Posted on: April 20, 2008 - 12:37 am
Dear All,
As mentioned in Blog 3, i have posted some 8 responses to an article that appeared in Outlook a year ago.
I have mentioned in each of the letters that the communication is confidential. I revoke that for the benefit of my readers. Maybe i was being too polite and considerate. But i feel now that so much time has passed and the issue of little consequence, it can go out into the public domain.
ALSO…
The article i posted a few days ago - the interview from Delhi Times - is written by Anshul Chaturvedi. He has expressed a desire that since the Mumbai Mirror interview carried Mr Anil Thakraney’s name, his should be mentioned also.
Amitabh Bachchan
April 20th, 2008 at 12:44 am
sir….
not to be in formal that i m a big fan of yours………as i believe…..i wish to know abt the life of mr AMITABH BACHCHAN at his home……….
is he the real DON at home too or the self home mate like the other peoples are……………
with a hope of reply to be recieved
piyush
……
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 12:49 am
Dear Amitji,
It was a long desire to see you in the role of a villan in Hindi films. The first time I felt you will be a great villan was when you acted the double role in the film “Satte pe Satta”. But probably those were your young days, and you may not have wanted a shift from a Super Hero to a Villan.
I typically dont like the your roles were you wear an old dirty coat (you have done it in a few movies now) and limping. I believe you need to be depicted as a very sophisticated Villan using most modern technology,dressed in style and add great effects to the movie.
Well it could be DHOOM - III, with Abishek fighting you!!!!! Hope you liked the story.
Kind regards,
Johnson
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 12:55 am
Mr Bachan - Don’t know why but its quite exciting to be reading your blog around the same time you are updating it
gives me a sense of connection to you….I am a huge fan of yours but I like Abhishek’s perfromances equally ( or maybe more)….Its really great that you have chosen to write this blog..it gives all your fans to connect to you.
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 1:11 am
jus one more thing if u cud please answer this…….wat does it feel like to be amitabh bachhan.no modest reply please!!!!!d u actually feel dat u r blessed to be the chosen one among the 1000s of crores of people??i mean wat is the whole thing like….all the money, fame ,adulation…..people r born n they die n again they r reborn……but its just once that someone achieves wat u have.did u actually ever think that all this wud come to u and now that it has and u have lived thru more than half of it now…..HOW DOES IT ACTUALLY FEEL to be bog b and have the world at ur feet?????
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 1:34 am
Dear Amitabh ji,
I am so happy that you decided to interact with your fans directly.
i don’t have words to descride how fortunate i feel to live in your time and see all the wonderful work you have done over the years.
In today’s india Media is just reduced to reporting gossips and no real journalism and i am sure all your fans are disgusted by the level of personal attack they bring on you
I salute your spirit of life, and after so much scrutiny of every action you take, you still carry yourself with such dignity.
Thanks again for entertaining us for last 40 years and still counting.
Piyush
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 1:36 am
My Dear Amitji
Namaste!
Don’t know where to start thie email as I am too overwhelmed right now at the very thought that you might read this email.
Guess it’s a lifetime opportunity to directly correspond with you. Never imagined that I would get this at least in this lifetime. Thanks to Reliance folks and Anil Ambani Sb. in particular.
I was born in 1969 and you started your journey in films around that time.I saw my first film of yours Muqaddar Ka Sikandar in 1978. That was my first film as well. And that’s when my quiet, unseen, unheard, adoring and inspiring association with you started. I have literally grown on your films, your personality [what I have come to know over the years thru media, books, magazines, interviews, etc. and your life.
I still feel a Munna [I know your parents called you Munna with love] - like twelve year old when I get to see anything which is related to you-films, news, songs or interview. Never got a chance to meet you but saw you from a distance twice when you were in NYC last year - one when Lincoln Center organized a tribute and An evening with you and the other was when you came to celebrate the poetry of your Late Dad on the invitation of Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan in NYC.
You are my Idol not only because you are the biggest Superstar that history of films will ever know of but also because of what I have come to know about you - your humane and humble approach to life and success, your hard work, your discipline and attitude, your sense of professionlism, your belief in your country and your conscience, your persisting determination to face the odds and come out a winner, your handling of your career, your selection of subjects for your films, your sound belief in your cultural roots, your love and respect for [your Babuji] and Ma, your love and care for your family and friends, your nurturing and raising of your kids, your love for your new Bahurani, your treatment of your foes, your down to earth persona and this list is endless.
Anybody in this world who will come to know you will love and adore you to death. Your son Abhishek is very right when he claims that there is nobody like his Pa.
May God give you all the health and strength to shine more than ever on the screens and the horizons of this world. May your life and works continue to warm the hearts of zillions of people to follow.
All my heart and best wishes go to you and your wonderful family for a great, peaceful and more fulfilling life ahead.
Where and when will destiny lead me to you I don’t know. But it seems I am getting closer to my dream now i.e. to have a good hug from you so that I can feel some of the aura and grace of your persona and fulfill a lifelong desire. Your hug is as valuable and precious to me as my mother’s.
I am a Purchasing Executive and have been living in New Jersey since 2004. My wife Mehnaaz is into Software. We have two kids-a son Zeeshan who is four years old and a daughter Zoya who is six months old.
I know there will be bigwigs of NYC and NJ who would die to host you, Abhishek and Aishwarya bhabhi during your forthcoming Unforgettable Tour. But if you feel that your presence for a short time with us lesser folks will warm our hearts and make our lives, then, please find a little time and give us a chance to host you for one morning or afternoon. This invite may sound weird and unwanted to you but this is just a true expression of our love and respect for you.
Hope I didn’t sound like a crazy fan in this email but I think I have. I couldn’t help it. Sincere apologies for the same if I exceeded my limits.
Best regards
Munawwar Haque
NJ, USA
1-914-484-5410 [cell]
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 1:39 am
Amitji,
I am a big big big fan of yours. ‘n since I am writing to my beloved superstar since my childhood days..I am short of words…
Well, Just went through your response to Outlook Article. This did give a deep insight on how your family must have faced such media darts… I remember something I read when I was young…We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid, I now believe THEY must have really worked hard to show how stupid THEY are …and must have realized that …gaining few magazine sales numbers was not worth it though…
Anyways…not that your fans are so ignorant…we leave in a society where we are not celebrity like you…but we do understand the importance of privacy and respect…who wouldn’t say…..some media persons are bent to make press a synonym of tabloids …so why worry about them….they are weeds which our society will surely throw them out…unfortunately some of the respected ones are also ……
Ahem..did I say..I am short of words…well…thanks for coming up on the blog..and you can bet..there will be many more regular visitors to your blog….like me.
Last but not the least….who is R.T…. at least I don’t care….neither would any of our co-Mumbaikars or Indian citizens…?
Spare me…one more quote, [When Surrounded By 8 Enemy Divisions During WW2, Chesty Puller said ] “All right, they’re on our left, they’re on our right, they’re in front of us, they’re behind us… they can’t get away this time.”
God Bless You…and Good Night….Hope to meet you in real someday…
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 1:40 am
Dear Mr Bachchan,
I am against the notion of writing to tell you how much you are loved and admired both conciously and sub-conciously (in dreams). For that would bring it out in the open therefore fading the illumination of love that is held in the highest regards for you.
Also Ive been taught two things in my life:
1) If you feel you need to criticise someone- say it to their face
2) If you need to compliment someone- say it behind their back
I would never put you in the embarrassing position of hearing flowery comments for all to see and hear.
Private thoughts should be kept private and only disclosed to the person in thought. Therefore I shall keep quiet for now as i believe in the saying
‘dillan diya gallan rab jaane’
‘God knows whats in the heart’
I believe I will get my chance to be with you again. I believed once and I got more than I ever dreamt I would. I hugged my beloved. I know I will again. Till then Bachchan Saab….Rab Rakha.
P.s.
They say ‘when you interact with someone in dreams its a case of your soul meeting theirs’
If this is true then……we must be the best of friends.
God bless you Mr Mitabachchan (ill tell you tomorrow why i spelt your name like this)
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 1:43 am
Mr. Bachchan,
Starting this blog is an amazing idea. There is a lot of malicious information and articles about you and your family out there and this blog will give a place to address the things you feel deserve to be addressed. More importantly this will give the fans a way in which to interact with you. so thank you.
Those letters that you have just posted are amazing and i’m glad you sent them to the those so called “journalists”.
Now to your movies…when will we get to see you working w/ Ratnam and Vishal Bharadwaj? Any plans to work w/ vvc again after eklavya(awesome movie)? i hope you continue to work in movies like eklavya, nishabd (one of my fave performances), and cheeni kam and not movies like lakshya, babul, veer zaara where the roles do not justify your presence…
Also is your movie talisman still on or has it been shelved?
i hope shantaram works out, i can’t wait to see you and depp together in hollywood movie.
also what is the release date for your movie w/ rituparno ghosh?
