Imagination and expectation ever in competition with each other BigB

Imagination and expectation ever in competition with each other BigB

Jalsa , Mumbai    April  27 ,  2011         Wed  7 : 04

Imagination and expectation ever in competition with each other ! Others imagine more for us than we do. Others expect too, far more than what we would comfortably want. What is this with others ? Look within and you will find so much that you need to imagine about yourself, expect from yourself. Be concerned and worry on that. Or is it that when you do that with others you indeed accept your own deficiencies and shortcomings. I would imagine so and honestly expect that too. So my imagination and expectation are in place .. ha ha !!

What a wretched life they must lead that live off the lives of others. Searching, craving, manipulating, constructing,  engineering, exploiting .. and so many other unmentionable adjectives, just so one could discomfort the other, in order to bring comfort to themselves !!

Bharti Dubey who writes for the Times of India has published an article on the net titled ‘Bbuddah co producer apologizes to Raj Thakeray’

#News: ‘Bbuddah’ co-producer apologizes to Raj Thackeray http://j.mp/m34viD ..

Firstly Puri Jagganath is not the co producer of the film and neither has he written any letter to Mr Thakeray - a false reproduction of which has been put in the article under his name.

Ms Bharti Dubey, for long I have maintained and still do and shall always, that you have a personal agenda against my family and me. I have told that to you on your face, despite your denial. Time and again you continue to prove me right. I am delighted each time you do that, for, it only strengthens my assessment of you as a journalist ! The matter that you have so assiduously tried to cover, just so your weekly quota of sensationalism is complied with, is such a desperate and despicable attempt to paint an incident in a manner which would show me and my film in bad light. You are an interesting journalist Ms Bharti. Its just that you aren’t as interesting as the things you cover !

I came across a telling quote by Bill Moyers - ” There are honest journalists like there are honest politicians. When bought, they stay bought.”

You hide behind the protection of a mammoth publishing and media conglomerate, Ms Bharti. You derive the power and strength from the freedom of expression that your designated column appoints you with. But your exclusivity has been dented by the phenomena of social networking. You will have, as a result of your employment, and employment only, the liberty to leave an impression of your opinion to lakhs. I believe your circulation is around 20. Could be more. But do not forget that this blog of mine has hits also up to 3 million dedicated readers, that over 700,000 follow me on Twitter and there are as on date 2,500,000  that subscribe to my Vog, Bachchan Bol. I need to tell you that your opinion shall always be circumspect, in the presence of the alternatives that the net has provided me with. Your employed power is no longer singular. Every time you shall paint a wrong, I shall paint a right. Right in your face !!

So that done, I can now converse with my EF and bring some sanity to my life ! There are facts to this story which are unknown to all. My sense of ethics does not permit me to divulge them, but may I just say that the exact opposite has transpired ! More than this I am loathe to confess.

Song picturisation is fearful and so exacting, especially so when the song has been sung by the person who is enacting it. At times during the shoot you wonder in disgust why in hells name did I sing it so - having the most terrible time trying to lip sync it .. Hmmmm !!

And so another day of singing and dancing and hoping that it all comes out well … such apprehension and fear of the results … ahh … painful ! But I can at least live in the luxury of the thought that my extended family shall accept me in my modest endeavor, irrespective of all my shortcomings as an actor. Thank you !!

Love to all …

Amitabh Bachchan

Bbuddah co producer apologizes to Raj Thackeray over foreign artistes

Bbuddah' co-producer apologizes to Raj Thackeray over foreign artistes
MUMBAI: The co-producer of 'Bbuddah' Puri Jagannadh on Wednesday sent an apology letter to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray accepting that some foreign dancers were without work permit and the visas of two junior artistes had expired. 


"We want to apologize for the neglect and assure you that this shall not happen in the future and will perform all activities as per the law without hurting anyone's sentiments," Puri said in the letter addressed to Raj Thackeray. 
However, MNS film wing chief Amey Khopkar said if Amitabh Bachchan wants to continue shooting at United Mills he will have to hire people with proper legal documents or else we will stop his shooting again. 
On Tuesday, members of the Raj Thackeray-led MNS stalled the shooting of Amitabh Bachchan's film Bbuddah that was going on at United Mills in Mumbai alleging foreigners with no work permit being part of a song sequence. 
"We found out that most of the foreigners shooting on the film set were without work permits. We filed a complaint with Shivaji Park police station and requested them to raid the set. All the papers of the 17 foreigners on the set have been confiscated and taken by the police which are being verified," 

Amitabh Bachchan to host Kaun Banega Crorepati 5

Amitabh Bachchan to host  Kaun Banega Crorepati 5

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan will host the fifth season of the popular and hit reality game show Kaun Banega Crorepati.

