Day over after 3-4 scenes and back in the Hotel and getting connected again.

Some of the young AD’s on set wish for me to recite my Father’s poems for them. I am surprised. They must be in their 20’s. Such reverence to poetry and in Hindi. Astonishing. I was of the opinion today’s generation keep so far away from all this, it would be embarrassing to even mention such activity. But I shall oblige. After the work is over, I shall sit with them and introduce them to some of his works. Some they are already aware of and have heard my recitation on the net. But I shall spend a bit of time as soon as this post is over to select a few.

The schedule has come to an end, almost. My director at the end of the day mumbled shyly, ‘we shall miss you sir’. I embarrass at attention . It is an awkward and self conscious moment for me. I would rather be surrounded by the creativity of the occasion, attend to it as professionally as possible and leave. Without the frills. We come together for a project, a job. That is what needs attention. The niceties and the socializing is for another moment.

Do I become too staid and without expression. I am the oldest on set, by miles. Is or could that be the reason. Is my 40 years in the Industry a barrier to the colleagues and workers. It should not. I try to keep up to their pace. To their line of thinking and language. Be one of them. Be one with them. Should I not ? I wonder at times if my attitude and behavior is correct. Should I get on a back slapping term with them. Most of them are young ladies, it may not be prudent. Should I remain aloof and silent and convey unwanted arrogance. I think not. It shall take me a lot of persuasion and several generations to develop said skill. Media disagrees vehemently. Has formed a permanent and now unshakable belief that we are en famile a disgustingly self centered and arrogant lot !!

Many who govern the status of stars and celebrity, reiterate such, through research and analysis. They suggest the rapid formation of a team of professional and dedicated individuals, that in today’s time and climate is the routine and norm for all concerned, of PR aficionados. People who devote their entire time in managing through the media in all aspects, the impressions created publicly of public people. It is a craft they say practiced by all. From Obama to O’ hell, Akshay and Shahrukh and Aamir and all the gentle filmdom ladies. People that protect the interests of their clients. See that positive news emanates all the time. Success to be glorified in its extreme, failures to be preferably buried, or buried with a decent flower laden funeral. There is an economics that controls all this, they say. Good reviews on films, cover pages on prominent magazines, n’er a negative comment, or the highlighting of errors, positioning at Awards, ousting competition on projects, made and to be made, getting greater attention on multiple set ups, deliberately eyeing the other into oblivion…

Its an entire corporate functioning, a curriculum, I am told, now being considered to be introduced in the IIM’s of the country. This is awesome and fascinating !! We never had all this in our time !! Our philosophy was, excel to such a degree that it becomes inevitable. Not so I am told. You may excel, but if no ones hears of it, no one will.

Ha.. many have concluded that my blog is a brilliant exercise in this intent. That it bursts out through a well thought out and planned management exercise. And of course many have already formed their set opinion that there is commerce and economics in this, something that despite legal reprimands, persists. More ha.. ha.. haaa !!

What did I say some time back ! When majority blesses mediocrity, mediocrity acquires the status and the standard of the majority. Mediocrity prevails because those that may desire to improve on it, could well fall in the bracket of the dreaded elite. Elites are few and far and because of their superiority in taste and demeanor and their penchant for better standard, one that has difficulty being matched by minority, they are a lot that invite a despised disposition.

I drift. Or maybe it is sleep deprivation. Some deprivation actually accelerates competent thought. Hope mine is competent enough. I misspell. My head rolls over in a drool and then snaps back to life, as though to say I am indeed awake and normal. This is a lie !! A worthless lie !! I am very very tired and sleepy…

Good night !!

My love,

Amitabh Bachchan