Friday, January 13, 2012

Amitabh Bachchan to reveal Beti B’s name on January 15?



Amitabh Bachchan to reveal Beti B’s name on January 15?



Mumbai: Grand-daughter of an actor whose life has been a source of inspiration to many, Amitabh Bachchan, has revealed that family will soon be out with her name. Though he didn’t made any direct retort to the information but we render close.


In a social networking website, twitter, Amitabh Bachchan posted a statement giving a hint that he is soon to disclose the news soon, it says, “T 618 - They say the dates are not auspicious till after the 14th of January .. Inauspiciously Yours, AB”


The grandfather’s stomach is idling out to reveal the news somehow but he is restricted by the rules and rituals of religious convictions. They want the news to be unveiled on a special day, only to support the fortune of the little angel. 


It is a bit mystifying to say that Abhishek and Aishwarya have each other’s consent over baby’s name but whatever they decide is eventually a decision for her better future and nurturing.


news pardaphash

Pune is special because I met Jaya Bachchan here Amitabh



Pune is special because I met Jaya Bachchan here: Amitabh



Pune is known as city of art, culture and literature, and many of my films have been shot here. But it holds a special place in my heart because I met my Jaya here and I decided to get married to her,’’ said eminent actor Amitabh Bachchan.

Bachchan and veteran playback singer Asha Bhosale were felicitated with the coveted ‘Outstanding contribution to Indian Cinema’ award at the inauguration of 10th Pune International Film Festival (PIFF).

The festival was kick-started with fervour on Thursday at City Pride, Kothrud. It was inaugurated by Sanjay Deotale, state minister for environment and cultural affairs. Noted actor Rani Mukherjee was the guest of honour.

There was a stampede when Bachchan arrived at the venue. Bachchan, who had donned a Puneri pagdi, received the award from veteran actor Shreeram Lagoo.

He recalled, “Forty-two years in the film industry are like a dream. I never thought that I would become an actor. Destiny has brought me here and I feel indebted to the people of India.’’

Bhosale sang a Tamil song and enthralled the audience with a Marathi song on popular demand. “I have sung more than 900 Marathi songs in Pune. I am very proud that I am Marathi and I have stayed in Pune,” she said.

Eminent music director Ilayaraja was honoured with Sachin Dev Burman international award for creative music and sound. An emotional Ilayaraja said, “Great singers like Mozart, Beethoven and Sachin Dev Burman didn’t create music for any award. No kalakar (artiste) works for awards and I don’t create music for awards. But by accepting this award, I am paying my tribute to Sachin Dev Burman.”

Talking about Asha, Ilayaraja said, “She is a fantastic singer. When she is on stage, ideas start flowing and she will catch up and perform just like that.’’

Noted actor Sachin Pilgaonkar was also felicitated for completing 50 years in cinema. He said, “I feel great to be part of the Indian film industry. I don’t like calling it Bollywood.’’

Rani Mukherjee, who was dressed in Maharashtrian sari, nath and gajra, won the hearts of the audience by speaking in Marathi.

“The shooting of my Marathi film Aiyaa took place here. I have enacted the role of a Puneri mulgi (girl) in the film. Though I was born and bought up in Mumbai, I am very much a Marathi,’’ she said.

Aishwarya Rai's daughter is Amitabh Bachchan's first priority

Aishwarya Rai's daughter is Amitabh Bachchan's first priority



Since the day Aishwarya Rai gave birth to her baby girl, grandpa Big B seems to have forgotten the world. In fact Mr Big B is so overwhelmed with Beti B's innocent looks and charm, that his every post on the Twitter includes the little Ash's name.


Following the same, Amitabh Bachchan who was supposed to visit Nashik to inaugurate an old age home, had to postpone the trip for his granddaughter's naming ceremony sometime post January 14, TOI reports. The old age home, Nanasaheb Deshmukh Vridhashram run by Neptune Foundation, is a free facility for elderly citizens. 


Amitabh was supposed to visit Nashik at top cop and 'long time associate and very dedicated friend' Harish Baijal's invitation. Baijal told TOI that Bachchan Sr informed him "on Tuesday evening" that the inauguration would have to wait as his daughter Shweta Nanda had come over with her children. Also, "Abhishek and Aishwarya's daughter's naming ceremony would take place soon."
news oneindia

Amitabh Bachchan promotes Kahaani



Amitabh Bachchan promotes Kahaani


After a successful 2011, Vidya Balan is set to start the New Year with another woman-centric film " Kahaani" and has found support from none other than Amitabh Bachchan who is promoting her film on social networking sites.

