Posted on: May 15, 2008 - 5:16 pm
Nice-Vence-Cannes, France, Thursday May 15, 2008 12:15pm
Dearest and most loved readers,
fellow bloggers
and those than become the reason for my existence as an actor,
It’s a grey morning. Dark clouds hover above the crescent of the Mediterranean on the Riviera. The mountains in the distant look subdued with the mist and the fog of moisture, the tiled houses scattered about symmetrically adorn the natural beauty of this exquisite region. Birds chirp. Somewhere far away, the swish of speeding cars on a highway, break the sound of silence. I look out of my terrace, but I am not looking anywhere. Silence does that at times. Nothing enters your mind or body except your own lethargy, numbing you into submission. A submission to the elements.
A gentle breeze brings with it the smell of lavender from a nearby bush. A church bell from the village below signals the hour, the sound almost not reaching you.
And then, quietude -
a French word, from the medieval Latin quietudo, or the Latin quietus, ‘quiet’..
Language is so fascinating. Who invented it ? How did it evolve into this mass communication medium ? Why were there and are so many different tongues ? Does the region bring that about ? Does the climate have a part ? The color of our skin our beliefs our demeanor does that have anything to do with it ? Is it because of what we eat or the way we dress ? What ?
And look at us today. Different tongues, different regions, castes, creeds, religions and nationalities agreeing and disagreeing because of it, fighting or making peace, believing or not believing in the faith it represents, strengthening or weakening its existence or its value, coloring or discoloring it with different social and moral hues, adding to its value or in most cases diminishing it. Diminishing it perhaps to a level where the original, sounds and looks like a stranger or an impostor.
I write in English. It reaches many. It is among the most spoken and understood languages in the world. Spainish, I believe being close by .
But the marvel is that it all emanates from the same structure in every human; the mouth; supported and formed by the strongest muscle that we possess - the tongue !
The strength of the tongue and the spoken word has changed belief, temperaments and human nature. It has created history and changed it. It has formed the supremacy of a region and then become the cause of its fall. It has the power to cultivate hatred and the balm to soothe it. It can take two people apart or bring them together for eternity. It can spread or it can be confined, but it can never be eliminated.
Yesterday I was quiet. Today I speak. When I was quiet others perceived what I would speak. When I speak others perceive my quietness. Human nature, so mercurial, is beyond perception. Writers, thinkers, philosophers, editors, columnists, journalists, men and women of letters, educationalists, mass communicators, politicians, preachers all astride on the tread mill above the well of humanity, have been pushing the wheel, the cycle of life, to enable the water of knowledge and wisdom and belief to flow out into the myriad drains of the land, into the fields of humanity, to quench as it were their lifelong thirst.
The water tread mill continues its movement. When people get off it at times the land parches. Some fresh legs get on again and the wheel moves. Humanity continues to exist. Continues to baffle and surprise us.
But today I wish to address an issue that has been played out for months and one that perturbs me no end. It is the matter of my relationship with Shah Rukh.
Despite numerous clarifications and denials from both Shah Rukh and myself through the electronic and the print medium there seems to be no letting up. It is hurtful and unwanted and I wish to bring with all sincerity a final end to this much imagined ugliness.
So I shall start with myself first.
If there has been, for any reason whatsoever, a lapse or error on my part I wish to apologize for it right here and now. If any expression or opinion of mine, deemed or otherwise towards Shah Rukh has been the cause for any grievance then I am sorry for it. I have never deliberately or with any false intent ever meant or said anything towards him, or indeed any colleague or member of my fraternity in my 40 years as a professional. It is not my nature and does not fall within the confines of my upbringing. I am filled with remorse if some have felt otherwise. I would wish that this plea of mine coming directly from me be given its due merit of forgiveness.
