A belated Eid Mubarak
Peace and love to all.
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From the ashes rises the Phoenix
I am here in Chennai to meet Shridhar for the last time. Went to his house last night to meet his family who are in shock and grief. As he lay in the centre of the gathering he looked peaceful, almost as if he were just asleep. I met his parents, brothers, wife and sons who were all very dignified in their moment of deep pain.
Shridhar was one of the finest technicians of our industry and a dear friend. We have worked together a number of times, and very closely during Lagaan. He did the final mix of the film, which is the last and most crucial creative process in film making. A close associate of A.R., he has worked together with him on a majority of his songs and background scores. In fact he was in A.R.’s studio until 4am yesterday morning working with A.R. and Murgadoss on our film. By around 8.30am he had passed away in his sleep.
The sudden news of his most untimely death came to me yesterday morning when I was still trying to pull myself out of the depressive state of mind I had slid into post the attacks on Mumbai. It left me shattered.
As I had expected various politicians have tried to use this traumatic and tragic attack to their advantage. I only hope that people see through them this time.
Quite clearly both the major political parties have failed to tackle terrorism. There have been repeated attacks on us during both their reigns which neither has been able to either anticipate or deal with well. While what happened in Mumbai recently clearly exposes the incompetence of the Congress, the hijacking of the Indian Airlines flight 814 during the BJP rule shows them in even worse light. They actually NEGOTIATED with the terrorists and RELEASED 3 dreaded terrorists from Indian jails. All the 5 hijackers and the 3 terrorists released from India by the then BJP government were allowed to escape to attack us another day.
I think the first lesson to learn from this is that we MUST NOT NEGOTIATE. No matter what, the next time round around, and lets not fool ourselves we must be alert and prepared for more attacks, we MUST NOT NEGOTIATE. All potential terrorists must get a very clear message that INDIA DOES NOT NEGOTIATE WITH TERRORISTS. What that means is, that in the future if there is a situation where me or my kids are held hostage by a bunch of terrorists then I must be prepared to tell our government - to hell with me and my children just go in there and kill the terrorists. I am prepared to sacrifice myself and my loved ones for the larger safety and security of the country but DO NOT LISTEN TO AND NEGOTIATE WITH TERRORISTS.
I personally hold both these political parties, and in fact other regional political parties across the country, responsible in one way or the other, for fueling terrorism in the first place. And please remember that the definition of terrorism is not restricted to AK 47 toting maniacs. It includes the spread of terror by other means like stone throwing, beating up of innocent people on the roads, and rioting, etc. Any means, in fact, to spread terror in the hearts of ordinary citizens.
The other important thing we need to remind ourselves in this time of anger and hurt is to stay calm and take sensible steps, and not give in to thoughtless knee jerk reactions. I heard someone say on television that we should all stop paying our taxes as a show of protest. Haven’t heard of a more silly idea than that. If we stop paying our taxes then we won’t have an army and NSG to save us next time around!!! Instead we should all START PAYING OUR TAXES. We demand so much of our leaders but are we fulfilling our basic responsibility? Can we say with honesty that as citizens of our country we are all honestly paying our taxes? If we are not paying our taxes can we blame the government for being inefficient? If we are corrupt then how can we expect our politicians to be honest?
I have a very important thing to say to all the various people going around arbitrarily throwing accusations at the politicians. These politicians are not from Jupiter or Mars, they are one of us, from our very own society, selected by us through a democratic process. So now think for a moment, who really is to blame? We can only blame ourselves guys. Half of us don’t go to vote. The half that does vote has selected these guys.
In my opinion, you really want to change things? Change yourself. Each one of us needs to take a very honest look inwards and rectify and work on what we think is wrong with us. If each one of us does that individually then there will be a sea change in our society at large. I have to promise myself that I will not be corrupt, will play my role in society with honesty and sincerity. Doctors, lawyers, judges, people in the IAS, police force, media persons, businessmen, job workers, labour force, everyone. We have to stop thinking of our own individual gain and loss and do what is honest, true and right, and think collective. It calls for personal sacrifice in this time of chaos but from chaos will emerge clarity. Even if we don’t manage to achieve this for ourselves we will achieve it for our children.
