Posted on: April 17, 2008 - 10:48 am
I.
Political stalwarts in both Maharashtra and UP seem to single you out for personal attacks and go out of the way to levy accusations and charges against you. The ‘Maharashtrian’ leaders give you a UP tag while the irony is that, at the same time, the UP CM spares no opportunity to prove a point against you. No other figure in the entertainment industry has been so specifically targeted by the political class, even if he has been charged in cases ranging from drunken driving to possession of illegal weapons. Why has this degree of animosity built up against you from powerful people about whom you have never said anything in public till today?
An interesting sms that I received from an unknown source recently seems to be the chosen answer to your query. It had said : “ The Maharashtra politicians say I contribute to UP.. the UP politician says your contribution(stamp duty) is insufficient.. Let the two Governments decide amongst themselves first who is more wronged, before dragging you in on this”.
It’s a legacy I have lived with for a major portion of my life as a public figure and one for which I have been unable to find a credible answer or solution. I have expressed anger and anguish over it. Laughed over it. Kept ‘dignified’ silences over it. Ignored it and at times fought it, publicly and legally. It is now a constant in my existence. Better to accept this than waste precious time in unraveling the mystery.
You term it an ‘animosity’. I think it is deep love. It is a credential most envied and desired. How absolutely enthralling to have the high and mighty of the nation making you the object of their concern. Questioning anxiously, matters as serious as, the reason behind the growth of my French beard, my descent from the skies in a film in a parachute bearing the colors of the national flag, to, an entire machinery of Government bureaucracy drafting notices on the non recognition of two trees – a peepul and a palm – on barren land where a school for girls is being built by me, or the Revenue Department being instructed from ‘higher ups’, to investigate the cost of a pair of plastic dark glasses worn by me, as seen in a tabloid photograph !!
It demonstrates alarmingly, the absolute bankruptcy of thought among the decision makers of the land and their deep interest and dependence on insignificant and frivolous issues. Issues that have been labeled ‘Amitabh Bachchan’. Yes, there have been serious matters too – Bofors, foreign exchange violations, election commission anomalies, violation of tobacco laws, farmer status and land acquisition and many more – all having been dismissed by relevant Tribunals, quasi judicial bodies, Honorable High Courts and the Supreme Court. It would be naïve to imagine that all these litigations arose out of extreme public interest, without the direct-indirect support or interest of political machinations. I wonder if ever, so much political interest has been taken, on an entity, entirely non-political.
Many in the media counter this belief of mine and maybe they are justified. Public figures and the politics of a nation have seldom remained too far apart. Vested interest, from both parties, has often been quoted as the cause for it. Media interest in such occurrences has helped fan circulation economics. Exoneration has never been highlighted, accusation always sensationalized. Nothing wrong in that. It’s the way media commerce is run, much in the way the song and dance routine is run as an integral part of Indian commercial escapist cinema. After a recent dismissal by the Courts in my favor, a section of the media actually expressed immense regret at the decision; they having had to kill a juicy negative headline story they had prepared on me !!
I cannot say why there is ‘specific target’ on me therefore, by the ‘political class’ and I shall not comment on the guarded references you make to other alleged offenders within my Industry, except that we have all, in every circumstance, followed the Law of the Land and its Constitution, more diligently than many others, not in our fraternity, for crimes decidedly more severe.
There is the factor of immediate and effective publicity that comes into play the moment a celebrity is targeted. Media loves to give it the pride of place and prominence and not without reason. In a land of ‘have- nots’, the seeming ‘haves’ are looked upon as the ‘villains’ of society and the cause and reason, for all that is going wrong in it. Comes with the territory. So our mantra – be vigilant and careful even as you sleep and be prepared for the ultimate abuse and action for the smallest of error. It’s a tough call. As humans we will err. But we remember always, that if we fault, no one will leave us and if we do not, nobody can touch us. The law of the land will prevail.
II.
I recall that many years ago, when I was just a reader and not a journalist, I read a detailed interview of yours which ended with you quoting John Dryden’s line, ‘beware the fury of a patient man’…
That line of course must have been brought back to you several times. I was reading an interview you gave in 2001 where the interviewer mentioned Dryden’s line to you, and asked you to elaborate on the thought behind it. Your response was –
“See, obviously it came from a feeling of being ostracized, of being victimised. And when the victimisation is too large for you to battle it immediately because you have an entire hostile government, an entire hostile media, you have hostile people on the streets since that’s the kind of impression that has been built up, it is very difficult to fight. So you remain quiet. You take it on your face. You take it on your chin and then wait to disprove that.”
How different is today from then? You still have a hostile media, as you said in your email. You would have good reason to feel ostracized, the way the senseless question of your Mumbai / Maharashtra loyalty is raised. There still are hostile people on the streets, and now they are sometimes violent too. And there is a hostile government, in UP at least, not that the one at the Centre or in Maharashtra is a very neutral one vis-à-vis you. I realize that it is in your nature to not stand up to respond to every inconsequential bit of gossip, but do you not think that by being patient and holding your peace for far longer periods than most people would, you allow those engaging in campaigns against you to occupy much more of the public mindspace than they otherwise deserve? Your interview in Mirror today is your first public response to many issues, and even it is a no-names-taken, dignified one. How furious is this patient man today, and how does he manage to keep quiet for so long in the face of extreme provocation?
You answer your question, within the question.