Sarkar Raj looks awesome and can’t wait to see the promo tomorrow. i loved the first one.
Take care
Geee
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 1:58 am
Amitji,
It’s thoughtful of you to have put this letter on this blog. Ihad read the hindi translation done by Rajendra Yadav himself in Hans. But I was keen to read the original piece. Thank you for this opportunity. Personally I believe this letter emnates out of a gunuine (and understandable) hurt, a sincere desire to place the truth (though you are not obliged to do so) before your public, an honest intention to encourage a healthy debate on “the collective right to freedom of information visavis the individual right to privacy.” & other related issues. Iconsider this letter worth preserving. More comments to follow.
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 2:09 am
PRANAAM.
aruna from Andhra…
mein pahle kuch sabd rakhi…jabb ki bachpan se lekarr aaj tak NISHABD hi rakhi ..aap hume vuththar nahi diye naa…hmmm..
kuch kahna hien …kuch sunnaa hein …
kaash…aap hume dhyaan mein rakhthe …ab bhi PRATHEEKSHA mein …. intezaar hee intezaar…intzaar hogayi…aayi naa kuch khabar…
luv MILI n BUNTY..dhanyawaad
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 2:35 am
I just wanted to thank Mr. Bachchan for his wonderful portfolio of work, he is an outstanding actor and advocate of the Indian people.
I became interested in ‘Bollywood’ movies after watching “Bride & Prejudice” at a theater here in Cleveland Hts., Ohio a few years ago. That was it, I was hooked. I very rarely attend Hollywood movies, they have become obscene and predictable. Bollywood movies have lovely dancing, singing and, usually, happy endings! We have a great Indian import store that carries a wide selection of Indian movies (much to my husband’s dismay) and I also buy them online from Netflix, I own about 100 Indian movies. Of course, Ash Rye Bachchan is one of my favorite actresses–she is a wonderful dancer! I also enjoy Rani Mukherjee: “Black” was worthy of an academy award. Thank you again, to you, your wife (also a talented actress), son (I LOVE his movies) and the rest of the panopoly of Bollywood actors. Regards, Joyce Viscomi
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 2:37 am
Over the years I have written an inordinate amount on what the Bachchan signature means. my favorite philosopher Heidegger persuades me that “one must think one thought and one thought only” (an idea that surely all Bombay filmmakers can appreciate!) and to this end I have been faithful to ‘thinking through’ the Bachchan phenomenon even as such a work, of necessity, always remains one in progress. Nonetheless this blog gives me the opportunity to re-engage with these ideas with Amitabh Bachchan himself as a kind of ‘witness’. The aim as I suggested in the preface to the Sarkar piece or perhaps earlier in the comments on ‘day 1′ is always to offer new opportunities to understand the meaning of the revolution Amitabh Bachchan brought about in Indian cinema. My latest installment therefore offers some scattered comments on Nishabd, a film which I confess I have liked more in subsequent re-viewings (in fact I prefer it to Cheeni Kum at the moment) than I did at the time it released even if I tried to grapple with it rather comprehensively. I should also add that my views on Sarkar here should be complemented with those offered in the earlier piece on the film even if once again I appreciate Sarkar far more today in some ways than I once did:
Nishabd signifies a certain kind of end for Ram Gopal Verma. The earlier director who made films like Rangeela or Satya down to Company or even lesser works like Jungle always seemed interested in the visual grammar of cinema. There was always a certain panache and passion on display, even moreso an energy that the director brought to his subjects. These qualities, combined with competent or better performances on the part of his actors, further complemented by the often quirky nature of his subjects, produced interesting works for the most part. For better or worse RGV at a certain point in time did introduce a ‘different’ cinema to Bombay and to this extent he certainly played occupied a cultural space in the 90s and beyond.
But then RGV became a victim of his own success. A director who was more interested in perpetuating the enfant terrible image than in getting through the basics of his enterprise. Perhaps he just had that many good films in him. At any rate the projects emanating from his ‘factory’ started multiplying and almost in every case these were good script ideas and nothing more. The films suffered colossally on every score because of this. These ‘bullets’ that RGV kept shooting damaged his reputation (even if he was ‘only’ the producer) but at the same time stunted his growth. Coupled with the fact that eventually Bollywood turned a corner, the director, faced with the onslaught of cinema more ‘different’ than his own, was left grasping at the ghosts of his past films.
Enter the Bachchans. RGV had always been an admirer of the younger Bachchan offering him most famously a key role in Company (and later Bhoot). He was of course totally under the spell of the older Bachchan, as indeed most directors (and most viewers of Hindi cinema!) are. But his ‘tryst’ with father and son coincided with not only the relative eclipse of his talents but also the schizoid nature that the Bachchan signature acquired with the emergence of Abhishek as star-actor and the (de)sublimation of Amitabh Bachchan from radical icon into ultimate consumerist symbol. The result from Naach through the current Nishabd has in one sense been interesting to study, on the other hand RGV has not produced the sorts of classics that he might have hoped to once upon a time, at least with the father.
Naach is the last film where the old RGV is on display. This is the last work where the director seems to be truly interested in his subject. It is true that this is also the work where some of the directors worst excesses come forth, but these are weakness that were always evident even as early as Rangeeela. But with Sarkar, the most ambitious film of RGV’s career upto that point, a dream work for him given that RGV was working with both Bachchans for the first time as well as relying on the Godfather for his source materials. However this film turned out to be the first definite beginning of the new RGV. A film that worked less as narrative and more as an ad campaign for iconicity (ironically it was exactly this sort of blunt iconicity, abundantly available in Bollywood’s commercial bazaars through the ages, that RGV battled in his initial Hindi forays). The problem was compounded by the fact that Sarkar works rather effectively as cinema. The fascist and near-pornographic hymn to power that this film is nevertheless works because it is also at the same time a succession drama, staged on both diegetic and non-diegetic levels. The splitting of the Bachchan signature (as I have framed it) is most evident in this film. This is what is fascinating to behold, this is certainly what the audience ‘desired’ to see at the time. RGV fed off this ‘desire’, used the closeup to an extraordinary degree (not used to this extent in Hindi cinema before or since) and created an oppressive ambience where the gaze could simply not be averted from that of both Bachchans in the film! RGV in effect nakedly paraded iconicity before the audience by way of India’s most important post-Independence cultural icon and also offered the spectacle of his own ‘repetition’ and ‘continuation’ by way of his son.
At the same time the film revealed a certain ambivalence on RGV’s part. Because Amitabh Bachchan in Sarkar became a monument (as indeed he is for most contemporary directors), a star whose ‘humanness’ was essentially drained; an awe-inspiring presence who did not really have to ‘act’ but simply ‘be’ within the film. Simultaneously Abhishek occupied the space not just of the emergent star, finally becoming his father’s son, but also becoming his ‘father’ for a director like RGV (not the only one) who had not worked with the father when he was young. The Bachchan signature had been getting ’scattered’ for a long time because of the elder Bachchan’s almost total disavowal of his ‘image’, his inability to restrict himelf to choice films (even if these had to be ‘iconoclastic’), and his even greater predilection for doing totally inconsequential roles in the mediocre or ‘just better’ films. The Bachchan legacy had in any case been rather cruelly deconstructed by Amitabh Bachchan himself, who somehow persuaded himself that he was a ‘thing of the past’, or at least proceed to ‘act’ as if he believed it, and in the bargain fatally diluted his box office impact. This of course was a result of not just his cinematic choices but also his ‘over-exposure’ to the audience by way of other media. But with Abhishek’s emergence the audience became hopeful once more that there might yet be an authentic Bachchan who would offer some of Amitabh Bachchan’s rewards without being a constant deconstructive reminder at the same time as indeed the ‘original’ Bachchan was. There was a hope for ‘Bachchanism’ (I am indebted to someone for this coinage) so that there might be an authentic renewal of the Bachchan signature. RGV to his credit had the foresight to realise this and perhaps was ‘audience’ enough to wish for it himself. This is in any case the ‘truth’ of Sarkar and it gave RGV his biggest commercial success to date. This success was however achieved by carving the elder Bachchan in stone and by ‘activating’ him simultaneously in his son. Again RGV’s mode is one that most directors in the last few years have been guilty of and also one that the audience shares on whose part Bachchan is simply beyond debate and discussion and must only be ‘venerated’.
