Posted on: August 24, 2008 - 7:33 am
London, UK August 24, 2008 2:25 am
It is late ! But connecting with all of you is a compulsive disorder ! One that I cannot ignore and never want to find a cure for ! So before I turn in after a hectic day of travel and meetings and rehearsal, I sit here in my room in the Hotel, in the quiet of the night and hold on to the strings that bind you and me.
Leicester was a long 2 hour drive. The organizers had arranged for a helicopter to take me there to save time and bring me back. But I did not feel comfortable doing that. An event for charity should save all the money they possibly could instead of wasting it on my extravagant travel.
The Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP in the House of Commons had taken a commitment from me when I was in his constituency at the time of the conferring of the Honorary Doctorate on me at the De Montford University, to support a cause which was gathering grave importance and concern because of its nature - the spread of diabetes within the Asian community living in the United Kingdom. The type 2 diabetes has a quality of not being detected upto 9-12 years and by then there is sufficient damage done to the system for it to be eradicated, often ending in fatality. A campaign to collect funds to open centers and facilities to reach out to large masses of people and conduct tests so that certain preventive measures could be initiated was installed. The first of these facilities was now ready and Mr Vaz invited me to open one of them.
There were large crowds in the square where the inauguration was to take place. Leicester has perhaps the largest number of the South Asian community in UK and Mr Vaz was informing me that by 2020 it would be the one city outside of India where the largest number of the Asian Community would reside.
Every visit of mine to Leicester has been warm and full of great affection. Today was no different. The consistency of their love remains with me and I am grateful for that.
While there, I symbolically planted a tree and allowed the pharmacist to conduct a blood test on me to check if I was diabetic. I was not. The immediate response device showed my reading as 4.8. The range for diabetes is between 4 to 6. Or was it 4 to 8. I forget what the doctor said. Anyway it was a safe figure for me and I came away some what relieved.
The drive back took longer. Saturday traffic. And finally we reached the venue O2 Arena around 3 pm. A quick bite at a hurriedly made sandwich and we were on the floor for a run through.
The show is now joined by Shilpa Shetty. She looked lovely as always and very trim. Displayed mock anger at meeting me because I missed wishing her on her birthday. Horrible me ! The frequent travel and odd timings did me in. She has this odd belief that every year that I wish her, her year goes of successfully. I wish it goes of even better this year, though I must remember to not miss it again !!
There is a sadness descending on the group. They feel the show coming to an end and are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Its been a wonderful tour for them. They have felt wanted and have been treated like family. It has been fun and joyful and they will miss all this once they get back home. I seem to think similarly.
In the Hotel we gather for dinner. Tickets are being given out to friends and relatives. A large number of them have flown down from India to be with us tomorrow. Sujoy Ghosh my director of ‘Aladin’ barges in. We see some portions of the film in a rough cut on his computer. Abhishek shares with us some of the latest promos of ‘Drona’. Jokes are narrated, stories are enacted out, music from both films being extraordinary is discussed, a good time is had by all and then we retire; others to bed, yours truly to some finger punching !!
The server frantically informs me that all seems well with the posts and functioning is normal. Yes there were some moments when in between the mechanics or the should I say the computerics were under test, causing the error. But all is well now.
I shall now devote a very minimal time to respond to personal comments because it is late. Do hope you will understand. I am beginning to doze off as I type.
My love and do pray for the London Show tomorrow -
Amitabh Bachchan
hey hey…
am i the first person to reply??
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Dear Boss,
Thank God you don’t have diabetes.
Yes, one can imagine how the group must be feeling after a fantastic run that’d soon come to an end, sigh!
I wish you all the best (not that you need it) and know fo sure that its going to be even bigger success than ever before, truly unforgettable.
Love & regards to you and Jayaji,
Later
G
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All the best for the London Show Mr. Bachchan. Phod do.
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Awaiting your return back to India..and hoping for a similar tour very much in our country too…
My wish - to be able to meet you some day…
..Miles to go before i sleep….
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Whenever you visit London, you should find time for a function for Hindi Poetry. Since your show gets over on 24th, may be you should join the Kavi Sammelan at Nehru Centre on 25th.
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Mr. Bachchan,
I know that the show in London will be the best that London has ever seen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Today is Janmashtami and every year I think of two songs- Govinda ala re and Mach gaya shor. I love the beat, rhythm and your dance in the song. May Lord Krishna be with you always. This will be followed by Ganesh and Mumbaikars celebrate it with great pomp. May Lord Ganesh also be with you and your family.
Sujata.
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Dear Amitji,
Let your tour end with a fantastic note. Let your tour be remembered forever, let the books/CDs on the tour do as well …. would like to buy one if priced within 1000/- (INR!!!)
regards,
Kaushik
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Amitabh Uncle,
Very thoughtful of you to not take the helicopter :-).
Memorizing lines is apparently easy for me, and the My Name is Anthony song lines are so much fun to say. Enjoy your last show. (Yes, Shilpa is very pretty and a great dancer!) Thanks for being with me, in thought.
Love,
Smita
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P.S. It would be neat if your responses to comments, would be automatically e-mailed to the person to whom you are replying…. it should be easy for your tech staff to set this up!
