The prosthetics are back. The ladies in charge take over and yours truly is converted into the character that shall represent the film PAA. Its at the Sahara Star Hotel, by the domestic airport in Mumbai. A stunning tropical ambience of a hotel within a hotel. The exterior could be misleading; for inside that cavernous globe like structure a world quite different from the outside, thrives.

Abhishek and I at a restaurant sitting across a table and having a chat. The first shot of the day with me ends in the very first take. We have done an entire scene in one long shot. Abhishek has moved away from his chair and come by my side and embraces me. I wonder what it was in the shot that may have prompted him to do so. And then he explains. Its our first shot together in the film - a home production at that. It is then that I reciprocate.

There is an old tradition in the industry of the very first shot. We congratulate each other and pray for success, its like an omen for good things to happen. The beginning be auspicious. Coconuts are broken, garlands and flowers decorate the mahurat day, offerings of prayer are made and blessings of the elders taken. It is a simple thought, but one that has garnered respect and continuity throughout the years. The camera was the other object of some sanctity. Every day before it rolls, it is garlanded prayed to and coconut broken to. The delicate pieces from the coconut generously sprinkled with sugar grains is then circulated to all those present on set. Each one of us respectfully picks up a piece, raises it to the forehead in reverence and then proceeds to devour it. It is an act that is considered auspicious. On many an occasion, when things do not move the way they ought to on set, there is a frantic query whether the morning coconut was broken or not !!

And the camera… it was forbidden to look through the lens, particularly if you were an artist. And if perchance you happened to have stolen a look, the entire unit would break into a spontaneous applause and the ‘culprit’ had to feed the entire population on set to a cold drink, preferably fizzy. Now of course times are different. The video assist has taken over and there is accessibility to all. The video assist, for those that are ignorant of film shooting procedures, is a video device hooked on to the camera, which records every action of the camera on tape. Makes it easier for the director to see what the camera or the cameraman is seeing. Directors in turn are able to take several shots and have an instant replay to see what has been filmed and if corrections or retakes are required, to do so.

BigAdda wanted to promote through Star TV the fact of my blogging, its duration and what other exciting things one could expect from the digital post. They wished that I do an interview with them and I readily agreed. So we entertained them at our office and the deed was done. Discussions for the formation of the audio - blog, of which I had been talking somewhat generously all these years, needed to be conducted in order that we may be able to understand the modalities.

Star TV team was entertained in the office on one of the less used floors and the channel got its moment. But interestingly, they asked among several other queries a question where they showed great apprehension ; exclaiming in all earnest ness that all media is very scared of you nowadays, because of what you might do to them on the blog.

Somewhere there is a sense of redemption. Not that we enjoy hearing this. But yes this does provoke us to consider that there are others too in the same boat and willing to register a fear of the opposition. EVEN… even if they are media…

The world changes rapidly and we need to change with them. Not at the cost though of one’s self esteem and integrity ; that should never be compromised with, but through perseverance and hard work, through balance and maturity, through goodness without disparity, through love and affection, through forgiveness and understanding. But above all for the respect for truth - the all prevalent and pure !!!

Tomorrow - in the dentists chair by 6 am.

My love to all

Amitabh Bachchan