The server BigAdda came in with some surprises that shall hopefully bring greater joy to the world of EF’s. Surprises that I shall share once they have been whetted and approved and been through process. The aim being in bringing all of you closer and more involved and for me to be with you in greater intensity.

Confusing ? Ya.. guess we shall have to wait till all is laid down and becomes operative.

Abhishek did his first day for ‘PAA’ today. Had another star visitor on set, Ranbir Kapoor. He later sent me a sweet and affectionate sms, which was most endearing. Talking about my look in the film. He has shaped up so well in his career so far and with such ease and rapidity. Cannot imagine he was assisting Sanjay Leela Bhansali as an AD on ‘Black’. His tutoring and training on Ayesha the little girl that played Rani’s younger portion, paid such dividends for the little artist. He and Sonam Kapoor were assistants on the set together. And now look at them. Big stars in their own right. Feels so wonderful to watch how this generation grows and accomplishes itself.

RGV came and spent a few moments explaining the script and the work he had already done with the other artists. I start ‘Rann’ first week of April, soon after returning from Malaysia. And Sanjay Leela Bhansali came and spent time on the costumes for his film, ‘Chenab Gandhi’, due to be on soon after ‘Rann’. Star came and discussed TV and a presentation shall follow in a few days on what we might be attempting later this year. And then Firoz Nadiadwala to discuss his project with Rob Cohen and JOI.

It is strange that within the the last few months there have been at least three projects that have talked of the same subject and offering the same concept to me. Keeping ethics and protocol in mind I have dutifully informed each of the other. I wonder who will make what and with whom in the final.

But away from all this, has been the talk of how BigAdda wishes to bring our community together even closer and to be able to provide facilities that shall truly be novel and experimental. In the days to come I shall be encroaching upon your time and attention. May it be joyful for you, as much as it will be for me.

I struggle with the foreword for Madhushala and still have not gone beyond the first few sentences. It is a daunting task but I shall prevail upon my will and shall indeed complete it. There is another job on hand - a preface to the biography of Khwaja Ahmed Abbas, my first director and the one responsible for bringing me into this film world. A most amazing individual having strong beliefs and principles. A strong will and determination and immensely proud of his heritage and his philosophy on life. We all addressed him as Mamu Jaan affectionately.

There was also a creative meet on the promotion and release of the audio of the Hanuman Chalisa composed by Aadesh Srivastava and sung by all the prominent singers of the Industry, with my participation in it as well. Not among the prominent singer category, but as a voluntary part of this most impressive rendition. It is a unique product, again out of the stable of Aadesh, with whom I have been closely associated in films like ‘Baghbaan’ and ‘K3G’ and ‘Baabul’. Govind Nihalani, who directed me in ‘Dev’ is doing the video shoot and we shall soon be seeing it on screen and in audio stores after its formal release. It is yet another product from AB Corp.

It has always been a dream of mine to be associated with some kind of work that has elements of divinity in it. This shall be a start in small manner. Yes the donations at temples have been there and they have been doing great service to humanity. But this is a personal involvement and therefore perhaps closer to the Almighty.

A recent article in a prominent paper by a prominent author recently, ridiculed my donation to a particular temple lacing it with puerile arguments on how I would rather spend to seek blessings from Him and not be aware of or pay service to the poverty around the country. If only senior journalists or should we call them columnists respectfully, were to take the trouble of research than sit in armchair comfort to draw their misguided conclusions.

Many moons ago if EF will remember my counter to various articles, derogatory in nature, that appeared in some weeklies, during and after the coming together of Abhishek and Aishwarya, where I had specifically explained the reason for my visits and the causes that were to be taken up by the donations made. No attention has been paid to that. No one bothers to find out that the funds go to feed the poor every day. 30,000 poor are given free meals every day at this temple. And my donation forms a large part of that scheme. But simply because it is a noble and good cause, an activity that the media dare not associate with Mr Amitabh Bachchan, because Mr Bachchan is not to be bracketed with the good, they shall dig up old ill informed news, wrongly and unjustly highlighted and paste it on to my face. Truth be damned.

I am preparing a detail on this and shall give my EF the benefit of first copy once it is ready. And please do not keep throwing this ‘you are a gentleman’ bit to me. I appreciate your advice, your concern and your reason to say this. But, there comes a time when being a gentleman is not enough. When ‘this is not expected’ of you forms the refrain. When ‘you are above all this’ does not ring too well. There are times when the gloves need to be put on and a few punches thrown. The world never listens unless it knows you can throw a few as well !!

One can think the good for others. One can show concern and respect for feeling. One can show affection till it begins to hurt. But if feeling and affection and respect shall be taken as granted. As an element that will be continuously misunderstood and misinterpreted, then there is need to repair that impression.

You may fault me as a human, but if you will fault my affection and with some deliberation, then it is time to correct. Either the human or the affection. Stretch me if you like, to whatever extent you wish, I shall not bat an eyelid. But when you shall stretch me till I tear, that is reprehensible and unwarranted. That will and shall invite correction.

I also believe that when you fault me and make it public, there is justifiable reason to do so. Were it to be done with the absence of a public figure, it would get lost and be unnoticed. In a sense you may collect many that shall pay attention to the comment and thereby increase your own visibility. Sit on top of the tallest man for then you shall certainly be noticed, they say. Yes it is true. But also true is the fact that quite inadvertently you also acknowledge the importance of the man you have chosen to ride. That must be so deflating. For, the very individual that you wish to demolish, is the one you use to be noticed.

Ha.. ha.. ha..

I hear the sardonic laughter of those that detest the strength of retaliation. That wish that we remain objects, mere objects, in their realm of self aggrandizement. To be broken and mashed and pulped and scattered to anoint selfishly, their own fetters… A pitiable state for any human…

I am not anguished. I am not angered. I am most at peace. I am at peace, because I know what they profess to know. And I know, what they profess to know, is no where near what needs to be known.

Endless love and affection without restraint and blemish to all EF. This I know you know !!

Amitabh Bachchan