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I absolutely adore ur writings. first time I am typing in this box..
God Bless !!
Ash
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Am I really the first one to write… thrilled !!
Ash..!!
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Bachchan ji,
Congratulations on the completion of a successful tour of the US. Wishing you all the best for the UK tour.
What I like about you is your commitment and regularity to the blog. I wish you can keep up with it for ever!
Aditya Pratap V.,
Hyderabad.
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i love you. my mom loves you. my dad loves you. my grand dad loved you.y husband loves you. my 5 year old daughter loves you. my sister loves you. my brother loves you. my uncle loves you. each and every member of my family…CRAZY about you.
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Hello sir
how are you. Sir atlast I got all your old vidoes of madhushala and the concerts where u sung MERE ANGANE MEIN…
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Hello Mr. Bachchan,
My son was unwell for last 3 days so could not read your blog.. but what good news .. Now u can respond to our comments..
Today’s blog says that u shall respond to few of our comments is it only today or today onwards. anyways both are welcome.
Regarding Shabana Ji replacing Jaya Ji’s article, it must be very frustrating for you and your fraternity to be constantly mscontruted & be wronged. Well I believe that’s the price one pays to be famous.
The yesteryear’s articles about - teri indya re song has also appeared in TOI yesterday. Wondered if u knew.
Well hopefully these are lasts of their kind. Wish u success and happiness and do come back soon.
Love and Regards
Payal
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THIS IS MY 8 YEARS OLD DAUGHTER WHO WROTE THIS FOR YOU.
Dear Amit ji,
I was planning to go to your show in Vancouver. When I heard that it was canceled, I was heart-broken ! When will you come to Canada again? I am one of your biggest fans. I can describe what I feel about in one sentence- i.e. MR BACHCHAN, YOU ARE THE BEST !
My love and regards
Shruti Misra
P.S. My father thinks that you are the best too. He is one of your biggest fans !
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Thank you Shruti.. Sorry for the disappointment.. yes we will come some other time.. love to you
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DEAREST AMITABH
Good afternoon & kia ora from Perdy here in NZ.
ye ye, Looks like i’m the ist one on yr esteemed blog today.
HAVE BEEN yr gr8 supporter for many years
After my dad, u’r the one who’s influenced me most.
lOTS OF THUNDERSTORMS & HEAVY RAIN HERE
Gr8 to hear once again fm u. u’R SUPPORT FOR DIABETES IS appreciated. who else wd do so much, despite having a concert the next day.
I MUST SAY THAT U’R A PERFECTIONIST
A LEGEND OF INDIAN CINEMA
THE PRIDE OF BHARAT
a charismatic persona ALWAYS KEEN TO CONNECT TO FANS & ADMIRERS
A LOVING HUSBAND, A CARING DAD & A RESPECTFUL SON
A MAN WHO HAS FOUGHT MANY BATTLES & COME VICTORIOUS MOST TIMES
AN ICON WHO HAS MESMERISED AUDIENCES WITH HIS ART
AN ENIGMA WHO HAS MOTIVATED MILLIONS GLOBALLY
A MULTIFACETED PERSONA WHO IS NOT ONLY A CLASS ACTOR,DANCER SINGER, BUT AN AWESOME WRITER, POET ETC………..
A MAN OF MANY MOODS
THE GENTLE GIANT WHO WANTS TO SHARE, CARE & GIVE BACK LOTS
WHO ELSE COULD THIS BE
IT’S NONE OTHER THAN MR. AMITABH BACHCHAN
Hope u do remember me & reply to me on my email or yr instant comment here.
hope u do visit us here one day
As i hope for my wish to come true.
best wishes for O2 concert. hope u send some more cool pix.
WAS GR8 TO HR ABT YR MOM
INCIDENTALLY MY DAD ALSO HAILED FROM LYALLPUR(YASHPAUL MOHINDRU)
PLS DO REPLY THIS TIME. MUST BE MY 100 TH POST NOW.
AWAITING YR PRECIOUS REPLY MOST EAGERLY.
TAKE CARE
LOTS OF LUV
Perdy Mohindru, NZ.
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Dear Amitji,
Another hectic day over! I wish you all the best for tomorrow’s show. Good to know that you still have a good blood sugar. It seems to me that you did not have your lunch (or even breakfast!!) before this test. The normal range for fasting blood sugar is between 4 to 6. I happen to know this because I am a doctor working in Holland.
Best regards
Vimal
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As they say in showbiz, “Break a leg”..
Vishnu Patel
(Vancouver) vishnupatel1@hotmail.com
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Mr. Bachachan
You are fantastic and energetic in this age. Keep it up. Our good wishes are with you.
Madan (Indonesia)
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Mr. B,
Good luck for the London show, if possible please post some pictures of behind the scenes. Thanks and have fun. Good to see you doing your bit on Diabetes, it is a huge epidemic in the South asian community.
One more good news, Obama chose Biden as his running mate, a wise decision to say the least.
I read an article on buzz18.com thrashing your show, I wrote a letter to the ibnlive group giving them the real picture of sold out shows at over 90% of the venues. i have posted the link to the article for you to read.
