I had driven to the premier of Deewar at the Minerva Cinema Big B

I had driven to the premier of Deewar at the Minerva Cinema Big B

Jalsa , Mumbai     June  23 , 2011    Thu  11:54 PM

I had driven to the premier of ‘Deewar’ at the Minerva Cinema and on reaching the location was greeted by the loudest cheer I had ever heard in my short public career ! That was in the 70’s.

I walked out today from the Cinemax Theatre at Andheri after a press conference to release the ‘go meera go’ song for #BHTBaap, into the Infinity Mall, to a reception and cheer that I had last heard at the Minerva during the 70’s. There have been many occasions, of visits and excitement - Kolkata, West Indies, South Africa, Mauritius … and they have all been extraordinary … but tonight at the Infinity Mall … goodness, it was back to the old days. The tiers of mass audience inside, their screams drowning the dubbeat of #BHTBaap, and the tears swelling up inside me .. just uncontrollable !! Thank you Mumbai and thank you for making me feel so wanted … I simply cannot get over the reception ..

The ‘Go Meera Go’ song will be on air now, since we have premiered it to the media. I think thet are trying to put it out by the Saturday or Sunday. Simultaneously of course it shall be on the net and you could let me have your comments.

There has been a distinct reference often to the other film release on the same day -’Delhi Belly’. And those that wish us well have wanted me to conduct our promotions with a keen eye on that. I have been patiently reading and listening to their comments and have just this to say. We make films in this very homogenous industry not to compete or destroy or wage war with our compatriots. Destroying one would jeopardize the very base we exist on. All products should do well, all should succeed. In the success of all, do we have the success of an individual. Our desire is that all films do well and I would not wish any other for anyone else. I wish that we both succeed and prosper. In our joint prosperity, lies the future prosperity of the industry. Aamir and his production company are much bigger than me and my AB Corp, in commercial standing. We are a small budgeted film of 10 cr, from a group of artists that do not compare equally with the cast and starring of DB. They have spent 35 cr on their film. That would show the intensity of their investment. They would have to do a very large business to recover their money and they will, looking at the past record and the present standing that they have. We cannot be compared to them .. they are bigger than us .. and shall do bigger … leave it at that… if our film is liked it will fetch dividends, if not it will not .. simple and straight. We are not going to be able to make a rupee more by pulling down another. Each of us shall have our own merits and demerits, and so be it …

  

a few glimpses of the Mall and the press conference with Abhishek .. and it is difficult to put these up without the sound and the atmosphere … that would need imagination ..

More interviews tomorrow and perhaps a look at some of the final prints of the finished product .. its like delivering a baby … ironically !!

More tomorrow ..

Love,

Amitabh Bachchan

KAUN BANEGA CROREPATI 5 REGISTRATION KBC 5 REGISTRATION

KAUN BANEGA CROREPATI 5 REGISTRATION, KBC 5 REGISTRATION

The biggest TRP gainer and the biggest blockbuster Reality Show in the Indian Television history, Kaun Banega Crorepati 5 (KBC 5) is about to start and registration is open for that.

The upgradation in this session of Sony’s KBC 5 is that, the logo of this new KBC 5 includes new Indian Rupee Symbol.

The registration for Kaun Banega Crorepati 5 has started. The promotions can be seen inviting all viewers to register for the 5th round of Competition.

The procedure of registration is almost same as earlier one Competition question having four multiple choice answer options will be aired every day during the promotions of the Show beginning from May 27, 2011 for all landline telephone and mobile telephone subscribers.

In total seven questions will be asked during the First round Period and a total of 5 questions will be asked duringnthe First Idea round Period.

So keep watching Sony Entertainment Television Channel for the KBC 5 Registration Process. Check out for more details on SetIndia.com/kbc.

How KBC 5 Registration works?

Questions for KBC 5 on Sony
May 27th, 2011
You can register by answering the on-air question through an SMS or by calling on the IVR Number. The operator wise registration details of the numbers to be dialled for IVR and short code for sending SMS with the answer options are listed below:
SMS                            IVR
Operator Number Number Answer option
BSNL 52525         5052525 01, 02, 03, 04
MTNL 52525        5052525 01, 02, 03, 04
Idea     55456        55456      01, 02, 03, 04
Others 52525        NA           NA

All mobile holders can send in their SMSs to 52525. If you are an Idea subscriber, you can also send in your SMS to 55456. All registration through SMSs need to be in following format:

“KBC”. e.g.: If the correct answer to the question aired is “A” according to you, you are 21 years and 2 months old and are a male; you are required to send “KBC A 21 M”.

