Posted on: April 29, 2008 - 3:30 pm
Prateeksha, Mumbai April 28-29, 2008 2:15 am
It is late, but it has been a full and constructive day.
Promotional activities have consumed most of the time, after shooting for ‘Aladin’ ended.
Srinivasan Jain and Barkha Dutt from the same channel NDTV being the last two.
The former a little more rushed than the latter, but both hinging on topics already expressed upon in the print media. Barkha more incisive, Sri in a hurry ; maybe his time limitations were somewhat acute.
The questions had similar content. Not to say that the other 42 interviews that I did in the evening were any better, but ’similar’ was the unchallenged constant. Shatrughan Sinha, Salim Khan, Raj Thakeray, Anurag Basu. Commerce and sensationalism still riding high on their intelligent shoulders.
Why so angry now ? Would you still be friends with them ? Why do you think you are attacked ? Would you still greet them ?
And i wait for the dynamic headlines announcing the interview. Some thing that will draw attention, keep the audience unmoved from their channel. Phone in’s may get constructed around comments of mine. Do you think he is right in saying so - phone in your comments at 58822 something, put Y and gap and N and gap. Get the graphics of the percentage going, call in a semi intellectual, preferably from the film Industry and certainly not ‘Bachchan Camp’ into the studio, repeat the questions asked in interview, expand them, cover half hour or else the adverts will not fructify. Culminate the proceedings on a note where the channel looks good and unbiased, yet signals its last cynical or sarcastic ending, dynamic background music and…. channel ID !!
Matter over.
Anchors move on to the next programme - a rape or shoot out, car having run over pedestrian sleepers. Get the blood, get the relatives in various stages of shock and dismay, weeping and distraught close ups would help. Catch the cops for comment and the ambulance taking away the bodies. Didn’t get the shot ? Damn !! No problem, pick up the visual from the day before as the bus plunged into the river, patrol cars and ambulances were seen there as well.
Anchor at news asking their on the spot colleague, to report what is happening, in the same tone as when describing Dhoni hitting a six at a cricket match !!
An average scene at any given time on any given channel.
And they talk of monotony and lack of fresh content in our cinema. They talk of ripping off foreign DVD’s and plagiarism. Where did they get there programme ideas from ? Are any of their presenters sitting in front of studious looking desks any different from the sets of the BBC or ABC or CNN Studios. Is ‘Seedhi Baat’ not ‘Hard Talk’ is KBC not ‘Millionaire’ ?
Afternoon of 28th, CNN-IBN 12:25pm news on review. Title, ‘Busy Big B’ a recap of the launch of a game show for Bhooth Nath. Launch over, media questions. The same rumor laced spicy barbs.
The blog is occupying much debate. Thank you. I am honored there is interest in it. How do you get there ? I give them the address. Next question- are you anxious about what the media writes about you. I respond yes for i do not know what abuse will come my way. Back to condescending anchor, male, in a fetching suit and tie, a tinge of sarcasm and one up manship, a wry smile and the closing before the signature tune takes over.. ” Far cry from the Amitabh Bachchan that had boycotted the media not so long ago” !!
Brilliant, CNN-IBN !! You have denounced the BIG B and come out looking superior. After all media credentials must always be on top. The last word must be ours. ‘News is not what happened, news is what media says happened’ - famous editorial quote from the owner of a daily.
Except its the other way round !
Media blacked out Amitabh Bachchan in the 70’s on the ridiculous assumption that press censorship during the Emergency was instigated by him, because of his proximity to Shrimati Indira Gandhi.
My name my activities my photographs all banned from any and every journal, in retaliation. Even in the credit titles of a film under reference in print, would not carry my name in the star cast. It would be reduced to a comma !
It was then that i decided that if they had the liberty to ban me, I had similar liberty to ban them. And yes for almost 10 years I never entertained them.
(its 3:37 am, i must rest - my mind is foggy. will take up the rest early tomorrow)
2:55 pm Mehboob Studio
I am protective of my fraternity and my profession - who isn’t !
I lament the fact that an Industry that has become the parallel culture of the country, whether it is good or bad for the country I do not know, should not be given its due status in society.
The word ‘filmy’ is often used in derogative term, often to describe an act or subject which is considered below par or not of sufficient quality in comparison with other prevalent accepted norms.
Why ?
Jaya walks out of Parliament as a demonstration of her right as an MP, in disagreement with proceedings in the august Sabha. Commentator on TV, “these 20 somethings, that believe History started when they were employed” adds her little bit of savvy … ” and Mrs Bachchan walks out in typical filmy style”.
What is filmy style pray ?
I shall tell you. Its a lot better than slogan shouting, fisticuffs flying, microphone ripping, female denuding, helium gassed black ballooning, well entering, other public representatives of our nation !!
Will the media coin a word for them and their actions please. For I see them exhibiting their histrionics somewhat regularly on national TV !!
Or would you dare to call it ‘filmy’ ? And if you did, would you also kindly give a reference to the film in which you found this example ?
Amitabh Bachchan
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