Regards,
Bhavana
Link to the article: http://www.buzz18.com/news/movies/unforgettable-tour-a-big-flop/77381/0
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Writing this for the 3rd time….
Amitabhji, why do u do shows only in big countries…like USA, LONDON, AUSTRALIA? (Don’t say that it depends on the promoters).
Does money mean so much to u?(sorry if i sound rude).
I live in Fiji Islands. Its a small country with a population of about 800,000, of which around 400,000 are of Indian origin. We all love u and are your die-hard fans but have never seen u in person. We may never get to see u because u only go to big countries.
Pleeeeeeeeeease ek baar Fiji aiye. Humse bhi pyar paaiye…hume bhi apna pyaar dijiye.
I don’t know whether you will even get to read this or not but if u do, then please… do come to Fiji. It may not necessarily be that u come and do shows here. Aap sirf humse milne bhi to aa sakte hain?…ya nahi?
Practically sochiye–400,000 people from Fiji can’t come over to meet you…but you can come over and meet all of us…can’t you?
Please come to Fiji once…and come soon…kya pata–kal hum rahein ya na rahein..
Sanjeet
Fiji Islands
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Firstly, I truly appreciate your support for this diabetes campaign/fundraising. My mom is diabetic, and it is great to see you helping out the foundation!
Thank you very much! You are truly a warmhearted human being!
Anyways, While I was reading this entry the song Ishq Bina (from Taal) came on the radio and I couldn’t help but say that I truely love Aishwarya!
The first time I saw her movie was Aa Ab Laut Chale, one of my favorite movies, and I instantly feel in love with her.
Then, I happened to be in India when the blockbusters Hum Dil De Chuke Sanaam and Taal came out. Boy oh boy was Aishwarya amazing. She truely made a place in everyone’s heart.
I remember seeing her live the first time at the Zee Gold Bollywood Awards in 2000, where she danced to a song from Taal and HDDCS. It was like a dream come true seeing her live back then. That time I was about 10, and we were sitting so far that I had binoculars. But, the experience of seeing her live was truly phenominal.
After 8 years, and so many blockbuster movies (Devdas=being my absolute favorite), Aishwarya is irrefutably the greatest actress in Indian Cinema.
And, I sincerely cannot tell you how astonishing it was to see her perform at the Atlantic City-Unforgettable Show. This time I was really close so no need for binoculars. HaHA.
I just wanted to wish Aishwarya years and years and years of joy and happiness. May she go even further in life. Today she is not only an Indian superstar, but an International superstar. God Bless her.
You would make my day, week, even month, if somehow you were able to show this message to her; and get maybe a hi? haha.
Thank you very much,
Raj Balsara
P.S. Big B, you are rocking. At this age you are undoubtedly mind-blowing!!!!!
It was great seeing you live! You have put ‘Bollywood’ on the map and taken Indian Cinema really really far!!!
I read your blog on a daily basis, and your an amazing writer. I would love to read books written by you in the near future!
Anyways, BEST OF LUCK IN LONDON. I’M SURE YOU GUYS WILL BE FANTASTIC!!!
God bless and keep rocking Indian Cinema!!
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ohh AMIT JI ….i cant tell u so much happy i m …u replied 2 my post …thanx ..thanx a lot …….bohat bohat shukriya ..dhannewaad(hope my hindi isnt much bad)………thanks once again ..amit ji ..u r great i love u ….
happy 2 know ..about ur diabetic test ..good ..just keep going ..take care of ur food ..exercise …myasthenia gravis..and asthma ..
i m from Pak ….i always write …tanveer ..pakistan ..actualy i m in china 4 study ..doing MBBS ..i am in last semester now ..
i wil leave china by the end of this year …..
i am telling u all this b .coz after i wil leave china ..in pak i wil be very busy in sum hospital doing my intenship …
so i may not have much time 2 visit ur blog and write ..but i wil try my best 2 visit and write as i do …..
thanx a lot amit ji ..
its ok ,if u cant reply 2 this..(pehlay bhi aap say koi gila nahi tha ) ..i know how much busy u r …i have got one chance ..i am lucky …love u ..amit ji …
ok …
…JUST DONT FORGET WE R ALWAYS WITH U …..
khush rahein …….ALLAH hafiz …..bye
TANVEER ………PAKISTAN
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Mr. Bachchan,
It is always wonderful to see celebrities supporting such great causes. Diabetes is rapidly growing and early detection is the key to stopping its progression. In our south asian culture, early detection is never there and hopefully, as influential you are with the south asian community, they will hear your message about this cause, and the many others you support, and start to develop change. I lost an uncle to this disease and hopefully awareness increases. Best of luck with the tour!
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Amit ji
Well wishes for next show. The name “aladin” is already getting sensational. It is also time to act on variety of subjects- ‘ character of poet’- ‘ character of very big business tycoon’- ‘ president of a country’ .
Wishes
Parth
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Respected Mr Bachchan,
All the best for the London show. I know its gonna be a blast.
I will surely pray that everything goes on well.
The show has truly rocked my world in Toronto and Houston (Besides seeing everyone else, I just couldn’t decide between Akshay and Madhuri, so I attended both), and I am sure its gonna rock London as well.
