Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan has now started writing his highly popular blog in English and Hindi. The change came after his hospitalisation for abdominal pain.
Big B had stayed a week in Mumbai's posh Leelavati Hospital by the Mahim bay to get the recurring pain examined and treated.
Convent-educated Bachchan, who is known for speaking chaste Hindi and with proper diction, otherwise is not known for writing in his mother tongue, Hindi, with equal felicity.
Whatever major writing he has done so far is all in English.
Big B's father, poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, played with Hindi words all his life. Never in the past has Big B given a hint of affection towards his mother tongue more than necessary, at least in public.
So, what prompted the most creative of the present Bollywood actors to write his immensely popular blog in Hindi after his hospitalisation?
Did he ruminate too much over the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray's broadside against Jaya Bachchan's impromptu comment, "Hum to UP-wale hai, hame Hindi mein hi bolna chhahiye," made during her speech at the music release function of Drona in Mumbai early last month, to make him turn to Hindi with a vengeance?
When a reader of his blog made his displeasure known to the actor and urged him to revert to writing it in English, Big B in his characteristic matter-of-fact way wrote in his next blog last Saturday that nobody on earth could stop him from writing or speaking in Hindi.
And, he made it sound a tad too provincial, as if in a subdued retort to the MNS' odious provincialism.
Anyway, quite unintentionally, perhaps, Big B is now writing his blog both in Hindi and English.
Bachchan had to apologise last month after Raj Thackeray threatened to stall the release of The Last Lear in the wake of alleged anti-Marathi comments of Jaya Bachchan.

MUMBAI: On Tuesday afternoon hospital officials said Big B's condition is improving.~~~"Doctors continue to be pleased with his progress. He is in constant conversation with his family, who are by his side throughout," the hospital said in a statement.~~~Bachchan's 66th birthday was on Saturday, the actor was hospitalised the same day with complaints of acute abdominal pain. His medical history of intestinal problems promted the medical professionals to rush the actor through a series of diagnostic tests and begin treatment.~~~Bachchan said he "was most grateful to his fans and humbled by their prayers and good wishes."

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) — The "knighting" of India's top Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan will help boost tourism in Malaysia, an official from the western Malacca state government said Monday.
Khan is to be given the Governor of Malacca's award, which carries the title "Datuk," after his 2001 film boosted the profile of the state as a destination for tourists.
The 42-year old heart-throb will receive his award on November 29, in a ceremony that will be aired live on India's top entertainment channel, Zee TV.
"It is a boost for tourism in Malaysia. His movies are seen by people all over the world and this is cost-free advertisement for us," local parliamentarian Mohammad Sirat Abu told AFP.
Malacca, a historic port town and a relic of Malaysia's colonial past, relies hevily on tourism for income.
Mohammad said since the filming of Khan's 2001 movie, "One 2 Ka 4" at a popular resort in Malacca, the number of tourists coming from India has increased markedly.
"He is a worldwide icon and having him here will boost our country's tourism industry," he said.
However, the granting of the award has been controversial, with some questioning what Khan had done to merit the honour.
Opposition politician Lim Kit Siang said local artists and celebrities should have been recognised ahead of Khan.
"I don't think the reason that has been given for making Shah Rukh Khan a Malacca Datuk would impress or convince many," he said earlier this month.
However, former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad supported the move.
"I feel embarrassed when the award... to Shah Rukh Khan is being questioned. We confer such titles quite often on foreigners to appreciate their contribution to the country," he wrote on his blog chedet.com.
"Some of these people have contributed even less than what Shah Rukh Khan has."
Malaysia has become a popular location for Indian films, which have a huge following among ethnic Indians and the majority Muslim-Malays.
Women of all ages -- including the wife of deputy prime minister Najib Razak, Rosmah Mansor -- are huge fans of the charismatic Khan, dubbed the "King of Bollywood" here.
Malaysian tourism chiefs are aiming to attract 22.5 million visitors this year, who they hope will spend 50.5 billion ringgit (14.1 billion dollars).
From January to September 2008, tourist arrivals increased 4.4 percent on the year to 16.3 million, mainly from neighbouring Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.

Aamir Khan may agree to play the role of Kishore Kumar in a biopic on the singer and actor. Nagesh Kukunoor is making this movie titled 'Bemisaal'. The actor says that he has been reading the full script. "I have been a great fan of Kishore and I have loved him both as a singer and an actor." The actor is happy that his mega movie titled 'Ghajini' is ready for release on December 25 and its promos would be out soon besides 'Taare Zameen Par' that is entering the Oscar race.
CELINA JAITLEY IN NEW AVATAR
click for larger view
Celina Jaitley is denying all news of her alleged link-ups, either with co-star Govinda or Tusshar Kapoor. However, she has been denying the rumours. She says that she has been single for three-and-a-half years. The actress is, however, very excited about her soon to release next comedy 'Golmaal Returns'. She adds that in her next, she will be seen in a new avatar; in blackened hair, using black contact lenses and sans makeup though with bindi and kaajal. After all, she is named Mira Nair in the movie. Significantly, Shreyas Talpade plays her love interest in the film, working with her for the third time. Interestingly, she will co-star with two other Bollywood beauties --Kareena Kapoor
src:smashits

After making Sylvester Stallone swoon over her, actress Kareena Kapoor has now been approached by director Gurinder Chaddha for a role opposite Hollywood’s much sought after star Johnny Depp. Now, before you begin to think about dear Saifu’s take on this, we would like you to know that Bebo has reportedly declined the role opposite Depp.
Although Gurinder’s film supposedly promised to be a lavish international production, Kareena said no as she had no dates. It is believed that the actress is apparently very unimpressed by Hollywood offers that are pouring in. A source close to the actress has revealed that she’d rather do meaningful and bigger roles in Bollywood, like the ones she's doing right now — 3 Idiots with Aamir Khan, Kambaqt Ishq with Akshay Kumar, and Main Aur Mrs Khanna with Salman Khan.
On the contrary, grapevine has it that after Bebo’s much hyped episode with superstar Stallone, the actress is in no mood to infuriate beau Saif with another of Hollywood connection!Well, whatever the reason be, we would just say that Bebo should have put in some deep thought before saying a ‘no’ to Depp.

The Shahrukh Khan concert ‘Temptations Reloaded’ left the Bollywood fans in Dubai thoroughly entertained on Saturday evening. The concert had Bollywood superstar performing on stage with top actresses like Katrina Kaif and Kareena Kapoor . Also part of the troupe was Arjun Rampal and Anusha Dandekar.
The Dubai Festival City Arena was packed with jubilant fans eager to dance away the night with their favourite stars. SRK obviously hogged limelight by not just performing to his songs but also interacting with fans.
Katrina performed to her songs from Race , Partner and Singh Is Kinng while Kareena gyrated to tunes from Tashan and Jab We Met .
There was a lot of speculation before the show that Katrina might not join King Khan for the concert because of SRK’s renewed rivalry with her beau Salman Khan . But such notions were rubbished on Saturday evening.
Earlier, at a press meet before the concert, girls went crazy over SRK. One girl fainted while trying to catch a glimpse of SRK while many others chased the superstar for his autograph.
At the press meet, SRK said the aim of the concert was not to make money but to thank his fans by entertaining them.
“I have reached a point in my life where I don’t have to do live shows for money. It’s not about the money anymore nor do I think it’s a platform to showcase our talents. Such dance shows are my way of thanking my fans for their support and their love,” SRK said at the press meet.
Incidentally, Saturday evening was also SRK and his wife Gauri Khan 17th marriage anniversary. And the superstar made it a night to remember not just for his wife but also for thousands of his fans.