Stunned by your mails

I am amazed and surprised with every email and letter.. stunned by how giving you all are.. with your praise, your thoughts and your love. There are also some contrarian critical views.. but I see that as a positive as well.

From my point of view, it’s a sign that on some level we’ve connected and that’s the best part. A heartfelt thank you to every one of you, who have taken the time and the effort to write in.

For me, this is proof of the power of the written word. It has the ability to move you to tears, have you rolling on the floor with laughter and everything else in between.

It’s in the books that we read and re-read so intensely, it’s in the lyrics of the songs we just can’t seem to stop singing, it’s in the poems that stick in our heads and for people like me, it’s in the scripts that bring beautiful stories to life! And now also for me, it’s the words of love and encouragement that shine through in the letters from you, the appreciative readers!

But.. before I say anything further, I’d like to clear something up once and for all.. I DO read all the mails and
letters that come in. Why wouldn’t I? They make me laugh, they make me cry and they make me think.

If I take the past week as an example, it’s been outstanding. I have been given so many ideas of what to do for fun and also some very detailed directions to the best holiday destinations in the world. I think I can write two books with all the info!

Anvika.. that’s a really cool list of fun things to do; Tanya.. I will try to recount my Miss World experience in a future column; Kshitij.. my first fan (as you’ve described yourself) I will definitely take you up on that offer of hot paranthas with white butter one of these days.

Kanika Manika.. good advice!; Keertika.. fab ideas and I wouldn’t mind trying some of them out; Sourav.. Peace!; Aditya Khanna… likewise.. your words are also an inspiration to me. Congratulations on scoring well in your exams; Sahiba.. please continue to watch all my films !!

Mayank.. I’ve read all your mails.. thanks for writing in five times over, I look forward to your next email; Pranjali.. thanks for the picture of the painting.. it was lovely; Ankit.. stop being so pessimistic.. I read your mail and I will pass on your message to my mum!; Ram Singh.. wow.. you’ve travelled to 30 countries across six continents.. lucky guy.. I’m envious!; Keran (from the U S) thanks for writing in so often and for reading my column from across the oceans!; Ajay Parthasarathy.. thanks for your words of encouragement.

To everyone else I’ve not mentioned here.. your letters are just as important and I will try and respond to everyone. As I’ve said many times before, irrespective of who we are and what we do, we all love being appreciated!

And I quite like this little admiration society we’ve got going here! It’s a give and take of appreciation that we’re passing between us all. Let’s keep it going!

Before I close, I want like to remember the indomitable Feroz Khan. He was a true rockstar.. a great actor.. the original man’s man and someone who left an indelible mark on Indian cinema.

Feroz Sir.. your legacy will live on and you will be remembered not only for your contribution to the world of films but also for the wonderful human being that you were. My heart goes out to the family. May god give you the strength to get through this.