The addition of Shilpa Shetty to the show, is definitely a plus, especially in London. And yes, she does look superb. So slim and trim and so elegant. I wish her and the rest of you all the best for the show.
God Bless
My love and best wishes always,
Reshika
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Dear SIr,
I’m sure your show will go great for tom, as it alwyas does.. While your in London, you should try to eat a donner kebab, very good!!!
Saima from Texas
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Amitji,
I had a birthday party to attend on saturday, as I return home in the early hours, I am eager to switch on my laptop to read your latest blog…glad to see a response…like always I feel that I need to send a response to all of your blogs, so here like yourself I feel atleast I am able to communicate with you…I wish you and the rest of the gang for tommorrow (well today as its 4am here) glad to see Abhishek has uploaded Drona clips on my BigB group here on facebook, they are looking fantastic…would love to hear teasers to the soundtrack to both Drona and Aladdin…that would be awesome for your fans..if possible uploaded on the BigB group…
I am so excited about attending the concert, I am sure regardless how tired i am at the moment, i dont feel I will be able to control this excitement and get a good nights sleep……hope to get a response from you in regards to when we will be able to see the documentary on yourself titled the Everlasting Light…
All the best always
Kishore Bhatt (UK)
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Dear Mr. Bachchan,
Keep up a good work. Very Happy to know that you do deos not have diabetic.
Not happy to see this news on BuZZ18.com
http://www.buzz18.com/news/movies/unforgettable-tour-a-big-flop/77381/0
Please reply on this….
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hiiiiiii pa
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Dear Amitji,
Very subtle but strong post with a resounding message. We have a family history of diabetes but the mithais always find a way through some festivities, special occaisions, somebody else’s special occaision, etc…. Nice to see some awareness from this medium and you are the most befitting brand ambassador for fitness. May God bless you with many more years of good health and your wisdom continue to shine upon us like your name….
Thank you,
Dhiraj
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pa i watched dronas promos bt dey r nt gettin better response……specially d 2nd promo…….newaz pa i watch ur unforgettable diaries on ndtv everyday…….nd 1 thing was gr8 2 c dat abhishek had lots of energy dis time…..n pa do read or ask frm any of ur friends 2 gv u 2days mumbai mirror paper…..it gives article of abhishek-aishwariya n salman…..so do c 2 it………
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Dear Amitji,
Simply fabulous and be rest assured that all your Shows will ROCK and we all admirers of you will always pray for your well-being.
Take care of your health and come back to India soon.
Regards,
arun
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Dear Sir,
It’s very nice to know your score on the blood test
And All the very Best for your show ! You are always in our prayers.
Lots of love
- prats
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Dearest Amitji,
We’re already feeling withdrawal here in the US…we miss you talking about NYC, being here in Chicago, SF, LA, Houston…it was great having you here in the US and we just wished that you could become a permanent resident of this place
The show is absolutely amazing and I’m sure those in London are going to have a awesome time. Is there any more details on diabetes? Is there a cure? Is there any alternative and natural ways to cure it? What helps produce Insulin?
It’s going to be 1 week since our memorable meeting
Hope you got the audio that you were looking for! 
Also, hoping Abhishek liked his gift 
Tomorrow is Krishna Janmashtami (Today for you)
Hope you get to experience it 
Best Wishes and Lots of Love,
Hitesh
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Dear Sir,
I was wondering if day 122(i) will be corrected to publish the full post. I wish it does get corrected for two reasons. One, I do not want to lose out on the post you had written for us and Two, it sticks out like a sore thumb on your otherwise pefect blog.
All the best to the people working behind the server to keep up the good work. I work in IT and know that some gliches are a part of the game. Just as long as they are completely corrected ….as if it never happened !
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Since you are not going back to your previous blogs and responding- I wanted to re-post the message my kids sent you (my 6 year old and 8 year old are really hoping to get a response from you:)
Below is their message that they typed on your previous blog
alaina and rohil says:
August 23rd, 2008 at 8:29 am
Dear Amit Uncle,
My name is alaina and I am six years old and my brother name is rohil. My mom told us that now you can finally write to us on your blog. We would love to hear from you. We were not able to go to your concert since it was sold out- We really wanted to meet you and Abhishek and Ashwariya. Hopefully when we visit India we can meet you. Please write back to us.
Lots of Love
YOU ROCKED in Bhoothnath……
AND Abhishek rocked in Dhoom!!!!!
And Ashwariya rocked in Dhoom 2
My mom loves Jaya Bachchan but we have only seen her KKKG
Waiting for your response since my mom said you can write back to us now so please do:)
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Wish you the best for all the rest of the shows.
With love
Tony
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I’m glad that the bugs have been worked out of the server in time for me to see your kind response . Thank you so much.
I believe that when you were first asked if you were addicted to your blogging, you would answer that it was an obligation. Now you refer to it as a compulsive disorder. I sure hope you don’t find a cure. However, now with the new response technology I think you will get even less sleep and I know I will.
I’m was relieved to read that you did not take that helicopter. Concerning the spread of diabetes in the Asian community, it is probably caused by the increasing adoption of the typical Western diet. Dr. Neal Barnard of the Physicians Committee of Responsible Medicine(PCRM) has written a book about a program for reversing diabetes by adopting a low -fat vegetarian diet. As Asians get away from their traditional diets, it is no surprise that all the diet related diseases begin to appear. I am so glad that your blood test came out OK and in the safe level.
