Amitabh Bachhcna Simi Garewal Rendezvous 1998

Amitabh Simi Garewal Rendezvous 1998

Rendezvous with Simi Garewal is a India syndicated talk show, hosted and produced by its namesake Simi Garewal, and is the highest-rated talk show in Indian television history.[2] It is currently the longest-running daytime television talk show in the India, having run since 1997,
Simi Garewal about the show :
It was in 1998, in the first season of my show, Rendezvous With Simi Garewal, that I interviewed Amitabh Bachchan. It was a low period for him, he was getting a lot of criticism for ABCL, for the movies he had signed, and lots more besides.

For many years, as I saw or read interviews done by various people with him, I thought to myself that no one had managed to find the Amitabh Bachchan that we know. Having been friends with him even before he began his career in the movies, I have watched his highs and lows with fascination, and I have tried to comprehend him.

Thus, every interview I came across was disappointing, because to me, they failed to capture the persona of the man. The Amitabh Bachchan I knew was never the Amitabh Bachchan that I got to see in those interviews!

I was dying to interview him and once he agreed, I did my homework well. I read his father Harivanshrai's book cover to cover -- each poem, each letter. I read every interview, every scrap of paper that I could find on him. This was my chance, and I wanted to do complete justice to the man, and to the audience. I wanted to capture the Amitji I knew -- the dry wit, the vivacious personality, the person who was fun to be with.

ABOVE all, I wanted through the interview to convey a sense of the Amitabh I knew.

In retrospect, what strikes me about the interview I did is how low he was on confidence, at the time. Today the tables have turned. He is blooming again. In that, he is like any actor, any star -- Amitabh blooms when showered with appreciation and praise. He is very self-effacing, and he accept compliments very gracefully.

As a rule, I do not speak to my guests before the interviews. But this once, I went up to him and said, Amitji, I want you to give this one hundred per cent, I want you to be completely honest." And he gave me that Amitabh Bachchan look and said, I will give it one hundred per cent, I will be myself."

He lived up to his word.

We talked of everything under the sun. His childhood, adolescence, parents, ABCL, his flops, his return, his family, Jaya, the kids, the kind of women he likes, his professional decisions...

I think he was completely honest. There are people who, after that interview, said, 'Amitabh Bachchan is not like that!' Or 'He was not telling the truth about Rekha!'

But I believe he gave all of himself in that interview. Anyway, people only believe what they want to believe.

Once Jaya came on to the sets, he was more comfortable, he was completely himself. Then the wisecracks began and the witty side of his personality began to emerge.

We overshot both the episodes -- his solo and the one with Jaya -- by over 20 minutes!

HE loves the studios, loves the cameras. He is absolutely in his element in there, and very comfortable with it.

Having been around for so long, and faced tough questions, he has worked out little tricks to get himself out of tough spots. When he is not comfortable with a question, he waits it out, he gives the interviewer a long look, to fluster the person and get him or her to ask some other question. But if you can wait him out in your turn, then he will answer your question.

I think this would rate amongst the top five interviews that I have ever done. And I do not remember any other interview anyone has done with Amitabh that brought out his personality so well -- and I am being fair, not biased. You have to remember also that he was on the defensive at that point in time, he never knew which interviewer he could trust.

But what really amazes me is is the ongoing affair of the Indian people with Amitabh. It has been a continuous love affair, it has never waned. The Indian masses just love him!

With his popularity skyrocketing again through Kaun Banega Crorepati, one gets to see another Amitabh, an Amitabh so full of confidence as to be almost incandescent. I think he has become more accessible, more open to talking about himself now, than he ever was before.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktMCBejJSYw

Amitabh Bachchan as it is unveiled at Madame Tussauds in Hong Kong

Models pose next to a wax figure of Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan as it is unveiled at Madame Tussauds in Hong Kong

The daughter and grand daughter are in for the evening

Jalsa , Mumbai   Mar  24,  2011        Thu  11 : 56 PM

The daughter and grand daughter are in for the evening ! And suddenly everything starts to rotate around them. Timings, shootings, meetings everything on the back burner. Ladies have the ability to be able to get the men of the house to do just that ! And the men, are more than willing customers. Some important writer said of the ladies the other day …. shoes, bags and compliments to them and you can never be wrong ! Maybe, maybe not. I feel though that nothing can be a more expensive gift to them, than affection and care. You may have the wealth of the world to bestow upon them, but if it not given with genuine feeling, you may as well get ‘back to school’.

Many find it difficult to understand this phenomena of women. I say … just as well. It is better that the female species remains unknown, difficult to fathom and predict. This is their birthright almost. Do not tamper with it. They defy norms at times. But I say let them be themselves. There are certain aspects attributed to them which are difficult to find elsewhere. There sense of instinct and premonition. Their quality in determining the character of a situation merely by visual assessment. Their belief in matters which have possibly been rejected by all else ; where perhaps saner elements would have predicted otherwise. Their sincerity in adaptation and of course their ability, as has been spoken of many a time, of building a home.

