what we are reading – EightandHalf
The times are changing. And how! Amitabh Bachchan took a decision based on the feedback of his fans. Read on to know more.
In the wake of the recent racial attacks on the Indian students in Australia, Amitabh Bachchan has refused an honorary doctorate degree offered to him by Australia’s Queensland University of Technology. The doctorate degree was offered to him for his contribution to the world of entertainment.
To decide whether he should accept or reject the offer, Bachchan put the question on his blog as a blog poll and asked the readers to vote. Based on the result of the poll, Bachchan has taken the decision. To quote him from the blog, this is what he wrote to the Queensland University Of Technology….
Dear Sir,
I write to you with a heavy heart on a matter that has now reached extremely sensitive proportions.
I have been reading and watching through the media the most unfortunate and violent attacks on Indian students in Australia; some of them lying in a most critical condition in hospital. I have observed with utter dismay the anguish that these incidents have caused to the families of those who have become unfortunate victims.
The Queensland University of Technology has very graciously offered only last week, to confer an Honorary Doctorate to me for my contribution to the world of entertainment.
Under the prevailing circumstances I find it inappropriate at this juncture, to accept this decoration. My conscience is profoundly unsettled at the moment and there seems to be a moral disjuncture between the suffering of these students and my own approbation.
I have the highest respect for your illustrious Institution and wish to express my deepest regard for the recognition it bestows me with. I do not wish to offend in any manner this kind gesture by the Queensland University of Technology, but I do hope that you will understand my present feelings.
With warm regards,
Amitabh Bachchan
After a long long time, we got a reason to fall in love with Big B again!
The news was doing the rounds since last few weeks. And it seems to be true. After the success of Slumdog Millionaire, Danny Boyle is all set to head back to Bombay, ok, Mumbai again. Danny has bought the rights of Suketu Mehta’s first book “Maximum City : Bombay Lost and Found”. Though nobody has confirmed the news yet. Its all hush-hush.
Mehta’s book is a non-fiction account of the city, a collage of essays, travelogue and journalistic account. And has real stories of human courage, spirit, dreams and disasters. And there lies the challenge of adapting it for the big screen.
Our guess – Danny’s film will use lot of info and background from the book and it will form the subplots. But the main plot will be something else. And to be on the safe side, he has bought the rights of the book. Much like what Vidhu Vinod Chopra did for Rajkumar Hirani’s Three Idiots. He bought the rights of Chetan Bhagat’s book Five Point Someone, as the film has similar backdrop. But the main plot doesnt have any similarity.
Boyle was in Mumbai recently and the buzz is that he is talking to Aamir Khan for his next.
And if the news is true, we are sure that one man will not be happy at all. Vidhu Vinod Chopra. Why ? Read the book or just google. We are feeling too lazy to get our hands dirty again.
F.i.g.h.t C.l.u.b 