"Preparing now for KBC next season starting I think in a few months... creative and promo discussions today ... very interesting," Bachchan said on micro-blogging site Twitter yesterday.

KBC is an Indian reality game show based on the UK game showWho Wants to Be a Millionaire? The show first aired in 2000 was hosted by the 68-year-old actor making his maiden appearance on Indian TV.

The game show became a huge rage with Bachchan hosting its first and second seasons. Following this, superstar Shah Rukh Khan was roped in for the third. But Big B returned to anchor the show's fourth season which was aired on Sony Entertainment Television.

Earlier, last year, when the makers of KBC had approached Bachchan for the fifth season, he had asked for the opinion of his fans.

The energy levels increase as the day starts and continues for most of the day

Jalsa , Mumbai          April  26,  2011          Tue  11: 25 PM

The energy levels increase as the day starts and continues for most of the day, because there is work to be done. Many question often, and of late even more often, why I need to work still. I respond to them in simple language. I need to work because I want to work. My want is not governed by what others think, it is governed by what I think. And so it shall remain. When I shall feel the need to stop I shall stop. But I shall not stop because someone wishes that I do. My condition and my circumstance are mine and mine alone. I wouldn’t dare wish it on another. But if there are those that feel compelled to look after my welfare and wellbeing, let me first thank them for their consideration and then tell them that I and indeed all mankind will eventually be personally responsible for their own welfare and being. Others at best shall only be in a position to express, to show concern, to advise and suggest. But the final decision shall always remain, your own personal. It is we that shall ever be able to assess who and what we are. What our potential is and how far it could be possible for us to go. Others just like that boxing ring earlier post, shall be the ones outside the ring, or at best be ’seconds’ inside during round breaks. Nothing more or less. They will wipe your face, shall quench your thirst, repair your damaged face, talk endless words on how one should be fighting and then disappear. For, when the bell sounds for the next round, it shall just be the two of you again. Your opponent and I. And for the next 3 mins or whatever the time limit administered is applicable, that is how it shall remain.

Singing songs is a tough business. Recording them even worse. But enacting them in front of a camera with hundreds looking upon each and every move, is frightening. I have been through that today and feel relieved that some of the stuff that was done had elements, for which I could say were, not in the least mischievous. They were fun and had a smile within them.

My knowledge of dance has been excruciatingly minimal. And now with the modern day choreographers and dancers that have developed a style of their own, it is tough going for me ..!!  I have scraped through today with a great amount of the song, because I desired that they allow me to get into a rehearsal situation a million years before .. ha ha ha  !!! Really … the artists fascinate me on this issue. I see others lazily flow into a song and come out looking like a million bucks !! They must be terribly well designed to pick up what the move expects from them, in a jiffy. When I in the meantime keep seeking rehearsals, and retakes.

The heat is a killer on set and then what with the rehearsals and retakes it really shatters your self belief and accumen. One constantly seeks approval. A look at the dance assistants, a look at the monitor where the director sits and analyses, a look at your own staff for that endearing smile to say that all is well, a look at others on set, a look towards the entrance, when ……

I am not satisfied with the quality of the work that I have done on the first day of the shoot today. Its a song and scene situation and invariably it is when the song is done and over that you figure out the correct step. I have often wished that we start the song sequence backwards, as in some of the other films that I have done. But for some reason it has not happened. Instead of breaking up the song into regions and shooting the sequences as per what they wished for me …it is possible to continue regardless. But its not the real deal. We shall get one soon..

Sleep deprived, nervousness and fear of getting it all wrong compel me to take to bed and allow the soft pillows to take over their job and execute them for their greatest pleasure ..

Moto then of the day is, when you are wrong … accept it and slumber. When right, remain - from all angles distant and silent. It works like magic !!

