Angry Bachchans threaten to skip Filmfare awards

Angry Bachchans threaten to skip Filmfare awards

New Delhi, Feb 27 (IANS) A furious Bachchan family has threatened to skip the prestigious Filmfare awards Saturday evening unless the Mumbai Mirror publishes a formal apology for spreading "false" news aboutAishwarya Rai health.

The Mumbai Mirror and Filmfare both belong to the Times Group. Aishwarya Rai, who was supposed to perform at the event, has decided to pull out.

The Bachchans have also sent a legal notice to the editor of Mumbai Mirror, seeking a retraction and apology.

"We have informed Filmfare that neither will Aishwarya be performing at the event, for which all preparations had been made and neither shall any of us be attending," Amitabh Bachchan posted on his blog, bigb.bigadda.com.

The family is angry that the paper has not published a formal apology for the article stating that Aishwarya is suffering from stomach tuberculosis and cannot conceive, a news branded as "completely false" by father-in-law Amitabh.

"Suffice to say for the moment that despite a few personal apologies from management and owners, no public apology has taken place. You cannot abuse me in public and then come and say sorry to me in private.

"So, even though we have great relations with the family in ownership and despite the fact that we have continuously responded to their needs whenever desired, unstintingly - the lawyers notice has been delivered to the editor of Mumbai Mirror, seeking on a legal plane retraction and apology," he added.

The Bachchans are not alone in their stand. Director R. Balakrishnan, who helmed the Amitabh and Abishek-starrer "Paa", has also decided to stay away from the event to show his support to the Big B.

"Balki, the director of the film, even when 'Paa' has been nominated in five categories for the evening, (is not attending). No coercion, just a voluntary decision of solidarity. Thank you Balki," said Amitabh.

The Filmfare awards will be held in Mumbai Saturday evening.

How about some teen patti with Big B

How about some 'teen patti' with Big B?

New Delhi, Feb 26 (IANS) Superstar Amitabh Bachchan is trying to connect with his fans by gambling with them one on one in the age-old game of 'teen patti'.

His latest film "Teen Patti" is about greed and deception with the background of high-stake gambling.

A social game - Teen Patti - on ibibo.com is similar to poker but is a fast-paced game. One can win money a lot quicker in this game and also lose it in a jiffy. The game uses a standard 52-card deck with Aces ranking highest and two's the lowest.

"Amitabhji is doing very well with his fans, he is playing very well. Anybody can be a part of the game. People ranging from those who know nothing about the game and are just there to be with Amitabhji to those who are experts in this game, are playing," Rahul Razdan, vice president of ibibo told IANS over the phone.

"The response has been remarkable - reason could be the love for the game or an opportunity to know Big B's fun side," he added.

The uniqueness of the game is that one not only plays with live multiple players and earns money but can chat with friends while playing. Players can invite their friends to play the game or try their luck with others across India.

The film "Teen Patti" stars Sir Ben Kingsley, Raima Sen, R. Madhavan and Saira Mohan in important roles, apart from Amitabh in the lead.

The film also introduces four newcomers - Siddharth Kher, Vaibhav Talwar, Dhruv Ganesh and Shakti Kapoor's daughter Shraddha Kapoor.

Amitabh Bachchan gets Abhinaya Chakravarthy Award

Big B perfect at tennis violin piano Director Leena Yadav

Big B perfect at tennis, violin, piano: Director Leena Yadav
By Dibyojyoti Baksi

Mumbai, Feb 24 (IANS) That Amitabh Bachchan leaves his co-stars in awe is well-known but "Teen Patti" director Leena Yadav says the megastar not only spells magic in front of the camera but surprised everyone with his expertise in tennis, violin and piano as well.

"Mr.Bachchan is good in so many things. We were in awe. When we were shooting, we used to play games and we saw how perfect he is in tennis," Yadav told IANS in an interview.

She said there was a scene in the film where Bachchan's character had to play violin.

"I got an expert to train him and kept telling him that the expert wants to show him how to hold the violin. But Mr.Bachchan insisted on doing it during the shot. When he came to the floor, the expert was standing to show him but he took the violin, placed it rightly and started playing perfectly. He played the piano also. He surprised us in many ways," Yadav recalled.

Releasing Friday, "Teen Patti" features Bachchan as a mathematician trying to evolve a thesis on probability by relating it to the Indian card game of 'teen patti'. The film also stars Hollywood legend Ben Kingsley.

