At 6 in the morning, the world feels and sounds different. At 3 in the morning the world seemed distant and unaware of circumstances. The shoulder positioned as it was in awkward conditions, decided to announce its gravest fear - pain ! It became an ordeal or should one say exercise in heavy artillery movement, to shift in bed. The handy anti inflammatory that one has got used to, found its way into the mouth and with a swish of the liquid acqua minerale, it lodged itself in the confines of the area that was under stress. The medication works like magic and immediate relief gave me the opportunity to put in that extra few hours of much needed slumber.

But by 6.30 it was pushing iron and chasing images on the tread mill. The yoga, the BP measurement, the information transfer to the doctor and straight into a recording studio, lending my voice figuratively and otherwise to the cause of the 26/11 tragedy. Sonu Nigam, that talented singer from our world of film and pop and classical had asked me to participate in a song that he was doing for those whom we lost that fateful day. I did. Many different singers from our trade had participated in it to lend it a spirit of togetherness and strength. Of faith in our independence, and the love for those that became ours in defending our freedom. I am joyed by the effort and give voice to it. And then it was back to PAA and its dubbing.

For most of the remaining day, valuable discussions on the marketing of the film PAA and how it needs to be promoted prevailed. The official look shall be released on the 4th by an unveiling of the final poster and then the first promo shall be up on the blog on the 5th. The channels shall be carrying it from the 6th.

As the final day of release approaches, the labor and extent of hard work gone into the film whizzes by. Those arduous 5 hour make up sessions and the difficult hours before and after it seem distant now but carry all the memories of the work done and undertaken.

I wonder if it is prudent to put down what the initial results from the promo have revealed. There is a sense of wonder and awe. There is disbelief and there is love and emotion. Balki, the director showed the promo to Yash Chopra and he promptly called back, to say he could not believe what he was seeing. It was stupendous he said. A short while ago Adi Chopra has sent me a message delighted with the promo he saw too and has been calling up Abhishek to express what he believes will be a landmark film. He felt cinema bench marks would be set again and that the film even before he could see a single frame had suggested to him of its huge box office prospects.

I shall breathe easily tonight. The fear of a bad shoulder has somewhat disappeared and before it gets to a position where it would reappear I just wish to get into bed and see the night through unlike last night.

There is a huge sense of guilt that pervades. For days now the elder has not been able to attend to the responses he is receiving and this makes him extremely sad. There is also the matter of the 838485, which hangs like a balance. But it will be done. And by me. !!

I must retire … but I wish to leave you with two of the sms I received today -

‘Today you brought tears of joy and happiness to my eyes. Today you inspired me. Today you made me realize that you never stop dreaming. Today you made me remember why we go to the cinema. Today I saw the promo of PAA. It has left such an impact on me that I have yet to stop thinking about it. I knew about the script but I never thought it could be pulled off. Today you proved me wrong. Today you touched me. Today the way i heard you say PAA still rings in my ear. Today I feel like calling my Dad … Paa. Thank you for this.’

‘Uncle Balki showed me the promo of Paa, it was outstanding and it looks like once again you are going to set a new benchmark - all the best, uncle.’

Till the morrow then …

Amitabh Bachchan