Shah Rukh has been and is a friend and a wonderful colleague. He has never ever crossed that very delicate line between familiarity and respect. On occasion I may have desired a little more of the former, but the difference in our age has perhaps been a barrier. He has never failed to reciprocate affection that has come from me and hopefully neither have I. Despite his exalted position and authority he has always acknowledged my existence however diminished or insignificant it may now be. He has always shown great affection for Abhishek and given him elder brotherly advice voluntarily. Having worked together with Jaya the two share a very warm mother-son relationship reciprocated in equal measure from both. His closest friends are our common friends and are like family to us - Yashji, Karan Johar’s late father and Yashji, Adi Chopra’s father. Gauri his wife has always displayed great warmth and hospitality. Members of his close circle are also sincere friends with my daughter Shweta and her children.
Shah Rukh knows as do I that if there were to be a need for any clarification on either part, we would pick up the phone and talk to each other or walk across to either home and meet and resolve. If we have not on this occasion ( actually we have never had any occasion ) then it has shown how insignificant and unnecessary the occasion has been.
There are well wishers on both our sides, committed and passionate. If they are upset for something that I may have done or not done it is deeply regretted. I have never shirked the responsibility of an error nor shied away from correcting a fault. Forgive my errors if any I pray and allow me the intent of correction.
The spoken and the written word are vulnerable indicators of perception. Each expression can connote through the liberty and guile of intelligent juxtaposition, a different meaning. The language that we use ensures that. In this intriguing world of thriving middlemen it is possible to accomplish it.
And I direct the attention of my readers today to an earlier paragraph above on ‘the strength of the tongue and the spoken word..’ and with folded hands very humbly submit to those that desire to prolong mischief and anger and animosity. Please stop. You have the power with you to bring change. It is not just a matter of Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan. It is a matter which embraces a much wider spectrum.
I thank you for your patience, for your concern and for your understanding -
Amitabh Bachchan
June 20th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Hi there,
Reading your blog for the first time, have heard a lot about it in TV channels. It is good work ( i have read only 2 ), and appreciate it.
As you said ‘”language is fascinating”‘ and its evolution is a miracle, in the same way writing is an art and you have got real talent on it. I consider it always good for people to write out their mind ( like morning pages) to clear out their thoughts and to help them to concentrate more on their task at hand.
But writing requires reading and reading requires time.Oh.. the thing that we as a nation is running out of.
Thanks for selecting English as your medium for writing, otherwise i would have never been able to write thie message to you ( although hindi is our national language, blame me for not taking enough interest in studying that )
BIGADA - big thanks for helping me to write to the BIG DAD of bolywood.
Cheers and take care…
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June 16th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
hmm…i pause wondering how I should address you, I’ve read your blogs from Day 35 to this one and feel compelled to write, I usually never ever respond to a blog, for fear that it might be legions at work rather than the person themselves. However I feel this is genuine as the words expressed here bear too much similarity to the actual…I digress, before reading your blogs it would have been so easy to call you Big B…but after, you’ve almost morphed into a venerable figure to me, so I guess, what feels right is to call you Sir .
Anywho…your comments on the friction between you and SRK are incredible. I can almost feel your humility and shame for succumbing to the vanity of a lost era and thus propelling some of your actions/words on this blog (ref : chart fight) - it was indeed unnecessary, you are a GREAT in the hindi film industry, your fame is beyond nations, languages and race. You are synonomous (sic)to Bollywood. SRK is a great if your footstep, he has reached a level of international fame only after your have left a blazing trail for him. Take heart in that. Do you ever wonder why KBKG was such a great hit….it was because it had the two of you TOGETHER!!! It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that any movie with the two of you in it…will become an even greater blockbluster. I guess you are definitely creating your own family industry…but give the fans what they want…and I can sincerely tell you…it’s a wonder to see the two of you TOGETHER in film!
left in amazement at the strength of your words, the beauty of your writing…Chris
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June 8th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Dear Sir,
This is my first visit to your blog,and I must say that your blog is awesome.I have grown up watching your films and the very word”Amitabh Bachhchan” fills my heart with a sense of joy,confidence,pride and many more.Yesterday what someone pointed out to me was something which I never realised,and actually kind of associated me with you in a manner which was bizarre but true.I was in my office and one of my closest friend called me “Amitabh Bachchanji idhar aayega” and I was kind of taken aback,why is he behaving in such a fashion ,because there is nothing which i have done ,to honour me ,by this name.
