In an age and generation when all reading is confined to the net and the mobile phone it is a pleasure Big B

Jalsa , Mumbai            Oct  30, 2011     Sun  10 : 47 PM

In an age and generation when all reading is confined to the net and the mobile phone it is a pleasure to be invited for the release of a book. And so I go and release it. I am not adequately prepared for it, for I have not read the book – my time constraints do not allow it. If I am the chief guest for the book release I should ideally have done so. That is my regret. The other regret is that the author asked me read a few passages from the book, but that is under contractual obligations too and cannot be done. So what exactly am I doing here. I shall tell you … I am keeping a commitment alive and honored ! Once a commitment, always a commitment. It does not matter if there is inadequacy, but at least there is the dignity of word.

Also … admittance to the shortfall or the un preparedness of the occasion if shared with those that come to share the evening with you, does not take away from you. I feel it should be admitted and done with once and for all. The load is over, the truth is told, now get on with other business. I did just that. It is a clearing of the mind and perhaps the soul too ..

So the F1 roared its way into India this afternoon. And what an impact it has made in just one day. Over 100,000 at the tracks and an event that managerially went off with as much precision as did the winner of the day, Vettel. Suddenly and not surprisingly too, all eyes and attention drifts towards the Buddh Racing Track, to advertisers, only riding these powerful machines, and the media both print and electronic gushing over the event and its magnitude. Change gets accepted so rapidly when change is the by word. The country is getting inundated with fresh thoughts ideas happenings and seems to be well on its way of acquiring global recognition, at last. What was considered an impossibility is now a reality. The nay sayers, bully and belch inanities, but the strong and durable, muzzle them away. The world today talks of India so often in almost every class of conversation. The quantum leaps we make are tough and often with criticism. But fact and its outcome weigh beyond all other. If you want to be up there among the leaders, that frog leap is the only solution. It may be dismaying to leave behind a vacuum, but when has there ever been a situation of rapid acceleration without the remains of a space which needs to be filled up. Or maybe just ignored and left undone. This vacuous space could be a blessing too. Ironically or maybe coincidentally as we talk of the F1, does not the speed of the leader create that vacuum behind him as he accelerates away. And does not the smart follower behind, get into that space to be sucked along without any effort on his part at all … !! So even if we create vacuums, let us drive close by in the ‘drag’ area so we can harness ourselves to the speed of the one that is ahead of us … and then in one final thrust when it is time, push the juice and overtake  … !!!

I wait patiently for that moment …

Love to you and more ..

Amitabh Bachchan

Jackpot for office worker on "Kaun Banega Crorepati"

Jackpot for office worker on "Kaun Banega Crorepati"

An office worker too poor to own a television set has won an unprecedented $1 million on TV game show "Kaun Banega Crorepati".

Sushil Kumar's win this week drew comparisons with the plot of 2008 Oscar-winning film "Slumdog Millionaire" and, like its fictional protagonist Jamal, the 27-year-old also watched the TV show as an escape from penury.

This is the first time a contestant has won a million dollars on the popular TV show hosted by Amitabh Bachchan. The episode will be broadcast next week and Kumar takes home 3.5 crore rupees (about $720,000) after tax.

Kumar, who watched the show at a neighbour's house because his family was too poor to afford a television set, said he had not made any grand plans for the money, a fortune in a country with a per capita income of $1,265.

"I'm going to repair my house, fulfil a few basic needs and then move to Delhi to study for the civil service exams," he told Reuters in a telephone interview.

Kumar works as a computer operator in a government office in the impoverished eastern state of Bihar and earns 6,000 rupees (around $120) per month.

"Our house has almost broken down and we have a lot of loans that have to be repaid," he said.

"If it hadn't been for this money, I would have gotten old before I sorted out my life."

"I've been getting a lot of suggestions about what to do with the money, but right now I can only think about my dream of getting through the civil services exam," he said.

"Slumdog Millionaire", shot in the teeming slums of Mumbai, tells the story of a young orphan who wins the TV game show against all odds.

(Editing by Tony Tharakan; and Louise Ireland)

After distributors baulked at the idea, Amitabh Bachchan

No longer a 2-day affair

By: Subhash K Jha

Date:  2011-10-30

Place: Mumbai

After distributors baulked at the idea, Amitabh Bachchan, who had a guest appearance in RGV's Department, will now spend two weeks shooting for his role of gangster-turned-politico

Ram Gopal Varma's friendship with the Big B is the industry's best-kept secret. Varma is perhaps the only man in the fraternity, who can get away with murder as far as Bachchan goes. Which is why, we are not surprised to learn that a cameo in Varma's new film Department, which required only two days of shooting, has now turned into a full fledged role that will require Bachchan to dedicate at least two weeks. 