Yadav, who co-scripted the movie with Shiv Subramanyam, reveals that the probability theory Bachchan tries to prove is absolutely fictitious, but insists it is applicable to card games to some extent.

"See, probability is a very interesting theory in mathematics. You can even apply it just by logic. It doesn't need an equation there. Also, when a shuffle happens, you can tell what's the probability of the card...

"It can be applied, but obviously a man's mind cannot do it sitting on a table because it involves pages of calculation. So we went through the whole process and then simplified it," she said.

Yadav said the idea of making a film on the subject was lying dormant in her mind for a long time but the plot developed after she researched on the card scams in the US.

"I always wanted to make a film on the mindset of today's youth where they want to be rich and successful very fast. I read a lot about card scams and did a lot of research on greed and the psychology behind that...Spoke to a lot of my friends.

"All through the process I started finding it more and more interesting. And then when Shiv Subramanyam and I started writing, the characters automatically evolved," she said.

Before shooting began, Yadav did a reality check on an illegal gambling hideout to know how makeshift casinos function.

"In Mumbai, gambling is illegal. So in different shady places they make temporary set-ups so that they can escape if there is a raid. While shooting I took the creative liberty of shooting it on a set, but before that I visited one functioning 'adda' to have a feel of what exactly happens there. It was quite risky," she said.

Apart from the two veterans, the film also stars R. Madhavan. And the director is also introducing four new faces - Siddharth Kher, Vaibhav Talwar, Dhruv Ganesh and Shakti Kapoor's daughter Shraddha Kapoor.

Asked why she chose four newcomers, Yadav said: "Mr.Bachchan, Sir Ben Kingsley, Madhavan and the four debutant actors are the primary actors. While choosing these four actors, we were in two minds whether to take established actors or to go with fresh faces.

"Finally, we decided to take these young people because they fit the age they require to play in the film. It took us 8 to 10 months to cast them. We went to different cities for audition and finally chose them."

Amitabh Bachchan @ Bandra

On 8^th Feb at 6:30pm, Bandra Fort will stand as witness to the recitation of the masterpieces that belong to the most eminent poets of India and Pakistan, Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Faiz Ahmed Faiz. Read by 2 living legends, Amitabh Bachchan and Zia Mohyeddin, some of their greatest poems will brighten the evening of Mumbai City.

Amitabh Bachchan's association with his father's poetry has been very deep and intense. The Bachchans got together last year and re-launched Harivansh Rai Bachchan's Madhushala – The House of Wine to commemorate his 102^nd Birth Anniversary.

Amitabh Bachchan loves reciting the poems written by his father and never leaves any occasion when asked to do so. His favorite amongst all is however, Agneepath.

British PM to present Amitabh to Big B

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown will present 'Amitabh', a module diabetes unit-bus to be based in Mumbai, to Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan on Monday.

The bus will help screen people in Mumbai for diabetes and has been donated by diabetes prevention charity organisation Silver Star funded by Indian-origin Labour MP, Keith Vaz.

Brown will present the bus to Bachchan on behalf of Silver Star at a dinner on Monday. The bus has been named 'Amitabh' in honour of the Bollywood star and will bring hope of diabetes diagnosis to thousands of Indians.

Silver Star, founded by Keith Vaz MP in 2007, carries out free diabetes testing and promotes culturally sensitive healthcare, focusing particularly on the high prevalence of diabetes amongst the South Asian community in Britain and Internationally.

Since 2007 Silver Star has tested 4695 people in Britain. There are two such mobile units in the UK. 'Amitabh' will be the second Silver Star Mobile Diabetes Unit in India. Last year Bachchan launch the first mobile unit in Goa, which has so far tested 2075 people.

Shraddha Kapoor Siddharth Kher Dhruv Ganesh Vaibhav Talwar Press Meet of Teen Patti

Event: Press Conference of "Teen Patti"

Celebrity: Dhruv Ganesh, Vaibhav Talwar, Shraddha Kapoor, Siddharth Kher and others

Venue: Jamnabai Narsee School

Date: 14th Feb 2010

Amitabh Bachchan On Lift Kara De Karan Johar TV Show

Amitabh Bachchan On Lift Kara De Karan Johar TV Show

DESCRIPTION:

You have seen him eating 'Paan' many times in his films, but never seen him making it. So, here is your chance to see the king of Bollywood Amitabh Bachchan making 'Banarasi Paan' and talking about his relationship with Abhishek Bachchan on Karan Johar's show 'Lift Kara De' on Sony TV.

