India lost again, Chelsea won the championship ! Loss for the national team, victory for the team you support. Win some lose some - life !! Or the life of balance. Natures way with all of us. Nothing remains continuously bad and nothing continuously good. There is a design of balance in all that we do and believe. Except we all wish the balance would tilt just a little favorably towards the good than the bad. Ha !!

Sunday again and - the day !! Time for the reassurance. Except, the crowds swelled beyond expectation and a problem for the guy who they had come to meet, me. I got mobbed out from my own home. Had a meeting in office and summoned by the cop station to come in, took me half hour to cover 50 meters to my gate. And then the joy of enthusiasm as you interact with the fans.

Fans, the true indicator of your standing. Fans, who stay with you for eternity. Fans that make such huge sacrifices. And all they want is that nod of acknowledgment, a smile of recognition, an autograph, a picture for keepsake and that is it. Simple, committed and selfless.

Salute !!

Many in the responses wished that they had had enough of the tigers and that it needed to be changed - the face page that is. Devoid of open mouthed blue veined exposure. Point taken and alterations are in process now. Hopefully in a day there shall be a new face and some new promos of Raavan, or maybe some pictures.

ok … the pictures from Raavan came in ahead of schedule and I did not waste much time in uploading them. The visuals of the film are simply stunning, as is the wont for a Mani Ratnam film. Year after year this most talented genius of the country stirs up an incredible thought a plot a story that is unique and inspiring, not just for the viewer but for the participant as well.

In all his films there has been I have noticed and I am sure others have too, a certain earthiness, a certain resonance of the ethos of the land to which he belongs. Through the years of his presence I have never observed any attempt on his part to bring in unnecessary sensationalism, or any attempt to succumb to formulaic interpretations of what escapist cinema in India is generally identified with. Yet his works have always been accepted and applauded both critically and commercially. This is unique. His films have always enveloped you from the very first image or sound that you get to see and then till the very end they form an integral part of the product.

PC Sir, the DOP on Cheeni Kum and Paa, and a genius in his own right used to carry Mani Ratnam on the back of his bicycle and peddle his way to several producers in the South, recommending him to them. From humble beginnings erupted this magnificent maker standing today in shining glory.

When you meet the man there is a certain humble honesty about him, and I believe that personal character and nature shall always find itself being reflected in the creativity associated with said individual. Their work mirrors their character, their aesthetics. It becomes vital then that those that create, be given the freedom and space to express themselves the way they will or wish it. And were it not to happen, I am certain they would chose one over the other. Creativity over anything else !

Domestication then, or private lives of such celebrities does become a point for frustrated disappointments. Artists and people of the finer qualities of creativity, shall never indulge in any matter that does not give primary attention to their creation. Every thing else comes afterwards. That is if there is any time left for such extra curricular acts.

One would imagine then that any intrusion in the lives off such individuals, where they are compelled to compromise, would never find favor. So having observed such attitude, does it indicate that a kind of detachment to worldly life and pleasure would be a must for them. Difficult to comprehend. Certain essentials will always be required, but working around it would be the best solution, if there was need to resolve. Understanding the talent and giving respect to his or her presence, not just physically but temperamentally too would go a long way in accepting the equation.

Personally, I seek that often, my insignificance not withstanding.

Good night …

Amitabh Bachchan