But with Nishabd RGV tries to ‘humanize’ Bachchan. Not only is he old (almost grotesquely so the way RGV’s camera captures him) but also a man with ‘desire’ for a woman. This would have made for a rather radical gesture given that in his entire career Bachchan has perhaps never played a character who truly ‘desires’ a woman (Kabhi Kabhie and Silsila are exercises in the enabling of poetry not romance); the Bachchan persona has never been one ‘oriented’ towards the ‘woman’ in any meaningful ‘erotic’ sense (a trait that almost every Indian superstar since — from Mamoothy to Mohanlal to Chiranjeevi to Rajni — shares with him, even if the Mohanlal example is a bit more problematic… Mohanlal is ‘woman’ himself to some degree..). However the enfant terrible RGV also shows up at the same time. As such one gets the bare contours of the Lolita story even if there is nothing in the essence of Nishabd that makes it a Lolita adaptation of any sort. One also gets the old ‘exploitative’ RGV who by his own admission loves ‘photographing women on beds’, who in any case reveals all his pet fetishes here.
Overall Nishabd is a strangely engaging film from beginning to end. It ought not to have worked so well but it does. This owes something to the performances — Bachchan’s reliability, Jiah Khan’s scene stealing and very assured debut, smaller accomplished performance by the ever dependable Revathy and Naseer (as in Tamil not Hindi!). The film holds one’s interest throughout the narrative and RGV must be given some credit for this. What saddens is the realization that RGV could have at least made a film as worthwhile as Black if not better. Coming up to Bhansali’s standards was surely not too much to ask for when the conceit involved Bachchan and Lolita!
For one RGV is simply confused as to whether this ‘forbidden’ relationship involving an older man and a barely post-pubescent girl is one of ‘love’ or ‘lust’ The director wants to have it both ways. There is enough voyeurism in the film to make the ‘lust’ on Bachchan’s part comprehensible, conversely the pretended ‘romance’ nullifies the former even as one is left wondering what other reason Bachchan could have to really ‘love’ this nubile woman. RGV of course has a third track here to somehow combine these contradictory elements. It is not all superficial or an afterthought of any kind but a reasoning that allows RGV to maintain the tension in his narrative. This is a quasi-philosophical treatise on aging and death that somehow makes the prospect of ‘youth’ very enticing, specially when it is readily available by way of a very young and extremely provocative woman. RGV for the first time in his career turns out to be a moralist and even succeeds in giving his film Christian overtones of guilt and redemption and the fallen man. Fortunately he leaves the ending relatively open and ambiguous, this in effect rescues the film from its moralising to some degree though it is hardly enough.
The discussion on the Bachchan signature comes in handy here. Because Bachchan in this film is unable to to suggest the kind of vulnerability that the characters requires at various points. This is not his fault. It is too late in the day for him to simply become such a character. This film is hardly the only example of such failure. All superstars deal with this fate at a certain point in their careers. Superstardom, certainly of the Bachchan variety, is only achieved at the cost of the respective actor’s vulnerability and even ‘humanity’ to a great degree. In other words the Bachchan signature does not allow Bachchan the actor the kind of vulnerability that he once would have been capable of (in this sense Bhansali again got it right in Black where Bachchan’s vulnerability was pared off against the other script — that of the titanic star attempting the titanic acting role, the ‘overman’ therefore remained one despite the ‘vulnerability’). In a way Bachchan does the job very well in Nishabd but he cannot quite engender empathy. This is a fatal flaw in the film. To counter this RGV decided to accentuate his age, using the sorts of closeups that make Bachchan a bit grotesque at close range (the ‘grotesqueness’ is an effect of composition achieved by the director and not a function of Bachchan’s physicality by any means; he has exhibited fine closeups in other films from the same period) . Even otherwise he never comes off as ‘Sexy Sam’ where perhaps he most needed that kind of persona! His is a character very weary even when the film begins, rather complex in some ways, but RGV never quite allows this character to breathe and as such one is immediately thrown into the story with little more than pop psychology to justify it. To make the character work nonetheless required the services of a much younger Bachchan (ironically enough!), one not as cannibalised by his signature or his transcendence as demi-God of consumption.
On a final note (and in keeping with some of the claims made about RGV) it should be added that RGV’s musical and visual cues (though his bluish color palette here is suggestive) are rather unimpressive throughout the film. It is hard to believe that in one of his most ambitious projects RGV is unable to summon up the capacities that served him with such elan in a Satya or a Company. Derivative yes, even in the earlier instances, but energetic.
RGV is ambivalent as is the audience. Both father and son are recipients of this ambivalence in different ways. The Bachchan signature is not easily negotiated at any end of this spectrum, on any side of the cinematic equation. Such is the history of the present…
[and a related thought]
In the context of one of the central points I’ve been making in the piece I think that Main Azaad Hoon is an excellent example. When the film released it didn’t work at all. Admittedly the film is a rather flat reworking of Meet John Doe but beyond this the fatal flaw in the film consists in the fact that Bachchan is playing the central protagonist. It might sound paradoxical if I also stated that Bachchan is actually very effective as an actor here. The scene where he picks up a discarded apple off the street is a gem and there are some others here. The problem however is that even in 1990 it was simply too late for this most iconic of Hindi film actors to attempt this role. This portrayal cannot have the right sort of impact because Bachchan’s signature effect is simply too great in magnitude by this point and easily destroys the actor’s achievement. By contrast when Bachchan does Sauadgar in the early 70s he is so fine as an actor that watching this film one can easily imagine an alternate career for him in parallel cinema jostling with the likes of Naseer and Om Puri and probably exceeding both. The difference as I keep repeating is the signature. No matter how much Bachchan might have emptied out his legacy with all sorts of regrettable career decisions the signature still haunts the audiences. He cannot just become pre-Deewar! Therefore no role of his will ever have the desired impact on screen unless it also takes into account this aspect of his legacy. And again Bhansali was wise enough to see this which is incidentally why Black did well even in Bihar! As long as this does not happen we will keep seeing films of the Main Azaad Hoon variety. bachchan will always be fine as an actor but not effective enough in this other way I’ve been mentioning. Eklavya itself had this problem in a different register.
More and more with each film he does it’s becoming apparent that most of this younger generation of directors is simply not able to negotiate Bachchan’s acting prowess with the burden of his signature. There are Bachchan fans making films with him, directors who are not intelligent enough or talented enough to add that new chapter.
In a weird way Aditya Chopra in Mohabbatein understood this better than anyone else since though there are obviously exceptions like Mehra or Santoshi and a few others.
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 2:38 am
Joyce Viscomi Says: Your comment is awaiting moderation.
April 20th, 2008 at 2:35 am
I just wanted to thank Mr. Bachchan for his wonderful portfolio of work, he is an outstanding actor and advocate of the Indian people.
I became interested in ‘Bollywood’ movies after watching “Bride & Prejudice” at a theater here in Cleveland Hts., Ohio a few years ago. That was it, I was hooked. I very rarely attend Hollywood movies, they have become obscene and predictable. Bollywood movies have lovely dancing, singing and, usually, happy endings! We have a great Indian import store that carries a wide selection of Indian movies (much to my husband’s dismay) and I also buy them online from Netflix, I own about 100 Indian movies. Of course, Ash Rye Bachchan is one of my favorite actresses–she is a wonderful dancer! I also enjoy Rani Mukherjee: “Black” was worthy of an academy award. Thank you again, to you, your wife (also a talented actress), son (I LOVE his movies) and the rest of the panopoly of Bollywood actors. Regards, Joyce Viscomi
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 2:44 am
Dear Sir
Heartiest Congratulation to you and jaya auntie on the wedding of Abhishek n Ash. We both, husband n wife, are your die hard fans since chidhood.
Guess! can never see you in real life but visited wax museum (London)where you stand tall. You look amazing! stood by you to take photos and we felt that we almost met yourself.
We believe all the stories revolving around your family are mere ways of attracting respone from the First Family of Bollywood. So on reading your response we cheer you.
“Bachchan family rocks”
best regards
amansha
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 2:58 am
Mr. Bachchan
I would like to thank you for entertaining us with your excellent work over the years.
I would also like to thank you for the professional manner in which you conduct yourself in the face of relentless media & political persecution. Folks who want to make a name from themselves, cast a stone at people who are more successful than they are. In a perverse way - our society seems to be appreciating your success!
As a fan - we expect (and have always seen) the best from you in both your professional and personal values; and this is always appreciated by us.
Regards
Harpreet
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 2:59 am
Related thoughts:
In Vijay Mishra’s ‘Bollywood Cinema: Temples of Desire’ there is a suggestive chapter called ‘The Actor as Parallel Text’ that deals with Bachchan. I don’t believe Mishra is fully up to the task of drawing out the full implications of his concept but it nonetheless offers a very interesting handle on the ‘Bachchan’ signature. In fact I think this can be extended in many ways to some other stars and be made part of a larger theory of cinema.
