It just got over and it almost did not ! The launch of BiggBoss got washed away twice in one day by the heavy and incessant rain over the hills here. Thunder, lightening .. so close, it was blinding. The sets the electronics and all the preparations drenched and short circuited and the sound of the rain so vast and so loud that even within the closed environment it was impossible to work. The roof, a temporary shelter like facility under which this massive construction and all the colorful electronics were designed, breached with nature pouring down on them. Even on set the umbrellas were in use. But … what a fantastic team of people working on this project. I was wrong about the number. It is close to 700 that take care of every little production need. And they were marvelous ! Despite such heavy odds, they were just un-put- downable. Dried up the place, covered the sensitive areas, repaired the electronics and the show went on amongst screaming and cheering crowds.

Ok .. who’s in the house ?

Lots of interesting people. Diverse in nature and character, in habits and standing, expected and unexpected. But more of that later as the show progresses.

I think it is most brave of all of them to have decided to get away from life for 84 days, leaving home and hearth in the care of others. I wish them all well and will be meeting up with them every Friday and Saturday.

TV programming is huge business now and as I experience the amount of labor and work that goes into production, I am convinced that the growth in this field has not even seen the beginning of a horizon that stretches endlessly beyond vision. The sheer magnitude of the operations and the supportive management that gets attached to it, is enormous. I would have imagined that having been in the Hindi Film Industry for 40 years I should have had some knowledge of the developement taking place. But no …

There is not a single face that I see around me that has any resemblance to those that have worked with me in film or in relation to it. All and everyone is a new face, diligent and efficient. Where have they all suddenly erupted from ? When did they learn the craft ? How have they at such a young age become proficient in these massive productions ?

Television in India has grown silently but most effectively alongside our world of film and now overtaken it. It has created its own star performers with huge fan followings. Just watching some of the TV stars getting onto any platform, with the kind of public reaction and frenzy, is an indicator to all of us that there is a very committed and vibrant world that exists beyond cinema. And a very committed and vibrant mass that quenches its thirst for entertainment, irrespective of film.

For years cinema was this enigmatic illusion, a dream that was respected and patronized by all those fortunate enough to be a part of it. They had their own individual strengths, followings and presence. That exclusive domain has been thoroughly dented by TV. That god like and worship phenomena, can never prevail anymore. TV and its stars and personalities, may have created a world of their own and it may still be a reckoner in comparison to film, but there is not a moment of anguish or disbelief that film has serious competition. The pundits of cinema may continue to analyze and discredit it for its poor out puts and the resultant diminishing returns at the box office, but have failed to understand that TV has become an incredible other alternative. An alternative that comes to the client within the confines of his home and bedroom. That does not require the costs that films undergo and does not put at risk at not being able to hit the jack pot each time you put your television on. Yes there are financials that play an important part, but nothing even remotely near those that get worked around an overnight TRP.

I had thought that KBC was an experience that entered my life for just that moment ; delivered and went away. But it is much graver than what many believe. TV has become a system in a very short time ; cinema is still groping for that. The sense of moving with the generational thought prevails more with TV than film. In India, the major contributions of TV may still be catered to a class of people that have lived not too healthily. Not physical un health, nor material. This body of people has, because of economic restrictions, kept away from the extravagant. And now when extravagance touches their homes without them having to go out to receive it, they would prefer ‘this’ than ‘that’. ‘This’ because it is virtually free of cost and ‘that’, frightfully expensive. ‘This’ because of the ability to switch as often ; ‘that’ not having replay or stop button.

In a world where we have the choice of change 24/7, cinema will have to work really hard to capture what it set out. It never had any encumbrances earlier on, now it does. In an economically deprived nation such as ours, the better option shall always remain with the cost effective product. TV is doing that rather well these days.

I had thought that the operation of KBC was a nightmare. But looking at Bigg Boss, that nightmare looks like a sweet dream. Yet TV still remains the lesser small screen diversion. A diversion that compares not too comfortably with film and cinema in stature. May be. But cinema came before and created an aura by itself, primarily because there was the absence of any other diversion. First loves remain with you forever, strangely enough.

It is now past 4:15 am. I have decided to spend another night here. The roads are fog laden and not safe for driving down to Mumbai. Fog ! Yes fog. Seems incongruous that it could be related to a drive, an hour and half away, to the city that bears the name Mumbai. But there it is.

I hate to leave a subject incomplete. But the circumstances prevent me. I would love for you to provoke me later on someday, and perhaps then we shall be in a position to decipher this unique occurrence - film over TV !!

Good night dear ones …

Shubhdin, Shubhratri, Shubhjeevan ki Shubhkamana !!

Amitabh Bachchan