Maybe you can tell Shilpa Shetty that since you even wrote about her birthday on your blog, her year will surely be successful and she will mock forgive you.
I wish you all the best for a hugely successful London show. I’m sure it will happen. I am looking forward to some pictures of Shilpa Shetty in the show since she wasn’t in the shows put on here.
Much as I am so excited that you responded to me, I sincerely hope that you don’t push yourself and your health too much with this new toy.
Love,
Rochelle
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Dear Sir
I am a big fan of yours and would like you to have a look at some of your sketches posted on a blog
BElow is the link to the blog
http://bachchanbillboard.blogspot.com/
Thanks and regards
Saurabh Turakhia
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Amitji, Wish you good luck for the show tomorrow. All the best and as usual you will always rock. We would wish you to watch in some entertaining movies.
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Dear Amithji,
Best of luck and Gods blessing for another successful show tomorrow.
With love
Rajaram
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Dear Amit ji,
Please dont wake up till 3am morning.. we do wait for ur blog but i dont think anybody here want u to spoil ur sleep for blogging.. its not rule that u have to write everyday.. please take adequate rest especially when u do rehearsals n shows.. please please take care..
Love u forever
Yashpal
(Mysore)
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Amit,
I understand that you take serious exception to people referring to the Hindi Film Industry as BOLLYWOOD.
In light of the fact that most hindi movies are “inspired” by Hollywood movies, I would like to understand the rationale underlying your stand that people should refrain from referring to the Hindi Film Industry as BOLLYWOOD.
Would you please take a moment to elaborate?
Thanks,
Bhushan
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hiiiiiiiiii sir
you didn’t read my comment still waiting i really want to share something please talk to me for 5 min. how you like of drona do tell n promos too
take care god bless
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Dear Sir,
Best Wishes for tomorrow’s London Show.I know it would be good as always.
Warm Regards
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Dear Amit jee
wishing u n ur group all the very best.God bless u n ur family.
N.K.Verma
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Dear Amitabh,
Very thoughtful!
We have been watching snippets of your tour on NDTV imagine. When does one get to see the full picture? Looking forward.
Janmashtmi ka shubh parv dhoom dham se manaya ja raha hai saare desh men. There must have been related activity in the now Indianised London.
Regards,
gul
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This is the soft copy of my piece published in the Afternoon tabloid dated Tuesday July 22, 2008.
Blogger’s Park
Sudhir Raikar jogs around three celebrity blog tracks only to be led on a delightful trail of the Big B’s illustrious footmarks – his big strides in a new territory.
Many years back, he changed the face of Indian mainstream cinema – running it virtually like a one-man industry. Some time back, he engineered a paradigm shift in television viewing with the inspired-but-innovative game show Kaun Banega Crorepati. And now, he’s busy lending a deeper meaning to the medium of the times – Blogging.
That celebrities have taken to blogging in a big way is common news. But superstar Amitabh Bachchan has proved again that whatever is worth the while, he does it in style.
Of the 75 days of incessant blogging till date, he has maintained a very high quality of introspection in what is essentially an online diary interspersed with nostalgic expression – words that often take the form of stream of consciousness writing.
Apart from his trademark humility, chaste language and powerful idiom, he’s been open in his admiration for the web and the young generation – free of inhibitions and hang-ups, aiming to soar high on the wings of opportunities.
Day in and day out, he offers a perceptive window into his life – that attracts die-hard fans, bitter critics and observant readers in equal measure. And once in a while, he lashes out at his detractors – members of the media and fans alike – in a matter-of-fact language. What’s commendable is his consistency and poise in sifting through the countless posts from the world over – some with blatant abuses, others with blind admiration and many with unsolicited words of advice.
At the ripe age of 66, the man is studying the world around him with the eyes of a keen student. His inklings leave his readers wondering – is he the super star of main stream cinema or a literary genius. In religiously keeping his tryst with the blog, Bachchan has truly recognized the real power of the web as a non-intrusive but potent medium. A bridge that gets him closer to his audience sans the middlemen (getting around the filter, as they say), a divide that still keeps safe distance from absurd attacks and a tailored platform to lock horns with his detractors, each time he finds his personal space encroached.
If one compares his blog with two of his well-known counterparts and fellow bloggers, the big difference stands out, tall like him.
Star-actor Aamir Khan, who probably unveiled his web space ahead of Bachchan, was an enthusiastic blogger to begin with. In a few posts, he did attempt to discuss a variety of holistic issues within and outside the celluloid frame. With the passage of time, however, his blog has been reduced to a “Now Showing Coming Soon†Notice Board. A haven for the overflowing love-you-miss-you posts, it leaves very little for meaningful interaction with the public at large. To make matters worse, his infamous “Farm House Dog†post also did not augur well for his well meaning fans.
Director Ram Gopal Verma has gone about his web mission in characteristic sharp shooter style. His thoughts on cinema are highly perceptive, so is his commentary on the several factors that contribute to the process of movie making. His take on the mindless critic tribe is equally enlightening. In exposing the intellectual poverty of each target, he even cites their pet brand statements, replete in their mechanical critiques.
