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