But to summarize the point here the idea is that a star-actor like Bachchan exists as a ‘parallel text’ to the ‘filmic text’ he is otherwise a part of. In other words (and I am expanding somewhat) such a ’star’ is never contained within the text of the film but creates effects that might be said to subvert the ‘aims’ of the filmic text even as these enhance the latter in other ways. A brief example could be Deewar. The film has a great script, dialogue and so on. At the same time the film ‘is’ Bachchan and the effects of Deewar as ‘filmic text’ are not separable from those unleashed by ‘Bachchan’. This would not be the case if many other stars did the same film.
In this sense the 80s ‘one man industry’ Bachchan who essentially does the equivalent of a stand-up routine in film after film is entirely logical in some ways but it represents the triumph of the ‘parallel text’ at the cost of the ‘filmic’ one. There is in many ways only ‘parallel text’ in the 80s with some notable exceptions. Of course there is also the unique Namak Halal which is one of the great star-actor triumphs in the history if cinema but for the purposes of this discussion a film which is constructed around the ‘actor-as-parallel-text’ as the very principle of its own enabling. In other words, a Barsaat ki ek Raat (which is nonetheless extremely enjoyable) simply succumbs to Bachchan’s overwhelming talents and tries to fashion a narrative around these while Namak Halal is a kind of homage to Bachchan’s brilliant improvisational abilities. The point here is that that it was a failure of directorial talent or at the very least a degree of complacency (with bachchan in it any film could run!) that resulted in far more films like Barsaat ki ek Raat than Namak Halal.
All of this is not to neatly oppose a ‘filmic text’ to a ‘parallel’ one involving such a star, the latter is always minimally a part of the former but there exists a tension between the two and the film in question is therefore a result of this tension. Bachchan in any case offers a unique set of challenges to anyone who would like to ‘theorize’ on this!
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 3:05 am
At the ouset I beg a pardon for writing this letter which might not fit with the topic of the post. It would be my great pleasure if the site administrator allows my letter to be published. I live in Europe and I miss Indian customs,culture and espicially hindi movies.I am a fan of hindi movies.Though I don’t like hindi movies being referred to as Bollywood. I hereby would like to draw your kind attention to one of the serious issue being faced by hindi movie industry and that is online piracy. Technology has made piracy easier than before. I have seen that nowadays online movies are hottest topics among internet users. New released movies can be watched online and this is seriously affecting the industry as the number of hit movies are declining. Online movie forums are increasing where one can easily get a new movie. Sir,my question is how such activities can be stopped?
Sir,if you type “hindi movie forums online” in a search engine you will get the whole scenario.
As a proud Indian I am totally against piracy and wish every Indian citizen should stop watching pirated movies even online.
Sincerely
Manzil
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 3:24 am
Dear Amitji,
I am a 44 year old father of two. Work for Hewlett Packard at Singapore. Like many others, have been an ardent fan of yours having grown up with your movies. I perhaps like you the person, more than you the actor.
I am curious, how you remain active at your age. Keen to know what is your daily regimen, when do you start and what your typical day looks like? And how you manage when you are traveling?
May God bless you with long years of happy and healthy life!
Best wishes,
Amit
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 3:32 am
Sir,
the request of Mr. Anshul Chaturvedi made me smile. It is a lovely example for the petty vanity of some journalists. But others seem to have gone far beyond his example. Bear in mind that many reporters and editors are ambitious people - not being public figures themselves, but yearning for some kind of influence and power. (Once a TV-correspondent myself, I know what drives many of my colleagues, and it took me some years to learn to forbear from using the second-hand power of media for selfish or subjective reasons.)
And since good news about successful, happy families and politically correct people (like you) don’t sell, they’ll exaggerate, twist and even invent some stories about public figures (like you) - that way they have something to sell at last.
If their writing doesn’t hurt you too much, you could think of it as charity.
If it does, here’s your way to set the record straight.
But anyway, most people are not so naive anymore, as to believe everything they read in tabloids and magazines, or see in TV.
And you are among the last people on this planet who should worry about bad publicity. Just look at the support, blessings and love you got in the first few days of this blog - what more could anyone want?
So please stop worrying about year-old rubbish that was printed in “Outlook” or anywhere else, and sleep well tonight.
All the best,
Elisabeth
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 3:58 am
thank you sir
for letting us read your personal communications with writers, who made comments against your family.
its clear, you write ver well and you are very emotional and feel very protective about your family. its quite understandable.
your autobiography will be a hit one and a piece of great literature.
please put up here some of your creative writing also like poetry or some fiction etc. and your blog lacks photos. like a photo of marriage of your parents, yours own marriage, shwetas marriage and abhishek and aishwaryas marraige.
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 3:59 am
Dear BigB,
Wow! Never imagined I’ll be writing to u in person! ( hope u’ll be reading this…:-)..)
I have been watching ur movies from childhood, and I like most of the roles u have done. I really admire the way u are doing more serious charecters at present, I specially liked the conflicts u portrayed in Nishabdh.
Great idea to have this public platform, but I hope u will continue this for some time, n the site will be able to handle the heavy traffic, (imagine atleast quarter of Indian population accessing this blog! OMG!)
Good to see the composed way u have reacted to the Outlook article, but being the most celelbrated Indian of present time, there should be lots of articles specially gossips about u coming out every week, so why respond to such an article? because the magazine is not considered to be (in the generel concept) among those sleazy gossip magazines? or may be they have taken a step too far?
Best regards,
Lishma…..:-)
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 4:04 am
hi….. u r almost almighty god 4 me ! it is jst like god replys 2 us…. a lot off thx to bringing urself … bt dear dear ..we never care wat print media or tv media says abt u ..
im one of big big fan of u who saw ur each & evry movie apart (DESH…. wich is bangali movie listed as ur movie on some web sites) otherwise i saw each one some of those more than 2 times.. & some movie count less times i saw.. nw i want 2 kno is der any chance dat u r working hollywood movies? & as well as with mani ratanam ?
wishing ur kids(ASH&ABHI) happy 1st anni… with a good helth & lot succ in der life … :raju frm dhule(maharashtra)
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 4:16 am
hello mr.AB
how r u?
lookin foward to bhootnath. Was Neha Bamb offered a role in it with you?
take care,
jen
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 4:28 am
It pains to hear all these clarifications from you. There is no need. Let people say what they want-they are just publicity crazy.They know that public wants to know every detail about you-so they will listen to any crap the media dishes out.But public knows how media is.
You have shown the way of life to so many of us…you keep going….
Jo apne hain-unhe samjhane ki jaroorat nahin
and jo apne nahin hain-woh to galat hi samajhna chahte hain…
Duniya aisi hi hoti hain….
We have faith in you, we believe in you….
All these malicious news dont make any difference to us…
anamika
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 4:42 am
Dear Amitabhjee,
I am a great fan of your movies and I admire and respect you and your family for the values you all espouse.
The response to Outlook8 is extremely well written, I am going to refer to it in future for composing emails for professional communication.
Coming to the reply, the masses get information whether credible or unverified from the media and I am sorry to admit that sometimes we tend to believe it on its face value because there is no way we can ascertain ite veracity.
The actor of your stature is bound be the center of attention for tabloids but I categorically state that celebrities are humans and they have every right to privacy conferred to them by the constitution of India. But media is mostly after increasing their TRPs or sales of magazines.
As a responsible citizen of India and a rational individual, I assure you that inspite of what media reports about you, I will not take the information disseminated by them on its face value.
Your’s Sincerely,
Neehar Athalye
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 4:43 am
I am novelist of some repute and I find ur life so interesting: there is sex, glamour, powerful friends, politics that your life is almost a “soap” on the papers. It is natural to hate powerful and manipulative people with no end of self propaganda and spin doctors.
I dislike you even though I don’t know Hindi (I have never watched any of ur movies) but you kept intruding into my mind space on commericals, mainline newspaper etc
I now realize that your are a plot of a novel I can easily write someday; the stench of politics and big business, the sycophancy, and how the gliteratti in this country never had so good with all these orphan channels.
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 4:50 am
Hello sir,
Thanks alot..atleast we know now what is the reality…
God Bless you…
Swati
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 5:13 am
Mr. Bachchan,
Keep up the good work.
I’d love to hear your thoughts about Sarkar Raj launch, the film, and how everything went down at the JW Marriot.
