Big B nervous, apprehensive about 'The Great Gatsby' shoot

Big B nervous, apprehensive about 'The Great Gatsby' shoot

New Delhi: Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan has flown down to Sydney to shoot for his first Hollywood project, Baz Luhrmann's 'The Great Gatsby', and says he is nervous and apprehensive.

The 69-year-old actor has joined the cast of the USD 120 million film along with Hollywood stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire.

"The shoot for 'The Great Gatsby' for Baz Luhrmann! Butterflies as large and as huge as the Transformers monsters in the film that I breezed through on the flight.

Apprehensions, as fearful as the raging thunder and lightening storm that broke over the Mumbai skyline just prior to my departure last night..." Bachchan wrote on his blog.

The actor who will join the starcast on the sets after a few days of preparation, also wrote that he feels like a beginner once again in front of the Hollywood stars.

"A few days of preparation before the actual shoot and then on to the floor among stars Leonardo di Caprio, Tobey Maguire and several others. A stranger among the giants of the International movie world, I feel as though I am starting off all over again," he said

Efficiency, professionalism, dedication and discipline would make any venture

Sydney, Australia      Oct 14 , 2011             Fri 10 : 00 PM Aus Time

Efficiency, professionalism, dedication and discipline would make any venture more than worthy of association ! To be but a part of that procedure would and should ideally be termed a blessed opportunity. I feel blessed today for the manner. Each day of a new and fresh experience enlightens the mind and spirit. It has been rewarding to be in the company of those that have mastered the art of presentation in a medium that also forms a vital part of my profession too, and I can only say that even though I am well past the age of learning and experience, there is still mountains to imbibe and conquer and educate ourselves with.

Quite obviously you have all guessed that I talk of my experiences on the studio and floors and production rooms of the film that I am here to shoot for, Baz Luhrmann’s ‘The Great Gatsby’, with Leonardo di Caprio, Tobey Maguire and Carey Mulligan and a host of other most prominent artists from all over the world.

It has been a delight to be associated with a production that must in my opinion and limited experience, be described as incredible. The sheer level of management to detail and correctness in every sphere is by itself an exercise in the ultimate. And why not. When history shall refer back to the effort made in restoring the contents of a literary work on film, they must indeed have the perfection of detail, if not anything else, in homage to the author.

It would require an entire chapter and many more to describe all that one experiences on such occasions, but it would be an infringement of contractual obligations if I were to indulge in them and hence what I am able to say without hesitation is that when I do get an approval of sharing my thoughts you and all the Ef shall perhaps be the first to listen in.

I am of course beyond jet lag now. The sheer power of being in such different terrains keeps me going, even though I must admit I did doze off on the make up chair today as I was readied for the shoot to take place in another two days. Some consolation then for the tired and weary calcinated oddities that form very useful parts of our bodies.

I am now in a state when I punch tabs out of sheer compulsion … and without meaningful heart ! The jet lagged state does this to me .. I must then end, for, writing without heart is no writing .. !!

With love to all,

Amitabh Bachchan

At final destination among familiar surroundings

Sydney NSW, Australia                Oct  13, 2011               Thu  10 : 10 PM AusTime

At final destination among familiar surroundings .. was here as you all know a few weeks back in August. But now its the real McCoy ! The shoot for ‘The Great Gatsby’ for Baz Luhrmann ! Butterflies as large and as huge as the Transformers monsters in the film that I breezed through on the flight. Apprehensions, as fearful as the raging thunder and lightening storm that broke over the Mumbai skyline just prior to my departure last night – a most sudden and unscheduled occurrence. Rain as strong and fiery as they would be during the peak of  the monsoons !! The Gods are angry as is the Earth for all that we pollute and burden it with !

A few days of preparation before the actual shoot and then on to the floor among stars – Leonardo di Caprio, Tobey Maguire and several others. A stranger among the giants of the International movie world, I feel as though I am starting off all over again. The first most vivid experience of the camera during my screen test, which no one ever saw or approved or discussed. The first time I was propelled into ‘action’ and the sound of the clap and sound running. All seems to be tonight, reminisced with some degree of nostalgia but also the fear of whether it shall all fall into place in front of a set up of which I know nothing at all. An outsider, a foreigner, an unknown !

