The daughter and the grand daughter left for their home in Delhi and already there is a silence of absence ! To hear the bustle and noise of their presence is such a divine feel. May all families forever cherish this most valued possession. One episode comes to an end and the other begins. What was foremost in the mind yesterday has been taken out and replaced by others. And suddenly they become the desired and most wanted. So strange the ways of the world !

Hema ji … Hema Malini reported for the first day of work on ‘BBUDDAH’ with me today. So many memories of films done together. Why, we were together in Bhopal too, just a few days back on ‘Aarakshan’. The work was satisfactory and within schedule. I believe the director wishes to finish the film within the first week of May and then the release issues shall be discussed. For now there is nothing confirmed, but soon on seeing the progress a date shall be finalized. Movie making is such a complex process and I often wonder whether the time spent in making one is more valuable than the results it produces. I have always enjoyed the process more than the end result and after. After, is the immense fear and anxiety of judgement. No one likes that. But that is what motivates us to the profession. I often wish if we could spend all our time on set and not have to face the wrath and unpredictability of result, what a wonderful life it would be. There is such a great sense of work when on set. There is equally, such a great desire of distancing oneself from it when it is to be assessed by the mass. Assessment brings doubt and uncertainty. Would it not be wonderful if we were never to be assessed, and still share the benefit of its import. Ahhh … life asks and tempts one into taking always the easy way out, but knows that that is the one that is most treacherous. The brave keep going regardless, the weak succumb and sit by the shade of the tree, tried and prone to giving up.

Many ask me, and more these days, how I keep going. Sorry .. that should be … ask me ‘why’ I keep going. Going where ? I work because I have a profession which gives me work. That is my commitment. I respect and restore it. And beyond that, I never have great quotations to give that may well be restored for posterity. How does one really answer that query without getting into cliched replies. And why does one ask that question ? Its not a sin to keep going, or is it ? They almost always make me feel that it is. Contrarily I find it most immature and unwarranted. Why must one ask it in the first place ? I feel it actually is a hidden desire, in those that ask, to not keep going. As if they have or had limited their work to a certain period and now finding someone that still continues beyond, to be of dubious value. If their incapability is circumspect, why must they paste it to another ?

The argument is hollow and forlorn ! I shall work so long as I am desired by those that construct, to give me work. I shall live so long as it is destined that I do. If people are troubled by my extended profession or my extended life, it really is not of any concern to me. I must do what I must needs do.

There is talk of some legislation being introduced for the net, and it does not seem to be welcomed by most. The legislation deals with abuse and wrong usage of the medium and intends through this law to prevent it. So, if there is abuse or any act committed that reeks of social moral and anti national intent, then the carrier of that illegality shall be punished. This is welcome and should be exercised. But why beat the messenger. Beat the infringer. It is being suggested that if the blog contains abuse made by another, then along with the ‘another’ the blog shall be punished too. Hmmm … !!

Why punish the blog. The blog has not abused. Someone came on a free and independent democratic medium, made comment and left. Yes, if the matter is of consequence that relates to being unwanted due to the usage of expletive language, then take it to task. But the internet is a free medium. Anyone can come and pass remark. Mostly from an unknown faceless person. Catch the person then, that causes default. Why the medium.

Worse … if someone wants the medium to be sabotaged, would it not give him or her an ideal situation to write an illegal comment, in order that the blog or twitter or facebook account gets punished !!

There was an interesting editorial in a prominent paper here today on Elizabeth Taylor and the declining star value of todays times. It painted her, Elizabeth Taylor, in luminous paint, and justifiably so, but went on to  establish that the aura and the celebrity of such individuals was of a quality which todays stars lack because of the effort they make in wanting to be prominent and visible. It talked of their restraint and elusive nature, of their almost invisible yet powerful presence, their dignity in doing so and how in todays times the celebrities and the stars, made desperate attempts at acts to promote themselves so vociferously that they were in fact diluting their value instaed of keeping it hidden and quiet.

The frequent blogs written and the twitter consumed - I am certain a veiled reference to me, but not by name - and the promotional activities done for their films, was but an exercise to promote themselves, when in fact the stars of yester years did nothing of the sort. Which is why, it argued, that someone like Elizabeth Taylor was able to maintain that aura of unreachability and her mystique remained in tact till her dying day !!

Valid argument I believe, but somewhat obtuse. I would rather have appreciated the opinion, if the characters mentioned had lived and functioned in the times of today. In the times when communication never had it better. Put that in similar context and then compare. I doubt if there shall be any room for argument !!

Good night ! And God bless ….

Amitabh Bachchan