The obsession with television continues. Its become the convenient substitute for drawing room conversation, the husbands struggle with the remote for the sports channel as opposed to the wife’s serial viewing notwithstanding. I read of serious battles that ensue with regard to the territorial rights of what channel belongs to whom. Great issues arise as a result of this. No one wins. Consternation from one is quickly converted to a parliamentary ‘walk out’ from the other. Boundaries get built and visiting hours are demarcated. Try to transgress that and you will be in serious trouble - World Cup, IPL, Barclays League and all !!

Alternatives are not advised. If there is the luxury of another room, a separate set there, is often the considered solution. But that is not a solution. It is often termed as a discord. Certain members of the ‘community’ stage ruthless action and leave to the other set in a different part of the house. “How can you be watching cricket for so long ?”, is the measured reaction from them. Dare to counter that with “the same way you watch this routine saas-bahu drama for hours” and be prepared to present your cheek for a tight slap !!

But jokes aside, the obsessive part remains either way. Even the advertisements though seen and admired for long are repeatedly seen and seen again. I actually quite like the ads.,. There is some fantastic talent at work in all of them. Young, free and confident, they are the picture of this new generation that has overtaken the largest percentage of the country’s population. The West struggles with their old. They have problems. They have no youth left. Well I mean they do have them, but not in the proportion that they are comfortable with, or would like them to be. Ours is the opposite. Ours is a young country. The largest percentage of the 14 to 40 category is our mover and shaker. Have them and you have the world. We do. So we cater to them, succumb to them, create for them …

And look at their talent ! Incredible ! Even when they are doing the ads., they are of exceptional quality and expression. I try at times to learn from them. Their speed of thought and speech. Their rapid solutions and their brevity of expression. We should get all the Award giving Magazines to have a special category in their ceremonies for talent from the ads., - best actor, actress, supporting cast, music, direction and so on … I know they have their annual ABBY’s I think it is called, but that is to recognize the agencies and their work, not individual performance.

I do hope someone from Filmfare, Screen, Zee, Stardust are reading this and willing to exercise their attention to it. Would be such a moment in the lives of those that look upon and design their careers by using ads., as their starting blocks. I have a few favorites of mine and I simply adore them and their work. Given a chance I would invite them on my films. Would the Award givers note !!

Madh Island, that haven of peace and quiet and endless beach and cute cottages as week end resort, now a bustling cousin metropolis. Every inch of spare land taken up, endless traffic and an hour and a half to get there from Prateeksha, when in the good ol’ days not so long ago, it was 15 mins ; 7 if you decided to use the water way by boat across the short creek !

We had a little place there many years ago. Would all bundle up in that 2 room bohemian existence and even though we had gone there for the week end, stayed on for three months ! Went to work from there. Children schooled from there. Friends came over, business came over, producers film makers came over. It was just like being at the main house. As time passed by and our work and circumstances changed, we never found enough time to get out to Madh. Result. Gave the place away, for a pittance ! Wrong move ! Now that very spot a gold mine as far as real estate goes, but more importantly, lost a retreat within the city.

Ah ! well … each day is a learning graph .. is it not ?

Good nightie my dearies … the lagged taketh over !!

Amitabh Bachchan