Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Big B Promo of PAA Movie

Prateeksha, Mumbai November 7, 2009 Sat 11 :58 PM

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25 Days to PAA

It has been gratifying to read the trade papers talk rapturously of the promo of PAA and to observe the kind of interest and comment that the 60 seconder has generated. I have not seen this happen often enough to me, but I do believe that there still exists in our fraternity of dedicated creative people, a sense of joy when they see something of value. There is and there shall always be a situation where rivalry will exist. But I believe healthy rivalry adds to any situation. It enhances rather than depletes and for that we must acknowledge when we witness another’s success and achievement.

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The people then that interview and take comment as above. These are just random impressions. The day evolves as a project. An exercise in patience and strength. Of giving answers to them that ask the same questions, but who have the confidence that when it is projected by them it will be different. This is the spirit I admire and like and for that I remember a few on blog today.

I had an interesting meet today with a member of INDIA TV, a prominent and top rated channel. They document the tragic occurrence of 26/11 and wish that I do a voice and commentary for it. We shall be discussing that in the time to come, but what was of deep interest to me was their invitation to join a select collection of individuals that shall be responsible now in forming what they believe is a body of editors and men and women from society, that would play ombudsman to content on the electronic medium. They informed me that for a couple of years there had been talks amongst themselves on how the standard of news and views could be brought to a level of dignity and respect and that the formation of such a body of people would monitor and control the quality of the product that was going out into the world.

I found this self confessional, brave and full of rectitude. And if they really meant what they were expounding then there is faith and hope amongst those that control the conscience of the nation. I would certainly honor this effort and would happily contribute towards this most necessary and just cause.

There is travel now for another cause and hopefully when it is concretized I should be able to apprise you of it. Till then …

It is love and more and much more …

Amitabh Bachchan

Bigb bagadda

PAA releasing December 4th 2009

London, UK November 10, 2009 Tue 7 : 32 AM/ London time

23 Days to PAA releasing December 4th 2009

Aaahhhh !! the relief !! Just finished all the responses to the previous day and would you believe it the pain has ‘dis appea red’ !! Golly !! Now Fm Xt have better reason to accuse me for not responding to them. Sometimes we axe our own feet do we not …

Will rush now for morning formalities and quick breakfast - the first media starts at 8.30 AM and then there is travel to Sky or BBC studios maybe, I don’t know what they have lined up, but its up and down to Hotel and out again …

Thank you all for your generosity in wishing me well for my shoulder and for the film PAA…

I never have sufficient words to encompass all that it means to me to be looked after so well by my dearest and kindest FmXt.

Love you ssooooooooo much and then a little more …

Amitabh Bachchan

London, UK November 9, 2009 Tue 4 : 04 AM

24 Days to PAA

There must be some mental technology that works effectively for sleep inducement. Do let me know if it exists, for I was desperately looking for one early this morning in order to extend my stay on the pillow and under the duvet.

As is the norm when you travel out west, the eyes open up to the morning at that unearthly hour of 3 AM and then, despite all efforts to continue in slumberland, you find yourself running out of subjects that would take you back to sleep infested lethargy. I tried a few, but failed. It would not obviously be prudent to share those with you, but suffice to say that they were … well … never mind !!

Getting up the changed face page and reporting back on how the promotions were going, took up most of what was left of a morning desperately in need of some more rest, but …

The shoulder pain was so excruciating that even after the drugs it made me wince on certain actions. So the next best was to rush off to a medical store to see if there could be another alternative cure. Roy Bell and Croydon, I think it is, that stores many facilities other than medication which help in general upkeep. And it was here at the behest of a lovely sales lady Nana from the land of Georgia, ex Soviet Union, that relief came. They now have a wonderful gadget that when stuck on to the skin and connected to electricity, sends waves of stimulating current to affected area and the rush of blood to the region helps cure the pain.

After a sample test the equipment was bought and it shall be used with some diligence in the future. Pain must be the one commodity that generates the maximum attention for mankind, or well any living being. Pain requires immediate healing - physical or mental. And those that master the art of its cure are not just those who are blessed but those who can at times exploit the medium for personal or general gain.

The medical profession prospers at will on the basics of pain. Doctors and hospitals are built around its eradication. Mental pain has given birth to various outlets that profess their absolute ability in removing it through discourse and temperament. Pundits of psychology and all other kinds of ‘chology’ explode their versions of cure from books and long arduous discourses through private and public mediums. The millions of followers that congregate is testimony of the belief that these exponents of ‘tandav’ execute. And the beauty is that some of them actually work.

And it is pain today that brings me to London to participate in the charity Foundation for head injuries, initiated by HH the Maharaja of Jodhpur, more commonly known as Bapp ji by those near and dear to him. A reception and dinner is kept at the Banqueting Hall, opposite 10, Downing Street, the Prime Minister’s residence, in an elegant regal ambiance.

