I just remembered as I shot for my commercial today on the Film City floor No 1, that I had inaugurated this floor and indeed started the entire shooting process of this Government run organization in the 80’s. The film was ‘Barsaat ki ek Raat’ being directed by that inimitable and affable gentleman Mr Shakti Samanta with Rakhee ji , Amjad and that wonder actor, Mr Utpal Dutt.

Now almost more than 30 years later on the same location and perhaps the eldest on set and the oldest among those that had associated themselves with the studio, none of whom I could find today or identify with. Amazing really how much time has gone by. How many memorable films have structured themselves in these surroundings and continue to do so. Apart from film both my KBC efforts have been from here. The magnificent laboratory that has come up within these lands had its ‘bhoomi pujan’ with my hands. We dug the first bit of earth and laid the foundation stone for it, owned and run by the industry senior Manmohan Shetty - a person that contributed greatly towards building the infrastructure for the Industry. Today that lab has been taken over by media giant Reliance.

I remember the region used to be so stark and lonely, we used to come here in those years of the 70’s to shoot sequences that required wild forest backgrounds and lonely surroundings. Today, it is perhaps building itself to be one of the most congested areas of the city. An entire suburb has developed around it, where once you would be hard pressed to find a single individual. High rises, buildings , markets, bus terminals, colleges have all taken over in this sprawling green of the Aarey Milk Colony. This was the area where we came to shoot our road shots, or travelling shots because there was no one on the roads and no sign of any habitation. This evening after I wrapped I got stuck in a traffic jam in there !!

I am most grateful to all for their comments on Shweta on Koffe With Karan. She is on a holiday break out of the country and I have conveyed all this to her. Obviously she is most excited to have received such notice and wishes to thank all those for their generous comment.

In the middle of the shoot Aamir Khan dropped by to have a chat and it was as always wonderful. But what was really a joy was the opportunity to work on set with an entire bunch of young aspirants, some doing only commercials, some Tv and some for first time on camera. They are all young and hopeful and most efficient and so qualified. Their level of preparedness so acute and focussed. A joy to find latent talent and one that deserves admiration.

I need to be up again by 5:30 AM to be at a job by 6:00, so today I shall excuse myself a little early … but tomorrow is another day …

My love as always with you ~

Amitabh Bachchan