"Initially, Ramu conceived Bachchan's role as that of a gangster-turned-politician, based on Arun Gawli, with a phantom presence through the film. Audiences would have seen him in silhouette and would have just heard his voice. But then that was seen as a commercially weak proposition," says a source.

Apparently, the film's distributors baulked at the idea of the Big B as a shadowy presence. That's when Varma invented the zany, rustic, anachronistic gangster which is a bit of a cultural anomaly. "The role demands that Bachchan wear a dhoti and bright socks. With glares and a desi bearing, this will clearly be the most outlandish look he has ever sported," added the source.

Apparently, the actor helped Varma select the 'look', although it didn't quite match the superstar's taste. Varma said the look is inspired from research that proves that most gangsters aspire to better their social standing.

"Amitji is playing a gangster-turned-politician. All gangsters end up rolling in money, but aren't really comfortable with what to do with it. I loved the idea of putting Bachchan's character of an uneducated and unsophisticated man in an environment in which he isn't comfortable.The entire film is based on the conflict between Bachchan, Rana Daggubati and Sanjay Dutt. We have a fortnight of shooting left," said Varma.
News mid-day

If possible refrain explosion. But if it travels beyond tolerance and limit

If possible refrain explosion. But if it travels beyond tolerance and limit

Jalsa , Mumbai    Oct  29/30,  2011        Sat/Sun  12 : 28 AM

 If possible refrain explosion. But if it travels beyond tolerance and limit, explode and explode full in intensity ! Do not smoke, smoking is harmful, but if you do then smoke the best. Drink if you must, but if you can afford it drink the finest.

I do not smoke, do not drink, do not eat meat, do not take Indian sweets, no cake, no pastries, no toffees, no paan bahar or paan, no coffee no tea no cola, no ice cream. Nothing religious or health related. Just …

Not testing will power either, nor wanting to prove any point. I just do it and none shall behold the reason for such. Perhaps as I grow older and the memory cells begin to spin out, I may need to put it down somewhere for posterity. I may need to put down a lot for posterity, though I am not certain if I shall – many of the experiences which to me seem indifferent and uninteresting, are enjoyed by others. I could consider doing things for others, but there may be reservations in that too. But why should it be disclosed. Why the reasons behind all that is unknown. Why ??

I suppose many coerce me to put it all down officially. A book, an autobiography. Hah !! That would be such an audacity on my part. I love the reading of others tales, their lives and how they lived it. To even suggest that others would have similar interest in mine would quite obviously be a great travesty of my modesty. Or would you rather state it as ‘immodesty’. They both sound equally, as though they know what I am meant to mean. I make comedy of my expressions ! There is hidden mirth in there. A desire to be smart and in possession of a seemingly intelligent action ! Ho Ho Ho !! Laughter overcomes my intellect. Really ? Intellect did I say ? Whoever said that or thought it so, must be one deprived of any sensibility ! But sensibilities seldom attack writers of the dis eminence of ‘yours truly’. Ah !! well ! we shall await final judgement on that perhaps later after the responses fly in. Do justice to it, please .. I implore !!

I am but smitten with the intellect of those that profess they have none. I am beholden to those that come across me and give me more than I can ever educate myself with. I am but a name that became of importance on the results of another’s making. My own is of limitations. I portray that, which others believe should be portrayed, in a manner which they discover and invent. I never manufacture, never invent. I follow invention. My craft has been tutored to follow, and follow to the best of ability. That is it !

I write and speak yes, but of what I believe and feel. It is not historic or of any value. I speak officially to a mass, but not with intent of speaking, but to perform. To perform a duty, or at most an obligation. But if that shall be taken as literature, or aesthetic writing, then they that do so are the foolish of highest orders. They make themselves unaware of fact from fiction. They suppose. I oppose. I desist. They insist !!

But I shall be victorious if there was to be battle. Not because of any personal strength, but because of my insistence to be away from any participation. When you participate, you commit, you open flanks ! That is where all the truth shall prevail. For that is not written for you, enacted for you, deliberated for you. That is that traveller in the lost deserts of the wild and vicious Sahara – without food, shelter, water or shade and no oasis …

Accolades come and go. That is their nature. But accusations persist once they begin. Accusations have a life larger and better groomed than accolades. Accusations are flowery in word and at times in deed, if correct. They bring the varied colors of the ill will and unsubstantiated falsehood. They have the ability to be meatier and perhaps of better taste. They live longer, add tributaries to themselves without asking. They seemingly flow with the rush of the stream that claims to be of some distinct purity. They shine and shower themselves with the cleanliness of time.

