Amitabh Bachchan's Official Blog

DAY 1674

SunSea Whisperingpalms, India Nov 16/17, 2012 Fri/Sat 11: 49 AM for 2 : 28 AM

The atmosphere in the city breathes a calm, that ensures a deep understanding of the passion earlier on, with respect to the unfortunate health circumstances of Shri BalaSaheb Thackeray. His condition being status quo, we have stepped out for a day to celebrate the 1st birthday of our little one - Aaradhya !!

It seems like just the other day we were all centered around the hospital corridor, waiting patiently for the news of the birth to come in, of the tough natural labor that Aishwarya was going through, and finally the hour of birth and the general excitement that followed. How an entire year has gone by is not known to us, but it has and has satisfactorily. God has been kind and gentle and we thank the Almighty for giving us this joy bundled as it were in soft and cradled condition.

It has been without a doubt a session of great highs and lows during the past few days - days of joy and celebration and days of grave conditioning. The true spirit of life has been mirrored in our daily existence. This is what it is and this is how it shall be … take it or leave it …

There has also been debate and unwanted accusations … accusations that as ever come without sufficient research or an iota of truth. But that is to be expected. Most such, in my case particularly, follow similar sentiment. What then must be our response ? If at all one is desired.

The issues and problems of celebrity is just this - an non judged belief that particular individual falling into the category as expressed, does not have the right to argue in, or to take legitimate strides in either defense or attack ! Open your mouth to express opinion on any matter and be assured that it shall meet the kind of viciousness that normally would never get admittance in the courts of social and ethical norms.

More often that not, attack against the ‘nubile’ celebrity, not meant in the manner that most dictionaries would describe, is the normal trait. In a socialistic republic democratically ruled, it is the voice of the underdog that shall always be given prominence and belief, for it is genuinely believed that it is indeed the celeb that is the main cause and reason for all that ails society …

I am happy with that. But the moment it is taken further, through added assumptions and convenient deliberations, it takes on a veneer of discomfort for many. For the celebrity of course, but on his or her response, a distinct effort to load the individual with all that ails society. How far this can be taken is what needs not just restraint, but also a hard enough skin, preferably of a rhinoceros, to bear and travel on. Difficult, but not undoable !

Satyam’s comment as a response does raise potent questions. But it touches another aspect, and quite intelligently too, of the ails of becoming a silent spectator, not wanting to commit in case the edifice of brand or status or star celebrity, came crashing down. Maybe he is right. Maybe his point of the ‘counter signage’ is indeed most valid today. I have told him via another medium that it would cause discomfort, but I would be happy to invite debate on it here too …. would you ??

There is much to express and much to argue and fight about. It would be interesting to listen in. But not at the cost of self esteem. That shall always remain supreme.

If matters do escalate here or anywhere else, it would give me the greatest joy to muck in, as it were into an area of conflict and sort it out. But then it could be a counter to the existing practice, which I am comfortable with, so one would allow this to pass …

Enjoy the pictures and the moods …

My love and more …

Amitabh Bachchan