Amitabh Bachchan
December ,16, 2011
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At 70, he is still Indian cinema's tallest legend. Sorry Khans, Kapoors, Kumars and Roshans: the Big B is still the baap (or should we say dada) of Indian showbiz. Excerpts from an interview.
For a long time you've been talking of turning 70, but you actually turn 70 only in October next year, yes? It is a way of calculating. This is my 70th year. I don't understand the fuss about age. If there is work and I can I do it, then I do it. There is no physicality involved. If you have the capacity, you go ahead and do it. The way people keep harping on age, it makes it seem like one shouldn't keep this busy at 70. I have almost seven films due next year!
Really? It doesn't seem that way. I am committed to films with Ashutosh Gowariker, Prakash Jha and Shirish Kunder. I'm still trying to fit in Nikhil Advani's film; it may or may not happen. In Ram Gopal Varma's Department, I've done around a week's work... an extended cameo. I also have cameos in Gauri Shinde's English Vinglish and The Great Gatsby. In fact, I have just one scene in The Great Gatsby; it's a friendly gesture.
Even today young directors are charged up about working with you. It is wonderful to know that there are people who want to work with me. I haven't worked with these people before, so I am equally looking forward and excited. I'm fortunate enough to have captured the interest of the younger generation. They are the ones who have all the fresh ideas and new technology and style of making films. It is always a great adventure. Sometimes with age, you just want to keep reflecting on what has happened in the past. I don't think that is such a good thing. One has to look ahead.
After four decades in the movies, are there any challenges in a role? Well, if a role is challenging it makes life easier. In Ashu's film, I'm a detective. In Shirish Kunder's film I play a common man. It will depend a lot on how both directors wish to present their films. I'm happy that there are different kinds of offers. They weren't offered to me when I was younger.
But when you were younger, your angry-young-man image was larger than life. This is something the audience decides. I don't think the writers deliberately go out and try to make an image.
Are you looking forward to the next season of Kaun Banega Crorepati. Yes I am. We started KBC in 2000. It has been 11 years. I didn't do it for one season in between. Channels have changed. It has been a long period for a game show to last and that too with this kind of a success. It is very astonishing.
You were recently voted a fashion icon. I read someone's tweet on that. I must thank Rohit Bal for dressing me up the way he did in the latest season of KBC. He just felt that I had been formal for too long. When I like something that someone is wearing, I hope that I can fit into it. Many a time it may look a little outlandish. But if I am happy wearing it then I am ok. Incidentally Rohit is family. He grew up in front of my eyes in Srinagar. Our families have been very close.
As a calendar year comes to a close, is there a sense of deja vu? Nothing of that sort happens. I just think another year has gone by. And I look forward to the New Year and hope it will be a good one.
Do you make resolutions at the end of the year like most people do? I always say why wait for December 31 to make resolutions? Every year they ask me this question. If I want to make a resolution I will make it today or tomorrow or whenever.
People no longer refer to you as the Big B. You are called 'Dada B' now? (Laughs) Oh yes, my grand child is a great joy. She is the apple of everyone's eye. It is nice to have a new entrant to the family. All our attention is diverted there. I keep asking - 'what is she doing? Is she awake, is she asleep? Is she crying?' All of us at home are clued into her.
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