Back in the comfort of home after a rushed but very productive trip to Chennai. As I said the various associations of the South Indian Film Industry wanted to felicitate the makers of PAA and so Balki and I went across. It was good to be among those that had made a huge contribution to the film. One of the speakers from one of the associations, after the shawl decoration ceremonies were over, 25 in number, expressed that I had not ever worked in a Tamil film and that I should make efforts to do so. I joked later with him on stage by stating that in many ways PAA was a South Indian product. The Director, R Balakrishnan a South Indian, music director Illiayaraja from the South, P C Sreeram the DOP from the South, Vidya from the South, post production unit from the South, Image… it is indeed a South Indian film … ha ha …

But seriously though it was a joy to be among the fraternity, which to me, has always been one of great discipline and order. I have always felt that the management and production ethics of the South have been far superior to the ones that exist in Mumbai. The whole culture of film making and the very systematic manner in which productions were handled has been most impressive. Their studio systems - great facilities that were housed in the well structured and formal atmospheres of Gemini Studios, AVM, Vijaya-Vahini Studios among the few larger concepts were, awe inspiring. The joy and pleasure of working in such atmospheres was so exciting and professional. I miss those moments and that culture.

After the formalities of the stage were over I stayed back for a while and then returned to Taj and discovered to my delight that Mr Ram Gopal Varma was also in the hotel and so we got together in my room and spent a very large portion of the night discussing movie making and trends and situations and criticisms and debates on issues concerning the state of the nation. Informative, exhilarating and very amusing at times. With Ramu around and being let loose, one should always expect excitement.

Once home the whole prospect of the film and its status took up most of our time. Komal Nahata, an age old hand of the Trade magazines, opined that since it is difficult to make out whether it is really me that is playing that role, the effect on those that come to see a film of mine was wearing off, because of disbelief. He felt that we needed to put a clip in the end credits explaining this to the audience for it would then increase the box office potential. I did pass this on to the director and he was of the opinion that changing things around now would not change the prospects of the film, for he argued, now even the smaller B and C centers were reporting that the houses were full to capacity. Moreover the making of Auro was now being broadcast on all channels, so the effect of countering any illusions by some of the trade people would hopefully be declared as ‘not applicable’.

So that was put on hold for a while and the larger portion of the day went away in discussing the financial aspects of the film as seen from one of the initial investors of the project. Financial discussion has always ended up with me not understanding the conditions of the market and leaving the decisions to the others. And that is what we did. Throughout the day the reports have been coming in, they look encouraging and good, but it would as always not be prudent to talk about them at this stage. Suffice to say that each hour promises improved collections and that bodes well for the film. A few more days will give us a complete picture of the matter and it would best be the time to bring it out in the open.

The evening was spent starting with a visit to Breach Candy Hospital, where the great Shammi Kapoor has been admitted with a chest infection. Seeing him confined to a bed has been disturbing, but his spirit and his will has been one that requires no words to express his non chalant reserved demeanor. Shammi Kapoor, who sang and who danced his way into our hearts from the snows of Kashmir to the endless soirees he held at his apartment in town. Sad to see him like this, but how wonderful to find his spirits alive and his humour intact.

Entering Breach Candy is always full of the many difficult episodes we as a family went through. My illness in 1982 and 83 and 84 and the many visits of my Father and my Mother and the very special manner in which they took care of all of us. I should require a separate issue for the details that I could give, but they will be depressing and unpleasant. Better to be happy and joyful than any other.

Its Navya Naveli, my grand daughter’s birthday today and she has decided to ask for her birthday gift to be a showing of PAA with all her friends at a multiplex in Delhi. And so it was and what a huge amount of fun they had.

Its also 50 years of wedded bliss for Dr F Udwadia and his dear wife Vera. Dr Udwadia, of the Breach Candy Hospita who singularly with his team of doctors brought me back to life after the ‘Coolie’ accident, still functions, but today as his anniversary comes on he has invited those that remain close to him to a celebration at the Wellingdon Club. This Club, the remnants of the old British Raj, still maintains its culture and exclusivity and is a joy to visit.

The entire guest list is full of Dr Udwadia’s friends and relatives. Many known and unknown faces meet up and it is surprising to note that this very elite society is raving about PAA and wanting to go and see it. The merits of the film supersede me. This is pleasing.

I am inundated by sms ’s and text messages from all over on PAA and how much they have liked it. In return all that I can give is more work and better if possible films.

The Sunday crowd outside the gates were customary. But I found that they were a little more vociferous than on other days. There were shouts of ‘PAA’ from the crowds and the police van had to be called in today to control them.

I leave you with hope and trust .. with anticipation … and anxiety .. but always with prayer

Amitabh Bachchan