Once you use the term ‘inconsequential gossip’, there really is no need for a consequential reply.
‘Campaigns against me to occupy more public mindspace’ are structured to strike at an opportune moment for maximum effect. If people behind these designs seek opportune moments, surely I will and must have the liberty to do the same. I shall hold my peace till as long as I want to and bring it up when I feel it to be an opportune moment. Admittedly, the media has the right to dictate moments in the public sphere, but it never will have the right to dictate the functioning of my mind.
The media thought it an opportune moment to aggressively bring to the fore, incidents connected with the Miss World Contest in Bangaleru(Bangalore) many years ago, when ABCL my company was event managing it. Leaders from all hues of politics descended to deride the occasion and the press delighted itself in front paged headlines. Including your paper The Times of India, when ironically, your own house magazine, Femina, officially conducts the contest to pick the Indian representation. The bone of contention and the virulent refrain during Miss World was the ‘immoral’ act of women parading in swimsuits. That was over 10 years ago. But every year since, and even before, Femina has conducted and continues to conduct, contests for the Indian representation to Miss World, without incident, or any politics !!
And let me tell you more. The very next day after the Miss World Contest ended in Bangaleru, there was another Contest conducted in the same city called the Miss Lingerie Contest, where women and men demonstrated on a catwalk various designs of women and men’s under wear !!
Not a word was mentioned either by the press, or the politician !
I have brought this up several times through interviews, but it has always been conveniently edited. This answer too shall receive the royal axe by you by the time it comes out on print, because it questions the credibility of the media. But, even though I expect this to happen I am not too alarmed. This piece will also go out through the net to the rest of the world, for I believe this to be an opportune moment.
III.
Apparently a film called Yaar Meri Zindagi that starred you and Shatrughan many, many years back will finally be released soon. A question from here - Do you stay in touch, have any association with those who were also stars when your career was in its initial years, but today have faded out, while you continue to be, to use a cliché, a superstar? People like Shashi Kapoor, Vinod Khanna, Shatrughan Sinha, Rajesh Khanna…
I am no superstar and no actor fades away. Shashiji has voluntarily taken a sabbatical due to health reasons, Vinod, Shatrughan and Rajesh Khanna still work, and quite effectively, in the medium.
IV.
Your Unforgettables tour is being talked about since it is supposed to be your first tour in 25 years – I use supposed because I am not sure about this fact, it’s what I read – are you embarking on it after this long a gap primarily since Abhishek and Ash are part of it, or is it something you wanted to do but didn’t have time for earlier? How much does something like this excite you today?
Yes the Concert Tour comes to me after a very long gap. I remember the year of having pioneered it, way back in 1981 and ending it around 1993. It’s a frightening proposition at age 66, but I am happy that we have several energetic and very popular youngsters in the troupe to take maximum charge. Abhishek and Aishwarya being there is of course the primary reason, especially, since the one off performance we gave together at an IIFA event, went of successfully.
V.
Jessica Hines has described you in a most charming manner as “a cross between Clint Eastwood, Al Pacino, Elvis, but with more than a hint of John Travolta”. Your take on this?
I absolutely abhor this habit of continuously trying to find comparatives of indigenous produce, with those of some equivalence, with the Western World. I find this abusive of our status, however insignificant it may be. We are Indian and proud of our inheritance and presence. We’re ok, they’re ok. Viev la difference !!
VI.
What are you currently reading? Which book have you enjoyed reading the most in the past year or so?
Bits and pieces of several books. Nothing very significant. Most of my daily reading is restricted to the print media, the editorials and opinion articles of some, proving to be most educative and rewarding academically.
VII.
Do you follow cricket enthusiastically? Do you share a personal rapport with any of our current cricketers? Have you been approached by any team to associate with any IPL activity?
Yes I do, much like most other Indians. Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin.. I share a personal rapport with.. but in general, whenever we have met the others socially, there has been a healthy mutual respect. And no I have not been approached by IPL.
VIII.
What gift would you like to give to your son and daughter in law on their wedding anniversary?
I gave them love, understanding and togetherness the day they decided to get married. I would never like to replace that with anything material.
IX.
Did you watch OSO and TZP? How did you like them?
Yes, Shah Rukh invited me to a trial of OSO and I found the film to be extremely entertaining. Aamir has invited me to see TZP and I shall soon be seeing it, after the family, that has been traveling extensively, is together in Mumbai.
X.
When you reacted to Aamir’s comments on Black on his blog before TZP was released, did you read those blogs yourself or were they pointed out to you? How regularly do you log on to the net, what activity interests you the most, and are you by any chance a blogger? Are you part of any social networking site or network? Can your fans connect to you directly in some way online?
Aamir’s comments on Black I read in the print media. I am not a blogger as yet, but shall become one very soon. I do go on the net, not with any deliberate intent, but when someone recommends that to me through email, which I attend to somewhat regularly.
XI.
About six years back, in the course of an interview ( the same one where you responded to Dryden’s line), you said, “I can’t read people well. I am a bad reader of people.” Have your experiences over the past few years served to change that perception of yourself, or have they strengthened it? Would be grateful if you would elaborate on this.
That perception remains. I am a bad reader of people. But, I have others close to me who are always bang on. I rely on them and am happy with that. I tend to look at the other persons point of view first, than myself and this is a grouse that continuously comes up from those that guide my perception. My experiences over the years have in fact fortified my modus operandi, much to the consternation of those near.