The megastar has sung Rabindranath Tagore's iconic song "Ekla cholo re" for the film and is talking about it on his blog and Twitter page.

"My friend Sujoy Ghosh of 'Aladin' fame... puts out his trailer for his next with Vidya... 'Kahaani'... interesting watch," he tweeted.

On his blog, Big B wrote: "May I just say that singing Rabindra Sangeet for the first time was the greatest revelation. The beauty of the language, the lyricism of the tune and its 'dhun' (music) are outstanding.

"This particular, world famous number 'Ekla Cholo', expounding to all that if no one came to you on your calling, walk alone!! And what a fabulous song has been incorporated by Vishal-Shekhar. Truly awesome and worthy of all award."

Vidya is currently promoting "Kahaani" and when asked about it, she said: "That is very, very kind and generous of him. He has sung a song for us, I thought that was under wraps, so I didn't say but obviously you all seem to know."

"It is a very special song for Kolkata and all the Bengalis. It has been sung by Mr. Bachchan, so it becomes all the more special," added the 33-year-old actress while launching Radio Big FM's new jingle.

She is known for her power-packed performances in "Ishqiya", "No One Killed Jessica" and "The Dirty Picture", but Vidya has no plans to exercise her vocal chords.

"So far no, because I don't know. I am not even a bathroom singer. So I am happy listening," said the actress who plays a pregnant woman in "Kahaani".

Director Sujoy Ghosh's "Kahaani" is scheduled for a March 9 release and also stars Emraan Hashmi and Bengali actor Parambrata Chatterjee.
the thimes of india

Out of the private jet and on to the Pune International Film Festival


Out of the private jet and on to the Pune International Film Festival ..

Jalsa , Mumbai       Jan  12,  2012              Thu  10 : 49 PM
And the crowd control inside the auditorium .. this is one way of being effective , I guess !!!


And the gracious and greatly talented SriRam Lagoo from many films, for me particularly Laawaris, decorates me with the Award for my contribution to cinema, with the traditional head dress of Maharashtra and the shawl … a moment in time !!

he lighting of the traditional lamp before the start of any function – Rani Mukherji, Asha Bhonsale, SriRam Lagoo and Sachin Pilgaonkar ..
the welcome to the venue amidst mobbing and the traditional Maharashtra horn trumpets ..
 There is more … but enough for the day I would assume !
Pune the city of art and literature and culture and all that is classical and ethnic now bears a metro city, with large and grand structures defining the skyline, where before there was nothing but serene drive ways, trees and the odd bungalow, tiled, single floored and peaceful ..
Pune had but one distinction it was the one city in the country or perhaps the world that had the largest fleet of bicycles on the road .. it is there even now, except they have a motor and move rapidly and are often referred to as mobikes !! Pune also had the distinction of having some of the earliest Film Studios in the country. Indeed one of them has been converted into the Pune Film Institute, which has given to the Industry so many talented artists and technicians ..
It used to be a wondrous drive from Mumbai to Pune in those early days .. crossing over by Taloja and the delicious biryani that was on offer at the stalls, when you broke journey … the sudden and steep climb over the ghats and the various places of worship that one passed as one steadily climbed passed them, paying our respects to the Gods for a safe journey through this somewhat treacherous route over the mountains … and then Lonavala, a delightful calm and salubrious climate welcome, more food before the final thrust to Pune.. and then the tunnels and then the city and the Blue Diamond Hotel, perhaps the only one then .. now of course there are a zillion of them … some years later the Osho Ashram of Rajneesh the Bhagwan and the community he had created within for mostly westerners to come and find inner peace and wellness ..
Oh ! One can go on and on with the many experiences of the city .. and as always … more of that on some other day …
It has been a bit tiring .. in on the plane to Pune, straight to the venue, the ceremony and then back to the airport, started up the engines and back to Mumbai …
So I shall beg leave … but there will be more on another occasion ..
Love and more to all ..
Amitabh Bachchan

