There is something about completeness in a family. The house beginsto smell right, the furniture the lights the food everything about itsuddenly comes to life. Such an endearing moment. This long intervaland gap has detached all of us. Now together, there is the urge tospill out all that we wanted to say to hear to inform. WEST WING canwait.

And so it was. The staff gets all efficient and concerned with thechores. The dog, Shanuk doesn’t tire from shaking his tail. Indeed hevolunteers to come out on the lawn with us, even though it isn’t histime to, and even though his little and now apprehensive friend, thecat, sulkingly beckons him to pay more attention to her instead.

The morning has been filled with responsible and exciting conceptmeetings with the people that manage and run the blog. The first hourhas been devoted to all the millions of complaints that came across tome on the difficulties respondents faced and continue to face. They areminor glitches and shall not assume major encumbrances in our contactand our functioning. All is well. The earth rotates. The sun moves fromEast to West. Traffic actually moves. And motorists still believe thatthe green traffic light is an indication to GO ! Its a beautiful world.Idiotes at times, but beautiful ! And don’t try to spell correct me on‘idiotes’, its from Greek; an ignorant person.

But.. there are some developments in the process which would makeour lives so worth the effort of living. Innovations that I am unableto talk about, but most decidedly one that would bring us even closer.And perhaps some, further away from us. A blessing !!

Osian the publishing giant, or one that will become one in time isnow ready for the launch of a unique book ‘Bachchanalia’ containing allthe publicity posters of all my films from the day I started, decoratedquite imaginatively with little snippets that talk of my experiencewith each film. Neville Tuli, in charge, presents the second copy to mefor personal use after giving the first to his Mother. It is well puttogether and Bhawana Somaaya who came about with the idea and thewritting seemed pleased with the final out come; she having done onepreviously too with a modicum of success.

Some one at least, that considers recording or documentingfilm memorabilia, albeit of some stupid actor synonymed BIG B, forposterity and the generation to come. There is such an aversion to putdown record , to wanting to keep events details discussions commentsand analysis on our cinema, that years to come when we shall want tolook back we shall be staring at a blank page. A pity and a sadcommentary, not just to our craft, whatever it is worth, but to atemperament that has from its very early years looked upon thiscreative art as infra dig and below standard and value.

An entity, millions identify with, just not given its due place.

So.. prior to the launch there is promotion. And there arephotographs and interviews with print media. Talk about the book. Talkhow you feel. Will you, who write continuously ad nauseam on blog everwrite biography. You do talk of your experiences and thoughts, why notthe bio then. Hell ! there is nothing biographical in my life and Ihate the word ‘I’. I was born here, I did this, I thought this, Ithought that… aggrandizing !! But you do it all the time on your blogdo you not. Ya ! I do on occasion. But.. I’m not selling it, lady. Justhaving a chat with my loves and lovers. Do you mind !!

So on with the jacket and jeans not worn in a decade. On with thathint of make up. On with some fresh hair and fresh glasses. On with thesmile, sitting, standing, hands on hip, hands in pocket, hand- shaking,good bye thank you…

Neville, with special speech and flowing hair. Speech that nevercompletes the ‘ing’ in word that are fortunate to possess it - changingto changin’, coming to comin’, wanting to wantin’…( Why ?? ) Is nowsettled and happy with the result of this photo meet and shall belookin’ forward to seein’ me at the Tata Auditorium on the 3rd ofJanuary 2009 for launch, yes launch, not lunch; that when you eat.Launch !! Got it !! Javed Akhtar to say words, Aamir Khan to cutribbons, Yash Chopra to release book, Bhawana and Neville to fieldhostile questions from assembled. No just kidding !! To face the music.No ! Sorry, thats not sounding wise either. To have staid sombrediscussion on the making of this ode to ‘wine and revelry’ - the book,the book. Remember ?? ‘Bachchanalia’. Yaaah !! Clever no ? And bringthe evening to an end. Oh ! Forgot most important venture. Wife’sagreed to come !!

Wife, that has during this long absence, draped fresh curtains,upholstered new and colorful cushions, sofas and bed spreads. Elegant,aesthetic and so considerate ! Gratitude !! I am covered in one now asI try to make written conversation with you. Yes.. the bed spread,yes.. yes. I, cannot be covered in gratitude, stupid. Oh.. ok .. youmean cover her with gratitude.. yes.. thats fine, thats plausible,yes.. thank you. I think she might enjoy that !!

Harumprrpphhh ! Just so unable to get you to be on the same plane as me.

Plane ??

Never mind !! Good night !

Loveyouloveyouloveyouloveyouloveyouloveyou…………….