Saturday 14th June, 2008
If I may continue with the cricket analogy – T20 as I said before… although I’m not a cricket buff like my father and brother Arbaaz, the slog begins from the first ball – the first question in 10 Ka dum…
Babu is not prepared to give me the questions in advance when we shoot. I read them as I ask them to the contestants. And as far as the answers are concerned well no one knows them, including the big boss. That is the thrill. One keeps thinking as we play. The contestants think about the answer and I think about how to keep the audience entertained!
One of the questions in one episode was about God in his last reincarnation on Earth, as has been mentioned in some religious books. It is a strong belief in India that God assumes human shape to helps destroy evil forces. I think its time now for him to make one more appearance!
I often wonder if God could stage a fantastic entry, which alone will destroy evil. It is also said that God appears in human shape only to inspire good people to fight evil forces as HE did in the Mahabharata. HE merely drove Arjuna’s chariot. It is also believed that HE only guides and inspires but does not fight the human battles himself. It is also said that nothing can happen without HIS consent and approval. Does it mean that violent evil forces have spread with HIS knowledge and approval? If you probe further, you are told that strange are the ways of God. And they are also great who wait and watch. I am a little impatient and pray for HIS sudden and announced appearance. In Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ , I have a direct dialogue with God. I often talked to my late father in the film. In real life I respect my father as my God. Most of my paintings depict my concept of God and my own way of having regular dialogues with HIM. I think that all of us have our own individual way and approach to God. In my family, we have people of different faiths and we live in harmony. We may have several differences but religion is not one of them. Is it not strange that all religions preach peace and brotherhood and yet most of the deadly wars have been fought in the name of religion? Things have come to such an extent that we must love or perish. In my mind the greatest religion is just Being Human.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Day 17 - 10 Ka Dum
Friday, June 13, 2008
Day 16 - 10 Ka Dum
We all know the importance of a positive mental attitude, yet sometimes it is easy to forget where our happiness comes from. The more powerful and positive your attitude is, the more you will really experience life as it is meant to be. The hard part comes in staying aware of who it is you really want to be.
The bad news is that circumstances are bound to appear that want to knock you off your track. Just like some very witty and courageous contestants who end up missing the prize money of 10 Lakhs or 1 Crore narrowly…I feel extremely bad about such situations. But I am helpless. The contestants need some skill, some understanding of the mood of the people and of course luck. It does play some part in it as it does in other fields of life too. What I have admired most is that my contestants never get greatly disturbed and their inner strength comes alive. They feel sad as they see disappointment written large on my face. Some of them have missed the correct percentage and the correct answer just because of the fact that our country is so diverse and so are the views of different sections of people. The metropolitan scene is so different from the rural scene. Similarly, certain social truths also vary from the developed areas to the developing areas. But most of my contestants love the lighthearted, humorous questions and that shows that they have a great capacity to embrace the humour and laughter in every situation. And that is the good news. That, if you have absolutely decided who it is you want to be and how you are going to feel, before the challenges arise, you will experience the opportunity to create miracles in your life, and in the lives of others. Through this show I learn, I learn how to make people smile and smile with them. That is the greatest miracle for me in my life right now.
See you tonight for another magical episode of 10 ka dum!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Day 15 - 10 Ka Dum
For nineteen long years I have been showered with love & affection from my fans and it is more than evident on the sets of 10 Ka Dum. Each time I shoot an episode I have the chance of meeting someone new and introducing them to you. The time I spend with them is so real, so full of fun that I actually forget all my tiredness and any tensions that I might have. The thrill of it all keeps me energized and I can go on and on …in a unique way it drives me.
With the real people in the audience, real contestants handpicked from the masses and the sheer number of people who entered for auditions… it was a bit like the first stage of a T20 match. On TV we have shows that are like the 5 day Test, some are like the 50over game but 10 ka Dum really has elements of today’s cricket – TwentyTwenty! It needs skill, courage and intuition. I believe all the makings of a thrilling watch. Am sure you all enjoyed the first dumdaar weekend as much as I did.
Even the studio audience seemed to enjoy the positivity of the game. They were so involved. The wagon wheel of light hearted questions and answers spread laughter and fun and it was like enjoying an evening among friends. I was not so familiar with the multi-camera system of television. A crew member informed me that the main camera is so sensitive that it can capture the slightest of muscular movement on the face. The lens may even peep right into the performer’s soul. But I liked that. I like the open honesty of the camera and the contestants in front of me… there was nothing to hide, I was amongst friends. I did not mind all the questions they asked me…. The advice they offered, because I know they came from a space of love and not with any malice. Not that I wasn’t left embarrassed though J
In our very first episode when my first contestant, the exuberant Akshata Tiwarekar missed the 1 Crore, that too by such a narrow margin, I felt miserable. My heart bled for her. She had played so well and her infectious spirit and laughter brought so much energy to the show… I realized just how truly great we can become, only because of our attitude.
She was fantastic and even when I was so hugely disappointed for her sake, she took it in her stride. She symbolized the gut, courage and will to survive - the hallmark of being alive. Your attitude is what defines who you are!