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 5:21 am
Namashkar and salamss to u sir
i am surprised that you took the time to reply to the accusations regarding the marriage between ur daughter in law and son… with all due respect sir, i know that you must have felt compelled to defend your family, but i have noticed in the media, that if you ignore them, they go away…. if u address one accusation , u will have to address another one eventually and the streak will never end…
the media looks forward to your replies and waits for you to give them some “response”, anything all….
i feel uncomfortable saying all this, but ur fans want to defend u as well…
speaking of Shantaram…. i am very saddened that the movie has been postponed… i was on the edge of my seat waiting to see that movie. my 71 yr old father, who is extremely fond of u and particularly, ur courtroom scene in Andha Kanoon, was also anticipating this movie. he keeps asking me when will it come out… i will not disappoint him by telling him that it will be a while… but we hope to hear about it soon.
Something has been pressing my conscience for a long time and i did not want to offend u by askin, but here goes….
Being a muslim, i can only be curious about this… friends of mines who reside in India have said that you and jaya jee, avoid muslims in general.
is this so? there is a lump in my throat that i must swallow, fearing the reply. May the Lord bless u sir… Khuda Hafiz, till my next visit to ur blog
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 5:26 am
Amit ji,
kaise hai ap?
I was one of your biggest fans growing up.. my barber used to style my hair like yours and for that my teacher in school would pull my ears for keepin long hair.
but then Iremember the entire country copying your hair style in early 80s.
you sing well ..few of them are my favs . 1) jidher dhekunn teri tasveer nazer aati hai from mahaan
2) tu maike mat jaiyo. mat jaiyo meri jaan tu maikey mat jaiyo ..aaha aaha
I used to mimic ur dialoges growin up..
yeh mombatti bhujne se pehle vo na aayi .. toh ..toh hameyy mombatiyo se hamesha ke liyeh nafrat ho jayeghi
those were the good old days.
amit ji, are u going to be performing in las vegas on ur US tour?
pls bring Bappi Lahri with you .. it would be great show.
write u more later.. Take Care,
JT
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 5:37 am
Dearest Amitji,
Just wanted to wish Abhi-Ash a Very Happy 1st Anniversary
Wishing them the very best
Hitesh
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 5:49 am
Aap kya meri baat ka jawaab nahin deinge. I am in Toronto. Meri choti si beti ke liye kuch toa jawab doa. I don’t have any controversies to discuss with u..coz we all like u as a actor. So please aap meri mail ka jawab isi site se meri email le kar kariye. I am not gonna put my email id on the web. I hope u will reply me too.
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 7:04 am
Dear Mr. Bachchan,
agar aap yeh site hindi mein bhi shuru karengey to jyada se jyada logon se jud sakengay aur log bhi aapko behtar samajh payengay.
akhil
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 7:09 am
Dear Mr. Bachchan,
I have not read any of the articles mentioned, but this I know, I am confident that you will do what ever is right. I have been and will always be your admirer for all you have achieved throughout your life and the way you have handled your personal and professional life.
Regards
Ajay
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 7:09 am
Hello Sir ji namskar, me vinumydear bikaner se hun. meri subhkamnaye hamesha aap ke sath he. Aap hamesha aashe hi filme banate raho. Hum aashe hi aapki filme dekhte rahenge. Pls ak bar meri site me visit jarur kare. http://vinumydear.wen.ru/
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 7:19 am
Respected Mr. Amitabh Bacchan,
Namaskar!
Today, while surfing on the internet, I came to know about you blog i.e.Bigadda! Firstly please accept my sincere congratulations and a Big Thank you for your BLOG! With this, its easy to contact you, which otherwise is simply next to imposible for people like me! I always had a desire to see you in person, but I know my boundries and you are standing outside that boundry! But I always see your movies and sometimes though not liked the role that you have played, I try to understand your thoughts behind accpeting such role. for example the role in Nishabda! I firstly didn’t liked what you did, but then when I saw the movie again I thought you are trying to satisfy the ARTIST that is hidden in you! Its’ not Amitabh Bacchan who will play such roles, but yes an Actor of caliber of Amitabh Bacchan will definately will take that as a Challange.
Apart from that, what made me to write to you in this blog is the way you carry yourself in critical and tough situations may it be political or your personal. I admire rather respect you for that. We the people. usually see your popularity, your wealth and fame, but we never see the efforts that went behind this in creating this. I congratulate you on being and staying A HUMAN BEING in all areas of your life. I am too young to say but can’t stop saying that MAY GOD BLESS YOU and KEEP YOU AS YOU ARE!
I may not be your hard-core fan, but I truly love you for what you are!
I am not expecting any reply to this, as I completely understand your busy schedule and then there are many people around who are waiting for your reply! But I would be delighted if you send me a personal email to my email account as an acknowledgement!
Thank you for reading this to its end!
One of your many many fans
Himanshu Dabir
Pune
currently in USA
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 7:20 am
Mr. Bachchan,
The official Sarkar Raaj teaser was put out on April 11 and it is a really great teaser.
At the Sarkar Raaj launch there will be another promo put out for the film. Can you tell all of us fans how many promos there will actually be for Sarkar Raj? I hope there will be more than one before the film comes out on June 6.
I hope you will answer and reply to my question. Best wishes!
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 7:32 am
Whoa, those were some long mails!! You can just feel the frustration as you read them. Anyways, do you really feel the need to justify everything? Cause it’s never going to stop. All i can say is best of luck. Take care
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 7:40 am
hi Mr. Bachan,
just wanted to thank you for your work
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 7:51 am
Good Morning :),
I think when someone is going out to accuse your family and the pride of your family, one must not stay quiet. It’s one thing to ignore the rubbish that is constantly printed about you, your work or the happenings of Indian Film Industry around you but when someone croses a line and starts to get personal and talks about family, it’s kind of hard not to clarify and defend your honor.
I don’t believe anything that is printed unless it is from a direct source as yourself. The so-called “close friends” are often the people in the media themselves. I think one needs to back off a bit and give each other a breathing space.
Now with your own blog, I think your fans will know the real truth about the articles that will be printed or issues that may arise as I think coming directly from you is much more believable than something that is printed on front page to sell the paper.
God Bless and lots of love and best wishes.
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 8:11 am
dear mr. bachchan,
namaste!
im waiting for a response to a request i had made to you yesterday..please look into it..
jyoti singh
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 8:19 am
Respected Mr.Amitabh:
I don’t know what this is all about…I’m just a GREAT Fan of yours living in Thailand. My father was a great fan of yours as well. He past away a few years ago. We, infact have seen you in live performance many years ago in Bangkok.
I love everything you do, be it your career, your beliefs, your daily life commitments, you as a great father, a husband, father in law…etc., JUST everything. Watching you perform in family movies, I feel as if you are actually like that. So I could imagine how well you would be in your own family.
I truly respect and admire you. I have dreams of getting to meet you in real, face to face, I would hug you as a father, if you don’t mind. I wish to get a chance of taking you, Mrs. Jaya, Abhishek, and Aishwariya and anyone with you around the kingdom of Thailand. Oh, I’m an Indian born in Bangkok. I don’t speak very good Hindi nor Punjabi. I am fluent in Thai and English. I’m not any tourist guide nor I want to be. However, I just love you as a father figure.
Lastly, I don’t know whether you would reply me or not but I want to convey my feelings and what I want to let you know. It is because I believe when you have good feelings for someone you should let them know. You are the first person in Bollywood I am confronting to.
May God always keep you and your family safe and strong with lots of happy moments and prosperity, always. Take care.
With love and respect,
Rajni
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 8:23 am
Dear Sir,
It is ABSOLUTLE PLEASURE to find you blogging. I ALWAYS wanted to ask you that “What has been MOST DIFFICULT TASK of your life till now and how did you OVERCOME it?”.
Do reply, you will make my day!!!
Deepest Rgds,
Ajay
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 8:27 am
Sir,
I am one of your biggest Fan, I have watched all your movies thousands of time, and as soon as I came to know of your BLOG, I thought I should give you my feedback.
First of all Great Idea of starting a blog, and especially if you are superstar of the century. This would be a great Idea and 30 mins a week will keep you out of all the controversies and give you a medium to express your self.
And in regards to the controversies, well entire country is behind you. Every one knows that the people tring to pull you in useless controversies have political goals to pursue apart from having a cheap mentalities.
In the end I would like to wish you all the best for future, and God Bless You.
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 8:47 am
Dear M. Bachchan,
Many congratulations to you on starting this blog. A wonderful medium indeed to voice your feelings and opinions to your crtics.And likewise a wonderful opportunity to the millions of your admirers to be up close and personal with our man himself.
I am glad your are putting all the canards and fictitious media stories to rest using this medium.
I am looking forward to Bhootnath and Sarkar Raj and your world tour in the United states.You were the pioneer in star concerts in the 80’s with Kalyanji and Anandji. And this time too ,I am hopeful that the concert tour will be a grand success despite some stars dropping out in the 11th hour.
