London, UK August 21, 2008 6:50 pm
Got in early this morning. Bad flight. No sleep on it. Not because of airline. American Airlines was just fine…
But.. for some reason, no sleep.
Got into the Hotel and after pulling out some clothes and a shower, were back in front of a large media for a Press Conference and the one on ones and the meet and greets. All went without incident. Except, none of us knew what we were saying and indeed where we were !!
Totally spaced out with jet lag and lack of sleep.
But I must say the enthusiasm of the press and the red carpet from the promoters and the Hotel was astonishing. I have never in my entire history of Concerts been received by the promoters at the Hotel of venue with a red carpet welcome. Thank you John Singh ! We must be doing something right to deserve this.
Before I crash into oblivion and hopefully some slumber I have great pleasure in placing before you another media apparition.
Read the article posted above ? Shama Bhagat writes in Asian Age of Mumbai, Thursday August 21, 2008 !!!
Well, Jaya is with me as I receive this fax in my room and is, livid !!
She has not met this Ajay Phansekar, never talked of any project, never signed it as mentioned and has no idea of the title of the film or its credentials.
The article mentions Industry sources commenting on her unavailability due to the tour and made quotes on her behalf as ‘citing date problems as the reason’.
When Jaya is completely unaware of the project and those involved with it, who pray is this self appointed Industry source who professes to confirm the words spoken by her !
The article uses harsh words. ‘Having left in the lurch at the last moment, the makers were in a fix.’ And taking Shabana Azmi for the ‘role Jaya had been signed for’.
Ok. Here’s the challenge. Show us the signed contract Mr Film Maker that Jaya has been signed for. And name the source, m/s Shama Bhagat and Asian Age, that claims to have quoted Jaya !!
Readers and fellow bloggers ! My previous blog regarding the media is not written without sufficient consideration. Many feel these incidents are insignificant for my reckoning and I should ignore them. You may be right and you may be completely wrong.
It is not the big issues in life that matter, it is the smaller ones. When the media paints a malicious lie to the public you do not measure the intensity or the color of the lie. A lie is a lie and those that propagate it must take responsibility of it or face consequences.
One can maintain the age old adage of ’silence being golden’. I am afraid I am not interested in the gold. I am interested in reconfirming the fact, how one community or fraternity goes about its business without fault, but is in fault. Without any blemish, but is indeed full of it. And refuses to acknowledge it. It took me and the server BigAdda, a very extended period of time and some very concerted meetings and phone calls to get Mid Day to extend an apology for the malicious and erroneous reportage on the matter of me being paid to write my blog. And that too, not in the way, the server wanted. It was, after great deliberation and legal exchange, an apology of an apology.
The deliberations are unfair. An accusation made first, has lasting effect, because it is projected and profiled in a manner that catches the mind and attention of the reader with somewhat lasting effect. Any correction or denial by media thereafter, is either delayed in order to minimize the memory factor, or put across in such insignificant manner, that it would require a microscope to even notice its presence in print.
Result. There are still many readers that come on my blog who insist and strongly believe I get paid to write. I can go blue in the face in denying this, but no, first impressions are the last and final impressions.
Let me analyze the article in question, above. Most readers go by headlines. No one has sufficient time to read every bit of print. So write an attractive headline. SHABANA REPLACES JAYA is attractive. The word ‘replace’ in the life of a professional becomes negative and deflating for one and attractive and complimentary to the other. So, without the confirmation of facts and hiding behind the oft- protective- legally- safe- from- defamation expression, ’sources’ ( which could be anyone or no one, or one that media manufactures and I will give proof of this too ) the article and m/s Shama Bhagat have succeeded in destroying Jaya’s profile and image as a professional, by putting out, that she has been ‘replaced’.
Then.. to support the statement, incidents, quotes are put in. Photographs are chosen, where the facial expressions of the subjects, comply and match with the text of the column and off it goes to print.
Shama Bhagat has earned her remuneration for the column, space in the Asian Age has been filled, job done and over. Who cares for consequences.
And all this.. bogus and manufactured rubbish !!
FINAL IMPRESSION !! A demeaning of the image of one artist. The aggrandizement of the image of the other. One artist coming out looking like a villain because she ‘refused’ and left maker ‘in the lurch’ by not honoring her ’signed contract’. The other coming out looking like an angel and victorious because she stepped in to ‘take on the role’ instead.
And all coming out of something that was a a load of rubbish !! Long live the media !!
‘Katrina replaces Aishwarya’, screamed a headline some days back, for a diamond company endorsement matter. One demeaned, the other aggrandized. The company may go hoarse clarifying that it is not a replacement. Aishwarya may correct the issue with statements galore, that after expiry of her contract the company did not comply with her fresh terms and conditions, but no, what remains, is the ticklish factor of replacement.
And wait and see what happens to my remarks after I post this issue. A whole new aspect of rivalry shall be built up, because I chose to bring this matter up and show the media in poor light !!
Many readers have responded to the media debate and the queries put up. Many have given their impressions. Most have been constructive and in agreement with observations. Some say I have become too sensitive to them in my old age. Some disagree.