Teen Patti Movie Stills Photos

In defence of Amitabh Bachchan lack of convictions

In defence of Amitabh Bachchan's lack of convictions
By Mayank Chhaya

Actor Amitabh Bachchan decision to be Gujarat's brand ambassador has provoked many to question his political convictions, with some even going to the extent of wondering whether he has any.

"When Amitabh Bachchan advertises cement or any other commodity, we are expected to buy it because he has endorsed it; yet, when he shakes hands with Narendra Modi, he expects us to read nothing into it," write Jatin Gandhi and Hartosh Singh Bal in the latest issue of Open magazine.

"The question is not whether Modi is better or worse than Rajiv (Gandhi), but whether there are convictions the man or the actor is willing to stand by."

In her column for the Daily News and Analysis (DNA) high profile social activist from Gujarat and noted classical dancer Mallika Sarabhai asked: "It has been reported that no direct fee will be paid to you for being my Brand Ambassador. So, with no monetary decision to guide you, how did you decide to say yes? Did you check on the state of the state?"

The overall tone of both these pieces is one of unconcealed derision at Bachchan's seemingly flexible political convictions and thinly disguised self-serving opportunism. This is the kind of subject where both sides can make their case quite forcefully and yet leave many unconvinced.

There is a third point of view which might explain some of the contradictions. For reasons that are hard to comprehend millions of Indians have accorded Bachchan a seriousness of purpose which he may not fully deserve or even hanker after. People confuse his celluloid persona to arrive at judgements which are far in excess of what he may be as a human being in real life. To that extent Bachchan is tested against benchmarks which are inherently unfair and unrealistic.

Bachchan is an ordinary mortal like the rest of humanity when it comes to impulses such as personal ambition and aggrandisement. His motivations, like the rest, are purely personal and familial first and then perhaps communal, national and global. People react with outrage to Bachchan's apparent lack of convictions or shifting political loyalties based on personal gain because they have formed a lofty image of his in their minds for no rational reason. And when they discover a chasm between what they perceive him to be or want him to be and what he really is, they feel let down or even betrayed.

What Bachchan really is may not even be that egregiously flawed. However, the people have given him such an exalted position, which he may not have sought himself and may not have done much to challenge either, that a slight lowering in that image causes widespread anger, indignation and disillusionment.

Why raise him on a pedestal and deify him in the first place and then rage against him if he wants to step down from time to time? It is a natural consequence of his chosen profession that he would acquire stature and influence which are often disproportionate to his actual contribution outside that profession. That is why he is able to glibly endorse a whole range of products which he may never have used in the past, nor is likely to in the future.

Because he is Amitabh Bachchan he may enjoy credibility in walks of life where he has absolutely no achievement to speak of. That reputation is as much a creation of the media as it is a product of the guileless millions who have invested unquestioning faith in him. As a purely commercial being he is merely leveraging that faith without making any distinction between endorsing a brand of cement, a bank, a car or even a state. In that sense Bachchan has perfected his personal brand as agnostic to the deeper contradictions of his endorsements.

The moment people start seeing him for what he is -- a broadly decent, unquestionably gifted, intelligent albeit occasionally obscurantist, and strongly commercially driven professional -- all the indignation, outrage and disillusionment will disappear. That he apparently has no political convictions cannot be extrapolated to mean that he has no scruples. The mercenary instinct is an inherent feature of all super celebrities globally who capitalize on their personal brand equity to sell anything -- either a product or a cause.

The only way to rationalise Bachchan's seeming lack of any permanent political loyalties or convictions is by rubbing out the aura of improbable greatness that people have come to associate with him. Once he is seen like any other hugely successful professional, whose primary motivations are necessarily selfish and feet are made of clay, his apparent lack of convictions and shifting political loyalties will appear far less incongruent, quite like they would in any other mortal extracting the most out of the opportunities that life offers.

Why was Big B miffed during Teen Patti promotion

Why was Big B miffed during 'Teen Patti' promotion?

