There comes a time in the lives of us that go as humans, when nature in all its glory drowns our great belief, that superiority was a word not just coined by us, but one that we defined as an indicator of our exceptional existence.

This morning, as we set off early into the Gir forests to ‘be with the lions’, I realized how ridiculously minuscule we are in comparison to that ‘belief’.

After a few stock shots that were composed by the side of a natural lake carrying, we are told, 200 crocodiles – how they determine these figures still intrigues me – and talking about the Girnar Hills that existed even before the Himalayan Everest, we sauntered off further in for another half an hour, until the trackers informed us that a pride of lions was due to arrive at a water hole.

Gearing ourselves up for the moment we reached the spot and waited in silence as the ‘watchamacallits’ strolled off nonchalantly towards where the lion was to arrive, not in the least bothered about their safety. I am amazed at their level of fearlessness and the proficiency that they exhibit.

I think the wait took a while, for the silence and the early morning call caught up with me and I nodded off.

Sudden movements jolted me out of my reverie and I discovered that animated discussions, albeit in silent gestures and whispers, were being conducted around our grouping. A gentle knock on my glass pane where I was seated, indicated that all was set for ‘the’ King to arrive and that I should get seated into the open wagon that was going to capture the moment along with my dialogues as the ‘element of our motive’ arrived.

Camera securely in hand by the DOP clinging to the side of the jeep, me positioned on the edge, another focus puller and the director excitedly standing to give directions, we pulled away from the gang towards what looked like a small water hole beneath a cluster of dry trees. The water hole was man made, cemented, the size of three or four large bathing tubs, with a barren dirt road leading up to it.

We positioned the jeep, with me, by the side closest to the water hole and by my side, hand holding the 435 X Arri Camera, the DOP framing my face in the foreground ( alliteration !). And stood still and with hope, fear, anxiety, excitement all racing passed our eyes, brain, bodies.

A walkie talkie crackle !! A whisper and then … movement near the hole !!

And there, mirage like, almost mingled in the dry foliage … the gentle, controlled, confident undisturbed, sauntering .. LION !! And no not just one, many … hold on they are just coming in numbers .. 3, 4 its 7 of them, led by the male lion , two females and cubs ! They calmly come up to the water and start drinking. The older male leaves the hole and sits down by the side, the others still moving about the water. They are still some distance form us – I mean about 50 yards !

The senior then feels the need to leave and does so followed by in turn, the females and then the cubs. Soon they have disappeared where they appeared from and there is a bit of consternation among the director and the camera department because they wanted more.

Some one heard this conversation and soon the trackers were seen running off in the direction of the pride as though they were trying to stop them from going away from us. The audacity of these men ! I mean come on, these .. are lions we are talking of, untamed and wild, you do not treat them like street dogs that can be ‘hooshed’ away with sticks !!

But.. excuse me this is exactly what they have done. They have gone before them and stood around in front of their direction of travel and urged them to turn back. And what do you know .. they have indeed turned back !! And now we see the entire lot moving towards us. Thus is just amazing… and they keep coming and coming .. and are now .. a few feet away from my hand !!

A look through their stern faces and they walk past as though we did not exist. The director is going crazy whispering excited instructions –

“Start the camera ! Pan left, back to the lions, get the other one, here here this one is coming straight towards us, shift focus to Amitji, Amitji dialogue dialogue , pan pan there are others, cut cut cut … no no do not cut keep rolling…”

Quietly in their relaxed easy mode of movement they have all just walked past us and into the other side of the forest and disappeared.

We all look at each other. No words are exchanged.

Director – “ Did you get all that ?”

DOP – ‘What do you think they were all around us !!”

Ok lets move on ..

Back to the initial base the team has been waiting with bated breathe. We come in and exult ! Its been an experience ! Never seen anything like this before.

I ask for the trackers to come along to thank them for this delight. They all assemble for a keepsake and I wonder where they get their courage from.

Its hereditary they inform me. It’s a family tradition for them, their grandfathers have been doing it for ages, now them.

I also am informed of the Maldharis , the tribe that lives within the sanctuary. They have refused to move out despite being warned of the dangers of their existence in this tricky environment. They have declined. They actually love the lion. They say it never has attacked them or their little children who play around in the forest. In fact they say the lion is a great boon for them, because it saves their crops from getting destroyed by the other bodies present there – nilgai, boars, panther and their likes.

The population of the lions has grown well – almost 12 %. As also the population of the deer and cheetal and sambhar that roam the forest. They are the ones the lion hunts for his meal and conservationists inform, enhanced ‘feed’ is a good sign for the lions to grow in number.

As we drive back away from the site of the sighting, the clouds break open and lashing rain enlivens the arid forest paths. The leaves start smiling, the earth breathes in the essence of this drenching rain and suddenly the sparse environment changes rapidly into a most welcome surrounding.

A cyclone is developing in the Arabian Sea and reports have it that it is likely to travel towards Gujarat and hit the coastal areas. The lashing rain is proof that it is so far on course. I wish safety for all..

I had desired tonight to post some poems and writings from my Father, but that shall have to wait for another day. Today I am so consumed with how the day has gone that I shall be unable to do any else.

So .. I shall leave you till the morrow and yes … my Bachchan Bol people inform me that the numbers on this entity have now gone beyond 300,000 and that those that wish to subscribe to it need to dial : *5000*

Good night … with love and more ..

Amitabh Bachchan