Amitabh Bachchan's Official Blog

DAY 1709

Taj Coromandel, Chennai Dec 20/21, 2012 Thu/Fri 12:53 AM

Chennai … a familiar and oft visited destination during the early years of my career, now nostalgic, filled with memories and with the adventures of the city then ..

Today as Chief Guest of the Chennai Film Festival during its closing ceremony, organised by artists of the Industry, the city looks completely changed. Progress, modernisation, busy, traffic, high rise and a greater metropolises feel and wind, has made this into yet another prime city of the nation. It always was, but somehow it was different. There was time, space, custom … not to say that it is not there even now … it is … but you just do not get to see it, amongst so many distractions !!

Suhasini, Mani Ratnam’s wife, niece of Kamal Hassan along with some other interested ladies from the Industry have come together, in a most unique and determined manner to put together a festival of better films for the Tamil audiences, and encouraging makers to come forward with their opportunity of talent, to be noticed and recognised. Just felt a warm and affectionate atmosphere that prevailed throughout the day, and have just finished for the day, to travel back to Mumbai again tomorrow … !!

It was a most individual event, a meeting together of all those that contribute to the Industry in the Southern region, that came up for display this evening ..

Some of the moments of great emotion were the effort made by an artist who drew my portrait live on the stage, as he sang ‘Kabhi Kabhi’ with one hand and the paint brush with the other. Astonishing, that by the time the lyrics of the song were over, so was the painting.

It was joy and a pleasure to meet up old acquaintances of the film world in this part of the country, including Mr N Ram the editor, one time, of the Hindu newspaper - the paper and the gentleman, being the first to have researched, checked details of my accusation on Bofors, and reporting it as the untruth, when the entire country was going hammer and tongs at my throat ! That level of media investigation was indeed a level that set an example, for all others. Sadly no one from the rest of the fraternity, took that clarity with any sense of justice.

The room that I occupy, has many stories to tell … some day they shall need to be explained and shared ..

Good night all ..

Amitabh Bachchan