Big B's BBUDDAH HOGA TERRA BAAP a hit before release

Big B's BBUDDAH HOGA TERRA BAAP a hit before release

Enkayaar, Glamsham Editorial

In the present times when the films are falling like nine pins at the box office, BBUDDAH HOGA TERRA BAAP has already become a hit though it is going to release on 1st July. BBUDDAH HOGA TERRA BAAP has been made at the cost of Rs.10 crore, while the satellite rights for the film have been sold at Rs.13 crore making it a hit. The strategy of selling the film before its release for satellite viewing indeed is now assuming new dimensions as it ensures that the cost incurred in making of the film has been recovered, even though the film may or may not click with the audience.

It is after a long time that Big B returns to the silver screen as the main actor, after he had given up being the lead actor more than a decade ago and switched to character roles. BBUDDAH HOGA TERRA BAAP harks back to his image of the angry young man, now transformed as an angry old man. The flamboyance given to the character played by Big B is the talk of the town and it seems to be a strategic move, as there is a huge audience in the category above sixty years of age who has reconciled himself or herself to wither away slowly. But with Big B giving this age flamboyance through BBUDDAH HOGA TERRA BAAP, the producers would definitely hope that it would provide a trigger for the older generation to start living life in a new and energetic manner, and who knows may be it could lead to a new social change as well. In sync with this change of the image, Big B would also be riding a Harley Davidson in BBUDDAH HOGA TERRA BAAP and it could trigger flamboyant old people to emulate and buy the legendary bike and experience the joy of youth in old age.

Big B has also returned to BBUDDAH HOGA TERRA BAAP with his favorite co-star Hema Maliniwith whom he has given scores of hits including SATTE PE SATTA, NASEEB, BAGHBAN, VEER-ZAARA etc. Hema Malini in one of the pre-release meets had expressed the hope that may be somebody would give her a role akin to what Big B is doing in BBUDDAH HOGA TERRA BAAP, and why not after the release of this film, she can come up with a film titled 'Buddhi Hogi Teri Maa', after all, she has shown that she can play the character of spit and fire with chutzpah as she had done it in SHOLAY.

Indeed, BBUDDAH HOGA TERRA BAAP should be the trigger for the not so young in the country to pick up their life and enjoy it, as it is done in European countries, after all self pity and wallow leads to shortening of life. This film could open up a new territory of film viewing audience and more such films could be in offing and a new genre of film making could emerge in the world of Hindi cinema.

I haven't done action flicks in a while so I am happy doing it now" - Big B: Part 1

I haven't done action flicks in a while so I am happy doing it now" - Big B: Part 1

At almost 70, the original action hero is saving the world once again or let's put it this way - At almost 70, this man has mortality on his mind. Welcome Amitabh Bachchan aka The Angry Young Man who's just doesn't seem to age when it comes to 'action'. I meet my mentor, my inspiration at his office in Janak on the 3rd floor. As usual, I was at my ritual best. Alright, time to update you guys on my ritual. I've made this as a tradition now that every time I meet Mr. Bachchan face to face, I have to hand him over his previous interviews I've done in my London newspapers. It began four years ago in Yorkshire. Just like the many indestructible heroes, Big B has come back swinging in the ring yet again doing what he used to and does the best - punching and kicking the baddies. Mr. Bachchan just speaks what's in his heart and mind. When I say it, you won't believe it. But when 'Vijay' (his most famous screen name) says it, you know it's the truth. There is awesomeness to Mr. Bachchan's unabashed masculinity - the swirling gusts of aftershave, the shoulder-punching carousing or even more, who knows! Endurance is an essential part of his male code. His films too depict that in many ways. Dressed in his maroon track suit sipping his 'kahwa' with honey, he looked tough even though he was a bit down with cough and cold. I've always seen it in his eyes, yes, in Mr. Bachchan's eyes lay his strength. He garners it from there it seems. For Amitabh Bachchan, it's not about how hard you can hit, it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. It's about how much you can take. It's what I call the return of the 'angry young man' - the tag, the label he was given by a journalist back in the 70s. Some actors might have been intimidated by the prospect of stepping into a role in an 'action' movie made famous by the legendary Amitabh Bachchan. And the only person who can step in his shoes is Bachchan himself. Well, we're better off having you back Mr. Bachchan because nothing has changed, everything is the same, even the adulation - We are screaming and saying - We Love You Vijju! Go kick some bu** now. UK's Harrow Observer columnist and Bollywood Hungama's London correspondent gets you Arnold, Stallone, Clint, McQueen, Chan, Salman, Hrithik, Akshay all packed in one: Amitabh Bachchan. The 'Bbuddah' never ages! Part one exclusive only on Bollywood Hungama.

