DAY 207(ii)

Posted on: November 16, 2008 - 7:12 pm

Comments: 187

Still on location at the same cinema in the very same Mumbai of, would you believe it, the 16th of November in the year of 2008 at precisely 7:13 pm

 

And my oldest and most sincere fans from Jaipur - Delhi send me this -

ONE PARAGRAPH THAT EXPLAINS LIFE! 

Arthur Ashe, the legendary Wimbledon player was dying of AIDS which he got due to infected blood he received during a heart surgery in 1983. 

From world over, he received letters from his fans, one of which conveyed: 

“Why does GOD have to select you for such a bad disease”? 

To this Arthur Ashe replied: 

“The world over — 50 million children start playing tennis, 

5 million learn to play tennis, 500,000 learn professional tennis,

50,000 come to the circuit, 5000 reach the grand slam, 

50 reach Wimbledon, 4 to semi final, 2 to the finals, 

When I was holding a cup I never asked GOD ‘Why me?’. 

And today in pain I should not be asking GOD ‘Why me?’ “ 

“Happiness keeps you Sweet, 

Trials keep you Strong, 

Sorrow keeps you Human, 

Failure keeps you humble and Success keeps you glowing, but only Faith & 

Attitude keeps you going… 

 

 

Amitabh

Posted in: Others

DAY 207(i)

Posted on: November 16, 2008 - 6:32 pm

Comments: 77

On location for Teen Patti, Capitol Cinema, Mumbai

November 16, 2008              6:06 pm

 

In days of hatred and violence. In times of alienation. In times of parochial division among communities. I find two articles that interest me. They teach me tolerance and respect for the other. They convey an attitude of togetherness and resolve. Of compassion and understanding. I read an interesting story today. I forget where. But so vital for todays times.

During the time of the invasions on India from the North and being confronted with one such, a King in Gujarat, symbolically placed a glass of milk full to the brim in front of the usurper and said -

“Where is there space for more in this glass ?”

The invader, smiled and said - ” There is. I shall show you how.”

And lifted a spoonful of sugar and added it to the glass !!

In this brimming glass of milk of one, we need the other to be the sweetened sugar that dissolves in the glass, adds the flavor and never allows the milk to spill over.

 

Choose what you may, the glass full of milk or the sugar, but can we not prevent the milk from flowing over ??

 

Ponder…

Just a while..

And convey.. or practice..

 

Amitabh Bachchan

Posted in: Others

DAY 207

Posted on: November 16, 2008 - 5:27 pm

Comments: 76

On location for ‘Teen Patti’, Capitol Cinema, Mumbai

November 16, 2008           4:48 pm

The article I spoke of in yesterday’s blog. On Nehru and speech and leadership.

When was the last time you heard a good speech. One that impressed you in content and text. In expression and style. In the usage of terminology and language.

Those stalwarts are hard to find in today’s world and circumstances. Public speech was an excellent opportunity for communication of thought in days gone by. Now we have other tools that do that job. And not all of them hold any consequence in the glorification of the spoken word. Now all our information comes from Television and Radio. The language of the anchor becomes the language of the nation. Their expression, our expression; their thought ours. Is this what we want for ourselves. Bad expressions, irregular graph of speech, wrong pronunciations and tone ??

The days of languid lingering speech, of words you would dwell on, that would sink in and remain with you for years has long gone past. It is the time for brevity of expression and speed. The sooner and in as short a manner you convey is termed ‘with it’ and ‘cool’.

I find it sad.

The medium of communication is such an important weapon in the hands of a few select individuals and channels. How brilliantly and well they could be used to educate us all. Instead I find them polluting our knowledge atmosphere.

Speech and language is so important in communication. Be it an expression of love or of gratitude. Of resolving an issue or putting across a point of value. Of explanation. Of attitudes between two friends, between husband and wife, clients, customers, employees, guests, visitors. It conveys the attitude of our culture and up bringing.

How important therefore that we should come out looking good. But do we always ? 

Ponder…

 

More later.. they say my shot is ready. Even this seemingly innocuous communication by the assistant director, conveys something. Their body language, their tone.. all. I observe and study. Perhaps out of habit. Because it is a topic of interest for me. Perhaps with a desire to utilize it in my work in front of the camera someday. Perhaps… 

OK… they are really screaming now for me to be on set.. BYE

 

Amitabh Bachchan

Posted in: Others

DAY 206(i)

Posted on: November 15, 2008 - 11:09 pm

Comments: 163

Prateeksha, Mumbai                November 15, 2008              10:42 pm

 

Another day at the movies.. ha..

My movie, TEEN PATTI AND ITS SHOOTING… resumed work today. Tiring and exhausting. And felt weak by the time it was over. I suppose it will take some time to be normal again.

Its the CAPITOL cinema opposite the VT Station. Old world construction, boxes and opera house like feel. So beautiful. Now abandoned and in a state. They shall probably bring it down and build another Mall and see it failing, as have many others that sprouted by the millions all over the countryside.. A pity.

I have faint memories of my first trip to Mumbai in the 50’s and our hosts, the JK Group, who were extremely close to my father, taking us out to the movies. I do not recollect which film it was, but I do remember sitting in a box in the cinema hall. Could well have been the CAPITOL or perhaps the OPERA HOUSE. What an age.

The floor of the cinema where we shoot has been stripped of its seating and our set erected there. It is interesting the way they use the surroundings. Most of the cast and crew are happy to meet me again. They inquire of my health. It’s a montage song that is being shot. No lip sync, thankfully. When the shot is getting ready I retire into the vanity and answer and acknowledge greetings and get well wishes from friends and well wishers. I read the papers. I find some articles interesting to be posted to you all. Unfortunately they have not arrived yet. Interesting comments. On reputation. The damage of which incurs severe legal action. There was a most interesting article on Mumbai and its inhabitants. How Mumbai was formed and who came here and how it grew. There was, lastly a review of Pt Jawaharlal Nehru’s book; A Discovery of India, and the speaking powers of our first Prime Minister and how those that had the power of speech became great leaders.

I must get that across to all. Frustrated that it was not scanned and put across to me.

Sorry for the interruption. I must leave to find out what indeed happened to them - the articles I mean.

Up very early tomorrow morning to visit two important ‘mazaars’ and two important ‘mandirs’. More of which I shall perhaps not be able to talk of, since the media accuses me of propagating superstition, a factor having serious concerns in the minds of those that have been given the task of guiding and guarding our morals and ethics and countenance - the Censor Board, administrators and of course politicians !!

I yawn heavily !! Must to bed !!

Good night, Shubh Ratri, Shabba Khair

 

Amitabh Bachchan

Posted in: Others

DAY 206

Posted on: November 15, 2008 - 9:53 am

Comments: 163

Prateeksha, Mumbai           November 15, 2008             9:48 am

 

CORRECTIONS :

The year that i was travelling to Jaisalmer for Reshma Shera and the moon incident in DAY 205, was wrongly mentioned by me. It is indeed 1969. Thank you for correcting me. Joined movies in 1969 February 15th with Saat Hindustani and by the winter later was on my way to shoot for Dutt Saheb’s film.

And also to thank another for giving the technical details on Chadrayan. Yes it has not landed on Moon the MIP(moon investigative probe) has. And it has not landed, it has crash landed and yes there is no flag fying yet, but the probe had the tricolor on it. So all that I was saying was somewhat correct and some metaphorical. We are only the fourth nation in the world to have achieved this and within 2 years we are planning to put a module on the moon !!

So it is still -

GOD BLESS INDIA !!!

 

More later.. rushing off to Teen Patti shoot…

Amitabh Bachchan

Posted in: Others

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