What’s however not web friendly is his discourteous stance that he projects like a jewel. For a medium as participatory as the web log, this one-way traffic is adverse, if not fatal.
Blogging is personal, no doubt, and there’s nothing prescriptive about it. But the disciplined manner in which Bachchan has approached the medium is indeed food for thought for just about everyone who sees the web as a medium of expression, not just the film fraternity.
The Personal web log, or blog as it’s commonly referred to, has a recent history. Used as a noun as well as a verb, this magical term was coined in 1997 by the charismatic American Jorn Barger – who embraced computers, literature and philosophy in the same breath. The popular term “Blog†was the brainchild of the equally versatile information architect Peter Merholz. In the 11 years of its young existence, blogging has grown rapidly to bloom into a potent social medium for interaction, reflective writing in particular.
That Amitabh Bachchan is one of its ardent fans spells great news for a generation of netizens who stumble upon web pages more than they bump into each other. And for the highly mollycoddled recluse tribe, the so-called IT experts, which is oblivious of the difference between the Internet and the World Wide Web, here’s a towering inspiration!
Warm regards
Sudhir
PS: Some time back, I had requested you for an interview on behalf of The Afternoon tabloid. I am still hopeful but in case, you are averse to the idea - can I send my questions to you on the blog itself (to be answered on the blog itself) - maybe this could set a new trend in blogging.
I am a cost accountant-turned-lost accountant with a chequered career spanning disparate industries. With such credentials (or the lack of them), I am more a generalist than a journalist!
Hopefully yours
Sudhir
http://www.coastaldelights.blogspot.com
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Hi,
“computericsâ€! I like it!
And may you go great guns at computerics, AND at the show!
Hope the show goes BEST
GOOD CHEERS FOR HEALTH AND HAPPINESS
gilga
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Mr. Bachchan
You say
“It is late ! But connecting with all of you is a compulsive disorder !”
I would like to respond that many others including me suffer from a similar compulsive disrorder. I do not remember a single day during the past 60 days or so when I have not checked your blog a few times every day and not put up at least one response on it.
May this compulsive disorder never be cured !
Good luck for the London show !
Subhash Kaura
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Hello Mr. Bachchan,
All the best! You are God!!
S
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dear sir
what is with you i dont understand !!!
dozing off and writing for us, it will be enough even if you write goodnight subh ratri and sabba khair !!!
i think as we are made (by what i dont know) to read ur blog with such a interest and pride and joy and happiness i know too many ands , impulses you know !!!
i think by that source of power only you are also writing and shareing with us ur feelings and day to day life stories , its very nice it feels so close to you , my wish was to meet you in person but i know you can not meet all the indians in person but this way i feel just ok not happy but content as i can write to you (i have commented 5 - 6 times earlier ) and NOW my god you can even write me back even better means bestest LOL will give me more energy to comment - tippany (namakhalal)
doing great job sir keep it up.
but dont work more than ur what ur body allows , stress is not good
any way everything you say or do is what becomes law so be careful in what you say or do coz we are bound to follow you we can not help it (we = fans)
thanks for doing all good jobs bole to thanks for everything coz u r always right
media should me shameful i think they are the real bhasmasur of kalyug , they have this immence power which they can use in doing good but you know their story better than i do … but i think even we (media reders and wathers )are promoting it by giving it importance
where will it end i dont know do you have any idea(s)
baghbaan changed me now i respect more my father,mother and grandparents thanks
aatish (final yr medicals in st. petersburg russia )
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dear Amithji,
Though out of place for the current text of your message, In the latest discussion board on rediffmail’s”Bachchans Gentures” I mentioned the following message
“I have been watching the discussion board since many years now. Of late there have been lot of positive remarks about the great actor Mr.Bachchan. His master strokes via the blog have cleared many many doubts in the minds of people. The artistry in his writing is at par with his acting skills. Truly great personality. There should not be any comparison between Bachchan and other present big actors. He should be left alone and not hurt him / his fans through abuses in public domain like this discussion board. God bless him.”
My fellow fan Remo replied “Raja you are right and spot on”. I felt elated.
With lots of love and good wishes once again
Rajaram Alva
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Mr. Bachchan
Re: Your comments:
“The server frantically informs me that all seems well with the posts and functioning is normal. Yes there were some moments when in between the mechanics or the should I say the computerics were under test, causing the error. But all is well now.”
The new facility to post a reply under a resposne is still missing / is not operational after that brief initial trial a few days back. When do you think it could become operational fully?
That would be great !
Subhash Kaura
PS: Did you find time to visit Regents Park?
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this comment number 45 by subhas kaura
i totally agree with him
shabba khair subh ratri good night now i am going back to sleep !!!
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Respected Amitji,
It always feels very nice to read your blogs. Me and my wife are die hard fans of you and I have mentioned it multiple times whenever I wrote my comments on your blog. I was there in the Chicago show and consider it to be the greatest show of my entire life. Seeing you was a dream come true.