It was great meeting you today!
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it is burden of being popular or say having a stature of a leader! malign you and instant fame is ensured… i guess nothing is gained even if u take pains to clarify ur point of view or ur stand.. waste of time and energy both… so i guess it makes more sense to employ our energy in a more fruitful direction…
those who understand will never point a finger…
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Hi BigB,
Thanks for this blog! I appreciate your views, especially the three Cs.
In my humble opinion, every law-abiding and upright citizen should be respecting only these and shouldn’t, then, need to fear or care for anybody’s view on him/her.
Thanks & Regds
Pavan
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I am your fan, Mr. Bachchan. I wish you well and all the great success you deserve for the years to come.
Ashesh
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Dear Sir,
With all due respect to you for making the following statement why did you chose to work in films that are scene to scene copy of Hollywood movies? e.g Ek Ajnabi copy of Man on Fire, Kaante (Reservoir Dogs). Please help me understand.
“I absolutely abhor this habit of continuously trying to find comparatives of indigenous produce, with those of some equivalence, with the Western World. I find this abusive of our status, however insignificant it may be. We are Indian and proud of our inheritance and presence. We’re ok, they’re ok. Viev la difference !!”
Regards,
Vikas
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great effort sir for taking time and connecting with the common people !!
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Sir,
It is an absolute pleasure to be able to converse with you through this medium. For diehard fans like myself and many others, we aspire to take out a photo with you , or get you to sign an autograph or attend one of your concerts when you are in South Africa, just to see you. However, this opportunity to ACTUALLY communicate with you is mindblowing! I have so much to ask and so much to say, but for now, suffice to say that Sir as an actor you are par excellence and as a human being, you espouse such great values and ethics. Sir , your humility is such an inspiration to all of us. May you be blessed always. Best wishes to your family too. Love always from Vishal, Udisha and my son Yash.
Regards
Vishal
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Dear Sir,
The very first thing i would have done if i was able to see you, I would have touched your feet. That remains a dream within me.
This is the best thing for me to write something and you will be reading it.
I would just like to tell you, You are a wonderful human being and a excellent soul. I am only 22 yrs old but i have been following you from my childhood.
You have seen plenty of ups and downs in your life, But you have always came out as a winner. I learn a lot from you.
Speacially your speacial lines ” Man ka ho to acha, Man ka na ho to aur bhi acha, kyunki phir jo hua woh hari icha” Perfect.
I would pray to god to bless you with good helath and a very very long life.
I have plenty to tell you, however i will stop my self here and salute you for what you are and will alwyas remain a special person in my life.
Thank you Sir,
Sumit Dass
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Dear Sir,
I don’t know why do I have this sense of ‘relief’ now…?
I really have been very perturbed with the way media has been behaving nowadays… they publish half-baked interviews - saying only things which make their copies look sensational - and thus give totally wrong meanings to whatever has been said by you.
With so many people logging on to net - and almost everyone having an opinion of his or her - it will be one helluva task for you to keep up with all of us here! You’ll not even be able to read all the comments, let alone reply to some of them.
And as you are more of a Busy B than just a Big B, I’d request you NOT to get too worked up here…. it’ll consume a lot of your time & energy.
Just chill & relax. We fans are your voice up here and we’ll interact with those who have any doubts about anything. You just go on posting your blogs and WE will ‘take care’ of people who don’t agree with you…
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interesting articles on amit ji
http://passionforcinema.com/don-can-easily-be-caught-at-his-blog-now/
http://passionforcinema.com/shantaram-and-oscar-may-go-to-amitabh-bachchan/
http://passionforcinema.com/kbc-pratham-ho-ya-dwitiya-as-long-as-amitabh-is-there-its-adwitya/
http://passionforcinema.com/meaning-of-amitabh-bachchan-before-1995-happy-birthday-mr-bachchan/
http://passionforcinema.com/dharmendra-amitabh-bachchan-vinod-khanna-remake-of-shaukeen-1981/
http://passionforcinema.com/tumse-milke-armaan-huye-poore-dil-ke-a-tale-of-abs-60th-bday/
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amit sir, thanks a lot for starting blogging.
a question—
you have said on KWK that now you bear no BO pressure as you no longer play leading man… will we see you with jaya ji in some matured love story or social film?
do you remain ready to opt any kind of get-up at this age? or we will see you mostly with french cut beard?
best regards
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Its commendable for a man of your stature taking on something like this as a social responsibility….
Kudos to you Mr. AB
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Hello sir, Its very enlightening to read you so direct. I have always been a great fan of your acting but over the time you have become a role model for me. I have always found your interviews very inspiring. This blog is a precious gift to me. Thank you very much.
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Sir wil u reply me?????
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You are truelly a proud citizen of India and I admire your great effort to connect to people and your fans around the world. I have always admired you and your movies, your command over the language, your presentation skills and etiquette.
Best regards
Diwakar
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Hello sir.
First of all thanks for starting this blog. Like every other fan of yours i believe that i am the greatest fan of yours.
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Respected Sir, aap itne vinarma kyon hain? Aap mein thoda sa bhi krodh nahi hai aur na hi kisi ke prati irsya. Aaj jab ki sare log apne ko media mein sthan dene ke liye kuch bhi ulti sidhi harkete karte rahte hain, Aap Sir, jiske aap hakdar hain uska bhi aap credit nahi lete hain, aisa kyon hai?
