including today in particular for Shams, who celebrates her birthday tomorrow the 9th . Happy birthday Shams

Jalsa , Mumbai     Sept  8 , 2011      Thu  11 : 30 PM

Was to work today … cancellation .. and another off day to recover from ailment … but work just springs out of the woodwork and BAM ! .. before long we are in the thick of it, not knowing when it all began and when it shall end ..

Shobhaa De, the eminent writer and columnist, sent across a gentle lady to take my views on ’sanskaar’ and its power in the lives of us as Indians. How does one really begin to describe what ’sanskaar’ means to an audience that does not understand the language. I have no word for it in the language that you now read … I know that I was fortunate to have possessed the virtues of ’sanskaar’ from my family and I hope and pray that generations after me shall, within the family, continue with them.

I am asked how does one develop them, where did they go with the present generation, have we lost them in changing times, how important are they to us in our social standing. I have nowhere to go to explain such questioning. I have not deliberately been given lessons on the subject and neither has there been a concerted effort by anyone, particularly my parents and family, to formally teach me what this aspect of living was all about. But … I observed that when elders entered the room, the young stood up in respect. I observed that the heads of family and those that were given honor and pride of place were the ones that you with regard and servility, touched their feet for their blessings. In a restaurant with my Mother for coffee, I was corrected by her when I stared at an outsider unknown, with more than deliberate intent. A fleeting glance was considered a more aesthetic manner of behavior. I noticed that the ‘ji’ was to be more respectful than a ‘tu’ .. though in some languages of the country the ‘tu’ is considered a more endearing term.

Opening doors for ladies, ushering them on before you, pulling out their chairs and seating them at tables, sitting down after they were seated .. were perhaps more to do with manners and perhaps a kind of discipline that we were initiated into, but does it come under the realm of ’sanskaar’ …? I wonder !

A well mannered attitude was considered as possessing a good ’sanskaar’. How one behaved in public, how one delivered within the morals of agreeable society, was more to do with ‘in possession of good sanskaar’.

I cannot put my finger to a moment when I was taught it - sanskaar ! It was something that simply one acquired over time. Something that was unspoken and unsaid yet said and spoken of. You either had it or you did not. If I am responding to the sms or messages on the mobile and the laptop with a certain degree of promptness, it may not be considered as an act of correctness and discipline, but certainly would go down in the mind of the receiver as an act that emanates from ‘achche sanskaar’.

If I have spoken or written about incidents that have been memorable and of relevance to me in this blog, and they have found some patronage among a few, it is not coming from ’sanskaar’. It is what I picked up from my Father or Mother as a lesson to learn from. To equate it to ’sanskaar’ would not entirely be correct. That I have felt the lesson important enough to work by it and abide with it, could well be termed as one that has a certain ’sanskaar’.

There is however a concern about the changing trends in our society. The oft repeated refrain is, that this generation has not kept up the ’sanskaar’ they should have. Maybe maybe not. Each generation has its own view point and morals and methods of what it thinks to be morally right. They may not agree with mine, but I would, if ever I were to be confronted, give reasonable license to cover the decade change that we have now come to accept. Provided those that asked for it came forward for it in the spirit of understanding and more importantly understood the lasting fact that liberations in behavior does not give them the license to compromise with their ’sanskaar’.

There may be reasonable argument against this as well. Fair enough. But that is the precise understanding that I talk of. Each parent may have a different point of view. And if they are liberal enough to accept the natural change in the decade, then they must also accept the natural exigencies that may occur with the generation that has just stepped into a world where they may not be too willing to accept what has remained with them in the past. Change is a natural equation for progress and development. Not just in the material sense, but also in the manner in which life conducts itself. Yes the youth shall bring about another aspect and we must learn to respect that, but within the boundaries of a ’sanskaar’ that was imbedded in us as the young. Those shall remain - should remain !!

You are polite and generous to the contestants that arrive on the HotSeat in KBC ! Yes I am ! I am so because to me my little technologically proficient region of the KBC set is my home. When you come and sit by me you have entered my home and I shall treat you with the politeness and generosity that I would any other that would come to Jalsa. This is not habit or good manners, well maybe it is, but ideally it would be referred to as being in possession of good ’sanskaar’.

My genetic body tells me to rest now … my mind wishes to stay back with you …’sanskaar’ does not come in here. But if I were to end today by not acknowledging your presence and wishing you well, it would go down as not ‘having good sanskaar’ …

Good night then and may all of you be safe and well looked after … including today in particular for Shams, who celebrates her birthday tomorrow the 9th . Happy birthday Shams … and may you continue to be your delightful self as ever !!! Love

Amitabh Bachchan

Life and nature have many different ways of expressing themselves Big B

Jalsa , Mumbai          Sept 7,  2011            Wed 11 : 50 PM

Before all else,  it is sad to note that Mrs Karen’s Father passed away today and we at the blog and in the Ef family extend our deepest condolences .. prayers with you and your loved ones ..

