The media mogul of RANN, VijayHarshvardhan Malik owner and Editor - in - chief of the TV Channel India24/7 played out his role to the hilt the entire day today … and there is stillmore to go. It began as an inconsequential little interview among ourselves asRam Gopal Varma questioned me in a one on one and thereafter went straight intodiscussion panels at Zoom TV. Roles were reversed. For once the questions werenot being asked of me, but by me. And for once the ones being interviewed werethe media themselves. An interesting concept, falling absolutely in line withthe promotional activity spelt out by the company made in charge of thepublicity for the film due next for release - RANN, THE NEW BATTLE or if youwish THE NEW(S) BATTLE !!

Many questions were asked and manywere responded to with some alacrity and honesty. It is difficult at times tobe entirely candid in a situation like this. Being too critical of the mediawould invite their wrath and too soft would not be promotional. A general meanhad to be drawn and I think that looking at the expressions and responses ofthe staff at the Zoom Studio complex, all seemed to have gone off rather well.Daisy M was so right in her observation of the Hollywood actor that felt he waspaid for promoting not acting in the film he had worked on.

And it is now to bed after spendingsome time with ‘bahu rani’ who has returned from Khandala after her stint at‘Robot’. Abhishek was due in today from Goa where he shoots for AshutoshGowarikar, but I guess he shall now come only tomorrow morning.

‘Filmy’ the channel had ‘Guru’ upfor its evening film and we both Aishwarya and I sat up and watched thisfascinating tale of love and passion and endeavor in the life of an exceptionalindividual, Guru Bhai. It is magnificent cinema and handled so beautifully thatwatching it after many days did not rob me of its spontaneity. And of coursethe great performance by Abhishek, which I rate extremely highly.

The New Year draws near and thoughtswander towards the year gone by. Of triumphs and disappointments, of successesand failures, of happy days and saddays. Of long months spent away from home and those spent within. But in all,much like other years, a year of satisfied caution - never too exuberant withevents that happened, nor ever, disappointed that they did not !!

The pundits would love this ! Nevertake sides. One is neither here nor there. Play safe and middle of the path. Ifthis is correct, adhere to all. The rest follows suit and perhaps wiselyso.

In a busy complicated life, a lifethat if full of material that brings with it burden and pressure, it isremarkable how even the slightest gesture can rebuild and strengthen it. Simplethings like opening a packet of fresh soap for the morning bath. A bottle ofunused perfume that had lain waiting to express itself, waiting to be opened orpositioned in a space which required for it to be seen without any malice ordemand.

A tired and exhausted mind is anunfair mind for what I pursue today, and so I have extended my apologies forwhatever it is worth. It could have the required effect, or it could destroywhatever is left over within the next few months almost.

I must today leave it at that. Thereshall obviously be a legitimate explanation for the attitude and behaviorwithin some days or hours that went by, but for the moment it has beensensational.

May this air of valuable expectancy,survive and exist. And may those that feel left out and ignored, let them bethen assured by me that they shall be the ones to bring the audio the visualand the presentation. For this I believe I may have to wait. But whatever theconsequence over meeting the concerned party, it is best to expect than besure.

Allow me the liberty to depart at asomewhat difficult note .. and profess sincere effort the next time round. Andtill then …

Namaskar … tussi great ho !!

Amitabh Bachchan