Then I asked him as to what made him say so,and the answer which I got left me amazed,happy, that I have something common with the person whom I admire the most,respect the most.Guess thats destiny and I didnt do anything to share that commonality with the man I have admired the most.
1.I was born and brought up in Allahabad,which is fine.But the second point is something which surprises me a lot.
2.My in-laws are from Bhopal,i.e my wife hails from Bhopal just like yours.
These answers left me awestruck,which i never realized.Probably its a very small thing which would not find any reader but for a person like me ,its the biggest complement I have ever got.
Shifting from the topic ,I would just like to say somehow we Indians have this nasty habit of comparing everything without actually realising whether this comparison makes sense or not.I feel ,just like it would not be fair to compare Raj Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan,its atrocious to compare SRK and Amitabh Bachchan.We all know Raj Kapoor has been one of the legends of Indian cinema.We dont need any statistical figures to prove whether Mr Raj Kapoor is a better actor or Mr Bachchan.Comparing them is a sin.They are in different planes all together.Similarly comparinmg SRK and Mr Bachchan is again a crime.I really dont understand what was the need to put those statistical charts and figures of KBC ratings comparing SRK and Mr Bachchan.The ratings dont prove anything in itself:I hope MR Bachchan also believes that” ,both are marvellous actors,you cant compare oranges with mangoes.
Mt Bachchan you dont need to come out with charts and figures to prove that whether you are good or SRK.Poeple of India have been admiring you for the last 40 yaers,kids have grown up watching your movies,what more,we dont need thses trps to prove all this.
I must be honest enough but I didnt expect you to put all those charts in your blog,cos I feel they dont prove anything.
Poieple go by their own whims and fancies,and its up to them to decide.
And to cut the long story short,we all know the fact,and that is both of you have bought fame to India,thats it ,and it would be foolish to compare actors that are not in the same plane.
Thanks
Anupam
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June 6th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Hello Amit Sir,
Very well composed to the perfection as it was expected by u.
U really deserve a ton of accolades and so deserves Mukesh Ambani promoted Big Adda for such a flamboyant Marketing style.
Regrads
Desh
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June 6th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Hello Amit ji!
Very well composed… But one thing I’d certainly like to say that its indeed a nice marketing style by Mukesh Ambani promoted Big Adda… Way to go Big Adda
Regrads
Desh
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June 2nd, 2008 at 9:57 am
I am yet to read anything pristine and selfless
U r truly great ,Sir.
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June 1st, 2008 at 8:37 pm
you write SO well!! it’s all poetic, n philosophical..and ‘cool’!!
about SRK…he’s also a favourite! so is hritik…and of course you!
without there being any real major issue, as you say..the media had created this kind of a match..SRK vs. AB…and it really doesn’t make sense!!
the khan camp, the bachchan camp…’haha’ is all i have to say to that!
cheers to all friendly relations in the industry!
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May 30th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Mr.B
M also a blogger and m writing to you just like i comment to any other blogger. I havent read everythign you have written in the blog, but after reading this little piece of your writing i must say you did a fair play of words and emotions. your description was warm and readers could feel it. Amitabh uncle- I m actually your daughter’s age.. but being a passionate writer and reader i have the maturity to appreciate things which are not fake.. your words are pure.. and i felt them–”I look out of my terrace, but I am not looking anywhere. Silence does that at times. Nothing enters your mind or body except your own lethargy, numbing you into submission. A submission to the elements.”
Beautiful i must say..
Destiny has its own secret moves- but as a human being i wish your father was alive to see and read how beautiful his son writes..
Love,
sana
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