You have been a very private person and always kept a low profile on media bashings and only in the recent past have you given media interviews to counter controversies. At the outset Mr. Bachchan , I am curious and interested to know what urged you to start your own blog . Honestly I was “shocked with delight ” when it was reported on TV news here in the United States.
Warm regards,
Always your admirer.
Anil Bhandarkar
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Hi Sir
this is my first visit to your blog
i like your movies very much
and u also have a very good blog.
sir if u some 5 or 10 min please visit my blog also
i have added u r blog in my friends blog
u can also add my blog in u r friends blog list sir.
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 9:11 am
Amitabh,
I am used to addressing by first name, by being in US for sometime. I think this way of addressing is respectful to both the parties. Hence the salutation.
Firstly, my sincere regards to you and your family for the rare attitude of not to succumb to pressure, and for the undying spirit to strive and struggle for a right thing “no matter what”. I have known your “family” as much as I could come to know from Dr. Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s autobiography. Also, some information is gathered from the media, too. Congratulations for starting your own blog, for it will provide authenticity to the information that would reach people.
In the history, it is hard to find very honest people. They are rare. But your revered dad’s autobiography shows one. For that reason, the book is always a source of my inspiration, particularly during challenging times. I believe you have the same honesty (and strength). As such, I adore you. I avidly read your interviews, and often find something for myself. For example, in one place, you quote your conversation with your father, “Jeevan hai to sangharsh hai.” You are such a Gem!
You being so busy, I do not expect you to be able to respond to my message in person (via email, of course). But if you chose to do so, your mail will be my treasure. I am sure you guess that.
Thanks for reading. God bless you for all your good deeds!
Warm regards.
Ashutosh Prasad
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Dear Sir,
Its really greta and appreciative of you start writing blogs and connect with your obssessed fans like me.
I really liked the manner in which you have replied to the media articles.
Would like to see you in leading roles and not supporing ones in this year.
Regards,
Krishnan
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Dear Amit ji,
“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.”
regards
naren
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 9:53 am
hi sir, my name is Ashutosh Verma. i m from jalandhar(punjab). i want to meet u sir. becoz i m ur fan.
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Dear Mr. Amitabh Bachchan and family,
I have been a fan of yours and Jayaji since I was a teenager. I have seen all of your and Jayaji’s movies. When your film Jurmana released, you came to New York and New Jersey. My father took us to see you in both New York and New Jersey. I still have those photos of you. My family and I, we have so much respect and best wishes for you, Jayaji, Abhishek, Aiswriya. I am fan of all four of you. Since its Abhi-Ash’s Anniversary Happy Anniversary to them. I am hoping u will read this and respond. It will be a dream come true. It is a coincidence, but I am very happy that My Initials before marriage were AHB. After marriage it is AAB. My sons are AAB and JAB. Thank you very much for your time. I wish you and your family the very best in life. You and your family has reached millions of hearts. Thank you once again. Sincerely, Arti.
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Dear Mr. B,
It is great that you are taking the time to communicate through this blog. I am a fan of cinema and greatly enjoy watching quality movies including some of yours.
When you are in public eye, it is quite normal that your family and you are the source of much curiosity for both an adoring and sometimes not-so-adoring public. I can understand the frustration you must feel when untruths are written about you but in reality what else can an observer do? He/she can only form opinions based on what they see. In the lead-up to your son’s wedding, it seemed like there were a lot of visits to temples/holy places…more so than was reported or seen in the years befor. At the same time all you went green in the face denying that there was anything going on between your son and daughet in law at the time. So, by not being more honest to the public you all claim to respect, you ended up generating more theories and stories.
It is human nature to analyze what is seen…that is reality. If you want to lead your life privately, going to temples with a large group several times a week is not congrous with that desire. If you do choose to go, that is your right, then you can either shoot straight with the public or let somebody else form opinions based on what they see and not what they know.
Just my two cents for what it is worth.
Before I end, I must say that I love your wife’s name…:-)
Sincerely yours,
Jaya
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Hello
I have been a fan of your ever since I remember and have watched all your films numerous times. I simly do not like any other actor from India or Hollywood when I start comparing them with you. Now although I am settled in Canada somehow my sons aged 9 and 4 years are Abhishek’s fan since they saw “Dhoom’. I have a couple of questions. I have been hearing about your programs. Will you all visit Winnipeg, Canada?
There is just one movie of yours which I have not seen and would love to see is “Parwana”. Is there any way to get a print of it?
Iquebal
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Dear Amitji,
For someone who grew up watching your films right from ‘Zanjeer’ at Imperial cinema to the fantastic ‘Cheeni Kum’ I think this is a great opportunity for all of us to get in touch with you. I love this idea and look forward to reading about you. I have seen you shoot around Mumbai and once had my dad scuffle with police and get me to meet you while you were shooting for the telephone booth scene in ‘Majboor’ even today when the film is on TV and the scene comes up I proudly show it to my daughter and anyone present that during this shoot I had met you. Later on while working at Mumbai airport have handled you on a few flights and have always loved the way you have handled yourself at all times. Even today your song “Rote hue aate hain sab” is my all time favorite.
Sir, keep on doing the good work. We love you and greatly look forward to many more films.
God Bless you and your family.
Neville
Dubai
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 10:29 am
HELLO SIR,
GOOD MORNING! HAVE A NICE DAY.
I HAVE A WISH THAT YOU MAKE MY FRIEND AND THAN WE WILL DO GREAT JOB DONE. I AM JUST JOKING SIR DONT MIND. I AM YOUR GREAT FRIEND SO I DONT KNOW WHAT ARE I SAYING TO U??????????
I AM SO HAPPY BCOZ I CAN FREELY SEND MY FEELINGS TO U.
SIR,I AM REQUESTING TO U THAT PLZ SAY TO ABHI SIR AND ASH MAM THAT
HAPPY MARRIAGE ANEVERSARY.
ONCE A DAY I AM PLAYING PHOTO CARDS THAT TIME MY AGE IS 9 YEARS.
I HAD MANY ACTORS PHOTO AND YOURS PHOTO MOVIE OF SHAHNSHA.I AM SHOCKED TO SEE UR PHOTO AND I ASKED MY FRIEND THAT YAAR AMITABH BACHHAN ITNE BUDHE HO GAYE ,YEH TO BAHUT JALDI BUDHE HO RAHE HAI AISA NAHI HO KI MAIN INSE MILE BAGER HI RAH JAOU.THAN MERE FRIEND NE KAHA YEH ONLY BUDHE K ROLE MAIN HAI TU ITNI TENTION MAT KAR.
SIR THIS MEMORY I CANT FORGET IN MY LIFE.
OK SIR GOOD BYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE,WE WILL MEET AGAIN.
THANKS & REGARDS
Rajdeep Singh
09214421555
Jodhpur(Raj.)
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 10:29 am
OMG, this is Big B!
:O
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 10:43 am
I am so glad that you have finally got a forum on which people can interact indivually with you. It is the best way for fans to communicate with somone they admire. I can’t say I am a fan in the true sense of the word because i don’t honestly watch too many movies. Be they Indian or others. There are so many times when you would like to say something directly to the person but have no medium. What the media says most of the time is their perception and distorts the reality for everyone. There were so many times last year that I wished I had had this oppurtunity when I was disappointed maybe wrongly due to media perception. That’s the past now. But it would have been a great avenue. As for that Headlines news “journalist”. their sarcascm leaves a lot to be desired. If she could be only half as literate as you - not only in education and class she would never even have thought of saying it. And the public gets it.
Thanks once again. Its the first time I have ever written as a fan to anyone. I am glad you have given me this oppurtunity. If I ever feel the need to say something to you. I know where to turn.
All the very best. My best wishes to your son.
Sincerely
Anita
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Dear Mr. Bachchan,
I just wanted to leave a brief comment, since you have so many comments to read through.
I just wanted to say I’m a huge fan of you, Abhishek, Aishwarya and Mrs. Bachchan. I also love the movies that you star are in, and I’m looking forward to Bhootnath and Sarkar Raj.
I also hope that you will be coming to New Zealand for The Unforgettable’s tour. There are lots of Bachchan fans based here in New Zealand and most of which are my family. IF you do decide to have a Unforgettables concert in Auckland, New Zealand, I will surely be attending.
Yours Sincerely,
Shavindra Sharma (An 18 year old fan)
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 11:01 am
i want you to work with amir and naseeruddin shah …,to do an out and out comedy and to play a psychofant killer ..
thanks
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 11:03 am
Sir,
Finally getting a chance to read your writings. The way you present yourself in interviews, gives an impression that you indeed have an eye for logic and details. And after going through your articles, I believe you can come up with some very logical piece of original writing. I would like to add to your article there was a constant media criticism on the guests invited or rather uninvited. I believe, its the sole prerogative of the family to take a decision on such matters. No one has the right to even suggest anything in this regard.
