A moment of creation is a moment of divinity almost. Where it comes from, where its inspiration and where its final destination is still a mystery - at least to me ! What is it that provokes a painter to pick up his brush and paint a green figure, a red background or even a blank white space ? What inspires a writer to start with a word, any word, and build it on to become a classic ? What goes on in the mind of an actor nano seconds before the camera rolls, to enact a character, to deliver a line, to create an expression ? No one knows, or those that do are blessed, because I have not the slightest inkling of a credible answer.

I wonder often as I sit in front of my blank lap top what it is that I should convey to this devoted extended family of mine. And no matter what the entire day may have suggested, no matter how much the desire to express, nothing shapes until that first word is tapped in. Thereafter matter just flows. At times there seems to be no end to the extent to which one would wish to go. At times material that may have caught your fancy needs to be scanned and posted, to be reviewed, commented upon, brought attention to. But it all takes shape only when the lighted keyboard invites you to. Even as I write I am unsure where this will lead me, or how many words this would encompass. But there it is. We are at 260 right now and more shall follow.

The FmXt paid visits to me at Janak - Dharmesh and family and aspirants to cinema from Pune. They have overwhelmed me with the cutest gifts and I am so grateful for them. Dharmesh’s little daughter was the scene stealer of the day. Polite and so articulate for her age, she had thoughtfully brought some Chelsea memorabilia for Abhishek. And she spoke with the most cultured British accent that I have ever heard ! A sweetheart ! Thank you all. Your love overwhelms me. Hmmm … at 335 now and counting ! Words that is …

There were meets today with Sony and Colors and I have no idea where all this is going to lead to. All one can say is that I wait for some finality and then we take the next step forward. Every one talks of the future, of building relationships and continuity. I endorse that. But reciprocity is an equally important ingredient in all this.

Did I tell you that a touring group of students from that premier institution Stanford University in USA, paid me a visit. A good 32 of them. And it was a delight to talk to them about India and the film business and several of the questions that they were keen to get answers to. I found it most healthy to be in a situation where different groups from other nationalities visit places to gain inputs on how the other functions and then perhaps to learn and incorporate it in their final learning. The world grows smaller every day. Information and thoughts are never too far away from any community. The era of the instant is perhaps the mantra in all walks of life and this modern generation that lives through it, commands and expects that from all of us, be it business or film or manufacturing or culture.

Ram Gopal Varma came over today after long and we sat and chatted on matters similar through the day. It has become a nightmare to decipher what the audience wants today. Well, I mean, it was always a nightmare but today it seems somehow more intense. Senseless films get rejected. Senseless films get box office too. The thought provoking, does not provoke the box office at times and does, at times too. Tastes change as rapidly as turning the pages of a book. How does one keep up ? For the time taken to put up one taste is perhaps far too long for it to remain tasty. So as you sit down to analise and plan, there is but one thought that prevails. Give a good story. Forget the dressings and the candy and the toppings, keep the basics right and hope that the audience identifies with it. At least that is what all makers have set out to achieve and sadly not all have been successful.

Long live the process of creation ! Long may live the uncertainties of its bounty ! And long may they live, those that make us all responsive to it.

Sleep well my dears for tomorrow brings cheer and happiness and joy .. no harm in willing it so .. ain’t it !!

Love to you and more …

Amitabh Bachchan