Anyways, I am happy to hear that you inaugurated a center for Diabetes in UK, a very noble work. I am more happy to read that you traveled via car instead of going through a helicopter as it was a charity cause. You mentioned that some blood test was done on you and you don’t recall it. I would try to explain in few simple words. What the phramacist checked with your blood is called Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) which is also called Glycosylated Hemoglobin. The concept is really simple. Red Blood Cells (RBCs) live for 120 days in a normal human body and during that period glucose molecules bind to the red blood cells. In a person with uncontrolled diabetes, where the glucose concentration is much higher in the blood, more glucose molecules bind to the red blood cells thus elevating the value of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) and the number comes back high in the blood test. Up to 6 is normal. After 6, person is considered to have Diabetes and as the value goes up, the glucose control is considered poorer. Being a physician, I order this test every now and then. It is a very simple and effective test for the long term management of Diabetes Type 2 (Type 1 is seen in young patients). It is really a silent killer and by 2020, India will be the Diabetes (Type 2) Capital of the world. We need to educate more and more people globally and especially in India on this problem as it can give rise to tons of other complications later in the life if never addressed properly earlier. It can cause Kidney damage, Eye damage, Coronary Artery Problems including Heart Attacks, Nerve damage, Muscle Infarction (Muscle damage), Ketoacidosis and impaired healing of infections, gangrene and overweight children in pregnant women. We need more celebrities to come out and appeal to people about this problem just like you and Shahrukh did promote Polio Vaccination, just like you are promoting an initiative against Global Warming, just like Lara Dutta is involved with a foundation who is helping people with AIDS.
Anyways, I apologize to discuss too much of medicine (as it is my occupation) and if I have bored you. I hope you and all others on the tour are doing good. I am pretty sure that London will have a very nice time with the show definitely. Good luck for the show to you, Sir. Please do take good care of yourself. It is a nice thing in the blog that now you can reply back. I always wished if I could get a reply from you but unfortunately it was not possible due to the server problem that you mentioned in earlier entries. Anyways, I would love to receive your reply as I always do. Even if you can’t, it is fine. It is more than enough for me even if you just read my comment. I would consider my self lucky if you do. Have a good time in Britain. Take care.
Your Enthusiastic Die-hard Fan,
Dr. Parth Mehta
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dear bachchans, best of success for the london show. jai mata di
krishna mohan ivaturi
visakhapatnam.
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There is still a problem with the responses to comments. If it’s a one line response it can’t be read at all. If it is multiple lines, the last line is missing.
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Hi Sir,
All d best for d show. The world loves u n so there’s no reason for it to go wrong for even if it does, we wud still cherish ur presence. All d best. keep rockin!!!
Jugz
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By going through my idol’s blog .. I am thinking like him.
this is 11.30 in the night, chicago time. Tomorrow is janmasthami. My son is going to perform as krishna in his sunday school. His mom has made a nice crown for tomorrow’s lord krishna, which my son shivam is going to enact. After making the crown My wife tries that on me . and adores the beauty of the crown, and on me .. and imagining how it will look on his little SriKrishna tomorrow.
After watching the spectacular show in chicago, it is still on my mind . I have made it a point that I visit this blog couple time in a day .. the way Amijtji does.
Do I sound like him somewhere .. me as Amitji, and my wife as Jayaji .. and little shivam as Abhishek ..
Subh Janmashtami.
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Dear Mr. Bachchan,
Namaste.
first of all I would like to salute you for your commitment and for your concern to send us a word after that hectic day, and before taking your rest…thank you Mr.Bachchan..
it is 6 am in cairo. i got up because of a bad dream that disturbed my sleep. i was not really in a good mood to enjoy a movie on the TV or even a piece of music. so i thought of logging in to your blog hoping to find your post for Day 124. i took my lovely mobile, which allows me to log in to the blog whenever and wherever, to my room and it was great to find the post for Day 124.
yes…it was quite around. i went first to read some of your responses to some readers of Day 123. your reply messages are really sweet. and then i went for Day 124. and in this quite atmosphere I felt like hearing your voice with every word I read. And I thought… you wouldn’t sleep and take some rest before sending us the post of today, so i wanted to send you my comment before going back to bed as well.
great that the function went well, and that the blood test went well too. actually a helicopter would have saved you a lot of time and energy…but it was a nice gesture from your side, yes i agree with you “An event for charity should save all the money they possibly could”.
One understands the feelings of sadness of the group because the tour is coming to an end. Sure…It must have been a great and wonderful experience that will carry lots and lots of good memories. Enjoy the great moments, and the love of your fans. And I wish you would have lots of another successful tours in the future.
Great that Shilpa Shetty is joining you for the show in London. And take good care not to forget her birthday again, definitely your wishes give her good luck for the year.
Now back to bed. the sun has risen already.
My comment was long…I wish you would pardon me. But reading your post and replying back to you helped me to gain back my mood. And I wish there will be no more disturbing dreams.
Best of luck with the concert tomorrow…I am sure it will be another fantastic show, and you will rock.
With love and lots of wishes,
Rasha Zayed,
BigB yahoo group,
Cairo, Egypt.
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Respected Sir,
All the best for tomorrows show. This will be again a masterpiece from you.
Regards
Mohit
Kabul
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salaam amitji!
wish u the best!
take care!
Sahar (ur little iranian fan!!!)
