And suddenly its empty again … the house the mind the events …

Aishwarya left for Dubai to promote ‘Action Replay’. Abhishek left for Delhi en route to Simla to inaugurate the statue of Hanuman being built on top of a hill and said to be larger than the one of Christ at Rio de Janeiro … and the house prepares for Diwali amidst fixtures and dressings and the welcoming of guests.

But … they shall all be back for the festive moment and the house shall be vibrant and live again … Inshaallah !!

Yes the management issue seems to have excited many among the EF in making very telling comments on it and I do profusely thank them for their suggestions and reactions. It is a bother when aspects of your creativity bring benefit through exploitation, to others, and not to the person that it should be going to – the rightful owner. The West through its many years of experience and just deliverance has put various aspects of this malaise within strict legal consideration. And I am certain that there must be a sense of relief and comfort among artists to find that there are institutions that care and protect them with genuine concern and care. Hopefully and with time we shall here in India be able to do similar. In fact as I write, media sms’s queries on whether I am considering copyright protecting my voice under trademark laws. And the right answer to that is that work in this direction is in process. It has been under consideration for quite a while. And even though many in our profession have looked upon it, helpless and without any idea of what can be done about it, I am happy that there are many within us that do intend to bring a system in place.

I was shocked to read a comment from a dear EF just yesterday of how a ‘gutka’ manufacturer was using my imitated voice to flog his product. Now, not only is this unethical and wrong, it paints me in bad light as well. ‘Gutka’ is a tobacco oriented and mixed with various other banned objects powder, which has become a huge consumption interest among Indians the world over. For someone that does not smoke or propagate smoking or any kind of intoxicant, by keeping away from endorsing such products, it is most disgusting to find someone conflagrating the law of the land and the law of ethics, if ever they possessed one !!

It does become important therefore that I take relevant steps to stop this illegal practice and introduce elements bound by contract to see that such practices are not repeated in the future.

The same is true for imagery as well. Caricatured images are used for commercial gain without our permission or consent and this I feel is so unfair and completely undesirable. So yes, we move to protect ourselves.

I do not have a problem in its use, but due consideration of permissions, contractual obligations have to be brought in, to protect the celebrity or his or her brand. Else its an illegal practice.

Manufacturers of products, be it a toothpaste or a car or a mobile spend huge amounts of money and time and management to build its brand value with certain credibility. For it then to be destroyed through unfair and illegal means is not acceptable. Artists and celebrities also, through years of hard work and labor and strife and stress develop and build their image and value. It is absolutely unacceptable to see it being destroyed through unfair methods. There must be recognition of it and it must entertain compensation if done without any order.

Copyright protection has been an unknown or ignored factor at least in our film profession and I would earnestly urge all my colleagues to initiate strict legal procedures through recognized organizations to protect themselves and in turn the public at large too. Selling or seeking commercial gain through imitation and caricatured images of a ShahRukh, Salman or Aamir without authority and consent, is wrong and unjust and illegal. And those that perpetrate this practice must be made aware that there can be serious repercussions to it.

The benefit of an asset must be delivered to the one that created the asset.

I do not for a moment suggest that I have assets that are important or of any value. But if a third party will use it for their gain then they must go past copyright issues.

The night beckons. The celebrations for Diwali can be heard loud and clear ! We have chosen to keep them mild and as quiet as possible. No crackers that emit noise and sound, just the ‘anar’ and the ‘phuljhadi’ – the fountain of sparklers to invite the Goddess Laxmi into our homes.

May She enter the homes and hearts of all my EF and bring them the peace harmony and wealth of wisdom and life that She represents.

It is Dhanteras to day. The auspicious day before Diwali when it is customary to bring in something new to the house – something that enhances the household, a utensil, or something for the kitchen. Symbolically a piece of gold or silver is also considered. Bonus to staff and workers within us, is given along with the special sweetmeats and new clothes. It is an effort to bring happiness in someone’s life today.

When you shall give , so shall you receive !

Happy Diwali to all. May this festival of lights bring greater brightness in all your lives ..

With love and a piece of the special Diwali sweets …

Amitabh Bachchan