Gurgaon, Feb 15 (IANS) Megastar Amitabh Bachchan brought back memories of his 'angry young man' days when he came here Monday for the promotion of his upcoming film "Teen Patti" in a visibly upset mood -- for reasons unknown.

Clad in a white pin-stripe black suit, white shirt and pink tie, the 67-year-old, who is known for his punctuality, was two hours late for the promotion of the film.

The actor entered the event with a noticeable miffed look and picked a seat not meant for him.

When a PR agent informed him that he was to be seated in the centre where his nameplate was assigned to him, he asserted: "Just change the card".

Asked by a scribe how he maintained his innocence despite his success and whether it was courtesy the values inherited from his father, Big B who was trying to answer looked at the gawking male debutants from "Teen Patti" and said: "What are you looking at?"

He then answered: "People like these (pointing at the audience) keep me going."

The 67-year-old was at the Gold Souk mall here alongside the cast and crew of the film which included producer Ambika Hinduja, director Leena Yadav, R. Madhavan and newcomers Siddharth Kher, Dhruv Ganesh, Vaibhav Talwar and Shraddha Kapoor.

A source who was present at the event said about Amitabh's mood: "Amitji is probably angry because of the questions he was asked by a TV journalist...."

Releasing Feb 26, "Teen Patti" is about greed and deception with the background of high-stake gambling. Apart from Amitabh in the lead, it also stars Sir Ben Kingsley, Raima Sen and Saira Mohan in important roles.

The film also boasts of special appearances by Ajay Devgn, Jackie Shroff, Mahesh Manjrekar, Ranjeet, Shakti Kapoor and Tinnu Anand.

Aishwarya Rai recovering says Big B

Aishwarya recovering, says Big B

New Delhi, Feb 15 (IANS) Aishwarya Rai, who was down with high fever and a sore throat for past four days, is now recuperating well, informs her father-in-law, veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan.

"Many have inquired after Aishwarya's health. Thank you. She repairs well and even though there are some remnants of the ailment persisting, she has decidedly improved in her condition," Amitabh posted on his blog www.bigb.bigadda.com.

"We have all been with her and by her side. Abhishek has come away from his shootings and I have come away from my incessant TV interviews on 'Teen Patti'," he added.

Aishwarya was unable to talk or swallow food due to her condition, Amitabh had earlier informed.

Abhishek, who came down to be with her from his shoot for "Crooked", says that his wife is now improving.

"Aishwarya is much better. I'd like to think it's all the TLC (tender loving care)," he posted on his Twitter page. "But think it's got more to do with all your wishes and concern. And of course...Of course antibiotics lend slight support. But why let medication take all the credit when we can share it?"

The actress was shooting for Vipul Shah's "Action Replay" in Manori in northern Mumbai when she returned home with high fever.

Big B wears old watch from Chor Bazaar in Teen Patti

Big B wears old watch from Chor Bazaar in 'Teen Patti'  
By Ruchika Kher

Mumbai, Feb 15 (IANS) Cheap cloth, ill-fitted trousers, checked cotton shirts and an old watch from Mumbai's Chor Bazaar - these are what designer Ameira Punvani used to create Amitabh Bachchan's look in "Teen Patti" where he plays a reclusive mathematician.

She says the megastar gave her enough freedom to experiment with his look.

"I was given the liberty to go to the biggest shops, but I instead decided to go to small markets to buy stuff. For Mr.Bachchan I created a look that had trousers, which were a mix of polyester, cheap material, around Rs.200 per metre along with checked cotton shirts," Punvani told IANS in an interview.

"That was something a college professor would wear ; so we zeroed in on that. Also, I didn't make the fit of the trousers very contemporary. I gave it a double pleated American-cut style - it makes the trousers look a little baggy," she added.

Directed by Leena Yadav, "Teen Patti" features Amitabh as a mathematician trying to evolve a thesis on probability by relating it to the Indian card game of 'teen patti'. Also starring Hollywood veteran Ben Kingsley, the film is set to release Feb 26.

Punvani says there was no compromise on the detailing.

"We paid a lot of attention on detailing. So much so that I had to get a watch for Mr.Bachchan to complete his look. He wears the best of watches, but I went to Mumbai's Chor Bazaar and got a very old watch from there that was not even automatic.

"After getting it, I was sceptical about Mr.Bachchan's reaction. I didn't know whether he would wear that watch or not. But he was completely fine with the idea," said Punvani.

