The bands are a little distant today .. the guests at the Hotel connected with the weddings have travelled … and peace reigns again on the outside of my window with the large balcony. Some senior journalists who read my Tweet on the issue, suggested I should have gone down to the wedding and met the bride and groom. I did not think that to be a wise suggestion at all. But then that is really, a journalists point of view. Maybe they see some value in that.

An attempt has been made in responding to some of the EF as they came along. Its a random exercise. Many though think that I choose the ladies in greater proportion to the gentlemen, and since it was a kind gent that had raised this, I promptly addressed him with a greeting. I do admit that I am not anxious to contribute myself to the realms of a misogynist. I do love the ladies. Its just that the tenderness of their responses and the desire they express on matters personal and individual, at times changes the tide in their favor. This is not to take anything away from the excesses of the opposite gender - they are most caring and considerate and perhaps a little rainbowesque in their approach. But that is not something that would deter me from replying to them. Indeed some of their discussions on debates that I initiate on various topics, have been most educative and essential for my improved condition.

The ladies, beyond their affection, have also contributed to some very sane arguments and beyond. Which is so endearing and rich that one marvels at their sense of approach and response. Their understanding on several issues has been an generous eye opener to many I am sure. It certainly has been to me !

Beyond this there are the graphic artists, whose skills at the computer art works has been fascinating and often quite space consuming ! There are those that fall into the category of the cryptic and precise. But the very fact that they were able to come in, even for those ‘less than twitter limit greetings’ is most heartening. Then we have the repeaters - ‘hi hello there, have not read blog yet, will do and respond’. And yes sure enough they shall dutifully read it and come back a little lower down in the order. We have of course the conscientious, who shall write again to accept a spelling error, and promptly correct it. Sweet ! We have the interacts then ! EF that communicate to each other through the blog, which I find an extension or really an endorsement to the concept of family. Most justifying.

And after all this we go somewhat restlessly, into the world of the complainers. ‘Why did you say this’, ‘I am an equal member of this platform’, ‘if you think your threats shall get me to leave this space, you have another thing coming’, ‘please sir, look up response number so and so, they have been most nasty, I will not tolerate this kind of attitude on this most pious platform’. And then the more demonstrative - ‘I think this blog sucks, and so do you Mr B, I am leaving !’. There are the more alarming ones too, that associate me with many insidious crimes that I have allegedly committed. Crimes that have a bearing on the running of the country and the world at large, on all kinds of ailments that our society is going through and the deep sense of hurt and regret at the effect it is having on the morals of our polity. All false, all baseless, all without any semblance of purity or genuineness. Nothing. Based unfortunately on one simple truth - take a shot at Amitabh and it will get written about, or talked about, or swung about in a manner that shall eventually stick because of its repetitive color, and in turn bring into prominence the accuser, irrespective of the absolute and disgusting untruth of the situation. And … when you’ve had enough of him, get his son, his daughter in law. Just get somebody !

A shame really ! A most regrettable shame ! And worse … when you set about to give clarification, the patent comment emerges. ‘Sir ! You are above all this. We never expected this from you. You should not react. It is most unbecoming of you. !’

And I smile at the dichotomy of it all. When similar circumstance befalls on those that guide our temperament, they are worse than a cat on a hot tin roof ! One journalist got caught on his/her professional ethics, and they are to this day so consciously trying to clear their name and condition !! Moral of the story - so long as it is happening to the other it is fine. But bring it to me and I shall shake rattle and roll !! Ha ha ha …. I laugh, guided yet again by another short verse poem in blank from my Father -

” Museebat padi, toh roya tha,

Jyada mussebat padi, toh chup ho gaya tha,

Bahut zyada museebat padi hai, toh hasta hoon,

Aakhir duniya mein basta hoon “

And for the non Hindi understanders a weak translation -

” When I was confronted by a problem, or trying time, I had cried.

When my problem or my trying times grew, I became silent.

Now when my problems and trying times have increased even further, I laugh ,

After all I have to live and exist in this world ” ~

And I shall continue to laugh at the ridiculous insinuations and allegations upon me, upon the utterly incongruous charges that have plagued my existence, for I need to live and exist in this world !!

You my dearest and most loved, have been that one and most important source of belief in my existence. Yes many of you came to be attached, by the factor of my work and profession. But I would like to believe now, that my profession is secondary in our relationship. That we have connected because we are humans, with the most basic human feelings and affection. I have admired many of you that came on and admitted, that the reason they registered here, was not because they were admirers of my work - indeed many expressed that they genuinely disliked it - but because, they found within this platform, something that they would not have normally expected from a person of my assumed countenance.

I would wish to live and exist in the belief of those, who think of me thus. And I shall be happiest in working towards that, the rest of my life.

Good night and with the blessings of the Almighty … a laughter within me !

Amitabh Bachchan