Still lingering over the ecstatic moments of last night at the prestigious Vigyan Bhavan, the President of India and the National Awards and the music of Guzarish and 3 Idiots and Action Replay, boarded the morning flight to Mumbai in the august company of Shri Sharad Pawar and Praful Patel, minsters in the Cabinet, who exchange pleasantries and greetings on the award.

Abhishek and Aishwarya travelling with me … and promptly dozing off soon after take off. The cabin crew still joyous and picture taking friendly … which I look upon as humbling and gracious. And on landing at the spanking new terminal take off straight for KBC at Film City. The head throbs with lack of sleep and weary from last night, but work is work and ne’er shall it be shirked upon.

Prabhu Chawla, editor anchor and impressario, waiting in the wings for his Seedhi Baat interview, to be conducted on KBC sets. Seedhi Baat, literally translated means Straight Talk … inspired, or replecated from the BBC Hard Talk, aims at putting the guest at some discomfort for the nature and tone of the questioning. And so it is, and so it be. And so with Prabhu Chawla it is no less. Agressive and hard and at times harsh. You need to have the acumen to face him before he can tear one to shreds. After a late night an early morning and a flight, it is not the most ideal condition to be facing him … but there it is …

I notice through long years of experience and ’suffering’ that the interviewer invariably comes but with a singular aim - how can I look better than my guest. Look not in its physical manifestation, but in spirit, in impression, in perception … overall. A successful interview would, in the eyes of the interviewer would have to be one where the guest would sqirm a bit at times, drop his or her head in embarrased shame, or fumble hum haw and ereruum !

I would have imagined that if I were to invite someone to my show or my interview, I would like to treat them as a guest. And so and hence, would never want to put them in an awkward position or circumstance. But journalism would be uninteresting if all interviews were to turn out to be pleasant drawing room conversation. That would be disastrous for the eye balls … and so you comply. Watch most such operations and you will find the interviewed, or about to be interviewed, sit there almost stung by the bright head lights of the car, motionless, defeated, wary and feeling like they would rather be at another location - a wet trapped and utterly helpless mouse, fodder for large hungry and very annoyed cats !!

Okay enough self pity ! I think the interview went off well, because Prabhu sms’d later to thank me for doing it and ’saving the situation’. Which ladies and gentleman, is another story to be done and brought up at an appropriate moment.

KBC gets into the festive mode from tomorrow’s recordings. The festival of Diwali and the format and presentation of the show undergoes change. A change which can only be talked about formally through the channel. But suffice to say that it has never been attempted before on KBC. So rehearsing for it so it all comes alive and in good condition, was essential. Hopefully all shall be well. Fingers and toes crossed, woods of various forms been touched, and a gentle prayer muttered under the breath.

All interviews now I notice ask for recitations from a film or from my Father’s work. It is more from a feel of not being left out from what the other channel has done than for the love of poetry, or desire to listen to my dialogues .. ha … they would be better off listening to a dvd … hmm … my individual take !!!

Poetry needs solitude and a restless mind to write … and to listen to ! The former in abundance, not so the latter. The scarcity of the latter is disturbing. I would there be limited audience, but one that desired it, rather than desired it for material need. That now, is fast becoming a scarcity. Or am I am being too harsh and parochial. Ah ! Well this is my page my blog my family and I must have the liberty to share with and express what ever that comes to me … even if it be in limited value .. do you not think so ..??

To bed to bed, I must to bed

To dream perhaps of work instead -

It is but passion and desire both,

To busy mind than more to loathe -

So rest I must, feel good the verve

Abandon else, to keep the nerve ~

Good night, and may god bless you all ….

Amitabh Bachchan