The designer is all praise for Bachchan. "Mr.Bachchan is such a marvellous person. He is such a huge personality and has an aura around him that you get scared when you first meet him. But he makes you so comfortable.

"He gave me a free hand and had no problems trying the costumes. He always used to give me time despite being so busy and patiently tried out everything. He is extremely professional," she said.

Punvani says she event visited colleges for ideas to design his look.

"Mr.Bachchan is playing a reclusive, genius maths professor in the film. For his look, I first remembered how my teachers used to look. I visited various colleges to see how professors are dressed there.

"The first thing that I noticed was that all of them were very simple and they were not really bothered about their outward appearance. So for Mr.Bachchan's look I decided to go for authentic materials to make the character look close to reality," she said.

Punvani, who has in the past designed costumes for films like "Guru", "Shortkut - The Con Is On" and "Zinda" among others, was responsible for crafting the look of the entire Indian cast of the film including R. Madhavan, Dhruv Ganesh, Shraddha Kapoor, Siddharth Kher and Vaibhav Talwar among others.

Her next project is Shahid Kapoor-starrer "Badmaash Company" for Yash Raj Films.

Bachchan Bol,Revolutionary new service to stay connected with Big B

Prateeksha, Mumbai February 9, 2010 Tue 10 : 19 PM

Before I say more .. some sad news .. one of our dear FmXt from Perm, Siberia in Russia, Zhenya, lost her Father yesterday. Zhenya has been a regular even before the blog started and has always addressed me as Pitaji .. a father. She is a spunky little girl and has loved India and Indian culture. From whenever I could remember, she celebrates all the festivals and never forgets to send me greetings on those days. Some early year photographs of my visit to Russia have been courtesy her. I want Zhenya to know that we are with her in her sorrow and grief and our prayers are with her..

You are a brave girl Zhenya .. and God will remain with you ..

I could not resist doing this. It was troubling me and so I came back from a very early bed time to an early enough bed time to express our solidarity with a member of our fraternity.

And below now some visuals of the afternoon function -

Peace and harmony are more important than confrontation and controversy. The elements that guard the former are stronger and of greater value than the latter. Most of the time those involved in the 2 C’s have nothing whatsoever to do with the issue or the individual. They are guilty of fanning hatred and are therefore in my eyes worse off than those actually involved. If one can broker peace to end either C, that step needs to be taken immediately and will as will be seen bring result.

Many a time, those that prod and push and deliberately indulge themselves in an issue are themselves guilty of the accusation. Unable to act what they preach themselves, they look for scapegoats. Someone to hang the blame on. Not realizing of course that in doing so they prepare their own noose. Hang well dear friends !! And hang long !! Sometimes the rope round the neck takes a bit longer than usual to stifle the air that we breathe. But, do not also ever imagine that the rope shall get loose enough to escape. Once the noose is in, it remains in !!

A bit morbid for this time of the night and certainly not welcome on this blog. But in life there will be times when you need to spell it out !!

Love and love without the hangman …

Amitabh Bachchan

Bigadda

Amitabh sings for Indo Pak Aman Ki Aasha event

Prateeksha, Mumbai February 9, 2010 Tue 7 : 04 PM

Taken off the formals. Wrapped up in the ‘mundu’, ‘munda’ ‘dhoti’. And in a desire to finish the post so I can follow the advice of many who show concern and care. It is early I know, but the need to get to bed is worth a try.

Formals ? Yes .. the formal launch for the mobile service where you could hear my voice is officially on today. At a short and sweet ceremony with the media at the newly opened Trident Hotel at Bandra Kurla Complex, where all the award events take place, modern almost boutique like and under the efficient management of an ex Sherwoodian. School ties never fade away.

The ‘name of the game’.. ha … no .. the name of the program is called BACHCHAN BOL, a number is being advertised, you call and you get to hear me greet you, talk to you, on daily events, thoughts … just about anything that comes to the mind. At the moment it is in Hindi and restricted to India, but shortly it shall be world wide. It is one way .. that is you get to hear me and will not be able to respond back … but OnMobile the outfit that conducts the technology will be working on getting this facility operational too. InsideIndia, a London based Company shall be the Company managing this and I hope that soon we shall be able to develop a voice blog within our FmXt … so … Happy VOGGING … as this is being touted to be described as .. !!!

