Thank you all for your concern for Shweta. She is much better and is apart from being a bit sore, mobile and active. I am also concerned about what has happened to another member of our FmXt, Shankar. Our prayers are with you in this hour of anxiety.

It has been a day of travel, as can be seen and along with that a day of waiting. Waiting for judgement, waiting for justice, waiting …

Waiting has become an integral part of our existence and life. We wait for 9 months before we appear in the world. We wait to grow up and learn and understand. We wait for results, for maturity, for the right moment and time. We wait for good to happen. We wait for the Almighty to listen to us to absolve us or help us. We wait on seniority, on elders, on dignity. We wait a lot in life.

And many that have seen and experienced life advise us to practice the art of waiting. The fruits, they say are most beneficial when we wait for opportunity and the right time. Many though have contradictory opinions on this. Do not wait for things to happen, go out and make them happen. Perfectly legitimate observations and practice and one that pays immensely. Many have actually benefitted from this observation.

Which wait then to practice in life. To wait or not to wait, that is the question. And each aspect has been proven to perfection. Those that have waited and plucked the fruits of desire, have been matched by those that have desired without the wait and still achieved what they set out to, invariably.

I wait often and I am not certain whether I do the right thing, follow the rule and be guided by age old thought and philosophy. But many disagree and complain that achievement could have been elevated had there been clarity of decision at a time when the decision should have been exercised. There is a sense and a practical observation to both aspects. And I believe that one may have to take both in equal doses in order that greater prosperity is achieved.

So … I wait … wait for sense to prevail, for attitudes to ferment, decisions to fructify, time to mature, results to appear … wiser always. But the impatience of youth and its penchant for quick fix results is a most compelling factor and one that can flood completely your thoughts in grave circumstances. In the end then it is the singular most important factor of personal ease and decision that prevails … and whether we like it or not we come back to the individual decision, the individual act, the individual moment … and comply.

No one, but no one will see the world as you can see it alone. No one then can take the decision in isolation of collectivity. Collectivity is good, provided all those that collect, think and act alike. There are very few examples in the world when this can actually happen.

We had spoken of the action acts in a few of the posts. The stunt coordinators from overseas and the acumen of the local talent in acclimatizing themselves of new and safe inventions. Good. But in the end it is an individual decision. No amount of precaution and safety can guarantee that things will not go wrong. The simplest of action shots can cause the worst damage and the most complicated and dangerous acts go without a scratch. It is individual decisions and acts that are responsible for it.

I like to see the act rehearsed before the action is conceived in a stunt. I like to ask a few questions which according to my very limited understanding of the situation, need to be asked. There are times when certain basics are brought to the front, which even the most brilliant mind cannot conceive. Once that is set and in position in your mind, then must one accept the involvement in its execution. A cardinal error that most make is to believe that they are going to get hurt. When they do and when they go into it with such a frame of mind, invariably they are proven correct. They do get hurt. But, when you have convinced yourself that this has to be done then to entertain anything other than its success will be harmful. A conviction that all will be well needs to be the frame of mind of all. A positivity at the time pays. To get into that situation is a must. Work out all the pros and cons, think out the suitability, weigh the pitfalls and then when all is ready in the mind then … never … ever entertain any other thought than the success of the operation. Just go for it !! The conviction that when you will run into a glass frame and sail through it without blemish, will actually help you in succeeding than when there is apprehension against it.

There are however some delicate moments too. I have hated any dangerous stunt done for me by any double or substitute. Unless he is better qualified for the job and there are many that are, I will opt to do it myself. The pain of seeing someone get hurt for my sake is unbearable.

But … there is another catch. When you do your own stunt, you deprive the recognized stunt man from earning that little extra for that particular shot. That little extra may be the fees for the schooling of his little girl ; that delicacy he may enjoy with his family hitherto deprived. Many a time I have succumbed to this thought, for the sake of an enhanced earning for my stunt double. But many a time have I lamented too this ‘generosity’ when I have seen them get grieviously injured. There is the pain and discomfort of a damaged part or portion of a body, but the smile of having earned that extra for the family. Its a black comedy. A travesty of life.

I dislike this harsh reality. It pains me to see life treat one differently and the other differently. But it is these complexities that takes us through our journey. Nothing you do will ever be completely right. Error and exigencies shall prevail. And we shall stand by the door or the side walk and wait … wait for things to improve … or happen never to improve … but it shall never stop us from waiting .. because we shall never know what may be the results after we wait .. and it is the hope of fulfillment at the end of the wait that makes what life is all about ..

Not so me now … for, I never wait to express my love for my extensions and my family …

Remain well and safe ..

Amitabh Bachchan