Life and nature have many different ways of expressing themselves .. there is the acceptance of great enthusiasm at what we would in normal circumstances call ‘job well done’. And simultaneously there is the regret and shock of what man does to man .. not satisfied with this, nature or Mother nature wishes to express itself too and shakes its belly with thunderous appearance in and around the same center that has aroused consternation and temper, in the morning.

A regularity of this kind diminishes the faith in normal existence. There is no fear, just acceptance and a complacent look at all that goes about. Life and its frailties, uncertainties, keep reminding us from time to time that we are not and never shall be the masters of our own destiny, for just when we begin to assume that that is what our strength is, the earth shakes itself in disapproval and at the other end fills someone of us with a mind full of vengeance and destruction and death, without any gain or purpose. What guides them to this state. What incites them to take life away from another. How do they ever exist when they know that innocents that they may never have even seen or heard, shall be wiped out in one fell blow … and to what end ? I have no answers !!

I am indeed very disturbed at certain procedures that puts others suspected of wrong in confinement. I am disturbed and angry at the temerity of the operations that take away the lives of our own. And I am helpless in front of the wrath and anger of the elements, reminding us of its absolute presence when all else fails or lies dormant.

There is but one solution which I believe belies all else … it is the solution of work ! The heavens may break and slide away or down, the rivers may flood and destroy, the oceans may part not necessarily as per the Bible … but work within all this has a habit of destroying all else ! Some work for the need, others for the need of fulfilling a dream, and some for just work .. its manifestations being admitted as some that needs to be done just to be occupied.

I think one reaches a stage in life when all that he or she wishes is to be at work, irrespective of its value or meaning. There is no wonderment, no apprehension of the outcome, just a desire of being in an environment because there is an environment. It is a stage where nothing seems to amaze you, scare you or even distract you. You may never acknowledge the fact that certain aspects of our lives get built around by us and not necessarily to compliment us. It may well be the other way round. But by and large one reaches a stage when it would not matter. And that is the point that signals a point of no return. Many of us shall reach that destination and drift away, unaware of the fact that they are being drifted away in this sea of temptation not by your own choice but by the circumstances of life. Its acceptance is the most vital. I accept it not because I need for it to be vital. I accept it because it gives me the involvement of work. For, without it, there would never be the need for any thing else.

Small steps taken in any particular direction, need not necessarily be small. But … they must be firm and in firm belief ! Belief it is that shall become our guardians and our resolve. Without it all around us would look so pale and pallid ..

Love to all and in small but believed moments ….

Amitabh Bachchan

Amitabh Bachchan signs first Hollywood film

Amitabh Bachchan signs first Hollywood film  


New Delhi: After over four decades of contribution to Hindi cinema, Amitabh Bachchan is finally stepping out! At 68, he is ready to make his Hollywood debut with Baz Luhrmann`s ‘The Great Gatsby’, which has ‘Titanic’ star Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead.

Amitabh, who is lovingly called Big B in the Indian film industry, is the latest to join the cast of the romantic drama, along with Scottish-Australian actress Isla Fisher. He will play the role of Meyer Wolfsheim, said an official statement from Warner Bros Pictures.

The $125 million project is a 3D adaptation of the classic F. Scott Fitzgerald novel of the same name. The principal photography of the movie began this week in Sydney.

"Fitzgerald loved the movies and was a passionate believer in the power of cinema. `The Great Gatsby` has been adapted for the screen no less than four times. Fitzgerald`s story defies time and geography. The vision and the goal of our remarkable cast and creatives is to do justice to the deftness of Fitzgerald`s telling, and illuminate its big ideas and humanity. This is our challenge and our adventure," said Luhrmann, who made "Moulin Rouge", and used Hindi song "Chhamma chhamma" in it.

Other cast members for ‘The Great Gatsby’ include Tobey Maguire, Joel Edgerton and Carey Mulligan. The film also features newcomer Elizabeth Debicki. Luhrmann is happy to shoot in his native Australia.

"The opportunity to make the film in Australia with the Bazmark creative team is very important to us; the assistance from Screen Australia and the NSW Government has made that possible," he added.

The film will be distributed in 3D and 2D by Warner Bros Pictures and in certain territories by Village Roadshow Pictures.

