This IS Mumbai ! A few yards away and then into the concrete jungle ! The forest and the rays of the sun that I spoke of yesterday - idyllic !

And … our friendly visitors !! watching me blowing that feather into the right direction !!

Still working on the smile for the ZEN !!

Bored by the several takes and retakes of the same damned feather, he decides to help himself to some of our coffee … cups  !!

In Bhopal !! The city where Jaya and her family lived and still do !!

Here to start work on my new film ‘Aarakshan’ - Reservation ! Based on a screen play that delves into the complicated world of education in the land where reservation for sections of those less privileged is pronounced by the highest legal authority of the country, the Supreme Court. The issues so raised, the pros and cons of the implications and within that a family and its patriarch, resolute and strong and with belief.

It is wonderful to have an opportunity to work with Saif and Deepika and Manoj Bajpai and of course Prateik, son of the lovely Smita Patil. So many memories are linked today, it is difficult to find  a starting point.

Prakash Jha, who has been meeting me for years and expressing a desire to work together. Finally culminating in the starting of this film, one that hopefully will bring satisfaction to the director who has been known to have a penchant for meaningful cinema. On issues that have plagued our country, our system and our society.

Saif Ali, son of Sharmila Tagore my leading lady in several films and who we have addressed as Rinku Di, because that was her pet name and that was the name Jaya has always addressed her with. Many may not know but Rinku Di and Jaya worked in Jaya’s first film, with the legendary and great Satyajit Ray.

Saif I remember as a little boy that had been left on the sets of my film ‘Barsaat ki Raat’, by his Mother because he was interested in films and how they were made. He had sat quietly on a piece of rock at the helipad at Film City, watching me struggling with the song ” KaliRam ka Phat Gaya Dhol “. And look at him now, all grown up and such a star having given some memorable award winning performances since.

Much earlier though, as I was telling him, I used to see his grandmother, Begum Pataudi a strong, powerful and graceful lady on the roads in Delhi, driving a white Jaguar sports car convertible -  the very popular E type ! On many an occasion I would see her drive in to Teen Murti House, the Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s residence. Begum Pataudi came from royalty in Bhopal, married into the royalty of Pataudi - their son, ‘Tiger’ Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, the dashing Indian Cricket teams’ youngest Captain, father of Saif and husband to Sharmila Tagore.

The world is indeed such a small place !! I had attended the wedding reception of Tiger and Sharmila in their Delhi house, either when I was just joining movies or had just joined, I cannot remember ! Time has indeed passed by.

India was a land of rich princely states, independently owned, managed and ruled by several royalty of the region - Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Gwalior, Hyderabad, Mysore to name a few. During the British Raj they were coerced by them to join in and relinquish their controls , at a compensation of what was known as ‘privy purses’. The privy purses continued even after Independence, until, under Mrs Indira Gandhi’s Prime Ministership the abolition of if took place. The magnificent palaces and attractive structures built by the royalty still remain as heritage reminders of the glorious lifestyles of the rulers. Most of the very attractive palaces have now been converted into Hotels or places of tourist interest. The RamBagh Palace of Jaipur, the Jodhpur Palace, Udaipur Palace and the Lake Palace and several others. Recently the Falaknuma Palace of the Nizam of Hyderabad has just been taken over by Taj Group of Hotels and has been converted into one of the most stunning Hotels in recent times. The Nizam of Hyderabad was once considered to be the richest man in the world and his Falaknuma Palace, which I have visited, is an incredible architectural wonder, much like most of the other palaces.

So here we are in Bhopal, with its temperate climate, hospitable and polite people and one of the largest natural lakes in the country right in the middle of the city.

Every time history is revisited particularly in India, we always talk of the Golden Era of the country and how it has been lost. Most countries have similar stories to tell. But time moves in circles - ‘anvarat samay ki chakki chalti jati hai’, to quote my Father’s oft repeated lines. And we all hope and expect for those times to return. To bring with it the glory of the past and the beauty of its present existence !

May this be true.

We have just heard of a terrible terror attack at Moscow airport, where several have been killed. I do hope and pray for those that have suffered, and hope and pray that of the many Moscovites that visit our platform, are safe and well.

It is a distressing thought with which to end this missive .. but …

Love to all and may you be safe and happy ..

I just did that to my Mother in law - made her happy by visiting her home here in Bhopal and having dinner with her. She is in her late 80’s, God bless her, and lives surrounded by a whole bunch of her relatives and children’s children. And still cooks delicious home food !

Since I had taken a private charter from Mumbai to Bhopal and since the plane was going back empty, I took Jaya along with me to spend a few hours with her Mother. She was most delighted and has just gone back to Mumbai !

Amitabh Bachchan