Naked emotions, devoid of any hindrances presented and expressed as nature designed them for humans, or as many believe God the Almighty may have, have a release that remains unmatched in our recorded or unrecorded history. It somnambulates, drives us in an exhausted drain of energy to slumber. But it invigorates. Invigorates to carry function and obligation with some responsibility.

My condition may have been similar, but obligation must never be ignored. An emotion of gratitude and consent by a dignitary that holds office, can become overwhelming. I find myself in such state. Mr Narendra Modi, Chief MInister of the state of Gujarat, in his hospitality and generous demeanor, has through process registered that our film Paa shall be granted tax exemption, the paper work provided falling into place.

He lives simply and with mere basic needs and most unlike the head of a State. He speaks with affection on development and progress. He is welcoming to fresh ideas and ideals. His oft repeated phrase of him being a CM, a common man, is not misunderstood. He does and acts as he speaks. He talks of raising the level of awareness for his state through tourism and I volunteer to participate in any activity that would help promote that. Did you know or were you aware that the largest number of heritage sites in the country are in Gujarat ? This away from the historic Dwarka Nagari that lies submerged under the sea and is a subject of discovery and research, where architecture and monuments and complete palaces lie buried underneath. The rann - a massive and wide expanse of miles of white soil, that glows like it was imbedded with millions of diamonds in the night, separating our borders with our neighbors Pakistan. The historic temples - Somnath and Dwarka ji and endless places of great history, all within and still unknown to most of us. So much richness in our own and yet we cherish that which is not ours at times.

He has invited his entire cabinet to the showing along with all relevant bureaucrats and important Assembly luminaries. They sit through the entire running with silence and dignity and come out in the lights of the theatre with praise and admiration. For once they admit the politician has not been shown in bad light. Over a light dinner during the interval he turned to me and said -

‘The main and most important assets for an actor are his face and his voice. They are the elements that attract an audience to a performer. But you have done away with both aspects in this film and still succeeding in making yourself attractive to an audience. That is remarkable !’

I look if I can hide under the table ! Its a job by itself, taking compliments !

As I drive back we duck below a spanning sign on a bridge crossing that thanks us for visiting ‘Clean and Green Gandhinagar’. I couldn’t have agreed more !!!

So … its back to Mumbai in the morning and back to promoting ‘Rann’, the film, and preparing for a short presentation for the promotion of Teen Patti for the Screen Awards on the 9th. But before that are the Apsara Awards, where there is decoration for an achievement in a lifetime.

Achievements !! They should be the result of exceptional work and I do hope that one could do that in the time that remains with me. We struggle yet for it.

Shahrukh responded back last evening over my message to him on MNIK and was overjoyed by my observation. Said he was going to store it and show it to Gauri and his children with pride. He remembered that I had once assessed his performances and we talked a great deal over it some years ago. I felt he was very good in ‘Swades’ and ‘KANK’. Swades was the naturalness of his demeanor. He was far removed from habit and trademark. He was the ordinary civilian. It is most difficult to be ordinary in front of the camera. In ‘3idiots’, the scene for which I sent Sharman greetings was the one where he is being interviewed for a job on a wheel chair. He was ordinary, relaxed and real. It was one of the most endearing moments in the film. For KANK and for Shahrukh my admiration in performance came from the very nature of his character. It is easy for an actor to portray that which is an acceptable norm. It is difficult for an actor, with accepted public norm to play a role that is scripted to be against given social morality. What Shahrukh was doing in the film was playing out the negatively designed character with a belief that he was not morally inclined to go against the social grain, but his compelling circumstances were pushing him against a wall. And every time he got pinned against it, he had the ability to not slide down it in submission, but to reposition the wall in front of him. The mental and physical juxta positioning took care of the rest. That was creditable !

Boman, dear soul, said he would keep my message in store for the grandchildren ! Cute ! And then invited me to his 25th wedding anniversary at the Parsi Agiari, the same spot where he had got married ! Cuter !!

Raju Hirani, valued my comments and said he would keep it along with my appreciation for the MunnaBhai series. He has been an avid follower of my films. One very late night message from him confirmed that. He had been watching an old film of mine, got emotional and just wanted to share that moment with me. I cannot remember which film it was that he was talking about, but I believe it may have been an old Hrishikesh Mukherjee wonder.

Heavens !! It is 4 : 07 AM !! See this is what the FmXt does to me - makes me forget time when in their company !!

Good night .. good morning … whatever ..

Just never ever forget my gratitude and love for you .. this for each one of you individually ..

Amitabh Bachchan