And so to ‘Aman ki Asha ‘ above and the settings and the moods of poetry and the people and their reactions … and the last .. the sore point, the electronic media journalist from Zee asking me what was all about Madhushala !! Hah ! Young man, if you have not done your home work and research, if you have no interest in the event, why have you taken the trouble to come. And worse to ask a question that insults my Father’s great legacy and our literary heritage … !!

Anyway … the evening was most satisfying. I loved the ambience. That informal sit around, much like the days when my Father used to recite. People just gathered around, sat on the floor, palti maar ke, and the evening went on for hours and no one knew how time would pass. The applause and the wah wah’s and the end of each verse, the desire to repeat a line a verse, the insistence on a poem of particular interest. Much like the encore call last night after it was all over, as you can see below and then an impromtu break from the routine and some enterprising youth joining me on stage in dance, hurried off by security to restore some order.

Lovely days those, with my Father. Sharing space with the other greats of poetry and literature. Spending time just listening to them and imbibing. Will those days ever return ? Time moves on and this generation I am not certain is as interested in such activity as we were.

But I think word spreads as you indulge. Just this morning a group from Pune comes over to invite me to such an evening for the inauguration of an amphitheater in an environment friendly locale. Maharashtra and Pune in particular has always had a keen interest towards culture and the classics. Dance forms, classical singing have been an essential ingredient, almost compulsory, in most homes. And when you therefore visit any Maharashtrian home you will always find the presence of that ethos and ethic. True too for some of our Southern states .. Tamilnadu, Andhra, Karnataka and Kerala. And of course Bengal. Especially among the girls in the home. There is indeed a prevalence of some classic art form in every corner of the country. And I am amazed at the vastness of the creativity and the beauty of its presence. I must know my country better. I must travel and read and imbibe them. I must gain undisclosed knowledge. For it must take a lifetime, perhaps more, to experience and know what India is all about. Such a shame that a large portion of my life is over and I never had the time to know … know about my own people and their culture. But I will. I shall pursue, even if time is not on my side, I shall pursue !!

To those of my extended family then .. a cultured good night .. and with the love of more to come..

Amitabh Bachchan

Bigadda

I am weak to day Weak in thought Big B

Prateeksha, Mumbai February 8, 2010 Mon 11 : 48 PM

I am weak to day. Weak in thought. Weak in what I do. Weak in circumstance. Weak in memory. Weak with myself.

My weakness could be my exhaustion. An exhaustion not of time or deed. An exhaustion from excessive consumption. My Father’s work consumes me. The Times of India ‘Aman ki Asha’ initiative just got over at the Bandra Fort, where Zia Moyeddin and I recited in the spirit of togetherness and hope for peace. The Fort is actually an old relic, left unattended and has been through some innovative design changes. A small informal stage has erupted, an amphitheater like seating in front, has an air of informality. There are no comfort zones or efforts made to make it happen. People just arrive and seat themselves on the floor with folded feet and relaxed mind.

Whatever the outcome, what I believe is right is that there were this many people who were lovers of poetry. And many among them were first timers, young and oblivious to poetry and by whom. The atmosphere was built in a manner where it was certain that all could be seen out in the open at the press of a button. People had come there to have a good time and I do believe that that is a quality which signifies that the doors are open for a happy nostalgic evening.

My Father’s works at once sonorous and sad and then almost directly posing as happy with sarcasm catches the very large canvas that he covered when he wrote. There was a sense of fulfillment within me and I do hope in the minds of the film Industry that had decorated the place with their own presence.

God has been kind. Perhaps we needed to remember him time and again so as to delay departure..

The crowds were beyond the capacity. It being an outdoor amphitheater with free passes it was bound to get a little boisterous. As the recitation by Zia began the seats in the hall had all begun to be in a mood of reconciliation, and by the time I came over, the pulse in the audience was apparent. There are many that were unable to connect with the purest form of Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s urdu, now the official language of Pakistan and so were perhaps relieved when I came on with ‘Madhushala’ and Viju Shah’s orchestra, the old favorites, smiling and happy.

Wanting to connect with my Father at last, becoming a virtual necessity I volunteered for, it. It was a healthy mix of contemporary and modern times, and I do feel that every time I think of him in such circumstances, a strength comes upon me from him and one that remains dormant for a while ; until circumstances change with power.