What I would really like to see emerge from all this is the youth of this country starting a political party. A group that stands for strong, clean, honest and fresh leadership. A group that we can all support.
And finally, if we really want to make sure that terrorists fail in achieving their end, then these terror attacks should not take us towards hate but instead towards love. If we react with hate we are succumbing to these terror attacks, and if we react with increasing love and peace in our hearts then we squarely defeat the terrorists. Allowing love, peace and trust to grow within us is not a sign of weakness but a sign of immense strength.
With appreciation and gratitude to the security forces who acted with courage, and with a prayer in my heart for those departed.
Faith.
SHOCKED, HEARTBROKEN, HELPLESS, ANGRY
Have been watching television since yesterday and to see various locations in Mumbai turned into a war zone is shocking and heart breaking to say the least.
My heartfelt condolences to the families of persons killed and taken hostage. I was feeling sick in the stomach when the fire broke out at the Taj. What would the people caught inside be going through. The fire fighters were doing their best but my imagination was running wild and I was feeling helpless watching other people trapped in the rooms adjoining the fire.
My heartfelt condolences to the family of the brave officers of the Mumbai Police who lost their lives leading from the front to take on these terrorists. Especially Hemant Karkare of the ATS who in the recent past was being targeted by various political parties for the work that he was doing. When will these politicians realize and admit that terrorists HAVE NO RELIGION. Terrorists are not Hindu or Muslim or Christian. They are not people of religion or God. They are people who have gone totally sick in their head and have to be dealt with in that manner. Hemant Karkare is an example of a brave officer who gave his life in the line of duty.
At this moment I pray that the brave officers of the Mumbai Police, the Indian Army, Navy, the NSG and the various other security forces dealing with the situation are able to end this crisis as soon as possible.
If it had just been a matter of simply fighting the terrorists the security forces would have dealt with it sooner, but here of course the situation is extremely complicated with many innocent lives at stake. The fact that the locations are huge hotels with multiple floors, hundreds of rooms, many corridors, staff quarters, work spaces, entries, exits etc, and have innocent guests still in there, have made the task very difficult and delicate.
I dread to think of how various political parties are now going to try and use this tragedy to further their political careers. At least now they should learn to not divide people and instead become responsible leaders. An incident such as this really exposes how ill-equipped we are as a society as far as proper leaders go. We desperately need young, dynamic, honest, intelligent and upright leaders, who actually care for the country.
Faith.
Jai Hind.
Homeward bound
On my way back to Bombay. L.A. was good but it's always so good to head back home. I'm one of those people who gets homesick really fast, especially when I am traveling outside of India. Within a week I lose my humour, after two I start getting depressed and by the end of the third week I start weeping when I see soppy television ads.
Speaking of television I get so attracted to these ads on US TV selling the most unusual stuff on tele-shopping. Its amazing how I am such a sucker for all the most inane products which finally I'll probably never use. Thankfully better sense prevails just before I place the order. Like this time I saw this ad for an amazing absorbing material. It looks like a piece of cloth but is made of some magic material which just soaks up any liquid which may have spilled. Every time that ad came on I was riveted. Took down the number to call and everything but I realised that my trip was too short for the order to reach me. Then there was this amazing pull-ups bar which fits on to any doorway and is great for a workout without going to a gym. And then there was this ad for Timeless Romantic Tunes played on the piano by this pianist called Beegie Adair. It sounded so good, and its Kiran's birthday on the 7th so I thought it would make a great gift. But it would never have reached me on time. Well it's the thought that counts, so K should be happy.
In the meantime Obama has won. My congratulations to the people of the US, this is their victory as much as Obama's. Well now his work really begins, time for him to fulfil all his promises. Quite a soap opera though.