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GIVES ME IMMENSE PLEASURE EACH DAY TO READ YOUR BLOG AND PARTICIPATE IN GIVING MY INPUTS AND PERSONAL VIEWS……THIS MY MY MORNING NEWSPAPER AS I SWITCH ON MY LAPTOP AND FIRST THING IS READ YOUR BLOG AND UPDATES…..WAY OF LIFE FOR ME….DO HOPE SINCERELY THAT YOU COME TO KATHMANDU-NEPAL SOME DAY AND WE GET THIS OPPORTUNITY OF MEETING YOU EVEN IF IT MEANS FOR A FEW SECONDS…….
ALL THE VERY BEST FOR ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL ROCKING SHOW.
CHEERS - VARSHA
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It happened to me folks..it finally happened to me..pinch me throw me in a sea do anything but make me belive Mr Bachchan replied to me on Day 123 !! Gosh I cant belive i
Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut Mr Bachchan the font is not really readible.Pls Sir Pls have the bigadda team fix the font problem.I want to print the page and save it for life.Never know if this will happen to me again.But pls sir I want to print the page and show it to all my friends/family ..pls bigadda team pls fix the font problem and make it more readible.This is one of a life moment for me..
Pallavi Garg
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I LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE YOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUU.
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Under the surface of flux and fear, there is an underground movement, under the crust of bueraucracy,quite behind the posters,unconcious but palpably there, is the kingdom of the individual……..Sarkar you dont need luck, you make your own luck…… Rise and shine like Krishna the warior…… Greetings on Krishnas birthday…… Warm Regards……
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ShubhDin !
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Good Morning!
To drive to Leicester and not take advantage of the helicopter to save time was a very noble gesture to admire for sure. Glad to know Leicester went well. Also Happy to hear you are a none diabetic! Another symptom less worrisome about you. All good. But by all means never be cured of your “BLOGGODOM ADDICTION!!” Now, that is a symptom I am more than happy foy you never to find a cure! Are you becoming an “IN MY ROOM BLOGGING!! - DO NOT DISTURB!!!” type of guy?
As nice as it feels to be so connected with you there are times when you must rest also, most especially if you have a hectic day ahead, can’t you leave a shorter message? And hold on to the string while you sleep??
Not complaining! Just thinking of your health first.
Sorry to hear everyone are having withdrawal symtoms now that the tour is in it’s final stage. Happy to hear you all had a relaxed night just spending time chatting and watching a bit of Alladin and Drona?
Btw - Did you ever find “my Genie” or “my Genius”???!!!
(old joke! you probably don’t remember, ha! ha!)
So all is well again with the Blog. Let’s hope this time it stays healthy and does not encounter more symptoms or illnesses!!
And don’t you worry kind Sir! Show will be not just “Tremendous” but “FANTABULOUS!!! and “HUMANGOUSLY SUCCESSFUL!!!”
And on that note a very “Good Morning!!” to you…
Sending Love…
Rose C X
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Your son is the sexiest man alive!
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Dear Mr bachchan,
All the best for the show. I know you’ll completely rock it. (Y)
Love
Divya (Toronto)
PS: Your blog today was so descriptive, felt like i was there with you. LOL. Please always keep them coming.
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Dear MR. BACHCHAN,
HUMARI JINDGI MAI EK HI TAMANNA HAI KI AAP SE KABHI MULAKAAT HO JAE. I ‘M LIVED IN LUCKNOW .
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Dear Sir:
Wish you a great time in London. We want to know more about your early days in Bombay. The struggle-the dedication-the determination every thing. Please spare some time to let us know about this episode. Yes, we know about all these from here and there but I feel it would be great to hear from you. Please please please………..
Regards,
Aranya
Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Dear Amitji!
Thanks for writing us detailed about Leicester. I’m happy to learn that you have no diabetes.
I was reading by one reader in Day 123… there gave you a reply that you will be in India first by mid September. But last show of first unforgettable tour will be in Germany on 30th August… what are you doing after it?
Lots of love and good luck for your today’s show in London! My best wishes and prayers are with you.
â•‘â•šâ•â• ☆╦╦╦
╚╗╔╣║║║║
::â•šâ•â•šâ•â•©â•â•::
â•”â•â•¦â•â•¦â•â•¦â•¦â•—
â•‘â•â•£â•‘║╔╣â•â•£
║║║║║╚╣║☆
â•šâ•©â•©â•â•©â•â•©â•©â•
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how did you feel about the first move you auditioned for and when you got your first role: how did you feel, how did u deal with it?…..
you are a selfmade man sir, just wanted to know ././ as fans wonder what you were going thru at the time. as you touch base with us now,
what was it like b4?
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wish u all the best for the show!
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Dear Amit uncle,
Hope you have a great show today as allways. Take goodcare of your health and please dont stay up so late at night. You need a good 6 hrs of sleep atleast. It was wonderful to see you have replied to many comments of your fans.
There was problem reading your response becoz the font is not visible hope the people at Big adda will work on it . The 122(i) blog still doesnt seem like it’s fixed. These are not complaints to you but to the server with the hope that someone will fix it soon.
As allways it’s great pleasure to read your blog.
Regards,
Shetty
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