You've done more action than stunt choreographers may have in their film career. Almost every action hero fan knows the name Amitabh Bachchan. What they don't know is how the 'angry young man' tag originated?
Your community started it all. The line 'angry young man' was made up by a journalist back then. I've never contributed to it. I've never contributed to any kind of epithet. I'm just happy being an artist and doing my job. But I'm sure he must've felt that my name had to have a tag line. So all these lovely names and sentences that are constructed by the media, well, I'm living by it (smiles).

The line 'angry young man' was made up by a journalist back then

Sir you're taking our memories back to your alive and kicking days...honestly, did you remember your Agneepath, Hum, Mard, Sholay, Amar Akbar Anthony, Khuda Gawahdays? 
One doesn't work with this kind of intention that I must do this because I did this then. I'd like to treat every role according to the way it has been written and constructed by the director. Then they guide me and tell me how they want it. If there are certain additions that I want to do and if it is acceptable, then I do it. If there are things that I don't like, I share it with my director and come out with a solution. By and large, I would like to follow the captain of the ship and I don't follow what I have done in the past. Yes, I haven't done any action flicks since those days so I am happy doing it now.

I've seen this distinctive affinity that AB Corp has for subjects, stories or scripts, whatever you call ...diverse and never tried and tested before - Paa, Bbuddah… Hoga Terra Baap, will that trend continue Mr. Bachchan? 
We aren't making any deliberate effort to do that. If Paa and Bbuddah have happened to be never tried or tested then it is purely coincidental. A happy coincidence actually (smiles). I think it's wonderful to be able to have a bit of diversity in what we do. It lends a lot of credence to our work as professionals. Yes, it also adds a little to the profile of the company because we feel that we are ready to experiment with new ideas and thoughts. I don't think AB Corp goes out looking for something unique. If it happens and we feel that this is something that we'd want to associate ourselves with, and provided it is done within the kind of budget that is allocated then we go ahead and do it.

...but honestly, when you do action, does it take you back to your Coolie days? 
Well, there is always a fear of getting hurt and one is conscious about that. One takes precautions. I will not say that we weren't conscious of this earlier on. Even the incident in Coolie was something that was so a regular stunt. The day before the horrific incident, I had done a couple of stunts myself like jumping off the bridge on the train, from the running train on the trolley on the platform and that trolley moves down the staircase and I fall. All this and I never had a scratch. But one small punch up scene got me in deep trouble. You get hurt sometimes. It's a normal phenomenon but precaution is better than cure.

Your favourite action film from India and the overseas…
Oh gosh! I really cannot remember any. But some of the recent Hollywood flicks have some amazing stunts thanks to the technology. In fact we are in this profession where we sometimes wonder how it was done. Now of course, everything has become so transparent that we come to know what's CG and what's not. A common man wouldn't come to know.

Some of the recent Hollywood flicks have some amazing stunts thanks to the technology

So how did 'Sara Zamana' song happened with all the lightings and all? Must've been a revelation back then? 
'Sara Zamana' song was done in Kolkata at the Netaji Subhash stadium and we lit candles in the entire auditorium on the chairs. Then there was my dress that was a nightmare. It was electrically connected to 220V. We had to take a lot of precautions because the wiring had to be very intricate, the wires came out through the trousers stuck to the boots and from the boot it used to go to a plug really far away. We've recently done the same thing for Bbuddah too for promotions.

You have worked with so many film directors from Mumbai but what really makes a South Indian director different? I mean, isn't their description of action humorous? 
It's not a bad idea to make action look humorous. We are faking it in any case in front of the camera. But it's nice sometimes when you have a little 'take it away from the intensity' action (smiles). Many directors out here too have done that.

This is Abhishek Bachchan's film too as much as it is yours. What inputs did Abhi give in the making of Bbuddah? And did you both talk it out? 
Abhishek 'Ok'ed the idea of the story and of course the budgeting. He made sure that everything was done in the right budget. He gave his inputs in the marketing too, ideas for promotions and stuff like that.