Bapp ji’s only son ShivRaj had an unfortunate fall from his horse while he played polo, suffered severe head injury and through careful and gracious care has now recovered almost 80%. But there are millions that do not have the means or the facility to afford treatment from those that serve the people that go through this unfortunate tragedy. In the USA the figure is 1 in 200 that perish. In India it is 1 in 6. Some thousands lose their lives every hour in India and with the projection of India having more automobiles than the US within a couple of years, the fear of greater accidents does not abate. For a Foundation to now work towards this most needed and necessary cause was most laudable and Jaya and I decided to participate in it.

The evening was full of social and genuine royalty. The decor was Rajasthani as were the dresses and turbans of those that served. The food was Indian and relished by all. I left just as soon as the auction was to begin and the dancers from the Indian Film Industry were going to take over the dance floor. Bappji, HH Jodhpur and owner of the unique architectural marvel, the Umaid Bhawan Palace, was gracious and warm in his hospitality. He surprised me by mentioning to my seated neighbors the extremely exciting features of my upcoming movie PAA , prompting me to spend the rest of the evening, alternatively describing the film to Bianca Jagger and Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York.

Tomorrow is another marathon run with the media and then home for more promotions.

But only if excessive sleep is induced before that …

Love you

Amitabh Bachchan

BigB Bigadda

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Katrina Kaif is a modern day marvel Amitabh Bachchan

Katrina is a modern day marvel: Amitabh Bachchan  

New Delhi, Nov 7 (IANS) Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who caught up with actors Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif on the sets of reality show "Bigg Boss 3" recently, is all praises for the latter and says she is a "modern day marvel".

"Katrina is a modern day marvel. From a non-Hindi speaking young shy and uncertain lady of �Boom', she has grown and grown to become one of the most desired actresses in our fraternity," Amitabh posted on his blog bigb.bigadda.com.

While Amitabh hosts the reality show, Ranbir and Katrina had appeared to promote their film "Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani", which released Friday.

"They (Ranbir and Katrina) were charming and involved and sweet. Ranbir as you all know is related to me. His cousin - Rishi Kapoor's elder sister's son is married to Shweta, my daughter.

"I wished them happiness and success," he said.

In the meanwhile, Amitabh is himself busy charting the marketing plans of his forthcoming movie "Paa", being touted as his best work so far. He plays a 13-year-old suffering from progeria, a rare disease which causes premature ageing. 

Amitabh Bachchan felicitated at Mumbai film fest

Amitabh Bachchan felicitated at Mumbai film fest  

Mumbai, Nov 6 (IANS) Organisers of the 11th Mumbai Film Festival have given megastar Amitabh Bachchan a Lifetime Achievement award for completing 40 years in the entertainment industry.

Receiving the award from Bollywood actress Preity Zinta, Bachchan Thursday evening thanked the noted directors who recognised his talent and the Mumbai Academy of Moving Images (MAMI) for giving him the award.

"I am thankful to every director like Manmohan Desai and Yash Chopra who helped me pave my way to where I am today. I am also thankful to MAMI for this honour," said Big B.

His oeuvre ranges from rib-tickling comedies to tearjerkers to subtle, nuanced performances in art-house films. It can be said without doubt that there is nothing in acting that Bachchan hasn't tried.

"I have given almost two-thirds of my life to the Indian film industry. I remember in 1968 I had appeared for a screen test whose result never came out. Then in 1969 director Khwaj Ahmad Abbas gave me a break in his film 'Saat Hindustani' and my journey started," added Bachchan.

Veteran Bollywood actor Dev Anand's production house Navketan Films was felicitated for completing 60 years.

The prize distribution ceremony started with Mumbai Young Critics Jury Award, which was given to "Whisper With the Wind" directed by Sahram Alidi.

After a weeklong exposure to international cinema, 20 young critics viewed 27 movies from the two categories, International Competition and Above the Cut. After watching and re-watching the selected films, and with constant discussions, arguments and debates, "Whisper With the Wind" was finally selected.

In the category of Dimension Mumbai Competition, the Silver Gateway of India award was given to "Sagar Setu" directed by Chandni Arora and Archana Phadke. 

Silver Gateway of India for the Second Best Film in Dimensions Mumbai-Short Film Competition was given to "Mumbai Lego" directed by Sahil Shah. 

Bollywood director Yash Chopra and lyricist Prasoon Joshi awarded the Golden Gateway of India award to the director of "Dominic Murphy".

Danish actress Paprika Steen won the Silver Gateway of India award for the best actress for her performance in the film "Applause".

Greek director Theo Angelopoulos won the International Lifetime Achievement award. His film "The Dust of Time" closed the fest.

The audience choice award went to Amit Rai's "Road to Sangam".

Friday, November 6, 2009

BigB recieves lifetime achievement at 11th Mumbai Film Festival Party

Big B recieves lifetime achievement at MAMI closing ceremony

Event: 11th Mumbai Film Festival Party

Celebrities: Imtiaz Ali, Abbas Mustan, Preeti Zinta, Rahul Dev, Rituparna Sengupta and Shreyas Talpade
Venue: JW Marriott, Juhu, Mumbai
Date: 5th November, 2009
Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan displays his lifetime achievemet award to the audience as Bollywood actress Priti Zinta stands with him at the 11th Mumbai film festival closing ceremony in Mumbai