LOVE AND MORE

Amitabh Bachchan

Fox Studios that co produces Dum Maro Dum sends out these details on the collections

Jalsa , Mumbai        April  25,  2011        Mon  10 : 48 PM

Fox Studios that co produces ‘Dum Maro Dum’ sends out these details on the collections - they speak for themselves

DOMESTICFIRST WEEKEND   DOMESTIC NET Box office – Rs 16.5 crores

· 3rd biggest opening weekend in 2011 after YPD and THANK YOU    ( YPD is Yamla Pagla Deewana )

· Biggest opening in South India  for any Hindi film in 2011

· Third biggest Abhishek film ever after Dhoom2 and Dostana

· Bigger than Kaminey, New York

· Bucked the IPL trend and has reposed good BOX OFFICE numbers in the cricket season.

Break up is as follows :
Thu . 8
Fri – 5.4
Sat – 4.7
Sun – 5.6

INTERNATIONAL· International Box office 1.4 mn US$

· Joint 2nd with Dhobi Ghat  opening in US after YPD

· ME – One of the top openings in 2011  ( ME is Middle East )

· OZ/ NZ – No. 1 of all openings in 2011 ( Not too tough to get that its Australia and NewZealand )

RESEARCHWord of mouth score of 69 which is  jointly tied at no. 3 with No One Killedd Jessica from all films released since September – have attached the ranking list and the EXIT POLL.
Abhishek performance is coming out a winner + Dialogues are connecting
DMD trending on twitter India -  continuously for last 5 days

STRATEGIC  OpportunityDMD recovers its COP of 22 crores in the first weekend from domestic + International  theatrical + music (including overflows) + Sateliite
Good WOM + Longer run due to a strategic release window as has been experienced by Tanu Weds Manu during World cup.
( COP is cost of production, WOM is word of mouth )

Head of Distribution, Marketing and Syndication
FOX STAR STUDIOS INDIA PVT. LTD.

That looks promising and gives heart to all ! Thank you to all those that believed and patronized. Any achievement by your DNA gives so much satisfaction and pride and love. Pray it keeps growing.

Home alone again tonight ! Abhishek in Murmansk, Russia and the ladies are around and about but not home, so thank heavens for IPL … keeping me occupied as I write to all of you. Shanouk sits below, sensitive to any movement around the house, up and barking his large head off !

But first things first - Zhenya from Russia and Renate correct me about St Petersburg .. I have wrongly called it erstwhile Stalingrad. Its actually Leningrad. There is a Stalingrad in Russia but not the one I mention. ‘Grad’ in Russian means town, so Zhenya tells me. Thank you ladies, kind and gracious of you. Never to late to learn, especially when you have a whole host of family members ready to correct you.

Thank you all for the reassurance that you give me on the blog its contents and its readership. It is such a great feeling to know that despite all the negativity that gets generated from other sources, there is the confidence and the assurance of this platform in understanding and supporting the causes that keep coming up day to day.

For long there has been that apprehension that whatever is written will be taken up in pieces. Pieces that could be distorted and represented to create unwanted controversy. What a convoluted idea and thinking. But there is the strength of the EF which has all along given balanced and justifiable approval or disapproval whenever the need has risen. That is most reassuring. It is most frustrating to want to say the matter that comes to mind, but refraining from doing so, for fear of deliberate and mischievous distortion.

The fear of being pushed to some credible response on every issue under the sun, is very potent in the lives of those that live in the brightness of celebrity. We are not, as I have lamented often, knowledged on every aspect of life, politics, sport, society, law, international events, history, geography, medicine etc …We have a tough enough time being actors, and may that remain. But putting us under the wheel, through pressure, deliberation, emotion and every other ‘tion’ in the business is not going to give you or get for the world any wisdom that the subject may indeed require.

Mention or attempt to mention a product of yours or of your kin in praise or support and the entire community breaks down upon you. But among the lot of the media that I follow - Jitesh Pillai, Rajeev Masand, Sagarika Ghose, Rajdeep Sardesai, Bhupendra Chaubey, Barkha Dutt - there is a constant mention of how it will be of importance and of some excitement to watch their programmes on Tv. Fair enough. But no where do I read any severe criticism of the fact that they are using the medium to promote themselves, or the product they are associated with. So what does one do in situations such as this. Succumb to pressure and silence yourself, or deny them the opportunity of slamming you and tell them - ‘Do what you want to do people, I am going to say what I wish to because this is my private medium and no one is going to stop me from doing what I wish to do within the walls of my home’.

Fatima from South Africa, lost her Aunt. She was very close to her almost like a Mother. We are with her in this hour of grief and send all our condolences and prayers ..

Good night all … a good nights sleep does indeed do wonders .. about to find out ..

Amitabh Bachchan