We do not need a ‘woman’s day’ to acknowledge this more eloquently. Every day is their day. They know it, and if we do not know it, then we should.

So … while we sit at dinner at nearby eatery, the news comes bursting through of our victory against Australia in the world cup quater final. Australia will be catching a flight home, India will have to start earnest preparation for the semi finals and Pakistan. Another historic moment in sport. How wonderfully the entire nation simply stops functioning when events like this unfold. Traffic in the city was conveniently bearable - most of the motorists were snugged in to see the match on Tv. And there was a sudden hush during the entire day as the game progressed.

And now apprehensions and nerves begin to rattle, as we step into the semi finals and play Pakistan at Mohali.

Life never stops for any situation. Wonderment and fear of today … and when it passes, the improbables for the next phase begin ; another challenge another frontier to conquer. And on and on we go. The cycle of time never ending or stopping. We look and prepare for today with great resource and will. And no sooner is it over than we begin to fret and worry about what should be coming next ! I do. The days work is over, but immediately we ask what is next. Sometimes it comes to insure us of a job the next day. Sometimes the keenness to have sufficient time to prepare. And invariably both seem to work best for all !

I am late today. And a late bed could disturb the equilibrium of our fate and destiny for the next day. So I shall beg excuse and hope that sufficient time is devoted the next day to overcome the complacency here today ..

My love for all,

Amitabh Bachchan

News bigadda

More love than most more dedication than ever BigB

Jalsa , Mumbai    Mar 23 , 2011    Wed  10 : 59 PM

I shudder at having caused more than what was intended in my post of the previous day. I was in context, but for reason that shall remain within and not exposed to the general, I shall become incognito. At times, and times are indeed not always conducive to expression, it is sufficient for to incur direction, regardless of whether it shall find its desired home. I value free expression and if it shall ever be challenged it would demote aspirations and ambition. Ambitions not for personal aggrandizement, but in a terminology that would envelop all. To be specific, if public domain and platform are entranced, then accept what could be exited. For both aspects shall present themselves in a manner that shall be seen, observed and commented on.

The fear among us all is the fear of repulsion, repugnance and disgust. We can accomodate failure. We can most certainly have liberal residence for success. But abomination and distaste are not replaceable. They remain unbearable in odious smell - beyond the singe of colgate pax ! Drive away from such lingered molecules of early morning odor. Splash your face with the freshness of the cold tap. Wipe away with toweled ingenuity the smallest strain of left overs. Lift spirit and head among the winds of challenge each moment and you shall find energised in itself the required impetuous.

I spent a promised afternoon over lunch with a group of winners for a campaign which works for the needy and the under privileged. It announces itself by ‘The Joy Of Giving’. People who have excess share the spill over with those that need it. I was part of that campaign that raised funds for the poor. There were options, I came out victorious in the eyes of those that worked for it. And so I spent time with them and their questions, a majority of which wished to know how and why I worked still. And the other of the incessant need for the young to share and respect and devote time and care for the aged ; ostensibly for their own.

In debates that touch upon these issues, the obvious East vs West comes galloping through. Their dispassionate look over the family system versus our compassionate legacies of several generations. It is but an absorbing tale and one that I propagate in favor of ours rather than theirs. But then each have their own versions and reasons, and I do welcome them. But only in debate, not in practice. I shall devote time and energy to my elder. I will not discard them to the realms of homes. Their home is mine as mine is theirs. Their right to be with us is as strong and resolute as ours to be with them. It is not dependency. It is as natural as the need to sleep in the hours of darkness at the end of a day. They held my little finger and walked me to my first candy store. They wonder if we would hold theirs to take them to their ultimate destination !

More love than most, more dedication than ever …

Amitabh Bachchan

” Elizabeth Taylor   RIP ”

Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan paired together after a decade

Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan paired together after a decade

By: Shaheen Parkar Date:  2011-03-23 Place: Mumbai

Jaya and Amitabh Bachchan at the shoot at Filmistan Studios yesterday

Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan faced the camera together after a decade, yesterday. It wasn't for a film but for a jewellery ad being shot at Filmistan Studios. 

While Jaya was styled by her fave designer duo Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla for the shoot, AB Sr stepped out in an international fashion label. The ad is directed by Prakash Varma.


The couple's last screen appearance was in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham in 2001.

They have done a social service campaign together but this is different. It will be the first time that both are endorsing a product.

What was most interesting for the Bachchans, was the string of coincidences awaiting them.

Explains the Big B, "The shoot happened at the same studio (Filmistan) where K3G was shot. On the same floor! The director of photography was Kiran Deohans who also shot K3G!"

Talk about life coming full circle!


FAMILY ADS
Amitabh and son Abhishek Bachchan featured in an automobile ad. Meanwhile, Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek are seen together in a bath soap commercial.


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