A day of surprises a day spent at locations that haunted me in the early days of my struggle Big B

Jalsa , Mumbai      Sept  6 , 2011        Tue  11: 29 PM

A day of surprises .. a day spent at locations that haunted me in the early days of my struggle in this formidable Industry and film .. a location where many a memory of triumph fills you with emotion and pride .. a location where failure demoralizes the very spirit of existence … a location that inspires one to fight and reclaim lost ground .. a location that treats you with disdain, and within a spell welcomes you with servility and manner …

I am there with Jaya for the shoot of another version of the Tanishq jewelry campaign that had brought us together for this client and made great viewing among the trade when it was last released. The tone and tenor of this one too shall spell similarity with the one gone by, but hopefully shall add a little more.

The floor is freezing cold with the excessive airconditioning. And this is a vast contrast from the sets of KBC where we have been struggling with the cooling for days. Luckily the time of concert is winter and so that warm jacket and the scarfs around the neck are for once a welcome gift of apparel ..

It is Filmistan Studio and it is the place where I attempted to enter on many an occasion to seek a job and would get turned out by the gate keeper on arrival. But this is too the studio of ‘Nasseb’ and K3G and Black and millions of other glorious moments. The place and its environs have not changed at all. A few cosmetic changes have occurred, but the structures and the ambience have remained the same. In particular the semi open aired canteen which made the most delicious sugar on toasts, the only meal we could afford and the only place where we would get space to rest our struggle worn body. There are identifiable faces that man the doors of the studio floors. They have aged beyond recognition, but still man the same doors, with that same welcome smile and affection, only now I notice a certain reserve within them of embarrassment, a withdrawal as I step in and greet them. They - with the wonder whether I still recognize them. I - with the wonder to still find them at their posts after all these years !!

When I shake their hand or put my arm around their shoulder in affection they seem to almost melt in humility wondering whether I show them respect or sympathy. They have lived in this temperament throughout. I do not blame them for being thus. For they could not have been any other. They are simple souls. Their simplicity to me is their greatest strength, content as they are in this their final and perhaps ultimate post.

With love and affection and a healthy and good night .. for tomorrow is another day …

A day when we shall wish Renate a very happy birthday today before we go there .. love and happiness always to you ..

Amitabh Bachchan

Reeham .. !! Many happy returns of the day ! May you remain ever happy and prosperous

Jalsa , Mumbai      Sept  5,  2011          Mon 11 : 30 PM

Reeham .. !! Many happy returns of the day ! May you remain ever happy and prosperous, may all your troubles be shared and over. May the grace of your affection spread among all the EF, and may you forever be with smile and love … Happy birthday  !!!

As I sit down for my daily ritual at my laptop, I register that I have only just returned from a rather tough and tiring day at KBC. Fulfilling but tough. The show format is a given and cannot be changed, but the quality of those that come with immense expectancy on the Hot Seat in front of me, are made of sterner stuff. They are the true India that we seldom get to see. They have principles, humbleness, grit and dignity despite their most unlivable conditions. They have a smile on their faces and a hidden emotion within. They are self respecting and determined. They have pinned their hopes and desires on this one moment in their lives and they are confident of achieving all that life has to offer them.

My admiration for all of them increases by the day. Theirs is not a story of weak elements, of despair and the reality of grim situations. Theirs is the life well lived in hardship. A life they dream of changing each day. Some of them have waited for 10 years in the hope that one day they shall make it. And when they do, they are unable to control their burst of emotions. How much it has meant to them to be in a situation where they get an opportunity to compete with their knowledge - one that they may have also acquired at great price - is astonishing !! They are the ones that make this show so desirable and wanted, for they know, that in this opportunity of theirs lies greater talent, greater wisdom and greater creations !!

I cringe at the thought of the atrocities that many face, as a result of this disproportionate existence. But I also value deeply the effort and perseverance of those that struggle ; those that have no record of parentage, of their education and the practical process of their lives, steeped in poverty and want, but dignified in their want.

Tomorrow I work with Jaya in continuation of our campaign for Tanishq the jewelry store. And after that it shall be back to KBC and more  …

My health improves, but gradually. I cannot say that it has deteriorated, or gone slack and beyond improvement. It has not. But its nagging presence in the system has indeed kept us all alive and kicking …whether for the good of humanity, or the upliftment of those that have lost opportunity ..

The smile on those that have perhaps never had any reason to do so .. is a self winding machine. They sometimes do not admit it for fear of embarrassment, or derogatory talk within. They have had ample time and space to bring about a resolution to this issue …

I shall rather wait for them, than act rashly towards ..

Love to all ~

Amitabh Bachchan