(In the seminar from L to R:  Mani Kaul ,  Jagat Murari , Mohan Siroya ,Teji Bachchan ,Firoze Rangoonwalla and Gulshan Ewing )

Dear Readers ,

Hearty Welcome to the launching of “shadopwplayindia .com” a dedicated website on the Business of Entertainment and other issues.

When a film is launched , the muhurat shot happens to be just a formal affair . But this launching is an event in itself ,the rebirth of my baby in the electronic form. It is but natural that it has to be an event to be remembered for its future omen . The opening issue, therefore, has to be like an opening shot of a film, with substance, sentiments and meaning with a purpose., may be a nostalgia . So what more apt the opening shot can be than the editor’s encounters with the intellectual , strategically strong and individualistic mother of an acknowledged super star of the millennium Amitabh Bachchan? Perhaps these nostalgia may give you a deep insight into the caring stature of the mother , no less a legend in her own way ,who shaped, nurtured and allowed to grow the persona , charisma and super talent of a phenomenon nick named by media as BIG B .

It is said that there is always a woman behind a successful man. True. But when the successful man is only one of his kind, then there have to be two women behind him. Super star big B , had that advantage of having awesome twosome behind his success .First his mother late Teji Bachchan and later his better half Jaya Bachchan.

Here is my tribute to that great soul Teji Harivanshrai Bachchan. Dear readers, go thru’ this piece ,if you have not already read this in the prestigious publication SCREEN dated 15 th Feb. 2008.

Please ensure to give your feedback/candid comments OR CRITICISM. .Criticism is welcome as we believe in this Stevensen quote :-

“ NO ONE BOTHERS TO THROW BRICKBATS AT PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING NOTHING. THE MORE ACTIVE AND FRUITFUL YOUR LIFE , THE MORE YOU RECEIVE CRITICISM . WELCOME IT”

In fact, your constructive criticism will enable us to improve .So here we go .

Brief encounters with  Mrs Teji Bachchan === By Mohan  Siroya

Before leaving her home I asked her about Amitabh Bachchan and expressed  desire to meet him if he was there. She readily consented  and took me to his room. I saw him sleeping diagonally on the bed . I told her not to wake him up but enquired about the unusual sleeping posture which I found rather intriguing and late hour since it was 11 a.m. Instead of taking umbrage, she patiently explained  that he had had a late night shoot .As for the posture, since the length of the bed was less than his height , he had to sleep diagonally.

In the seminar, as the president  of  “Ankur” ,it was my privilege to introduce and welcome . While doing so, .I deliberately emphasized on her two popular and celebrity connections   while introducing her viz; the wife of  award winning celebrity litterateur and poet  Prof. Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan and the mother of  the then sensational promising  actor Amitabh Bachchan .  While delivering her address Mrs Bachchan   characteristically chastised me in her own subtle way “ So, Ladies and gentlemen, just now you heard that I am  known as the wife of some big celebrity and the mother of up-coming sensational  actor ..My existence is thus limited to these two icons, my own individuality is nil”..The audience enjoyed her satire  and I learnt a good lesson.. Thereafter, she not only conducted the seminar deliberations with an élan and professional touch sprinkled with intermittent humour, but also assured her willingness to continue to participate in future such endeavors of “Ankur”. Needless to mention that she made the thumping success of the seminar , details of which were flashed not only in the main daily news papers but  in other periodicals as well.

After a few days thereafter,  I was pleasantly surprised to receive a call from her that there is a special screening  of FFC financed Girish Vaidya’s new film “Aakrant” at the Famous  studio ,Mahalaxmi and  the discussion thereafter.. When I said yes, she graciously offered me a lift in her car from Mithibai college as it was the middle point between our residences .After the screening , I was amazed to see how deftly and analytically she initiated the discussion on    the film .  Girish Vaidya had a hard time to reply to the subtle points about film’s scripting or directorial treatment. Then I realized that she herself was one of the finest film critics . . I learnt a lot from her pointed observations about appreciation of a film .That broke the ice and our way back we discussed a lot about many other films ,both Indian and  foreign  that had stepped off the beaten  track.

Thereafter,  we were not in touch except for a couple of  routine calls from my side. One fine morning I was overwhelmed with joy to receive a tinkle from her. She asked “ Mohan ,are you still active in film journalism?” When I confirmed in the affirmative, she invited me  for  a cup of tea . I was more than elated but also wondering what was in store .. As usual she was calm, amiable and kept me at ease  . We discussed many aspects of films , developing good film culture including bringing in  cine artistes to   the new wave /parallel films . When I casually  asked, how is Dr. Bachchan  and   Amitabh’s career, she was candid.  “ Dr. saab is fine.Most of the times he is in Delhi going great guns, but I am now worried about Amitabh.. Have you not noticed how the media is terming him a failure as an actor  after he received all round accolades for his performance in “Anand?”  “ Ye, I have”. Mrs. Bachchan continued “ No doubt that after “Anand” his other released films like  “ Lambe Haath”, “Parwana”, “Bansi Aur Birju” “ Raaste Ka Paththar”  . could not make any money at the box office, but then can this be called Amit’s failure as an actor? He is the same talent which was electrifying in “Anand”,.  Those  films were badly made and that was his misfortune.  . But   commercial producers are   no longer  approaching him” . I suggested, why should ‘nt he accept, non-commercial films then? “Well  low budget, new wave producers   have also not approached him. Perhaps they are afraid  that he will demand  his commercial rate and or may not like to work . Please let  them know thru’  the media  .that he is ready to accept low budget films on their terms provided the role is good and capable of harnessing his talents.?   This bad phase has demoralized him and he is depressed. . He appears to be losing his confidence. At the moment  he is having only one film in his hand “Zanjeer” which is  out and out  action film . I am indeed worried about his future.” said the anxious mother . We parted on that note.