Prateeksha, Mumbai May 21, 2008 11:54pm

Shobha De wrote the attached and I wish to make comments -

Click here to enlarge the above image

Thank you Shobha for your acknowledgment and for making my blog the ‘talk of the nation’. There have been some other editorials on similar topic expressing similar sentiment and I shall be expressing my views on them later, but your column has its own gifted prominence. Shobha De is Shobha De, everyone reads it.

Your advice of not to apologize I shall not be able to accede to, simply because if I have felt strongly that there has been error on my part, I will submit regret. Some characteristics I shall not be able to change, otherwise what would be the difference between Shobha De and Amitabh Bachchan !

And please Shobha, reference our conversation on Anil Ambani’s private jet to Goa for the launch of his brother-in-law Raj Salgaonkar’s exquisite book, DO NOT change the design of your own book that I had the good fortune to launch.

My remark at the end of my speech for your book launch - ‘Finding the name of the author in a font larger than that of the title of the book is a conscious and brave beginning’ - was not to ‘put you in your place’ as you self consciously whispered to me on stage, it was a fitting culmination to the context of my speech. It was a compliment to the power of woman, a recognition of the strength of 50% of their presence in society, an acknowledgment of equal if not more opportunity to women in our world and to make it a right for them to share equal space in this otherwise male dominated chauvinist archaic belief.

And do not let Vir Sanghvi, Editor, Hindustan Times tickle you on this !

Oh ! About the creases on Aishwarya’s dress, I never noticed any and it is hardly expected of a team of 15 stylists, dress makers and make up professionals from Armani to L’Oreal working on her for hours since the morning of the event, to have overlooked such obvious detail. The protocol at the venue is strict and disciplined. Celebrities are seated in respective special Festival cars to ride in a motorcade almost 50 meters long to a destination just 100 meters away; the crowds, and traffic and paparazzi making this innocuous little journey an hour long ! Sitting on any dress this long would crease.

I am disappointed though that your customary wit failed to notice the creases that needed repair on the faces of many of the other celebrated stars from Hollywood. Whither patriotism ??

Talk to me sometime. I was seated in close vicinity to several of them. Not a patch on our Industry beauties !!

Love to all -

Amitabh Bachchan

Mumbai, On set for ‘ALADIN’,            May 21, 2008              6:04 pm

 
Back home !

And straight on to the sets from the airport !

I had expressed a desire to talk about our Cannes visit. I shall.

I also have comments to make on some editorials that came out prominently in the leading papers.

And, I want to mention to Pearl, one of the hundreds that write in to me, sorry for missing your name out !

For now a reproduction of a recent interview with the Telegraph from Kolkata and then later at night shall write on other issues -

my love as always -

1. Your blog has been covered, reviewed and written about extensively. Whatever you write in the blog is becoming “news” in print and on TV channels. Do you think, like Aamir Khan says, you do not need to talk to the press separately anymore?

ANS: I am surprised and intrigued by your observation. I have been travelling out of the country for some time and am unaware of print and TV channel reviews. But its interesting to know from you on the interest on my blog. I have not read or heard Aamir’s remark, but as you can observe, by responding to your questionnaire I have not paid heed to it !

2. Blogging for most is a very personal medium but Indian film actors have used it as a public medium to clarify his or her stands. What has your experience been like? Is it close to writing a diary or is it more a public rejoinder to accusations?

ANS: I have yet to find a definition for the blog or a blog or just blog. It is an intriguing word and I doubt if it would matter what it meant to those that use it. There are no rules for it, so I would imagine it is a medium where an individual has the opportunity to express himself and through that to others as well. If the process is being looked upon as a document of personal thoughts or as a vehicle for clarification and rejoinder so be it. I think for celebrities or those in the public sphere who sometimes desire a method for response this could be the answer.

3. Your usage of English and your writing style are truly praiseworthy. Have you ever thought of writing fiction or memoirs in the language?

ANS: My language and its usage is very pedantic and not worthy of praise at all. You embarrass me by this observation and no I have not thought of writing fiction or my memoirs.

4. Has the response to your posts brought to light anything new about your fans? What is your response to their response to your posts?