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You are great.
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Respected Sir,
thanx o lot for starting this blog, Sir I just want about your reply for MNS, why did this reply on that time, Any way you have reply so everything is ok , Sir I just want if what is the prosesor meet face to face with you, I had go meet with you in mumbai 24-25-26– feb 2008 on yours house JALSA , But I am very very unlucky< i have failed with meet you < if any way possible than i can come mumbai regarding meet you, Thanx Sir,
Dheer Singh Tomar New Delhi
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how r u?
is there any chance that u will come with aish and abhi. in the forthcoming film?
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sir i am also indian first after that north indian born and brought up in mumbai i am engineer working in mumabi i am also very hurted about this matter
we want to do some thing
we have to educate the people and give him a challenge what he want to do do
we are with u sir i am alway s with u
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One a different topic….
“Main Azaad Hoon” was one of your best movies. Why didn’t it do so well. Would you like to reflect upon one of your forgotten movies?
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dear sir,
you an enigma in your life itself are bound to attract whatever happening around you as i have followed your life closely and have few though indistinct similarity can understand various wars you are facing not only now but since you entered mumbai and this will keep on happening because you are self made, values dominated individual and belief in following the eduction passed on by your elders and moreover if you are the tallest building in the suburb everybody would like to reach up to that height and if not then try to degrace by their various acts so keep on lighting the torch of individualism which was passed to you by your father an intellect and mother a fighter till very last.
with regards
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Hello The Godfather of Bollywood,
I am Nirav Panchal. I read your blog & its very nice. I am ypur big Fan.
I am From Ahmedabad & Working as a Search Engine Optimizer (SEO).
If you have any type of work Pls Contact me. I am always free for you.
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Respected Sir
I m a small fan of u. I want to meet u.i have seen almost all the films of u.U r the real hero of indian cinema. Your films starts from A and ends
with N.I have written all the films name of u.
YOURS
VINEET MISHRA
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Dear Mr Bachchan. Thanks for starting this blog.I am your biggest fan.Please come to south africa on your tour.
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dear sir,
i am your small fan from a small town of karnataka,
i would like to tell u that as a hindu i started goshala named manasi go-wardana goshala, a shelter for cows, and a movement for save cows from cruel hands, i requesting you to help me as little as possible,
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also i forgotten to request you that kindly tell your friends about my project
thank you
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Kind Attn:Mr.Bachchan,
I am Radhakrishnan from Salem,Tamilnadu[South India]I am your biggest fan.Please come to our home town.I Need your help here,Why I asking you means I have no father ,My dad was expired in my age of 16 ,after my dad death my mam is give full support for me,She is home maker only and uneducated also.But my self I completed B.Com .Please help me for my future career,My future amibition is go to abroad..due to my family situation..I know you are nice human being and have helping tendance also..Please give some amount for my higher studies sir.
My E mail Id:- radhakrishnan.kothandaraman@gmail.com
Thanks & Regards
Radhakrishnan.
Mobile no:- 91+9994711882.
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Dear Mr. Bachchan,
Hi. How are you? First of all thanks for giving all of us out here a medium to get to know you better on a one to one basis. Truly you have been an idol to millions of Indians living across the globe and have made us proud time and again. Its been a journey of emotion, action, love, laughter with you through your movies. Now we await your family tour in the U.S and Europe and hope to see you in full action on stage. At this point of time i would like to ask you is there anything you still feel you’re yet to accomplish? Or is there something you want to do in other fields other than cinema? Hoping to hear back from you. Take care of your health, wiht best wishes and regards.
Richa.
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Nice to see you here sir, And I wish you very best for your future actions..Nice to know about the prevailing facts sir..
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Respected Bachchan ji
Aapke Bare men kuch kehna Suraj ko chiraag dikhane ke barabar hai.
Aap jaisi hasti sansaar men virle hi paida hoti hai.
Aap ne apna blog shuru kar ke ham jaise naye bolggeron ka utsaah badaya hai.
Aap ko aur Jaya ji ko apne Bete aur Bahu ki shaadi ki varshgaanth ki shubh kamnayen
“phoolon sa mahke jeevan unka
bani rahe lakshmi vishnu si jodi unki
yahi kamna hai ham sab ki”
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its nice 2 see u blogging!
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Dear Amitabhji,
Your responses were extremely great. You never gave the interviewer a chance to trap yourself, by not answering according to his wishes. I wish you all the best & that you have a healthy & fruitful life.
Love,
Rishikesh
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Hello Amit Ji,
I just only wanna say that more, more, more and more people follows you. So if u can or have time, Please give them a right direction to live life with roots. They accept u as their role model, God, friend, ideal person and etc. So please guide them and share your knowledge and experience with all of them.
Thanks.
Sorry For, I do not have time to read your articles but really your blog is very nice and whenever i get time, i read it.
Again Thanks
Bye…………
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IT is one of the amazing inteview that i ever read. Only one request to Mr Amitabh Bachchan That wherever you are, please give me blassing so that I can do better tommorow than today.
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Dear Amit uncle,
Thank you for this blog. It couldn’t be any more special for me. I have admired you as an actor, a human being, and as a soul. It is reflected in your work and through your personality. Your humility is absolutely worth admiring. I mean, there are no words for you. I must say, that a person like Amitabh Bachchan comes once in millenium.