Where the whole world is going gaga about 'action' I want to know more about your 'Jackson' moves sir. Spill the beans…How was it to shake a leg after 'Shava Shava'? 
(Laughs) Yes, it's been a long time since I shook a leg. Plus, age has also cropped up. I shudder at the thought of having to do a song. Once you have committed yourself, then I guess you have to give yourself in completely and you go along with what the choreographer has to say. But a lot of modern technology of how you shoot a song or an action sequences have taken care of a lot of concerns that we've had as far as performances are concerned. Everybody peps you up on the sets and your legs start to move instantly. I loved every bit of it. I was in the mood of dancing and doing action and as Puri rightly said, I couldn't just stop myself (laughs).

I am going to name one action star and you need to quirkily describe them in your own way: 

Arnold Shwarzenegger
He has a tremendous body. Great situations were written for him I feel. You know, to give that kind of look, dialogue and what he does. He is almost a super human. In Terminator, the action was the best.

Slyvester Stallone
I loved the entire Rocky series. How can anyone forget that? I loved every part and the makers made sure that all of them were one notch higher in action than the other.

Salman Khan
I saw Dabangg. It was a very well shot film and I liked what Salman did in it to justify his character. He was very good in Dabangg.

Akshay Kumar
Akshay has done many films with me. But he is known more for his 'Khiladi' series as far as action is concerned. He is very versatile in action too. He does all his stunts himself, he is very athletic too and I like that.

Jackie Chan
He is the only action hero who brings out the humour in his action. That's his forte and he is very good in it. But the comedian is always the more difficult thing to do. In the circus, the joker is the most talented person. Jackie is that joker.

Clint Eastwood
All his Western classics. For A Few Dollars More, The Good The Bad And The Ugly, etc. Those were cool movies. Then there was this movie where he was looking for some killer where he stalked him. I can't recall these names now even (laughs).

Hrithik Roshan
Hrithik in Krrish is the only action film I remember. He was good in both the parts.

Steve McQueen
Oh yes! The Great Escape. Did you see that movie? He was terrific in that. It was about the American prisoners of War and how they escape from a Nazi camp. Superb movie.The Magnificent Seven too. Almost everyone was a first timer in that film but look at the galaxy of stars in that film. After that, they all became huge stars in Hollywood. Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, etc were too good.

Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford and his series of films that he has done as Indiana Jones and then who can forget Star Wars?

Amitabh Bachchan
(Laughs) I don't know which action movie I should name but I think that the intensity in Deewar was quite strong. The funny part was that there was only one action scene in the film.
News BH

Big B congratulate Bachchan family on Aishwarya's pregnancy wishes Big B on Twitter

Bollywood stars congratulate Bachchan family on Aishwarya's pregnancy

As soon as Amitabh Bachchan disclosed the news of daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai's pregnancy on micro-blogging site Twitter, the Bachchans' fans started gathering outside his residence Jalsa. Reactions and congratulatory messages also started pouring in on Twitter and Amitabh Bachchan's blog.

Though the fans of Big B, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and her husband Abhishek, who gathered outside Jalsa, were a little disappointed as they failed to get a glimpse of the stars, they wished good luck to the would-be parents and grandparents.

Meanwhile, Bollywood stars have been congratulating the Bachchan family on Twitter since BigB broke the news on Tuesday night.

Actress Priyanka Chopra tweeted saying, "CONGRATS SIR @SrBachchan and @juniorbachchan...awesome news!! lets make way for the legacy to go forward..."

Actor Ritesh Deshmukh, who is also a good friend of Abhishek, expressed his joy. "Congratulations! Super Super happy," he tweeted.

VJ-turned-actor Sophie Chowdhury tweeted: "Congrats to soon to be dadaji @SrBachchan. Thrilled for @juniorbachchan and Ash. Much love and happiness to u all!!"

Actor Ranvir Shorey also tweeted his congratulatory message to the "happy couple".

An elated music composer Vishal Dadlani said: "Thrilled for @juniorbachchan, Ash, @SrBachchan and Mrs B. Some of the most wonderful people I know! God bless you."

Abhishek's Dum Maaro Dum co-star Rana Daggubati too congratulated the Bachchans. "@juniorbachchan is soon to be Daddy Bachchan. Congrats and lots of love," he tweeted.