It was ‘West Wing’ time all over again !! Coming back to it after generations. Well almost. But great to be back in the White House, with all the intrigue and tension and the working of the most powerful administration set up in the world. Not my words, but those of a character in the serial. And in between little naps and things to nibble at, substantial progress in this wonderfully performed TV product. What has been most interesting and amazing to watch in WW is the technique. Technique of the performers, technique of the camera work and the technique of the written word and its direction.

How on earth have they managed to take such endlessly long shots, moving from room to room and image to image and character to character, with such ease and authenticity. Truly a marvel. And not a single error that can be brought up for notice. Not a single painting or light bulb out of place, nor a work station, nor the continuity of the sets and the actors. It is an exercise in movie production to be watched and to learn from.

Anil Kapoor was over in the morning with the idea of a project that he wishes to produce and have me act in it. We talked of many things under the sun, but particularly on his foray into TV in USA. He works for the serial 24 in the next season and seems to be excited about it. The interest in India, he says is so strong and visible in LA and in Hollywood and feels that many productions from there shall be finding their way into the country soon. I feel that Hollywood shall be amazed at the colossal bank of untapped talent that resides here and that they would find this exercise most fruitful to both industries.

The dining table conversation between Jaya, Abhishek and I was enriching - Aishwarya having left early in the morning for Hyderabad and ‘Robot’. We talked of sensibilities and attitudes. We talked of temperament and ethics. We talked of family and values. We talked of conduct and upbringing. We talked of ourselves and of others. We talked of learning and imparting.

But what was most valuable was to find a unanimity in almost everything that was discussed. That was extremely encouraging. To have the head of a family, a wife and a son in agreement on matters as diverse as human attitudes to professional compulsions must be considered a rarity in today’s times.

Head’s of families bear the onerous task of bringing balance of authority. In our Indian joint family system, it is a managerial nightmare. But for centuries, not only has this system been in existence, but prospered and prevailed as well. Principles set by the elders are respected and dutifully followed. Tradition and its furtherance has been the ultimate decider. Disputes and differences have been brought to the high table of the elder and his or her decision taken as final judgement. It takes a lot of discipline and belief to accomplish this. But it works and is adhered to.

Many now compelled by modernity or with the desire to be different, break tradition in revolt and set paths that do not follow given and settled direction. Change. And the change of belief and the desire to adapt to other means, pushes some to walk separately and alone. It is not something that tradition allows or is content with, but it accepts and if there is need, tolerates.

Wife’s run their own domain, with pride and compassion. They indeed are the de facto heads of the family. Nothing moves without their compliance. They are the strengths and the pillars of this massive edifice. This edifice that they entered and adopted and then nursed and structured as their own personal private nest, with warmth and care. This is all that they possess. And they guard and nurture it with all the passion at their command. Mess with this and be prepared to be messed up. They are born in a home they believe is theirs, only to learn, as marriage does, that this indeed is not theirs. That what they acquire after their betrothal is what shall remain and give them permanency. This acquired home is the place they shall live in for a greater number of years than they did in their own Father’s home. This is the wife’s greatest sacrifice, her greatest achievement - the readiness to shift midway and to grow in this new environment to give it the prominence and pride of place than any other. This is their own, their final destination. This is what she shall live and die for. Those that understand the depth of this adjustment, understand the wife, the Mother, the Mother in Law, the GrandMother and the great Grand Mother. Most of humanity lives to be able, only, to announce this stage. Very rare are those that are fortunate and blessed to add another ‘great’ in the lineage.

The progeny, the child, the son or daughter is what the future bides its time for. They are the bearers of the torch. They shall run ahead to light up the path, to seek fresh pastures, to make them more attractive and fruitful. In their guidance and guile shall depend the continuity of the generation. They shall bear the responsibility of tomorrow. They shall introduce change. Change for betterment and greater prosperity. They shall conduct and respect the blessings of those behind them, to carry them forward to the next. They shall be entrusted with responsibility. They shall conjure support and co operation. Not for today or for tomorrow, but for tomorrow’s tomorrow. They will need independence and liberty. They shall need freedom. A freedom to exercise their right and the freedom to express. To garner compatibility and to mark their progress. A progress that shall bear the indulgence of their peers and their elders and their heads of family. For, only when they shall understand and respect that, will they be in position one day to enumerate and define the ‘Head of a Family’ ; a title they must deserve and be worthy of.

May each family deserve the Head, the wife and the progeny .. and may they ever exist in harmony, peace and just happiness !!

namaskaar.. shubh ratri… shabba khair … aadaab … sat sri akaal … good night !!

Amitabh Bachchan