Your life has been an inspiration to me. Your values, ethics, way of conducting yourself in public and private is absolutely commendable. And there is much more to learn from you. There is much more to say for me, but I will wait for the opportunity to see you sometime soon–and hopefully be able to converse with you. You are a gift not only to India but to the world.
I hope you have a very long and healthy life so that you continue to inspire young fellows like me, and also to do great work–as you have always done. I know you mention replying to each blog. BUt honestly, even if you read my blog and value my feelings–that will be a dream come true.
Thank you.
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Hello,
I am greatest fan of you,
i have watched ur all movies and i have collected all ur movie dvd’s and i have photo album of ur all movies i am a great fan i want know all about ur life style i have read it only in papers and website’s. I will be very great full to u if u give reply to me.
APP KI EK FILM ANEY WALI HAI JISME APP AISH JI KE SAATH ACT KARNE WALE THEY JIS KA NAAM THA TAJ MAHAL…. YEH NEWS 5 SAAL PAHLE EK MAGIZIN MEY PADATHA? KYA SAHI HAI
Thank you for this blog. It couldn’t be any more special for me. I have admired you as an actor, a human being, and as a soul. It is reflected in your work and through your personality. Your humility is absolutely worth admiring. I mean, there are no words for you. I must say, that a person like Amitabh Bachchan comes once in millenium.
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Hello Sir,
How are you. I hope you are fine. Sir I am from Allahabad. I am 18 year old and your greatest fan. I have seen your all movies and have a great collection. I like to be an actor but I don’t know ABC of action. Please guide me is this field is good for making career.
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get well soon and you will,but firstly i would like to say now you are getting old so take it slow,secondly u know some stars have changed like rahu is in your 12th house now,so take due precautions,secondly now do something big,big means float shares of abcl,produce some good films,hindi and south indian rather regional films would be better,and rest god will take care but do ponder,miss world/universe wat ever it was gave u bad taste,but god is great dont loose heart,now play it very calculatively,if u dont venture big,ur fans who treat u as thier ideal,will never gain courage rest take advice from your children friends but do it and do it now,something else but next time,lots to tell,but again sir,all the very best.
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wen u are loud it depicts weakness,dont bother controversy will allways remain in some form or the other but it is negative publicity.not your age or should be your style,let dogs bark,bark,bark,till they dont get tired and fall,rest wat to say u r very versed with life and its differant phases,give quality time to your self and then your family,rest it is all mithya everything will fade and new images will prop,but your health should be foremost,your wife jaya bachan who is surely the ideal indian women or you can even say devi,though you do not need any advices,but at times we forget even to take pills which doctor advised u,sameway just refreshing your memory.
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Namasthe Mr Bachchan
My undying admiration for your work is the foundation that holds my abode steady; having persued acting and writing; here in Durban, South Africa.
I have, during the years, read too many negative things about you on the net; that I have very easily dissmissed as unfounded. As vein as this might come assross; I really think that you or somebody on this site (With the relevant credentials) should hilight the socially responsible and engaging apsects of your projects.
Whilst this might come accross to some as a campaign: it would also to others come accross as some sort of exhonoration from the smere that taints anything Indian. It’s worse when people of Indian decent engage in this smere -and the lesson needs to be taught from there onwards.
With great admiration and respect…
Pranesh
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Dear Amitji
In trouble i have always thougth of you and i have got relief to some extent, now i can talk to you I need your advise. Please advise. Firstly is it wrong to help someone in difficulty i did., but then I am ditched by the same person why I dont help on my own they ask for it and i help. Why does it happen everytime I have loved tat person selflessly and unconditionally then why does hurt my feelings.Lknow you have lot of problems but i need your advise
Srilakshmi
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Adarniya Amitabh Sir,
Charan Sparsh. It was amazing to know that you have opened a blog and I am witnessing a completely different experience while writing to you. I had a lot of thoughts before writing to you like should i write or not, will you read this or why should i write it may be jsut an PR exercise etc. But finally I thought lets try.
Anyways,
I am writing to you not for expressing how great you are but to tell you how I feel and share my experiences with you which I believe is the purpose of blogs.
At the moment I am living in UK but I am originally from patna in Bihar. I wish to share this feeling with you as I feel that you also come from a Ellahabad which is part of UP and there are very close ties with these cities as well as states.
I am not sure if you ever have faced situations ( when you were not so famous) like people calling you Bhaiyaa. Similarly I have been called as Bihari a lot of times which I am proud of but only to know that they mean it derogatorily.
I have given a lot of thoughts about this and my analysis says that this might be because of media in which we have always shown a Bihari or bhaiya either as a dumb idiot or a criminal. I partly blame on politicians as well as they have corrupted the whole Bihar and UP like anything.
This has caused so many issues in my life that I cant explain to you. Whrever I go I have to prove myself as an normal person first and then may be if i get chance they accept that a bihari can do well in the organisation as well.
Interestingly I have seen an additon to this scenario when you are outside india and if you are working with foriegners we have to prove we are normal and we Indians can do well in organisation too. But sometime I have been let down by my indian collegues on me being Bihari.
Again my purpose is not to complain about this culture as it is a damage done by lot of people including ourselves. I wished to know if you have any thoughts about this and any idea to tackle this. Infact I think you can help people like us by using your great persona and status and by discouraging regionalism.