To be honest Bhootnath promos have failed to excite me, but I am waiting for Sarkar Raj.
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Dear Sir,
Selecting my favorite performances from your body of work (especially from the 1970s, when the structure of the industry was such there were quality “little” films being made as well as the “big budget” blockbusters) is a difficult task indeed…although I was foolish enough to make the attempt a while ago. Not sure if you have the time to read all the comments posted here, but I nevertheless offer up my write-up for your considerations:
http://qalandari.blogspot.com/2007/09/my-favorite-amitabh-bachchan.html
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Dear Amitabh Sir,
Greetings!!
Our family has great regards to your family. I love the Bhootnath
Promo and especially your song. Also eagerly waiting to watch Sarkar Raj.
What a cast, we get to see you, abhishek and aiswarya after bunty aur bubly
and that too in RGV’s movie.
I have the greatest regards to you for choosing not to react to the daily cooked up stories that come from media against you. It just emphasises your maturity
and inner stretgths. I guess no one other than the very few true celebraties that we have in India understand what it takes to be what you are.
They always say ” Out of control emotions make even smart people look stupid” and it directly takes on the media, which is continously churning out false stories on your family.
Also, one should not be fooled by people who are there just to praise you or there to take control of your family in demise. More than media, you should beware of them.
People create fear to take someone in control, so one should not be afraid to face the consequences of being the greatest star of India and also the First Bollywood family.
Our deepest regards that resonate with your deepest thoughts and we are there for you in every step that you take. Joining me is my wife,mother,father,brother,sister,uncle,aunt,neighbours and friends all around the world.
Your humour is the most admired of all. Your humbleness is the most felt on media.
One last but not the least, E+R=O ( E-Event,R can be React or Respond & O-Outcome)
One can choose to React or Respond to an Event. I choose to respond to an event where I have options to choose for a desired outcome, while I can choose to react without thinking of any options, which most of us do and fall as a pray to the others. You have always choosen to respond and that is what made you the greatest star of india for more than 25 years, we have seen the number game changing almost every day/year or a decade. But we only saw our greatest star unfolding and wining millions of hearts and the number keeps growing without stopping.
Warm Regards,
Nihar
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 11:15 am
hi sir ,
i am a big fan of all of your family members,as my brother is not feeling well and admited in hospital,except my brother i don have any one in this world,so i need a amount of money if you help me will get my brother and i will be very faithful to u bye sir,have a nice day.
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 11:17 am
It is good to read your blog
All the best
regards,
Anuradha
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 11:18 am
amit sir agar shahrukh sir aap ko apni team ka match dekhne k liye bulaenge to kya aap jayenenge
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Dear Mr. Bachchan,
I have always imagined of sitting and having a chat with you someday if possible, albeit writing to you through your blog comes a close second. I am a die hard fan of your work(as I’m sure countless are). My most cherished memories from your gargantuan body of work are from the 80s and 90s, (although I’m only 27) I am referring to movies that I grew up watching namely Shahenshah, Ajooba, Hum, Khuda Gawah, Akayla. As ludicrous and contrived as those movies might have been, when compared to now; they defined my teenage years and what you were in those times i.e. a larger than life character who took on the system, to set things straight when no one else could. It was escapist cinema, but I loved it.
I bought your book(To be or not to be) and was pleasantly surprised to discover the various aspects of your personal and professional life in rather extended detail. I have tried to follow your work just as closely as I did when I was a teenager and it is commendable how you have evolved as an actor since you do mostly character driven roles nowadays (Post 2000 after KBC) as opposed to dominating the screen from the first frame to the last in your heyday. Although I have cringed at some of your recent work(armaan, Kyun! Ho gaya na, family, aag) etc , it never ceases to amaze me that given a good script and a substantial set up you can still deliver a knockout performance(the resilient KHAKEE, poignant and poetic EKLAVYA, the amazing BLACK, the hard-hitting DEV to name a few).
Not to make this extremely long, in closing I look forward to hearing from you regarding your current and future work and look to re-live some of those amazing memories from the movies I grew up watching and get a better understanding of the actor that is AMITABH BACHCHAN.
(BTW, I have been living in the states now for more than 12 yrs, and am originally from Saharanpur, U.P.)
Love and Regards
Haroon
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 11:20 am
SIR, HUM LOG AAP KO DHOOND RAHE HAI AUR AAP HAMARA YEHA “BIG”ADDA PE INTEZAAR KAR RAHE HAI
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 11:21 am
I AM A DIE HARD FAN OF YOURS SIR
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Dear Mr. AB,
I have been your fan since childhood. Growing up to see so many different characters and roles you played, the transformation and growth has been unbelievable. Your role in the movie ‘badal’, riding that white horse..made the first impact on me.
haha..that was back then!
And now, looking forward to watch ‘Bhoothnath’.
Hope to meet you in person someday!!!
Take care
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Namaste Amitabh Sir,
Nice to see that your writing is as prolific as your acting !! Looking forward to see some comments/views from you on the Raj Thakery drama that is being acted out in B’bay/Maharashtra.
Sincerely
Nishant
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Dear Sir,
Abhishek has been doing so great in his career since 2005, he has a big fan base. His films are opening big. His ads are very well received. When I watched lage raho munna bhai at connecticut his special apperance got a big roar in theater. Still I feel there is a section in media trying to write him off. Some give credit of his success to your power. This despite huge hits he has given on his own. As an acting colleague, how do you feel for a genuinely acting star like him, whats your advice to him? In this era , where people use media to declare themselves a superstar, shouldn’t Abhishek also leverage media to get his share?
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Hello Mr Bachchan,
Congratulaions on starting your own blog.I have been reading your blog for few days and I feel you are really upset over many things going on around you.
I would just say you are a legend with huge personality and these implications on you are part of this package as people are just writing their own frustrations and failures by writing or talking about you and your family.You will say something they will write something else, you will do something which everyone else is doing but they will find it againt norm.I guess by blogging you will be able to vent out which will be very healthy for you as we need you to act in lot of succesfull movies.
Coming to lighter topic.I have read your autobiography To Be Or Not To Be.It was one of my honeymoon gift in 2003.I have it nicely placed on our coffee table in our home in New York and everytime we have any non indian friends at our place I feel very proud when they recognize you.Its beautifully done.
I wish you and your family the best.Enjoy this lifetime, you have earned it.
Love,
Tania Sandhu
NY
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 11:33 am
It’s my dream come true to see your blogs on BigAdda….please continue responding the huge friend network you have.
I am very big fan of you and love to see your movies.
May God bless you with good health so we able to see more and more movie of yours.
Thanks
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 11:35 am
dear amit uncle
from starting only i m in thoughts that when u were small what did u wanted to become? were you planned of becoming a hero or something else? r u feeling lucky that u are the best indian hero
hope of a reply from u
best regards
tanya
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 11:36 am
Respected Amitabhji
Yesterday I had blog you and suggest you that the personalities like you can do a lot for society which obviously you are doing in way of Polio Drops and other health advertisement, but I have two humble suggestions to you if you can do which can be immense help to society. Now corruption and education are the major concern of India. If corruption decrease and Education increase, India can become powerful country.
1. I have requested you yesterday to work in serial like “office office”, they are now showing the corruption in government offices (This way they are educating people that it is common in govt. offices and people take it for granted) but I request you to act in similar serial where as a common man you fight against such Babu’s attitude by complaining higher authorities like “Gandhigiri” and get rid off from such illegal bribes. At end of serial you win the situation. You can take help of RTI Act, ACB, CBI etc. to punish the culprits, this will educate people how to take help of this agencies. (As you have massive hold in public, this can be a turn around for Indian public and they will also fight against all small incident and corruption just like their hero in serial. This will help Indian public to awake against ill.) These small incidents can slowly change scenario.
My father is lawyer, he always fight for injustice even against CM, Ministers, Officers….and he always get results. No doubt he has to suffer lot, but if we are right, we have to fight. There is more then 100 incidents where in he has won for his rights. My father can share such real incidents with documentary proof with you if required. We would like to make people bold enough to fight and you can do easily to mass of people by working in such TV serial. (I remember your “Main Azad hoon” where you have awaked society.)
2. Instead of clarifying your stand against people saying, you are requested to use this “blog platform” to educate general public by educating them for not throwing rubbish on road, giving education to child, help society, pay Income tax, respect women, time management, punctuality, faith in GOD etc. You are having big impact on public so they will surely follow your words. You invite people to share their good work after your advice on this blog. People will share this and you will feel good that you have done something for society.