ANS: Yes it has. It has brought to light that they have a deeper perception of our profession and our character than we imagine. That they are extremely intelligent and conscious of their bearings. That their affection and love is spontaneous and exuberant and the reason for our existence. That their criticism and abuse at times needs careful consideration, for they are able to see and observe what we may not have and that it is the most joyful experience to connect with them first hand.

5. You son Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya have become global faces and have been the only movie stars from India on the Cannes red carpet. How does that make you feel?

ANS: I am not so sure of that. We are all here on a private visit. Aishwarya is brand ambassador for L’Oreal which is one of the sponsors for the Cannes Film Festival, so her participation in the festival activities is part of her contractual obligations. The rest of the family is here to be with her in her moment. The family has been spread all over different parts of the world for some time due to our schedules and we decided to meet up here. Aishwarya is a popular face in France and it is a very proud moment for all of us to witness the respect and honour that is accorded to her.

6. You have poured your heart out in your blog about things that have bothered you, about certain people’s actions and words. If you didn’t have the blogging medium would you have been able to express your hurt in some way?

ANS: I cannot say. It is quite possible that I may have kept that inside of me and allowed it to dissolve or fester. But now that there is a viable medium I am happy to be able to express myself.

7. Would have life been any different had things like blogging been around 20-30 years back because with you boycotting the media at that time none of your fans could hear your viewpoints on anything?

ANS: That is an interesting and valuable observation. The media boycotting me and vice versa did erase the opportunity of any documentation or record of events that may have happened in my professional career. I cannot say whether that held any importance at all. Media is the only credible source of any record for posterity other than official documentation by recognised sources. I do not think that media felt it necessary to keep on record what went on in my film or personal life, during the time of the ban. And quite frankly they were not wrong. But I would like to believe that fans love and appreciate your work on film and so long as that was in order, other aspects did not matter. So thank god for the films and their presence, for they kept me alive so to say in the minds of the people.

8. Has there been any pressure on you to use your new love for blogging commercially to promote your films?

ANS: No there hasn’t. But I talk about my films and my roles and my daily activities connected with them and at times putting up photographs and other material. If that helps in the promotion of the film then good.

9. What are the plans with your upcoming website? What features are you planning to include in it?

ANS: Plans are under construction for the website and it should be up shortly. It will have the presence of all members of the family, most particularly my father and his prolific work. I believe it would also invite comment from those not in the family as well, if we feel and consider it to be of value. It shall be a gradual process and we would love for any tips or suggestions on it.

10. Finally, Sarkar Raj is round the corner. How was it shooting with the family? Having shot for the film and perhaps seen it, do you think it can live up to the expectations from a Sarkar sequel?

ANS: Yes Sarkar Raj is due on the 6th of June and the experience has been wonderful. All three of us in front of the camera at the same time has been joyful and exciting. I will be seeing the final copy in a few days so I cannot comment on it yet, but yes we always expect the best to happen with all our products and Sarkar Raj is no exception.

Amitabh Bachchan

London, May 20, 2008 3:05 pm

Dearest Ones,

I travel again. Back to Mumbai and to the sets of ‘Aladin’ straight from the airport.

I had been promising that I would make every effort to respond to all those that have taken the trouble to comment on my blog. The task has been huge and of great magnitude. Random names and a few words on their views have been managed in the past, but to get each and every name has been tough. I will want to even as I write this, be able to take up specific queries and answer them, but for the moment I thought I would tabulate all the names that came close to me and thank them for being a part of my life.

Most of you have been extremely generous in your reactions and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support and love. Some have had questions to specific issues and I hope that I may have answered them in a more general manner. There has been anger in a few and some have carried excessive abuse. To them I can only say that if there is fault in me, I shall endeavor to improve and try harder the next time. The abuse has been at times misguided. The perception or accusation has been wrong or could be wrong. For them I shall pray. Pray that the harshness that festers inside you for it to be converted into disparaging abuse, be calmed. I feel those that harbor hatred, cause damage to their own body their own being. Life has so many happy moments to deliver and enjoy. Relish that and ban hatred.

My love as always for you -