Aapka prashanshak.
Nikesh
NB. I alwasy sign in hindi even in UK as once i read your interview stating we should not leave our identity and I am proud of being a BIhari/Indian/Hindi still I do not feel anyone is less than others.
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Dear Sir,
It was a perfect reply you have given to a person who has taken a milage commenting on you since the Jr AB marriage, yesterday in his interview he was looking silent, He the person who always attack passively and don’t come directly face to face and its good that you come yourself as your voice to sidelines these mushrooms.
Its good to see your acting throughout your carrier and you are more effective now a days in your acting and roles. I want to say the lines of Mr. Navjot Singh Sidhu that, “That trees which produce good fruit get the stone on them.” Targeting you many people had got the milage and its a same that they had targeted not only you but the family and its personal affairs. Soon they will be silent and it will be great to see you in Boothnath.
I wish to God to give you health and happiness, se you in a good role in Bhootnath and shoe Bite.
One more request to you to come in a movie with Shahrukh Khan as your on screen chemistry is good. Well all the luck sir, get well soon. I appreciate your movie to answer the controversies in your own voice now let all those dogs bark with media dogs.
Sir when you are coming to see any of the T-20 match
Regards
Sanjeet
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Dear sir,
First things first, I am one of your greatest fans and I am absolutely thrilled to be able to write to you directly (don’t know how I would react if you replied to this). My comments are not exactly germane to the topic of this post - these are things I always dreamt of telling you whenever I got a chance.
1) I hear so many of ur superhit movies are being planned to be remade - in that backdrop, I request you to consider remaking the movie “Shaktiâ€. You may play Dilip Saab’s role and Abhishek yours - I am sure it will sizzle the screens
2) Do you ever feel that in your younger days u didn’t utilize your talents to the fullest? I mean many of your movies (especially in the 80’s) seem formulaic masala stuff with you being the sole redeeming feature amidst bad production values, horrible screenplays, tasteless song n dance…..Do u feel u could have done more to lift the standards of the industry with the standing you had or improve the collective tastes of the audience?
3) Your magical rendition of the poetic lines in ‘Silsila’ and ‘Kabhie Kabhie’ have been heard over and over again by millions. But surprisingly, in th few TV interviews of yours that I have seen, when you have been requested to recite the same, you recite them in a robotic fashion devoid of all emotions, rendering the recitation surprisingly monotonous. Is that because you are sick and tired of reciting them again and again in every possible public or private occasion? or was it a case of plain fatigue on those particular days? Please don’t interpret the above as an attempt to insult you in any manner - I absolutely adore your work sir.
Hopefully someday you would have time to reply to my above comments - will look forward to that day. Thanks and best wishes.
P.S. - I have posted the same in an earlier post also as I was not sure where to post it to get your attention - please do pardon my persistence
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Mr. Bachchan,
I am a great fan of yours and always followed all your medial interactions very closely. One thing that strikes me is your clarity of thought and the quality of language in which you put it across.
Needless to say that I have watched almost all your movies (of course not the recent ones due to paucity of time) - You are truly a great entertainer making people forget their mundane existence for the span of your movies.
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hi sir i am sandeep kumar From Allahabad mutthiganj uttar pradesh . sir i am your big fan from the child hood . sir my house is very near to your birthplace so many times we alaways talk about your self . so sir iam very happy that first time i am sending you any message to you i hope you will read it .. bye sir
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Dear Sir,
it gives me great privelege while i type this message as i know the whole world will be reading it but i am happier than the word happy as u will be reading it too. Sir Thank You for the blog,nothing in this world could have been better than to know that you will be reading our compilments and not comments and reacting to them personally. Sir i shall ask god to give you good health,more fame so that people like (they do not need a mention , hope u understand whom am i trying to name without naming them) shall fall flat on their faces when they try to abuse you in any way. Sir you are like god to amny people and i believe you are god cos no human can touch so many lives in such a special way.
Please do reply
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Bachchan ji…people are jealous of your success.
I will advice you to don’t look at them. After Dilip Saheb, you carry the torch.
Regards
Dr. Sami Khan from Muscat, Oman
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The interview is too lengthy. No one has the time to read so much especially online, even if it concerns AB.
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Amitji,
Its always pleasure and learning experience to read your interview. I am just curious about one thing and was thinking about this since I read this book “Kya bhulu kya yaad karu” by Dr. Harivanshrai Bachhan, I think this book is one of the best autobiographical book ever written and was wondering why anybody didn’t think of making movie out of it. In Hollywood, these kind of books are easily adapted in screenplay and often are converted in successful movies but same trend is not seen in Hindi film industry. Why we don’t like to make and watch movies on some very inspiring characters from our country and only fantasy movies make good money and are commercial success.
I would like to know your views on this.
Thanks,
Vinay
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Sir,
Comments from the media is not one of case, particularly against you. This reminds me of SRK’s comment on the release of Chak De India that ” I want to show the royalty of Muslims in this country” however that was not highlighted and it all went unnoticed. This also reminds me of your statement in a movie function “where you made a statement that you will ask Abhi and Aish to bless you with a baby boy, obviously without anything to do with Gender, however media has made that a big issue. Well, like the millions in this country I am one of your biggest admirers and just forces me to realise how crude media can be just to improve their TRP’s
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Hi! Big B, Is India still shining? Is it true that India is turning to Christianity wiyh the advent of Sonia’s rule?