My flight beckons.
Cheers.
Sleepless In Seattle
29th was the screening of TZP in Seattle for the IDA (International Dyslexia Association). There were about 200 members, mostly American I think, and I was curious to see the response of a non Indian audience to what we had made.
First of all, it was not in a cinema hall but in a conference room so the acoustics were not good, and it was a DVD projection. Carlos, the projectionist, was really sweet and had done his best in the circumstances. As the lights dimmed I was really nervous. Here were people who know all about Dyslexia and work in the field of learning disabilities. Also, whenever I watch my work around 6 months after it has released I usually hate it, and this time was no different. As the film played out I kept squirming, wishing I could disappear into my seat.
And then finally the film got over and the lights came on….. to an ABSOLUTELY THUNDEROUS STANDING OVATION!!!
My God it was so moving. I was so overwhelmed. Then I came forward for the Q&A and saw the tears streaming down the cheeks of the audience. I can’t tell you how happy I was to see so many people cry! Needless to say I was part of them, I cry at the drop of a hat. And here were people from all over the world who had dedicated their lives to helping children with learning difficulties. I was so glad that IDA had chosen to screen TZP at their annual conference, and that I was able to make it to Seattle. And I felt so blessed to be part of a film that touches people so deeply.
Everyone just loved the film and it had struck a really deep chord. In fact the reaction was exactly as it had been with audiences back home in India. It really amazes me how people from all across the world react to some films in pretty much the same way, which reaffirms the fact of how similar we all are no matter which part of the globe we come from.
Darsheel struck once again and won all hearts. The story and screenplay were unanimously appreciated as were all the other aspects of the film. The music and songs were especially loved and everyone wanted to know more about Shankar, Ehsan, Loy and Prasoon.
All of them wanted to know when the film would release in theatres in the US. On being told that the film has already been released here they all insisted that the film be re-released in the US in theatres, this time for the mainstream American audience. One of the interesting points which came out of the Q&A was the request from the audience to dub the film into English when re-released here. They felt, and rightly so, that they wanted their children to see the film and were afraid that the smaller kids will not be able to read the subtitles. So I’m going to look into that. At the very least the DVD release here can incorporate a dubbed version as well.
Well, you can imagine that I didn’t get much sleep that night. So on the night of the 29th there was at least one person who was sleepless in Seattle, and this time it wasn’t Tom Hanks.
Happy Diwali
Wow. The ant story seems to have gone down rather well. Either it was genuinely good, or the reaction was a result of people missing me on the blog. I''d like to believe it was both.
So what do y''all think of the first look of Ghajini? Actually I could have gotten into better shape. Had to stop training during the release of TZP, so, lost a month and a half there. But it was impossible for me to train through that period. And I was also a little careless with my diet around that time. Grrr. How I wish I had found the mental strength to keep at it.
A number of you are interested in my dinner with HRH Victoria of Sweden. Well it was a real pleasure meeting her. She is a very charming lady. Beautiful, intelligent, dignified, full of good humour and a very warm host. Very interested in India. Kiran and I had a lovely evening.
The first moving picture (promo) of GHAJINI is breaking soon. It’s my first real action thriller, and full on mainstream entertainer in a long time. I’m nervous already talking about it.
Diwali is round the corner folks. For some reason every Diwali night I feel very peaceful, I think it’s the effect of the ‘diyas’. But this time on Diwali I am traveling to the U.S., Seattle first and then L.A. The International Dyslexia Association is having its annual conference in Seattle and they have decided to screen TZP there, and have invited me for a Q&A post the screening. Looking forward to that.
So a very happy Diwali to all.
Peace, love and happiness.
x
Ant Attack
Hey! Where have y’all been!!!