An evening spent with the media as their guest editor


Jalsa , Mumbai                  Jan  11 ,  2012            Wed  11 : 34 PM

Nandita undergoes surgery .. !! And is well .. we all pray for her speedy recovery …
 An evening spent with the media as their guest editor. It is a Marathi newspaper, Loksatta. A most invigorating conversation. More on what my opinions are about the state and the films and the morals and social impressions of a country, than what should be appearing on the front pages, or the edit column.
Much of the talking was done by me, which was unusual. Editors normally listen to what the team has to say and then give instructions to execute them. Or am I completely off the track ? All the same the meeting was fascinating. Most of what newspapers do is I would like to believe, not an unknown secret. With the rapid growth of communication through science and technology, we are at a stage where all information has been banked as though the world were coming to an end the very next day ! It is a fortunate development that there are such institutions which do record for posterity. Many do not believe in this concept. A recent article I read of a prominent star, expressed so in just so many words. He was not interested in posterity, or a legacy that he wished to leave behind. I thought that was revolutionary and most individual. When the rest of the world is attempting its best to be able to record all that it can for the years and ages to come, there are some that care little about it. As time and circumstance pass by with rapid speed, we are becoming more conscious of what can be retained in as pristine a condition as possible. Capsuling time was some of the worthy achievements that the system of the culture of the past had practiced. With advanced methodology we are now in a state to do all this in a more scientific manner and also do it personally too. Generations after us shall quite obviously, be greatly more informed and in greater authenticity, than what some of us at this time may be struggling to acquire. Perhaps the entire concept of questioning may become redundant. Questions are asked when there is a paucity of answers, but when answers are all available at the press of a button, I wonder whether we would need those that gave us information, advice, knowledge by the fireside at night after dinner, at all.

Does society change cinema, or cinema change society ? I really have no answer for it. I answered to the team of Loksatta, that I was least interested in finding out this answer. What I was most interested in was getting a job. And if that job during the course of its execution was reflecting societal changes, please do not misjudge it as a deliberate attempt from me as an artist, responsible for it. This is not to entirely reject the concept of social change through a medium as powerful and strong as the moving pictures, for there are many of the fraternity that shall get involved in productions solely on the basis of expressing a particular thought. God bless them and their efforts, but I am lame in this regard. For us the instinct of survival has been given greater importance than what the world thinks. It is undoubtedly a somewhat selfish thought, but what else can one argue in defense of it when we know and are burdened with the thought that, the worker or the common man that earns a meager living for the entire day shall not want to be entertained by social and institutionalized philosophy, when he seeks escapist departure. Most executers of the cinema of escapism would love to hide behind this time worn theory and argument, for, it still spells correct. Not so for the exclusive few who remain true in spirit and thought about what cinema needs to do in the realm of morality, effectiveness and its reality in its members.

If the system has failed and there is anger against all that governs us, then for an anger to erupt in the shape of a character which symbolizes all that needs to be paid attention to, becomes heroic and valid. Much of that today would perhaps not be so acceptable because the opportunities and the availability of diverse vocations fills the air with hope and chance to be in better circumstance – an exalted state, which all wish and want to adopt. Consider that to be the economic changes that now press the culture of the country, or any other, we shall pander, to use a somewhat harsh term, to what the viewer wants and desires. If it is fun related meaningless pictorially fascinating visuals, sprinkled with the odd music extravaganza of passion and excitement, then so be it. Then the need to make subjects that hopefully shall awaken the conscience of the nation, would be put on a back burner. Purists would disagree, but when did they not.

Is our culture taking example from the West. Is it polluting our centuries old norms, perhaps yes and perhaps not. It would have to be an individual thought. You cannot take the advantage of the Western worlds technological progress, apply it to ours, reel in its benefits and then scream that we are adopting the ills of a developed world. If we were late in evolving and matching the industrial revolution of the west, lets us not put blame. Yes we were subjugated, repressed, conquered made slaves of and perhaps deliberately kept away from all modern forms of progress, but in the time since we have had our Independence, we can proudly say that the level of achievement has been more than rapid and satisfactory. What was looked down upon is now being strained to look up to. What was ridiculous in content is now glorified and rewarded. When all else in their world is breaking down our world is showing remarkable resilience. We must be doing something right then. Not all of it can be acknowledged as correct, or even near perfect, but it does have the capacity to be taken note of. The courage and the will to have done so needs to be applauded ..

Does the process of thought and language and its poetic ramifications compare well with what is being dished out now. Perhaps not. In fact certainly not. The aesthetics of the old still haunts us greatly. But so does that brashness of this generation among its own. Are they wrong and we right ? I would never hazard a guess !! When we emerged that is what the generation before us thought about us, and soon the generation after the present shall think about them thus too. The circle or the cycle of life shall dictate its terms to us. Accept or be another ordinary. Ordinary never in a diminished sense, but ordinary compared to what the present may seem to many …

How have you remained with the present for so long, they ask me. I have not. I am still on the treadmill, but I do on occasion look around and about me. The treadmill is my necessity, looking around does give me perspective of what I was and have become. Not with any malice or bad intent, but one that is willing to acknowledge the two, in equal terms ..
Is being equal to all a sin … can the Ef really contradict the sense of oneness that we maintain on this platform ? I would think not …
Love and more …
Amitabh Bachchan