Truth, if ever spoken or deposited, would be insipid and uneventful. Tasteless and morose, without any reflective glory of showmanship. It would be it and that is it ! Dull quiet and almost soundless ! The cacophony of the untruth is so wild and full of decibels that these gentle little tinkles of the bell will hardly ever be heard. Which is why truth sits silent. Almost in despair, but most valid and secure in appearance.

I will not justify. I will not cringe on the untruth. But I shall set fire to it within and I shall hope that its flames overwhelm me, pour out above innocent countenance and be seen as a burning flame in its blue flamboyant glow, even in the hours of the dark …

Those that dare to come within it shall duly burn and be vanquished … those that do not, shall ever enjoy the glow from distance. It shall be as pretty as ever. Burning yes, but not inviting in its beauty, but almost threat like spread invitation to come closer and learn that the glowing beauty has the requisite qualities to commit you to ashes … forever !!

Amitabh Bachchan

Greetings for Bhai Dooj the festival and ritual for the bonds that exist between a brother and sister

Jalsa , Mumbai    Oct  28,  2011       Fri  11 : 21 PM            

Greetings for Bhai Dooj .. the festival and ritual for the bonds that exist between a brother and sister ! The sister asking for protection and the brother willingly promising her his immense love in doing so. Presents are exchanged, greetings and prayers are conducted and sweets are fed to each other. Raksha Bandhan in reverse almost. On rakhi the sister tying that sacred thread on the brothers wrist, the brother gifting not just his love and protection but also giving the sister a token gift of that enduring affection. On bhai dooj,similar sentiment but now the sister gives a gift of her affection and love to the brother !

So strong and valuable our sentiments for the conduct of our family system. The togetherness, reliance and sense of being one and remaining so. A culture advanced in its thought and execution, when other cultures encourage separation and drift apart !

The lights at all the premises remain lit in all their glory even though Goddess Laxmi’s day has gone by. But stray sounds of the fire crackers still abound, the lights remain in all their glory brightening up the houses and corridors of residences … just in case …

Mazal and her niece from Israel and the ever helpful Nandita drop by in the evening and some time is spent talking of so many topics from India to Israel to films to children to everything under the sun. A call to Valorie in the US is undertaken too. The connection of this Ef world grows with such grace. Did we ever imagine that it would become so ? Not by me ! But … I have noticed that many of the Ef have taken such great initiative in pursuing a path that has built a world of wonderful feelings that in today’s times of grief and turmoil, seems heaven sent. Its been a world of its own almost, where each member has taken that extra step in restoring faith and goodness among all irrespective of distance, country and circumstance. Help to each other has become such a spontaneous realm. Strangers in the city have been converted to family guests purely because they belong to our extensions ! This is an amazing story and one that fills my heart with great joy and fulfillment … Thank you all for your most voluntary hand, extended in friendship.

The time for rest is over, the time for work begins again and the time taken in getting through all the letters and gifts and wishes for the birthday and the festival have all been taken care of. Soon individual acknowledgements shall be at your doorstep. Such a relief to have gone through all of it personally and not allowed it to be treated by staff assistance.

There is a great sense of completion when one indulges in this practice of the personal. A typed response is perhaps the routine but now and then the hand written note does add that something special to the communication. And in this day and age when we are getting more proficient at typing our own perfect font of speech, it is a delight to find that the written word is a world and class apart. Pens and writing material still occupy a major space on my desk … and in numbers too. There is a great romanticism about the process of filling a personal favorite pen with ink. The mechanics of the operation, the filling up of the compartment, the tissue wiped nib and body to rid it of extraneous left over and finally the joy of the flow from it when put to paper !

The invention of the pen and writing instrument, the ink, the paper that it shall finally adorn, all have been perhaps one of the finest inventions since the wheel ! We may eventually move into a space where we would be getting rid of all that has been mentioned before, but for me as I am sure for many the pen and its ink shall remain in their iconic importance.

The battery on the lap top measures a close red. The clock above speeds past the hour of rest. And the early call tomorrow beckons …

as does the final greeting before the end ..

my love to all

Amitabh Bachchan