Ok, ok. I know I deserve to get my butt kicked. So this story should make you feel better. Few days ago I had a very bad night. After a long day at work, went to bed at around 3am. Couple hours later, deep in sleep I had this vague feeling of being bitten on my ear. Gradually I was being bitten on my stomach, legs, neck. I was so sleepy that I just kept cursing, scratching, turning and tossing. Finally it got really unbearable, and I kind of woke up…… TO SEE MY BED FILLED WITH ANTS! There were hundreds of them! Crawling all over and giving me hell. I’m feeling scratchy all over just recounting it. Had to jump under the shower and then went and crashed on my couch. Can’t figure out for the life of me how they got there and why? I guess they found something really sweet on that bed, and since K was out on a night shoot I am assuming it was me. Isn’t it amazing how ants find their way to the most unlikely of places.
I suppose y’all want to know why I have been away so long. Well I’m not sure I can explain. I guess I needed to be by myself for a while. Still, I should have expressed that. My apologies.
So, what has been happening on the blog while I’ve been away? I see y’all are getting on just fine without me.
I’m watching the sky turn colour as the sun rises. Returning after another night of work. . Back home and into my bed. No ants today I hope. Maybe I should dig a moat round my bed.
I’m back folks.
Love.
Glorious moment
ndia wins a Gold after 25 years and the first in an individual event. I was absolutely thrilled to see Bindra receiving the Gold, and I had goose bumps when India’s National Anthem began playing. What a moment! My congratulations to Bindra for his achievement. He has done India proud and given us all a moment to celebrate.
I would recommend to everyone to do a google search on Indian Hockey at the Olympics. You will be amazed to read the reports of India’s achievements in the game. Absolutely fascinating. We were leagues ahead for decades, don’t know what happened after that.
At this time I cannot help but remember the reaction of certain people across the country when India had lost a cricket match/tournament and people began attacking the homes of various players. How easily we forget that our sportspersons are trying their best. They too want to win. They are the ones who have worked day and night and are certainly more upset than we the supporters are. At that time instead of standing by them in their moment of loss and dejection we attack them. And I put a large part of the blame on a number of TV News channels at times like this, who only fan tempers and in fact glorify this kind of hooliganism.
But back to Bindra.
Well done, and thank you for bringing us glory and joy.
Love.
Aamir.
Two bits of good news and one bad
First the good news.
Folks!!! Its finally released! The DVD of TZP is out in the market!
I wanted to be totally sure before I spoke about it on my blog because there were too many false alarms in between. So today we went to Darsheel’s school and Darsheel’s principal Mrs Bajaj was kind enough to do the honors.
The other bit of good news is that Disney has decided to release the DVD in the U.S., U.K., Australia, New Zealand and Canada. I was very happy to know that they liked the film enough to want to distribute TZP in home entertainment for these 5 countries.
Now for the bad news…… and I know I am going to be slaughtered for this one. Disney has a lead time of at least 3 months. They want to do a mainstream release in these 5 markets. So while the DVD has released in India and outside India as well, in these 5 countries it will be a few more months before it comes out.
Now, before those of you living in these 5 countries kill me, please understand that I have no control over this. The only other option would be to not go ahead with Disney’s offer. But I felt that I would like the mainstream audiences in these places to also have the option of seeing this film. If I’m not mistaken this is probably a first for any Indian film except for Lagaan which was released by Columbia Tristar, but that was more because Sony TV India had originally bought the film. Sawaria which was also Sony I am assuming also got a mainstream release, but that was also produced by Sony. So I think this the first time that an Indian film has been picked up by a major distributor independently for a mainstream release.
More importantly, how many films are made on child care? So I want as many people as possible (no matter which part of the world they live in, including people who are not normally exposed to Indian Cinema) to get the chance to see this particular film.
My sincere apologies to those of you living in these 5 countries, and who have been waiting patiently for the DVD to come out.
I am dying to tell you what all in this DVD pack, but first y’all digest this info. Have worked really hard on this DVD and I sincerely hope y’all find it worth the wait.
Warmth.
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