Power will be there in many liberated causes, but it cannot just be a Mr Rai. I believe that flimsy surrogate and wasteful research will have just that in life and no mother.

I must rest now. I shall continue later in the day tomorrow.

It is with love , … a love that knows anyway about the brand ..

Amitabh Bachchan

Bigadda

Valorie a belated birthday wish Big B

The Meridien, Cochin, Kerala February 7, 2010 Sun 10 : 27 PM

Valorie … a belated birthday wish to you .. may you remain healthy and wise and poetic as ever !

As I watch the ‘mohiniattam’ being performed on stage by a large group of dancers performing in honour of the evening to felicitate Resul Pookutty, Oscar Award winner for his sound design in Slumdog Millionaire, I cannot but be mesmerized by the kathakali dance form from these regions. The eyes and their expressive movement, the hands moving in lyrical grace, enveloping inviting and so utterly spell binding. The use of the most minimal body movement, yet enough to express what needs to be expressed. It is this brevity of movement that is so attractive. It is the brevity of expression that has sunk into the psyche of the inhabitants of this region. Their reserve and restraint is well known in their culture and language. Their literacy quotient being the highest in the country, could be another.

Kerala, God’s own country, has not earned this name without meaning. There is an air about it that justifies its warm and affectionate existence. But as always, just when you begin to enjoy and sink into the land, a departure takes place and we are soon away from it all. Perhaps a little too soon.

Resul, not gloating in the air of importance and recognition, has decided to give back to society, to his people and has started a Foundation for the needy. A medical care center with an established hospital, for those among us that are under privileged and poor. Noble and kind of heart. I contribute to it too, in kind, in a small ceremony that takes place a little earlier in the afternoon on arrival.

Keeping in tune with the phrase ‘do in Rome as the Romans do’, I order some extraordinary crafted dhotiand sari to be worn at the evening formal function. The sari of course for the ladies in the house. Typical Kerala designed motifs on them through gold and silver threads. Such richness of craft in every part of our beautiful country and such a shame that we are so unaware of it and its existence. Well I certainly. How wonderful it would be if I could drop everything around me and just visit every corner of India to imbibe, learn and experience my own land and people. How wonderful to learn and be acquainted with their customs and culture and language. To live with them, be one with them, breathe the same air, discover our countrymen in different hues and in turn hope that we can discover ourselves too !!

So, I wear the dhoti or munda as it is more colloquially known for the evening and I think there is an appreciation of it. The ceremony is short and sweet and over in an hour. Which is in sharp contrast to the pomp and grandeur and expanse of last night’s in Chennai. I meet up with the two greats of Malayalam cinema - Mohanlal and Mamooty. Their work is testimony to their greatness. Effortless, easy and so completely natural that it belies all that you may have conceived about how acting needs to be done. Mohanlal comes up to the room later and narrates a script for which he wishes me to do a days’ guest appearance. I am inclined on principle but will read the script and revert.

There was a post before the one that was there before that .. I think … which had ended with ‘to those that understand and those that do not understand’. Whereas there were many that did understand, there were some that did not. Were I to explain to them, it would rob me the reason for writing it the way I did. Explaining it would in a way diminish the effect of the content. So I would rather not. But if there are some enterprising young men or women that would wish to elaborate to those that desired elaboration, I would not stop them from doing so. In fact it would be a wonderful exercise in assuaging from them whether they were close to the thought or not.

The ‘dhoti’ in all its pristine glamour, tied up around the waist by shear will power and some dextrous use of the stomach muscle, else it slips down and opens up !! It is just a piece of cloth, no buttons, no belts, no clips nothing. Simple elegant convenient and with its own characteristic charm and above all - air conditioned at all times !! The fall of the main design as a strip down the front to be positioned on the right hip and just around the right knee. Rules of culture.

During my several interviews that went down today with Manorama News, the TV channel that is number 1 in the region, I was asked for a few minutes to talk to their radio station Radio Mango, and the lady that pushed the radio mike across my nose made an observation. She said my sign off ‘love line’ on the blog is always different. Different ways of saying ‘i love you’ every day !!

Strange I had never noticed that, and now that she has told me I am more conscious of it. Wonder if I shall sign off with a difference today. Lets see -

Love you … ‘munda’ and all …

Amitabh Bachchan

Bigadda