Its refreshing to punch in a PM instead of an AM as you start up the blog. Time has been kind to me over the past few days. Kind not in terms of work and involvement and pressure. Kind in terms of giving me an opportunity to utilize it not the way I had been in the last month, but in keeping me busy with work that has been essential but enjoyable. Time to sit out in the sun again, to gym, to repair mobile, to read and respond to correspondence, to read the articles of value in the print media, to follow debate on the channels - on the terrible conditions that stopped play in the ODI with Sri Lanka at the Kotla grounds in Delhi, debates on Minister of State for External Affairs and his twitter and so on.

Kotla - Freozshah Kotla grounds, the cricket venue of several international adventures. Those early years in the city and the complete inability to even wander about this venue when a match was on. The College and University days when watching a cricket match by bunking classes was a recognized pastime. The paucity of funds to buy a ticket. The ingenious methods deployed to somehow smuggle our way into the grounds free of cost. The thrill of being inside this hallowed arena where the greats of the International world of cricket enthralled us with their skill. On one particular occasion to witness that great West Indian team simply destroy us with their immense power and talent. Wesley Hall, the pace bowler counting his steps to the run up and the entire stadium counting with him, and in amazement of the distance he would cover to bring in that awesome speed. Gary Sobers and Rohan Kanhai and the likes of them delighting us with their exquisite skill. And then on one occasion during the visit of the Pakistani Team to be seated through some great string pulling, just below the dressing rooms in vantage positioning, to see that incredibly handsome Fazal Mahmood, the Captain and opening bowler of their team, lustrous hair swirling about as he ran up, his green colored eyes focussed determinedly at the batsman facing him. Hanif Mohammad, that batting sensation and his younger brother Mushtaq starting up their international debut at the young age of 17 and 18 years. And our own Ramakant Desai, that thin and fragile looking pace sensation whipping up speed that would never ever be associated with his size, being brought on by Polly Umrigar standing in as Captain to bowl to Hanif, knowing that he would always have a problem with him and then sure enough to see the wicket flying away as he got bowled by a beauty. And Bapu Nadkarni who I think had the distinction of batting for the entire 5 days of a test match unbeaten. He was the ‘blocker’. The one that never hit the ball, merely kept blocking it to kill time and frustrate the opposition.

Such vivid winter memories of that ground, woolies, fog and all !!

Sorry ! Drifted a bit to times gone by. Times that one always remembers with such detail and nostalgia. They seem so close to me. Like it all happened yesterday.

The promotion for ‘Rann’ has started in real earnest. An entire day was spent at the Filmistan Studio in some very innovative marketing ideas. Who was it that just commented on the blog about some great Hollywood actor that stated, that actors were not paid to act. They got paid for the promotion of the film that they did ! Ha ! At the rate promotional activities are being conducted in the Industry, his words may well be true.

Later as we reach some semblance of rest, the next team of promoters for the film TEEN PATTI drive in and with two films coming close to each other without sufficient gap, this predicament shall need to be resolved, else one shall start eating into the other, or worse, both eat each other out.

I must admit I feel a bit strange getting into another film so soon after the one that has just been released. The thoughts and effects of the recent one still invite excess reactions. The recent one has been chugging along without any formal support or marketing. It has now been recognized as a hit, but analysts say if it continues in this manner for another week it could be declared a super hit. In any case it is being looked at with great reverence, simply because its return in investment has been quite phenomenal. Mission more than accomplished !!

This little unobtrusive film, with lesser known actors and crew has become the talk of the town. No one paid any attention to its existence. But with great success it has managed to turn tables and how !! And all credit goes to the people of the nation, who have through a unique delivery system word mouthed our offering to a grand success.

More intimate promotions on RANN tomorrow. But before that, recordings for a new idea, that has yet again gained the distinction of being pioneered by ‘moi’. Of this there shall be more. In love and in affection and in trust.

As ever

Amitabh Bachchan