This is good and acceptable to me. If I open a public forum I cannot be expected to receive only the good. I have always welcomed the bad as well. Many have stated that had I not clarified they would have continued to be fans but would have looked at me with doubt. Many express that this blog is not meant to be an avenue for media trial and rectification. Well…if this blog carries my name and credentials, surely I should be the one that will decide what goes on it or off it. Many accuse me of only using this medium to get back at the media. Yes, I do use it to get back at the media. But that is not the only use. Read up from DAY 1. I talk of my routines and daily travel. I talk of matters personal, of matters emotional and private. I have talked of issues general and universal and moral. Of concerns that affect me or could affect me. Of bad days and good days. I have responded to random readers and shall continue to do that hopefully in the not too distant future on a more personal level, by commenting below their comment; server permitting.
I have played fairly and openly. And shall continue to do so in the future too.
My love - something that is irreplaceable and constant, contracted, signed and just; never one that shall leave you in the lurch - so help me God !!
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:05 am
Amitji,
Wow great written piece, I was one of the few whom said that these journalists will continue to hog you regardless how big or small the matter, they have continued in this manner continuously…I did not realise how this deeper these matters affect you, if you feel you need to justify the trust to your fans and mediawale, We are behind you always…. just do not these matters find you in ill health ever…..people will continue to try to bring others down through jealousy, greed, dislike…everyone knows you cant please all the people all of the time, the fact is that you can please some of the people some of the time.
We are all hoping for a sell out show at the 02 centre on Sunday, good luck with your good deed on saturday in leicester in regards to the opening of a diabetic centre with Keith Vaz..
All the best always
Kishore Bhatt (UK)
ab Reply:
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:47 pm
thank you Kishore.. for your comments and good wishes for the O2 show..hope you enjoy it..
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:06 am
Hi Amit Uncle,
Dont make your blood pressure go so high for people are just idiots. Media purely write stuff in their papers so they get readers, more people buy their magazines or papers. Please dont make yourself angry over such naiveness. I am very happy that you write on this blog as it gives you the freedom of speech that you dont have whilst giving interviews as someone would take what u have said to heart, but this is your blog and you can write whatever you wish.
Also please tell Jaya auntie not to take such stupid comments to heart, she is a wonderful actress as is Shabana Azmiji, both have donw some excellent work in their field. I wouldnt like you to be upset whilst your in London, as its nearly time that I shall see you at the O2.
Well Good Night for now,
Sweet Dreams (dont work to hard)
Ps if you get a chance to have a coffee let me know.
Love
Sweta xxxx
ab Reply:
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:02 pm
No BP high at all ! Just need to rectify a wrong. And thank you for your sympathetic stance. I shall try not to work hard and I do not drink coffee !
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:06 am
Mr Bachchan you are doing everything right.General public like us always believes that there must be some truth in news….not knowing media can be completely wrong .Not knowing the news can be a big lie.Thanks for bringing light to such issues.
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:12 am
hello sir,
I have read through most of the peoples comment on blog 120 and 120 (i) many people are in support of you and there are big discussion also other than few so dont bother about them.
Regarding this article i think when i read it without knowing the fact it gives me an impression about how can jayaji do that she seems to be so disciplined,a nd an woman with principles. Now as we know the fact so can really know how the media makes story a good fact for people like us who are not very much aware what goes on , in this media world it gives a open picture that stars always are not wrong as media always tries to potray them.
I think the biggest problem is that your blog is read by very few number of people as compared to the people who read newspapers so you should do something to clarify and put your statements in the paper itself or any other medium which reaches to a bigger audience also.
Please tell jayaji not to get upset we are with her and will always love her and please tell her to do some more flims too
have a grt show and keep writing
renu
take care
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:13 am
Hello
I am coming to the show in london but will not be able to see you in leicester for the opening of the Diabetes Centre but my sister will be
Ps If possible could you please announce at the show that it is my father and mothers 36th wedding anniversary
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:15 am
Fair enough! Everybody deserves to know the other side of the story, and if i read something about you Sir, I know now where to look for your version of it.
But on the brighter side, they thought Jayaji is better than Shabanaji. They went to her first. Whenever I read such statements I always wonder why the actor who replaces the original one would ever accept considerng they were the 2nd choice?
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:17 am
Haha, I enjoyed your point about choosing photos that match the story. Gossip magazines and tabloids always do that! If the front page story is a break-up, they choose photos of the two people in question looking angry or upset. If they suspect someone of being pregnant, they pick a random photo where the woman’s stomach is showing slightly under her shirt (who knows, it might just be gas!) and she is looking a bit mysterious. Romance stories have random photos of the stars smiling.
Nothing to do with the story, fabricated or not. Just random photos meant to reinforce the words and make the reader imagine that this is how the star is feeling and acting. Nobody really thinks about the photos!
-Melanie
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:18 am
Hit them hard, Hit them hard, Hit them hard, Hit them hard, Hit them hard, Hit them hard, Hit them hard, Hit them hard, Hit them hard, Hit them hard, Hit them hard, Hit them hard, Hit them hard, Hit them hard, Hit them hard, Hit them hard, Hit them hard,
THEY DESERVE IT….
Sanjeet
Fiji Islands
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:20 am
“My love - something that is irreplaceable and constant, contracted, signed and just; never one that shall leave you in the lurch ”
Only God can claim that!
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:20 am
Dear Amitji…don’t worry about media coz they just want some issue to write… i know from film industry media is definitely creating their own issue and adding some extra stuff in it…we call it “mithu marchu” some extra masala for some extra tasty…we are not believing in media…we are believing in you and a person who talk in front of media(TV) not newspaper…
We still love you and your entire family….I love Jayaji,Abhishek,Aishwarya and Shweta…
love and regards,
Hetal.