A most prosperous Dashera to all !!

Vijayadashmi - the day good triumphed over evil. The day according to the Ramayana, Ram triumphed over the evil Ravana. The day Durga Ma returned back to her husband after having taken a break from destroying the evil Mahishasur. A day of special prayer and celebration. A day when effigies of Ravana are burnt symbolically by igniting him through the arrow that Lord Ram fired at him. The destruction of Dashanan - the 10 headed Ravana !

The house is dressed up in flowers at all the gates and doors of the house in a long string of the ‘genda phool’, the prominent yellow flower that has been the main ingredient of all garlands that are offered to the Gods in prayer. Special food is cooked and a lot of the auspicious work that has remained unattended is now initiated. All the cars and vehicles are decorated with ‘genda phool’ garlands over the bonnet and grill. Machinery, that element of prosperity, is garlanded too. Friends, relatives exchange greetings and good wishes. The young take the blessings of their elders by touching their feet. It is a special day. And soon there will be another special day, when Ram shall return from exile after 14 years and after having defeated Ravana - Diwali, the festival of lights !

I was born on Vijayadashmi day. So according to the Hindu calendar, today is my birthday.

The launch of the audio for ‘Aladin’ today amidst promotional interviews with TV and print. A non stop activity starting from the early hours of the morning. Its at the Marriott Ball room and conference area. Media set ups have been done in around 10 locations within the premise and we shift from one anchor to another in a continuous flow of questions - all of them the same. I have always maintained that the greatest test for an actor has been this moment of film promotion when, you are expected to give 40 different version answers to the same question !!

It is now late and the jamboree has just ended. And tomorrow starts another - the press conference and interviews for COLORS and BiggBoss 3, in two cities, all in one day !!

Marketing has reached such massive proportions, that an entire industry has erupted in and around. The reliance on that initial week end of business is driving producers to make sure no effort is spared to achieve this goal. And no matter what we may have to say in complaint, the system works. Good marketing has produced good results at the box office. That old belief that the merit of the film shall eventually emerge victorious has long since been overridden. By the time you wait for the merit to show its face, 5 other films have shown their merits.

I am meeting the media after a long hiatus and I find them generous and kind and devoid of any hostility. Each one has something to say about our blog - one even having a print out of yesterday’s and quoting words and expressions from there for me to elaborate upon. This is such a huge departure. And I wish to compliment them for it. Compliment them for acknowledging our little space, this little world that we have built over the past year.

I had during the IIFA at Bangkok planted a small inches long sapling at the location of our events. Today I am heartened to show you how it has progressed over time and become a handsome healthy tree, symbolizing the efforts that we all make in greening our environment. And environment cannot be talked of without the mention of that great Dr Pachauri, who was present there last night at the GQ awards, to receive his recognition for the immense work he has put in towards the awareness of global warming. Dr Pachauri and I hail from the same city, Allahabad and not because of that, but just the level of commitment that he as an individual has put in and continues to put in, is truly inspirational.

The tree then, or should I say the sapling then to the tree now ~

There is something quite uplifting on the advent of change in our lives. A change in job, an acquisition, a change in relationships. Changed car, changed routine, anything brings that little extra energy. I changed too today. I changed my mobile phone machine. And I cannot describe to you what an excitement it has been to be able to accomplish that.

The number of word count at the bottom, just read 786. In our Muslim brothers and sisters the numerical has religious significance. Salim-Javed used it to perfection in ‘Deewar’. Maybe I should test similar ground now and actually check if it works. So gutten nacht !! Shubh Ratri ..

Good night

Amitabh Bachchan