And that my friends is the beauty of life and this business. The business of making make belief stories in make belief environments. There could never be anything more fascinating than what we encounter each day and hour of our film existence. Glory be !

I have travelled long and far and must now rest my weary bones, even though they have not, but have been moved, thousands of miles through thousands of feet in the air at speeds normally not attainable by mere mortals, to destinations which most of us hear and read about or at best in the early years touched through compasses on large geographical maps.

More of this adventure later in the hours to come … and the experiences of yet another realm in my life !

Good night and God bless …

Amitabh Bachchan 

I write in early today, for the night shall be rushed and perhaps in behavior a bit BlackBerryied

Prateeksha , Mumbai                                 Oct  12 , 2011                             Wed  5 : 52 PM

 …. and I write in early today, for the night shall be rushed and perhaps in behavior a bit BlackBerryied in its Asian shut down. Mr Satellite needs to mend its ways, move away from the perimeter of the sun and its heat, slither away from other planets and in particular other imitations … or is it the competition using unfair means to bulk up their product !! In todays complex world one never knows. Competition breeds so much inverse negativity within, it stuns us at times, how inventive these minds can become. What could perhaps have never been thought of gets thought of and before long we have fallen prey and devoured !

But at the end of the day quality pays. Sincerity pays. Honesty pays. It has to !

I travel again to distant land to indulge in distant creative acts, one that shall be a first. The apprehension of a new day already acute, doubles the concerns and worries. Why does it happen and what does one do to control its presence ? Nothing I guess. You just roll along and wait for time to resolve it. And so I wait !

I have not been able to get a minute to respond to all those that wish on sms and personal presence. The mobile is jammed, the BlackBerry has clammed and the mind … well .. just flows along hoping that there shall be reprieve soon. Hoping !!

To all the wonderful Ef that took the trouble to travel to Mumbai and to the house to greet and to meet and to gift and wish and show affection … what can one say ? It has been such a warm feeling of acknowledgement to this great medium and to the facilities it provides. Who ever did imagine that one day on DAY 1 there would be a response to my words of connect. And today as we slap the 1272 figure, the immense measure of its propensity suddenly dawns on you. I said most of yesterday that I was blessed to have been what I am, to have been born to my parents the way I was. Their design built me and their patronage guided me to where I find myself today. May we all grow in number and strength and in the wealth of our abilities to remain together in love peace and in harmony !

‘Gatsby’ beckons and I obediently follow. What shall transpire shall always be a mystery till it happens. One shall persevere and one shall make effort. The rest shall follow … hopefully !!

Love to all ..

Amitabh Bachchan

Gift on Amitji's Birthday 11 Oct 2011 by BigB Facebook Group

THANK YOU ALL FOR THE WISHES AND LOVE AND THE AFFECTION Big B

Jalsa , Mumbai              Oct 11/12 ,  2011              Tue/Wed  2 : 28 AM

THANK YOU ALL FOR THE WISHES AND LOVE AND THE AFFECTION .. NOTHING PLEASES ME MORE THAN WHAT YOU DO FOR ME .. NOTHING PLEASES ME MORE THAN TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE SO MANY OF YOU THAT SHOW SUCH LOVE AND CONCERN .. NOTHING PLEASES ME MORE THAN THE FACT THAT IT IS YOUR DEDICATED LOVE THAT KEEPS ME ALIVE AND MOVING ..

THANK YOU !!!

It has been a day when so much has gone through my mind. A day when during the frenzy of the multitudes of well wishers, the greetings and the flowers and the gifts of joy, I have often drifted away from all that unfolds in front my eyes to ponder within and wonder what it is that brings you to me, what it is that makes me so deserving of your affection … and even after all these years I struggle to find an answer. An answer that would without any excuse convince me of its veracity !

I have many a times considered asking this of you, but embarrassment and my own hesitations have kept me away. I shall never be able to address this to you. I shall never ever be convinced either, of what you shall eventually comment. But this I can say and say with utmost humility, if ever this were to be addressed to me in reverse, I would have many answers. Answers that I would be proud and confident to express, for they would only be the most exact and correct opinion of all those that have remained with me these entire years.

I have today the will and the desire and the wish to say just this and no more. When one is overwhelmed with emotion, one desires to stay quiet and within.

Amitabh Bachchan