Said the famous lines from the song of an old blockbuster film in the 60’s I think. Said the famous lines from a leading politician of this region during the opening of the IIFA held here some years ago.

The words say that we must in our lifetime come but once to Singapore. I have been here a few times and now here again after a 5 hour bouncy ride from Mumbai.

Singapore, squeaky clean and efficient. Polite and with a smile. Compacted by geography, but large in hospitality and welcome, shall be my abode for sometime now. I am here to be with Amar Singh ji and to see him through his moment. He recovers well, but with caution and that is how he needs to be conducting his life.

O dear, I go back so many years to this city country. In the late 70’s, ‘Suhaag’ directed by the genius of ManMohan Desai wanted to shoot an action sequence on a helicopter and since he would not settle for anything less and since a helicopter shoot permission was never allowed in Mumbai or anywhere in India, we came to do it in Singapore !! Shashji, Shashi Kapoor and myself had travelled all the way from then Bombay, to hang precariously at the bottom of this flying rotor bird !! We were to jump off from said bird onto escaping villains in cars and mobikes. We were given a particular stretch of airfield on one of the airports, or perhaps the airport that existed then - I cannot remember too well, to perform these shootings. We stayed at a Hotel that had Indian management and where Mr Abhishek Bachchan, then a mischievous little half pant-er, went into the bathroom and locked it, not having any idea how it was meant to be opened. When he did not emerge for a considerable period of time and when our anxiety filled up we spent huge persuasion in trying to talk him into how to open it, without any results. What was more perplexing was that there was complete silence from Jr B during this entire action plan that was being enacted from outside. When we finally got the tech staff of the Hotel to come in and dismantle the lock, we found Jr sitting quite nonchalantly on the closed lid of the WC, with an expression that wondered what all the fuss was about !

Perhaps it was the generosity of the place or the effect of having Mr Shashi Kapoor in their midst - he having recently shot for a Hollywood film there - that they extended us a unique VIP treatment when we were to leave. Time was short and we were running late on completion of our schedule. We were still shooting at the airport as the departure was being announced for take off for our flight to London, when the management majestically loaded Shashiji and myself on the chopper and dropped us at the steps of the aircraft, now in boarding mode. The check in and all the rest of the formalities were done when we were well ensconced in our seats !!

It was a terribly long flight, but as always, Singapore Airlines, ahead of all the others in passenger comfort, modernity and hospitality, had introduced the first concept of sleeper beds on a plane !! The aircraft was not the luxurious jumbos or the 777’s of today, but the twin jet engined per wing 707 Boeings before the 747. And the seats did not slide into beds as they do now. They had a separate section built behind, much like bunker beds in a school dormitory or kindergarden, where you could stretch yourself out, curtained off for your privacy. The flight because of the duration, stopped at Tehran for refueling and I remember we were allowed to walk out of the aircraft while this happened to mobilize our legs and arms and to enjoy the marvelous view of the distant mountains on a brisk morning.

Later of course there were a few more visits. A concert we did in the 90’s with Anil Kapoor and then of course the IIFA at Singapore. Our hosts the Grand Hyatt Hotel, the entire industry in there and the gathering in my room every evening much like all other IIFA’s, becoming such a joyous occasion. Ajay and Kajol, Karan and ShahRukh and Shahid and Bebo and all the others singing and dancing the night away to Punjabi Bhangra fusions - the emerging sound of world music at the time - and Brett Lee, the Australian pace bowler, with his guitar, strumming Hindi popular songs. I think ‘Yuva’ was premiered then at the event.

Memories !!

There is some consternation being expressed by the absence of the yellow line. I am at relative hibernation in these parts and hopefully shall soon occupy myself with what is desired. Patience !!

Not like what I had asked all to do for the video to open. That was an error. That has since been rectified and I do hope that those that found it difficult to open then, shall visit it again now. For it opens…. khul ja simsim !!

That will not work for my eyes though - they do shut now with fatigue, and the dog collar… yeah baby ! dog collar… I carried it with me… screams for it to be set apart ..

My love and more as ever - Jesus ! its 3 am…

Amitabh Bachchan