Tomorrow evening at 5 PM , Abhishek shall go to Cinemax to unveil the first look of ‘PAA’. The promo shall be shown for the first time on 5th and it shall officially be given to the channels for broadcast on the 6th. But for my dearest FmXt the promo shall be on your blog on 5th. Just something special for our extended family.

I am overwhelmed by the responses that the promo for PAA generates. Abhishek showed it to some of the trade - Taran Adarsh, Komal Nahata, NDTv, Tarun of Dostana director fame and some others. Their words echo through me and on to you -

“Amitji you are absolutely unbelievable … fantastic promo. Its most touching. Cant wait for the movie.”

“Sir, saw teaser of Paa nd lovd it. Its awesome ..”

“Dear Amitji, Abhishek, Vidya and Balki .. i just saw the trailor of Paa .. i am numbed.the visuals are exquisite and enchanting. truly something that transcends cinema.”

“Dear Sir, just saw the promo of paa … Can’t tell you how amazing you are .. Am not a parent but in that 1 min you made me feel so many emotions for a child. Your body language, the way you spoke and the freedom with which you jumped in the rain made me wanna be a child again … i know you’ve heard heard this a million times but you are truly truly the finest actor ever .. In the entire world. I really wish I can one day, write a film worthy enough of having you in it - I hope I don’t sound out of line when I say - love you Sir ! -”

“Paylagoo boss, Sirf ye keh sakta hu ki muze khud par naaz hai ki mai aapko janta hu aur aap muze. paa ka promo dekha. aankhe bhar aayee.ur da best boss, one and only. salute.”

And life moves on. But I have to admit that it moves on with great hope and quicker anticipation of time moving rapidly forward, when the encouragement that comes your way, comes in the shape and size of what has just been elaborated above. Is it not strange then that this happens; that there is a physicality to it, that there is a desire for time to reach the moment of desire at the snap of a finger, Genius like. We demand life to be the way we would want it - instantaneous and immediate. Need something … snap … and there it is. But life is not Aladin it is a billion times more.

For this particular feel that engulfs me for the moment, I wish that we reach the 4th of December tomorrow. We have worked at the product that shall come up for exhibition with hard and earnest work. How we wish that the time taken to bring it to its final form be controlled by us through some element of magic. The wait is killing. After enacting a scene and finding it of a quality that pleases most, one wants to quickly be put into a completed product to be shown to audiences. This is never so unless one is doing theatre. The reaction there is immediate and spontaneous. But for film that takes days and days to master it into its final structure, it does create anxiety and uncertainty on what the final produce will look and behave like. Whether people shall appreciate it or will they reject it outright on release and on. The anticipation of wanting to know what the others want to know, is an exercise that drains us most. We complete a film months before; well sometimes years before and wait and wait and wait for it to be in its final stage and for it to be presented.

Somewhere within us, we relish the thought of praise and adulation. A praise that translates into very complimentary expression. We may at times remain modest in its acknowledgement but it has got nothing to take away from what the others think are the high points of film making.

I walked into the dubbing theatre this morning and asserted my situation with the production. I told them I was not moving from here till I finish the entire dubbing of the film. So if they had any lunch engagements it would be reasonably prudent to cancel them. And that is what I achieved. I finished the entire film by around 2 pm and a sense of satisfaction greeted both Abhishek and me. He having been at the dub since early morning.

Now as we prepare for the release and the publicity, we wish things would move faster. A most natural phenomena. But just as all things in life, dwell within us, this too shall dwell and take its designated time to appear. What is to be expected ? What are their reactions to the work done ? All and many more such, shall be put across to us in the days to come.

Among the anxiety and stress of the film on release, comes the other added job of its management to that day. There is never a fool proof solution to the various encumbrances one faces for a film on release. And most in the trade, knowing the vulnerability of a producer during the last few days, put up pressure in order that they may succumb to their demands. Many do. But it was then probably the last thing to do where we as a production house were concerned. We have produced this film jointly with Reliance and so this makes us join hands in our effort to work all facets out and ensure a successful film.

It is important in life to see a face, a face that shall take responsibility of execution, ensure that work move ahead slowly but gradually. A mean task I admit and one that always falls under the bracket of ‘part of business’. But film making is not all always business. You have to see yourself as an artist, a maker and then trouble him if you wish for the errors.

I generally find myself away from all these encumbrances. Simply because I am an artist, hired to play act in certain given circumstances. Loading me with all other avenues in production has never been exciting for me and does push me to be aloof. At times we bear the wrath of non involvement. But that we all know is unfair.

In the case of PAA, this does not apply. It is an AB Corp production and is a prestigious venture. Checking personally if colleagues and co artists are of level comfort, that monitoring of procedures in finance and production is well maintained and managed, all become part of our family job.

I think we set out to make this film with certain definite plans. It would not be a penny over the 15 cr budget we had decided upon ; indeed it is nominally better than that - its 14.75 cr. In todays working conditions, the film budgets have been soaring to incredible highs. 50 - 60 crore finances for film is a most modest amount that producers project. It is a known fact but one that gets easily clouded in media hype and promotion, that a film of such high budget dimension, needs to do twice and more in returns at gross box office, in order to get a net benefit to bring home. A 60 crore film would be required to do a gross twice the amount if not more. Print and publicity add on extras and by the end of the day the film must perforce do close to 150 crore rupees in order to break even and make money. Does the market have the capacity for such returns ? Good question !!

Money matters are mundane and irritating, but sometimes it is comfortable to face reality. Many a figure and perception gets manufactured in a manner to express success or failure. Fact is, very little is known on actuals. Some results if probed deeper would present a shocking revelation.

On occasion I have tried to put forward certain harsh facts. But have been slapped into submission because perception ruled beyond fact. I shall refrain from doing so again. It is too painful to put forward material that would destroy committed mind sets of those that live in admiration and happy cheer. And I come back to a topic that many feel I obsess mindlessly.

The joy of projecting accusation on those that are perceived big and important, is far far greater than the minuscule reprieve that follows when the projection eventually negates on the basis of fact.

I say … let the system prevail .. let perception be not destroyed, for, even for perception to prevail it must have required a huge toil. Rather respect the toil, than its probable misuse.

Idealism does exist, but seldom prevails ..

More love and affection

Amitabh Bachchan