Aksa Beach on Madh Island … a morning idea of a shoot for the film ‘Bbuddah’ … just some mood shots to catch the atmosphere, to catch the breeze, to catch a 70 year old in motion at 45 frames per second .. hot and humid, sparse atmosphere, the few onlookers on the beach relatively uninterested and memories of a Lilliputian pony brought from Pune for the shoot of AmarAkbarAnthony, by that master of fantasy, Mr ManMohan Desai.

Ha ha ..

As distributors of the film in Mumbai at the time, there was that constant desire to be involved in the film beyond just being an artist. As a film it did some amazing commercials - I think if I am not wrong, 25 weeks in 25 theaters in Mumbai alone, was its running spell and more thereafter.

But on the Aksa beach it was the shooting of the song from the film ‘Humko tumse ho gaya ..’ with Parveen Babi and a small specially constructed ‘tonga’ with the Lilliputian pony pulling it. Every time we would rehearse on the moving vehicle, all went well. But as soon as we were ready to take the shot, and start the camera, the pony would turn the other way and run in the opposite direction. And as an interested party, I was not just singing and trying to woo the attention of my leading lady, but also trying to woo the attention of the Lilliputian - also a lady !!

After several attempts were aborted, we finally decided to play hooky with dearest pony and placed a fake camera in front of her, knowing she would turn the other way, and placed the real one in the direction of her turning. Smart eh ! And .. er… the Lilliputian was not a blonde !!

Running at 70 is a bit of a bother ! You feel you can move with some fluidity, but no ! The legs do not respond to what the mind is telling it to do and you suddenly realize that the weight of your body is not that lithe anymore. So as I sit down on my ‘blogespherechair’ to fill in my adventures, I am cushioned with hot water bags and electronic heating devices to ease out the the numerous folds of muscles, that had remained dormant and in retirement for a very long time.

Soon after it was the adrenalin pumping beast bike, the Harley ‘twixt my legs. And what a monster it is. I have to say though that having done it, and for the first time, it is an experience that now coerces me to have one of my own. OOOOO ! Baby !! It is another world as you stride all the leather and studs and white metal that surrounds you. Quite something !

What is it with men and the sound of a mean machine. The roar of a speed car, the rush of air and sound in a double exhaust bike, that kick of acceleration as you push the pedal flat, that jerk of change on the Concord, when it was functional, as it went from normal to Mach 3 at 55, 000 feet in the air ! Is it the same with the ladies too ?

I am happy that the pictures made you happy. I just felt I messed up in the size factor. Should have printed a smaller size. May be I should do it now. Ok ! Shall do so -

So there we are … these are some for the publicity for the posters and banners and some for the audio visual that was shot the same day, that shall be dubbed tomorrow and that shall be relayed at a time only Sony would know.

Its been an early night today … just as well … I shall get to rest for a while longer, for, tomorrow its back to the grind with the most difficult part of film making from an artists point of view, the dubbing of film.

And oh yes … forgot … there are some visitors coming in tomorrow to meet and discuss future plans .. I wonder how that will go ..

” Actors don’t retire. They just get offered fewer roles. ”

Love and hope and more …

Amitabh Bachchan