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Why does the media hound Amitabh Bachchan? I read Hindustan Times every day and in their supplement ‘Cafe’ there are mentions against you every day. If you arrive at a function late, that woman criticises you, if you’re early she criticises you. Today she has questioned your ability to write a blog. Millions of people write blogs, you’re just one of them. There is a clear bias against you by a section of the media many of whom don’t even write with their name, afraid to annoy you may be.
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dear amitabh ,
we realy happy to see ur blog , people like us who never meet u , now can share ur thought with this blog .
pls dont care what people telling u …. just think its not the people represent india … india loves u so much amitabh …. for many years ….
amitabh .. u hv any sweet memory of allahabad … pls put here ….. i m form allahabad …… regrds/ rajeev
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Hello Big B,
I am your grate fan.
The politicians don’t have any topic now days which made them famous and also they don’t want to do any work through which they can get publicity.
So they are targeting famous and rich personalities like you. And also they take the help of their state/language so that their people also won’t think against them.
The man who has started attacking you is just wanted publicity because he is not able to do any creative work. Neither he is capable nor does he want.
As a true Indian we are with you.
Jai Hind.
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Dear Mr. Bachchan… you’re one of those film personalities that we really stand in awe of. We not only look back to those good old days remembering fondly how you entertained us with your roles, but we also look upto you now because of the way you carry yourself. You have kept your honor and dignity even after so much has been said about you. Its really very easy to get mislead with all that’s written in the media. I should say that this blog is a good idea, so that we get to meet the real you. Our respect for you has only increased. We all love you and respect you no matter what’s written about you, because we know (to some extent) the quality of the people who are saying this.
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Dear Sir:
You are the most articulate “public figure” I have known or seen in a very long time. If any political leader had such ability to articulate their ideas for the welfare of our country and follow it up, India would be even more Mahaan than where it is.
I wish for leaders in India to think about making India - numero Uno (like you Sir)….I wish they think deeply about the welfare of the country and its people, then it would help if they could talk about it in all forums (in a form that is as articulate as you are about various issues). This could motivate all the babus, and sundry to work for the welfare of India…my home,..India.
Thanks.
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I enjoyed your great movies before I left India in the 80s. Recently I asked a friend in India on the phone: “Who in India will be missed the most if (s)he were to pass away”..somewhat of a morbid question. I had in mind a very moving state funeral procession of a Belgian King I had seen on TV in the 90s- so many people were openly weeping. Honestly, I thought everyone would say it would be you. Certainly for me it would be a loss great enough to probably take the day off. My friend is very astute. He reworded my question, and asked me: “Do you mean who is the most popular public figure today?” - I was taken aback- since that’s not what I was thinking- but I fully agreed with him that that is exactly what I wanted to know. To my surprise, my friend thought it would be Mrs. Sonia Gandhi. To put it in context, this conversation occured about a year ago, so things must have changed. When I asked my friend why not you, and he said- well, you have been too friendly with a politician (whose name I can’t remember - i think a Singh) who people think may be corrupt. That was disappointing. People like you are too high on a pedestal to choose who you can be friends with- it can break millons of hearts. That said, it is due to performers like you that I like to tell my friends in the US that the cultural capital of the world is not Paris- it is Mumbai where 24 hrs a day there is dance and music (on TV, like Boogie Woogie) which today’s young Indians enjoy more than Western culture. India is not just becoming the financial leader, but also the cultural leader. We are just so good!!!!
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respected sir,
i m really very happy that u found unique way to express ur clear views about many things.u r always a superstar 4 us but beyond that ur reallife inspiration 4 the way u try to resolve all doubts about u by rule of law(jurisdiction & constitution),no matter how lengthy time it takes.politics was corrupt & media became biased after news channel revolution, now its only jurisdiction & army we citizen have high respect.
diffrence of opinion is the basic pillar of any democracy.please…………… use this blog forum regurarly 2 express ur opinion on any matter,its world of reality where ucan say sorry if later u think u were wrong & u can b firm on ur stand if ur right.
always remember sir that public sub janti hai.
live long healthy life
bye
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Dear BigB,
You seem to have taken umbrage to Ms Hines comparing you to some Hollywood Biggies.
You have used the term “indigenous produce” and referred to Indian Heritance. Big and unnecesary words for an issue so trivial.
As someone who has enjoyed Bollywood for decades, I think your comments are unnecessarily caustic. Most Bollywood movies are rehash of Hollywood movies, and every department of Bollywood filmaking imitates or as is euphemistacally stated by many, ‘inspired’ by Bollywood. And that is just fine; after all cinema is an American art form. Among the foremost in imitating Hollywood are our actors. In particular, some of the initial successes that you had were all roles which were inspired by Clint Eastwood. It is there for anyone to figure out. And you are not alone here. Raj Kapoor openly imitated Charlie Chaplin, Dev Anand did Gregory Peck/John Wayne/Cary Grant/God Knows who else, MGR imitated Erol Flynn so successfully that he became God; the list goes on.
I have tremendous respect for you regardless of the above. I would respect you more if you don’t hide behind such false prestige.
Jai Hind
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sir,
i don really think that abhishek has any talent of acting compared to you,is it really necessary for a star son to be a star…….i really cherish and enjoy ur superb roles on screen and respect your humbleness..but really cant understand poor acting of abshishek…is acting inborne or it can be improved…..
