Early morning meetings with the perfume people. New fragrance, new marketing and fresh plans all worked out. Would want to launch within 7-9 months. That’s how long it takes to prepare flavor and design. It was delightful to meet up with old friends and colleagues who had worked on the earlier one. There is camaraderie and comment on the L’Officiel Homes cover that features me and invitations to come to Lebanon; the destination once known as the Paris of the East, or mid east. It is beautiful and full of life and fun they say. Better than Paris they assure me. I smile acceptance whenever possible and end the conversation.

Salon du Cinema next and a detailed run through on the protocol for the evening opening.

That done get set for a departure to the Cinematheque Francis, a most exquisite museum of cinema and memorabilia on the moving image. The officials and those that control the Museum wait up for me and guide me through the very distinguished and systematically maintained precincts of the interior. An incredible display of material and technology preserved for posterity. An array of early inventions on camera and imagery. Costumes and properties of films from the times of the silent era. And … the most amazing section designated to that Hollywood stalwart, Dennis Hopper. Interviews and pictures and clips and his paintings and music that he composed. The photographs that he took. His views on cinema. Other’s views on him. Just so beautifully and artistically put together. He was a constructor too. Built machines and instruments of artistic value and concept. Not necessarily useable, but abstract and bizarre in shape and idea. Such a n invigorating experience.

Early evening and on to the venue. A place named Placette, or something similar, my French is so deplorable. A vast structure that resembled say the Crawford Market ten times over. Designed to look unique and modern with masses of space. Shut with glass partitions to allow the proceedings of the interior to be seen continuously. Partitions dividing various activities that were in progress simultaneously - a film here a Tv program there, a set construction a make up arena. Dance and stunts in one end, training wild animals in another . Books and literature in one corner, in another a platform and stage for master classes where eminent film personalities came and spoke on the craft. A level below, screening theaters where the films for the festival were shown and a lot of space all over. Informal. Liberal. Relaxed and like a walk in the park.

The press interviews first. All French and a few from the Motherland. Career and films and the means to bring French and Indian thoughts together. Photo ops. Mostly of journalists wanting their photograph with me and then almost as soon as it had begun … the end.

Into another guarded corner. Changing for the opening. Shervani and buttons of some noticeable art and on to the stage with screaming fans from the benches. Indian Ambassador and dignitaries fill in praise; the Ambassador naming me as the true ambassador for the country not him. Pleasantries over, into the auditorium for the ‘Everlasting Light’ and ‘The Last Lear’ and a packed theatre. Astonishing reactions from the renowned viewers. They who live and breathe art and culture and aesthetics, they applaud and do not stop till you urge them to. Such a good feeling of warmth. More autographs and pictures and more security being assembled as the Festival authorities gradually assess the crowd situation going out of control. And finally in the temperature controlled environs of my Hotel room. Satisfied, but exhausted.

I look out of the window. It is grey and dark and wet and very very cold. The theme for the new year being red in color, the Hotel and lobby and the arrangements and the flowers and the canopy’s.. all done so picturesquely..

This city breathes aesthetics even when it sleeps..

My love,

Amitabh Bachchan