so now with the Olympics round the corner. Film and entertainment related personnel, would rather achieve a Golden Jubilee run of their film and programmes, than any other. But in all, Gold is the true and ultimate indicator of a precious achievement and possession for us all …

I do believe I have dutifully without being asked to do so, surreptitiously gone beyond the tenets of my contract with Kalyan Jewelers, and I fear the executives at the office could perhaps be shifting awkwardly in their seatings !!

The shoot was, quite by coincidence, at a bungalow close by where we had shot ‘Sarkar’ and a whole lot of memories and moments rushed past the mind, particularly because just the night before it was on the ‘box’, and I stayed with it for quite a while - something that I do not indulge in often.

Excusé … the doc has arrived and I need to be with him for a few … be with you soon … nothing to panic .. just ..

Thats getting ready for the rain .. after the shoot for Kalyan … nah ! Just kidding .. that is part of the still shoot at the shoot .. bit confusing, but thats my state of mind too ..

Singing in the praises of this new venture … metal mike and all …

Back from the doc who had come over … routine visit .. so yaa .. where were we ? Ah ! Yes the shoot, the house and ‘Sarkar’ ..

There is more shoot for the next few days, so not elaborating on this since it is the first day and getting used to the mechanism is time consuming. Though cannot help but mention that as I leave ‘Sarkar’ house, an old lady in her 90’s I think, who perhaps lives there or manages it expresses desire to meet me. I do. She is a fan she says, which I find embarrassing, and then goes on to inform me that her son that shared the same birth date as I, was another reason why she was fond of me. Sadly, she concluded, she lost him some years ago, and now every time she sees me she is reminded of her son !!

How does one react or say anything at moments like this ?? I embrace her and leave as quickly as I can, before she breaks down. That would hurt me even more.

I had a similar experience during my first visit to the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago for a concert in 1983-4 ! Heart breaking ! But of that later.

Going to ‘say’ good night to all … and would you believe it, shall actually ‘say’ it .. listen in

Amitabh Bachchan