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sir,
sir i am a diehard fan of urs dialogues like “rishtey mein to”,”all sholey dialogues” etc…….all your old films were superb and worth watching again and again……but scripts of all your recent movies were not as great as ur old movies…i went to movies to see your acting only…..why stories have deteoriated these days…….why not heavy dialogues like ur previous ones are not included these days which becomes a trade mark……..and sir i m a college student and there are lot of college students who writes better stories than present stories writer…..you should on ypur behalf arrange competitions in colleges to fing budding story writers…..
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we loved you and kaka in anand and NH. please do another film together. movies like 36(french) or the recent bucket list or any matthau-lemmon film can be an inspiration. And please dont say that no producer has come forward because such a film will be sold on day 1. maybe you can talk to shri karan johar or mr bansali or someone like that who can paint a large enough canvas !! you owe it to india, you two .
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hello Amitabhji…its grt to c u on blogs…i am a grt fan of urs…have grown up seeing ur movies …u are an international hero so no political comments can shake u …we fans are sure of that…
its alwaysa puzzle for us (common people)…tht how is a STAR’s life ….how is he as a HUMAN? this is a great platform where we can know u better…the real AB…
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SHRI AMITABH BACHCHANJI,
I AM EXTREMLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE STATEMENT OF SHRI SHATRUDHAN SINHA JI TOWARDS YOUR FAMILY. IN REAL LIFE HE IS BEHAVING LIKE HIS ROLE IN “KAALA PATHAR”
ITS VERY BAD TO GAIN POOR POPULARITY BY ATTACKING A RESPECTABLE AND SINCERE PERSON LIKE YOU.
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DEAR AMITABH ,
DONT CARE …. WHAT POLITICAL PERSON SAYS ….. JUST GAIN TO POPULARTIY THEY ARE USING UR NAME ….. BC ALL UNDERSTAND VERY WELL U ARE BIG B ……. FOR ALL THE TIME …..
TO JUST MAKE ON FRONT PAGE THEY NEED UR HELP ……….
REALY U INSPIRE US … AT THIS AGE OF STAGE ……….. CARRY ON AMITABH
THANKS/ RAJEEV
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Hi Sir I m From KANPUR.
Hi, Sir what are ur future plans for the Bollywood?
Sir I have seen ur movie last that is Babul, ur performance was not upto mark really some scene u leave then after u were not impressive in all the scene. I know u as the Shaenshah of Bollywood, i will pray to god that ur performance should louder everyday. U R THE BEST OF BESTS.
I WANT TO MEET U. I have completed M.C.A. but i m intrested in the Movie work at the BEHIND of MOVIE as Director.
Rupesh Srivastava
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Dear Amitabhji,
What can i say about you,it’s really difficult for me to point out everything of yours,whether your long Film career or your personal life. There is so much ups and down of your’s but you came up with a victroy always.
You are such a nice and great human being that lots of things have to learn from you. Today’s actor’s like SRK/AAMIR/SAIF/ANIL they all are good but comparatively dwarf in front of you.
It’s really great to know that you formed a blog so that we would communicate with you directly.
I don’t know why! but whenever i heard anything good related to you or your family it’s makes me feel very happy.
Anyway’s, we will expect more good and dynamic role from you whether in the film or anything good for our nation and we know you are the only person who can inspire people of India to do the needful for the country whether it is for Environmental change,beter Education for the poorer people, protest against child labour and anything which can fruitful for the women of India.
Hope to expect a positive response from you.
Best Regards
Dineshh Y Singh
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Dear Sir,
It’s great news that you also want connect the common people like us.
Thats the proof of the humanity & national integration , not a single state can come in between the relations.
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Kucch to log kahenge,logo ka kaam hai kahna……
Guruji, you are doing extremely well, pls coninue till you can…….
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sir ji plz let me knw tht when can i c u ??? rahul
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dear sir,
never even i think that i will be able to say you something how i feel abt you…you given chance and i dont to miss it ….i m 45 years old i hv seen your all yur movies…nothing new ..na there s lacs of people who they are crazy about you…and i hope …ki aap bahut jiye ek healthy life jiye…. khush rahe.
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Dear Bacchan saab,
All the news relevant or non relevent that I saw and read clearly made me think wheather our govt( state/centre). is sleeping or is not in a position to comment on the problems u are facing , MAY BE THEY TOO AFAIRED OF SOMEONE………………
I WILL SAY ” IF GOD IS WITH YOU ,WHO ON EARTH CAN BE AGAINST YOU………………
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Amitji,
the best way to handle your critics is through your films. Rajnikanth used this method very effectively in his tamil films with his ”punch dialogues” and the films became super hits. One of his famous dialogues was ”What i tell once is equivalent of telling 100 times ”
If intrested i could send u some of the punch dialogues
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I know my website is still in progress.
Ok Amitaab, its not that I am your fan or I will stick with you in times of good and bad as i am pure viewer who wants to be entertained when i see movie, Sometimes good acting entertains me sometimes overall movie.
Its good that you have opened a blog so that we can discuss in case we are not satisfied.
A song for ur blog is
and yes I am a web designer so in case u need some design, animatin, headings, cartoons, games images, film edited images, I can help you.
Rest next time as its usesless if u dont reply.
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