At the Asian Film Awards and Mr AB…

The 4th Asian film awards was held at the Hong Kong convention center in the palatial Grand hall. This was one event I was looking forward to for the last few weeks, the only reason was because Mr Bachchan was honored with the lifetime achievement award here in Hong Kong. The magnificent convention center overlooks the Hong Kong harbor and it was most certainly a befitting venue for the grand occasion. The awards ceremony were to start at 8 PM and punctuality was more or less the essence along with efficiency, it was indeed a very well-organized event. Over the last one year my run ins have been more with Mr Bachchan’s wax models than with the man himself. I first posed with his wax model in Macau where Madam Tussaud’s had made his model and displayed it at the IIFA at the Venetian. My second run in was the very next day where I ran into him quite literally as he was walking back to the southern suites at the Venetian. My third run in was when I yet again posed with the same wax statue that had been now transported to Madam Tussaud’s in London. My fourth run in with Mr Bachchan was last night.

As we were entering the grand hall last night and walking towards our seats, I was craning my neck at the huge screen to see if the cameras would focus on Mr Bachchan. The cameras were covering the red carpet event and I was hoping I had not missed him. Then all of a sudden my dear husband nudges me and says ” look who is here” and I like a dazed duck looked up to the screen which was covering some Ling or Ping or Sing ( they all look the same and sound the same! ) and my husband points ahead of me, barely a foot away (to be precise) and there he was. Yes, this was Mr Bachchan, I mean THE Mr Bachchan, the man I have been following since I was a kid, and the God of cinema without a doubt. Mr Bachchan was making his way to his designated area and he was as early as we were! I choked on my words and like a squeaky mouse I say ” Good evening Mr Bachchan, this is Sharmila”. I looked and felt and more so sounded like Stuart little next to Lion King. And Mr Bachchan his dapper self, immaculate, radiant in that black tuxedo, as royal as ever as regal as always gave me that warm fuzzy smile that melted my brains and my heart.I shook his hands ( mine were trembling ) and introduced my husband ( who was as cool as cucumber )to Mr Bachchan. Mr Bachchan I would always say and write is grace personified. I say now, Mr Bachchan is grace unmatched, no one is more charming than him. We spent a few minutes exchanging pleasantries and I am not exaggerating I cannot recall exactly what I stuttered and stumbled, but without a doubt I know I sounded like a fool. I failed to enquire about his health and I am feeling so guilty about it. I said the most nonsensical things and I am sure he would have been highly amused, we took a photograph and I got a couple of autographs from him and my evening was made. The presentation book carries a wonderful article on Mr Bachchan and a lovely photograph on which he has signed with my name on it. The book shall be handed to the next generation.

I was over the moons, the planetary systems, the suns and the stars. Last nights run in with him was equivalent to an intergalactic event. Meeting Mr Bachchan and talking to him is quite literally a stellar occasion. I will remain grateful to God for steering me in his path. Many who read my daily blogs comment about how partial I am with my reviews of his movies and so forth. I never was partial in the past when I reviewed his movies and his acting, but after last night I am more than willing to tilt towards partiality! I am grateful that I did not convert Mr B into the ” angry young man” again with my utter nonsense talk with him. At one stage I required speech therapy too as I rambled on making no sense. Poor Mr B, patiently listened and peered down at me with those penetrative eyes. Looks could kill, it is my ghost who is writing this now. The presentation book has a lovely article on Mr Bachchan which I shall replicate here shortly. Mr Bachchan states ” I am passionate about being an actor,every day has been remarkable. I believe in equality, liberty and fraternity”. Mr Bachchan has graciously written on his blog a few lines about our meeting last night. This is what he said “And Sharmila, our dedicated bloggist and FmXt, met me in the Main Hall at the award ceremony here in Hong Kong … OMG !! Such a joy to meet her and her husband. Love to both of you. You looked good together !!” Here is the link to his blog – http://bigb.bigadda.com/?p=4868#comments

Most of the nominations for the major categories were from the east asian countries. Sonam Kapoor had a nomination under the best new comer category but did not go on to win it last night. The South Korean film ” Mother” bagged the best film award. But the highlight was the LTA for Mr B and the vociferous crowd gave him a standing ovation.The intergallactic event has led to formations of a million stars all around me. I am not sure how many know this but a nickname I have kept for Mr B is ” Lion King”, he well and truly fits that description. As much as he looks, sounds and conducts himself like Lion King, I looked, sounded and conducted myself like a squeaky little Stuart last night.Thank you dear Lord for making the best animation story for me last night, thank you Lord for making me look like a cartoon, it was most deserving.