An Open Letter to Amitabh Bachchan and the Extended Family of his Blog,

An Open Letter to Amitabh Bachchan and the Extended Family of his Blog,

I cannot say if it will turn out to be bitter or sweet in my experience with ABFA-Kolkata Fan Club.

It has been two years since I officially joined the fan club, seems like they do not have any modus operandi or decorum. Their membership rates keep varying as per demands of the State Secretary, Sanjay Patodia and his Chosen Close Associates.

Problem No. 1 – I am still yet to get the official ID Card for myself, and I believe there is a special ID Card that is made only for those people who get the rights and credit to gain entry into any of the Residence of Mr Bachchan and Family as per discretion. Even that comes at a hefty price, quite understandable that because only a chosen screened and trustworthy few are granted such ID Cards that are used to gain entry into Bachchan's paradise. But what about the official ID Card, that is yet to be issued to me. First year fee to fan club membership was Rs 1500 and second year fee was 1200, (just look at the instability of membership fees.)

They are so reckless that the seems to have misplaced the application form and my two passport photos meant for the Fan Club Registration process.

Problem No. 2

Upon my persistent requests to ask Sanjay Patodia, the State Secretary to take me to Mumbai this October 11, came as a bolt to me, when some panel of their committee meeting decided on a donation of at least 15000 rupees towards the Temple of Big B (later came to know that such donations are used to recover the Temple Maintenance Costs and celebration Costs, quite understandable that is we fans who run this pomp and splendour show, but definitely not at a cost of someones valuable hard-earned money forced out, rather than asked for.)
On third consideration, the State Secretary reduces the donation from 15K to 10K and then to 5K, and why the 5k is required, to recover the costs of celebration on October 11 in Mumbai alone, Kolkata costs are to be born by all those members of the fan club who are in kolkata, the main point in my case is I am unemployed, without any earning or savings at all as on date and I am living under the support of my father, it would have been a different scenario if had the excess money to splurge on such fan following.

My several requests to Sanjay Patodia fell on deaf years, he keeps saying we want to celebrate his birthday in the best way come what may.

Sanjay was willing to make the special ID Card for me that can help me grant access and that too only after I had given him 5000 rupees by way of donation (rather celebration expenses) apart from the travelling expenses that I was willing to bear on my account. Does this not amount to some kind of Extortion in the name of Fan Following.

Now is it justified to be so very extravagant in show and grandeur just to please the media, that Kolkata Fan Club will have to put up the best celebration compared to other Fan club chapters of Big B across the world.

As far as I believe any fan club will want to put up its best show, but that should suit the pockets of each and every member of the fan club and the Donor Members as well, let the donation be flexible why enforce a fixed amount as decided by a committee Meeting and then state that only if the amount is donated you will be able to come with us to Mumbai to meet Amitabh Bachchan.

I am very hurt and disgusted by the way the ABFA Kolkata Fan Club operates.

It is very simple, if Big B is being treated a God, then what is the logic where one says I have prayed the best for him. It sounds real stupid and foolish, it is either you pray or you do not pray at all sincerely.

Will it be right on my part to create a disturbing situation at home or amongst my friends asking for such huge sum in order to go to meet Amitabh in Mumbai on october 11, they all will scorn me and laugh at me. I feel it would be right on my part not to spoil relationships at the home front and with my friends and well-wishers and just focus to be able to meet Amitabh, yes if my destiny and luck permits and my true-spirited fan following has any meaning, then Amitabh Bachchan will indeed give me an opportunity to meet.

My request to Amitabh Bachchan is, Please take a standpoint and speak to the State Secretary, Sanjay Patodia in order to stop such anomalies in the name of donation and celebration and try to encourage all to participate in their own limited ways, so that the fans are also happy and Amitabh the Actor also gets his due mileage.

I being an ardent follower, am being forced into thinking again, that have I done the right thing in spreading the Amitabh factor all this years of fan following,

I rather concentrate on my own life growth process, than rather crib and run around such stupid fan clubs, who do not have the proper decorum to maintain and run a fan club et al.

My sincere request to the Extended Family and Big B, please share your views on my blog site at http://anandhbhaskhar.wordpress.com on this sensitive but important issue.

I have only shared my experience with ABFA – Kolkata and have no intention to harm anybody's sentiments.

Last but not the least, it is the love and passion of a fan towards and actor and the actor's responsiveness towards the fan gains much more importance rather than worry about how much money should be pumped in by force or willingly to put the best face in celebrating Amitabh Bachchan's Birthday this October 11 in Mumbai.

P.S After seeing such negativity in the Fan Club at Kolkata, I have lost the drive and passion to do anything at all for ABFA – Kolkata in the near future, even though I admit that I have not done anything constructive, but I could have contributed in various ways.

For it is my home front that requires utmost attention first, and an Amitabh Bachchan Fan Club can wait….

You are most welcome to share your views on my wordpress site at http://anandhbhaskhar.wordpress.com
on this issue.

Regards,
Anandh Bhaskhar
+91 9830783537
anandh.bhaskhar@gmail.com

An ardent fan of Amitabh Bachchan