The Premiere was an experience last night. Big Pictures and Reliance had done a tremendous job. Great choice of venue, the British Film Institute, South Bank and great organization in the set up around it. Magnificent red carpet, barricades for the fans, special enclosures for the media and interviews, large LED screen at a vantage point so all that was taking place on the extended reception area was visible to the vast expanse of humanity that had come to cheer the artists. And a special thank you to Shah Rukh and family for taking time out to attend the show.

It does become difficult to attend personally to all the fans, but an effort was made to reach out to them, sign a few autographs and shake a few hands and take some pictures. I have to say though that the fans were enthusiastic, had tremendous lung power, gorgeous smiles, but most disciplined. Its a quality I have always admired in fans and London lived up to it. Thank you all the fans that took time out to attend the show. I know some were unable to get personal attention, especially some that had so kindly brought along photographs to be signed, but in that restricted area there is only so much one can do. Apologies then to those that felt disappointed and if there is a way how one can make up for it, here is a platform where you could express it and I shall see what best we can do.

It is a tough task to review your own work and when you have your own involved in it, it does become personal. So I shall leave that to the discerning audience to judge and analyse what they thought of the film, but this I can say, that Mani Ratnam is one of the greatest assets of cinema that India has. His approach, his mind, his sense of the visual and his brilliance in presenting complex subjects is unique. May he continue to contribute his great talent to our fraternity and may we ever be enlightened by his produce.

It has been a rewarding few days away from home. We have all had an opportunity to be together, to be a part of each others events - the recital in Paris, the film of Abhishek and Aishwarya in London and now we head home to get down to our respective routines.

Abhishek and Aishwarya have been working round the clock and in different parts of the world. My travels too have been extensive and wide and now one wishes we could all be together maybe for a holiday where we do not have to worry about our schedules, but just to enjoy the company of each other and the beauty of a region we may not have seen before.

It is strange that even though it is a recommended and at times necessary diversion, taking a holiday at times, makes me feel guilty in a way. I just feel that not working for a single day takes something away from me - an endeavor to justify our existence. Many in the family and those that care often suggest ‘ you have worked enough, sit back, relax, rest ‘. But I feel that it would be a terrible day when I would have to stop work of my own accord, to feel that I have done enough, to limit myself. There is so much to be done yet and so little time, now even more so as I approach my 70’s. Not the nineteen seventies, but the 70’s of my age !

I know that this lay over of a few days has done wonders for my constitution - extended waist line and sluggish body movements !! Ha ha ! So I need to get back in shape, get to the gym, control the intake and involve the mind in acts which scratch creativity and not ‘ what are we having for lunch today ?’, queries.

Agastya has just barged into the room full of World Cup fever and enthusiasm and I must pay attention to him, or else …

Be with you soon .. love and more …

Amitabh Bachchan