text: However, emotions were better controlled later in the day when at the Cairo Opera Main Hall the star had an interesting discussion about his life and work with the renowned Indian journalist Sidhart Bhatia.
  The meeting unveiled a man deeply in love with the phenomenon called cinema, humble, grateful for all the wonders that life brought his way, and even appreciative of failure as an important part of the learning process. He mentioned many directors who “helped me become who I am today” and kept thanking the attendees for their love. “After so many decades, you still have the same regard and affection towards me and I thank you very much for that,” he began.
  He went on to elaborate on the power of Bollywood, pointing out how the question of its popularity keeps returning in all conversations and how as a very young boy he asked his father the same question. Moving between his father's words and his own analysis, Bachchan explained that Bollywood's secret lies in its attractive stories which cater to the emotions, speaking of ordinary people's lives and passions. While people find themselves in the Bollywood characters they also find in them their dreams.
  “I sit here. I'm almost an alien, I speak a different language. But the language of cinema is very strong and you do not need to know that language to be able to understand what's going on. Egypt is a wonderful example of that. And despite the fact that I'm practically an alien, you still follow the movies, enjoy the stories, and listen to the music... This is what makes our cultures so close one to the other.
  “Technically there has also been a lot of improvement and we have access to some of the latest technology,” he said.
  “Also today, life became fast paced and an exchange of information is very fast. The filmmaking in India has become relevant to that speed. The fact that in India we have now almost 800 television channels allows people to see the products that are all around the world including those coming from the West and those which could be more superior and we immediately want to follow them,” Bachchan added, stressing the factors that trigger constant development of India's film industry.
  But even the best rose has its thorns. In the enumeration of superlatives, the Big B did not forget to draw attention to some of the pitfalls of Bollywood. “The sanctity of poetry and the word has been lost a bit on the way,” he noted, hastening to add that the cinema always reflects what is happening in the society at large.
  With a long career of cinematic achievements and scores of memorable roles, Bachchan looks with optimism to the new generation in the film industry.
  “They are very confident, they know exactly what they want to do, what kind of cinema they want to make, who they want to work with. It is this energy of confidence that is so attractive to them. They have different ideas, they approach subjects which perhaps were not so popular in the world of cinema. Equally, audiences have changed and many depart from the typical escapism cinema that dominated India's 1960s, 1970s. Now many people in India want to see something different, perhaps something that is a bit closer to reality.”
  As the discussion came to the close, Bachchan stood up and many of the attendees stormed the stage, a few jumping over the Opera's chairs, to greet the Big B. Bachchan presided over the official opening of India by the Nile at the Pyramids, and on the following days a number of his movies were screened. With Bollywood making a huge impact on the Egyptian audience, until 16 April, India by the Nile will be offering interesting events and artistic experiences targeting different tastes and expectations.
  
  VietNamNet Bridge – Water levels are rising quickly in areas adjacent to Cambodia in Dong Thap Province, weather forcasting and local authorities have reported.
  Farmers and fishermen in the Mekong Delta are prepared to work hard during the upcoming flood season. Photo sggp.org.vn
  According to the National Hydro Meteorological Forecasting Centre, the water level is currently 2.33 metres at Tan Chau Station at the Tien River and 1.95 metres at Chau Doc Station at the Hau River, 0.2-0.3 metres higher than the same period last year.
  The water level is forecast to reach its peak of 2.9 metres at Tan Chau and 2.45 metres at Chau Doc today and tomorrow, respectively, about a half metre higher than the same period last year.