I am not sure, if I am able to convey what I would like to convey to you. It was in my mind since long time and this blog has given me platform for it. I am sure you will atleast give one thought to it.
Regards,
Paras Shah
Ahmedabad
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 11:39 am
SIR YOUR “DON” FILM IS MY MOST FAVOURITE MOVIE EVER . YOU ARE REALLY THE “DON” OF INDIAN FILM INDUSTRY. SIR I ASPIRE TO BECOME A “SUPERSTAR” SORRY A “AMITABH BACHCHAN” ONE DAY . JUST I NEED YOUR BLESSINGS AND I AIM TO RECEIVE THE “BEST ACTOR” FILMFARE AWARD ON UR HANDS SIR. YOUR LINES IN CHIRANJEEVI’S PADMABHUSHAN FUNCTION “THE KING OF INDIAN CINEMA MAY REACH UPTO THE PRESTIGEOUS BHARAT RATNA” RAISED THE HAIR ON MY HANDS. I AM MUCH INSPIRED BY THAT LINE OF YOURS. SIR MY PURSE ALWAYS CARRIES A PIC OF YOURS AND MY PC ALWAYS HOLDS YOUR PIC OF “ANTHONY GONZALVES”. I AM VERY LUCKY TO FIND A PASSIVE CONTACT WITH YOU BY ONLINE. I AM GONNA HAVE AN ACTIVE CONTACT WITH U ONE DAY DEFINITELY SIR. BUT REMEMBER SIR I LL RECEIVE THE “BEST ACTOR” FILMARE ON YOUR HANDS. HOPE MY MESSAGE WILL HAVE THE LUCK TO HAVE YOUR GLIMPSE AT IT. BYE SIR
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 11:47 am
Dear Amitji,
Congratulations on starting your blog….In describing most of your movies, I am reminded of a quote by Roger Ebert who once said “Every great movie should seem new every time you see it”. My mother has been a great fan of yours (as Pradeep would have informed you when we did your cases in the SC and in the HCs)….However, my father also conceded your greatness as an actor after seeing your performances in Black and Cheeni Kum!!!
All the very best to you and your family.
Regards,
Rohi
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 11:50 am
well first let me congragulate you for this great idea ofcreating a blog for interaction with the people.
Well coming to the point iam extreme critic of media trying to improve to their ratings riding upon the apathies of celebrities.its a criminal intention of the news channels and print media to highlight&expose the celebrity personal lives with a so called “PEEPING TOM” policy.Recently the regional channel,TV9 in Andhra Pradesh has continously shown clippings of actor CHIRANGEEVI’s daughter’s elopement and marriage with a commoner.The channel gone to the extent of cancelling all their regular programmes to air the clippings repeatedly for over 5 hours.The news channels in order to gain popularity have started showing explicit scenes,illegitimate affairs happening round the corner.I feel there should be an end to this kind of media intervention.The victims must consider approaching the courts of law by taking circumstantial evidence into consideration.The celebrities,however shy away from taking stringent actions as they are wary of media.But i stongly contend a tough stand is necessary so that this “BREAKING NEWS” policy will bring a breaking change in their methodology of operations.SIR,WAT DO YOU SAY?-Dr.GSREDDY,surgeon.
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Hiiiiii
Amitabhji
Its great to see you here..
i love your movies!!!!
Great Job in entertaining the Masses..
Thanks..
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
A HAPPY AND GORGEOUS ANNIVERSORY TO DEAR BROTHER ABHISHEK AND BHABHI AISHWARYA…………… HERE I M POSTING SOME INTERSTING THINGS I HOPE ALL WOULD LIKE IT…………………
-: FROM PROPOSAL TO MARRIAGE ………..ABHIAISH :-
Here’s a countdown on Ash-Abhi’s engagement ceremony at La Mer and the celebratory dinner at Jalsa that followed…Ad-man Prahlad Kakkar is paying the price for having a famous neighbour. He has watched the Aishwarya Rai-Abhishek Bachchan romance blossoming ‘under his building’ as they say in Mumbai.
—————————————————————————————————–
I saw great chemistry happen between them about a year ago,” he says. On Sunday night, all the action was at this building, La Mer and Prahlad claims that he’s now spending a bulk of his time telling the world about it.
“Well, young Abhishek arrived early evening on Sunday and went up to meet Ash’s parents,” he says, adding with a laugh, “It must have needed some guts for Ash’s father is a tough boy and slightly intimidating. He’s the chairman of our building and keeps all the watchmen under control… Anyway, Abhishek did go up and ask for the hand of their daughter. Her mother Vrinda’s presence must have helped for she is rather fond of him. Her parents were happy, but asked whether he had the permission of his parents. Abhishek told them that he hadn’t asked his parents yet, he had come for the Rais’ permission first. Afterwards, he went off to ask his parents.”
The engagement at Ash’s place was a very small, informal affair. Everyone exchanged sweets, and that was that. “I went and met Vrinda later,” says Prahlad. “And I found her very relieved. She was happy, and she giggled a lot, much like Ash.”
——————————————————————————————————-
At Jalsa:
The engagement ceremony lasted almost till midnight. After which Abhishek decided to throw an impromptu party for a few of his close friends at his bungalow, Jalsa.
“Abhishek was very excited,” says Jr Bachchan’s childhood buddy Chirag Doshi, who was amongst the first to know that Abhishek had proposed and Ash had accepted. Abhishek SMSed Chirag from New York after proposing to Aishwarya Rai. “When I spoke to him he was very excited, but he didn’t want us to talk about it because he wanted to meet Ash’s dad before making it public,” says Chirag.
Chirag, along with his wife Tanaz, attended the celebratory dinner at Jalsa. “Ash looked visibly happy,” he says. “I met Ash the first time when she was shooting with Akshaye Khanna for Aa Ab Laut Chalen. Ash and Abhishek were always in touch with each other since they started working way back in 2000 with Dhai Akshar Prem Ke. They make a fantastic couple.”
The post-engagement ceremony at Amitabh Bachchan’s bungalow at Juhu, was a small and private affair. Only some very close friends, which included Abhishek’s close friend Chirag Doshi, Sonali Bendre, Abu Jani, Apurva Lakhia, Sandeep Khosla, Karan Johar, Hiroo Johar, Amar Singh, Kirron Kher, Anupam Kher, Sikandar and Sunil Doshi, were among the guests who were present at the bungalow for dinner. Bottles of Champagne were popped. And a formal lavish dinner was served.
Amitabh Bachchan was at his wittiest best and kept cracking jokes. He, of course, had to keep going out of the house to meet mediapersons who had congregated outside. Amar Singh played host.
Jaya Bachchan was also thrilled with the news. “Jaya aunty cooked for all of us. We were served both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. But, of course, the occasion was much bigger than the dinner,” says Chirag. Apparently, Jaya made maccher jhol (fish curry, Bengali style), rice, mutton korma, chicken kebabs, dal makhani, navratan korma and payesh (payasam) which is the traditional celebratory dessert of Bengalis.
Abhishek Bachchan had to leave early morning to catch a flight for a shoot. But all the guests hung around chatting and celebrating until almost 5 am.
“Abhishek has left for Jaipur to shoot for Goldlie Behl’s film and they are yet to finalise the wedding date. But we all are waiting for the announcement. Abhishek is not just my buddy, but he is like my family,” adds Chirag.
Did Abhishek ever speak about his love for Ash to him? “Now that’s too personal and I would not like to comment on it,” he replies.
Considering the fact that both Abhishek and Ash are doing reasonably well in their profession, this marriage news would certainly bring some difference in their career?
“Not really,” he retorts. “They both are superstars in their own right, and they have professional commitments. They will not get married before they are done with their commitments. They are not the first Bollywood couple, we have seen successful Bollywood couples in past, so I am sure that they will be doing many more projects together.”
with love,
NAYANGOTECHA
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Dear sir,
I frim Bangladesh, from my childhood i have been watching your move, just i want to say using one line comments. wanderfull and unparallel.
Regards
Parvez
Report Abuse
April 20th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Hello Sir,
I still can’t believe that i’m interacting with you. It was yesterday that I got to know about this blog and I had posted a comment too.
I have always believed that media has been unfair in peeking too much into the life of public figures. The way one conducts oneself in private is one’s prerogative and one need not be accountable for that to general public as long as it doesn’t affect them directly.
It is a different matter altogether that a few of public figures like you have set such high standards of conduct that they become a reference point and thus derive justifiable attention.
Every self-respecting person is obligated to stand up for his/her dignity and esteem and to clear up the allegations that he/she is accused of. Thus it is in all fairness that you present your side of story that we otherwise never would have got to know.
Finally, once again thanking you for starting this blog. It was my dream to interact with you which otherwise i wonder would have remained unrealized.
Best Regards.