'The masses make stars out of us. Only they can destroy it'

The Zee Cine Awards in Dubai came under scrutiny recently with the reported tussle between Samajwadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh and organiser Karim Morani over the seating arrangements for superstar Amitabh Bachchan. Apparently, the star was given a seating in the 11th row. Matters were reportedly cleared when Zee head honcho Subhash Chandra intervened.

Following the incident, a reader wrote to the Mumbai publication Mid-day. This is a transcript of that letter:

I wonder if Amitabh Bachchan stopped for a moment to think how the 'ordinary' people around him must have felt when he refused to sit with them.

Or maybe they cared as little as he did. After all, in today's world, much of the stardom granted to individuals is nothing but media hype.

--Ruchira Moolwaney

Amitabh Bachchan promptly replied:

I am writing in response to a letter that appeared in your prestigious paper on Friday March 5, 2004, under the section Your Say, titled Far From The Madding Crowd addressed to me by Ruchira Moolwaney.

The writer has expressed anguish at my attitude towards the common man. At the outset, I wish to express my sincere apologies to her for having disturbed her sensibilities.

However, I wish to give some clarifications.

The writer has obviously formed her opinion after having read what has appeared in the media, about the incident that took place at the Zee Awards in Dubai.

Firstly, the word 'ordinary' used by her within quotes seems to imply it was expressed by me. This is incorrect. I have not said or used this word in any of my remarks. No human being is 'ordinary'. We are all creations of the Almighty and therefore all of us are special, possessing special qualities. For me, my fans and well-wishers mean everything. They are the ones responsible for our existence and I have never shied away from admitting that.

Since the writer was not present on the occasion, the facts are unknown to her. I have never in my entire career objected to or taken umbrage about where I am being seated in a public function. My fraternity will vouch for that. My conduct on such occasions has been guided by what I learnt from my father. He taught me -- "Whenever you go to a public function, sit on the last row, because if you are shifted from there, you will only be sent to a seat ahead of you."

I readily went where the organisers took me. But those accompanying me felt I was being slighted. I tried to pacify them and we could have remained at our designated seats, but the crowd rushing on to us gave further reason to my friends to move out. The security was unable to handle the situation. They were white males and were totally unaware of Indian celebrities.

Many stars were stopped and manhandled by them and were even prevented from going back to the seats they were sitting on after coming back from the stage after making a presentation. Furthermore, a remark from one of the organisers incensed Mr Amar Singh.

He came up and said, "Do you want to sit in front? I can arrange it for you."

Addressed to a person of Amar Singh's stature, this was humiliating. The crowd itself was a bit surprised at our seating arrangement and questioned us as to why we were sitting at the back. Having taken the decision to move, Mr Amar Singh, who had organised the private plane for this trip, wished to go back to the airport to leave for Mumbai. At this point Mr Subash Chandra of Zee intervened and insisted we stay back. Seats were then placed in front and we were asked to occupy them. This was even more embarrassing and we were most uncomfortable with the situation. This is an honest and factual account of the incident.

There was more that followed back stage, about which other concerned people have given statements. I was not present there, so I am unaware of what transpired. But if Mr Amar Singh has remarked on it, I shall endorse that. Because he is a very honest and straightforward person, always willing to acknowledge his mistakes. The nation knows that through his numerous television interviews. So there was no refusal on my part of having to sit with 'ordinary' people.

Secondly, I will accept the comment of the writer -- 'people cared as little...' If people do not care for me this is entirely their prerogative and their right. I humbly accept their verdict. But it shall not stop me from working towards rectifying that impression.

And lastly, the comment in the letter — 'in today's world, much of the stardom granted to individuals is nothing but media hype.' Neither can it be destroyed by it. Stardom comes from talent, hard work and an acknowledgement from the people. The masses make stars out of us. Only they can destroy it. Not the media. In this Industry of ours there are several examples to justify this. I had the maximum number of hits, during the time when I was not communicating with the press.

I do hope that this clears the air. I shall be grateful if you could either publish this clarification in your esteemed paper or forward this to the concerned individual. My regrets and apologies again.