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the-south-asian.com May 2004 |
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May
2004 Music
Lehngas - a limited collection Books Between
Heaven and Hell
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AMITABH BACHCHAN -YESTERDAY ONCE MORE
It is definitely the best of times for the iconic star Amitabh Bachchan. With current hits he is back to where he belongs-- right at the top. He shrugs off talk about age." People are still accepting me and coming to the theatres for my films. That is what that keeps me on." In a one-to-one chat the charismatic actor talks about his films, product endorsements, A.B. Corp’s plans and son Abhishek’s career.
Interview by Avinash Kalla At 62 you have more projects than you had when you were 30 and you are fast becoming a brand yourself - endorsing so many products. Aren’t you absolutely elated? A. I am absolutely tired! That’s the word that best describes me right now. The only thing that keeps me going is that the audiences are accepting me in diverse roles. That compensates for everything and eggs me on. Your last two releases ---Baghban and Khakee have been big hits. Have the audiences started accepting older heroes? A. This thing about age is all rubbish. People are still accepting me and coming to the theatres to see me perform. Both in Baghban and Khakee I played my age and didn’t attempt any silly heroics. I hope my forthcoming films too are well received. You see, basically I am just another actor who loves his work and this thing about age only exists in the media. This seems to be the busiest phase of your career. Films, endorsements, music videos, small screen you seem to be omnipresent? A. I don’t deny the fact that it is. The old Hindi saying Diye ki loh jab bhujhne ko hoti hai to bahaut chamakti hai (the flame burns brightest before extinguishing) fits the bill perfectly. These, I feel, are the final days of my career and I am trying to do as much work as I can. But before you ask the next obvious question let me clarify that I am in no hurry to call it a day. I won’t stop working till the time work stops coming to me. You are working with a number of Generation Y actors. Do you feel things have changed from your time in the seventies and eighties? A. Technology has changed everything. Today actors and directors are more committed, more knowledgeable, perhaps more intelligent. They are so focussed, so career-driven and so determined to succeed. In fact I keep learning a lot from them. They certainly have more energy and enthusiasm than there was in the seventies. There is a raw aggression to excel. Above all they have the belief they can win. A question that pops up every now and then is that you are promoting virtually everything that is saleable. Brand Bachchan is real and happening, isn’t it? A. I am not able to figure out the fuss about endorsements that I am doing. If my being the brand ambassador is acceptable to people, relates to the product and when companies are willing to invest their faith in me to promote their product I see no reason why I should say no to endorsements. You are also the Brand Ambassador of the Samsung IIFA awards and where do you think these awards will take the Indian film Industry? A. I personally feel that the Samsung IIFA awards are a big step to take the Indian films to the international audience. These awards expose our pool of talent and craftsmanship to the people across the globe. Do you know that Hollywood is the second largest exporter in America after the aircraft industry? If that is the case why should the Indian film industry not follow the Hollywood example? I feel such awards will help Indian films go global. The corporate houses are now entering the Indian film industry. Do you think this will further change things? A. Certainly. It is a very smart move. In the long run I think it is going to pay rich dividends. The best thing about this is the good planning and the discipline that the corporate houses bring with them - something our industry sorely lacks. Is A.B Corp too thinking of entering the arena? A. Now that the burden of debts is off from our head we are focusing on new horizons and setting new targets. But this time around we will be careful in our dealings. Earlier we made the mistake of doing too many things at one time, but now it’s going to be small but steady steps to achieve our goals. Right now the focus is on Ranveer and I am looking forward to working with Abhishek. What kind of potential do you see in Abhishek the actor? A. Like any other father I feel proud to see my son on the silver screen. I think in all these years he has improved as a performer. He is maturing with every release and is currently working with some very talented directors. He has just done Yuva with Mani Ratanam. I wish I too have a chance to work with Mani some day. Do you think being a star child makes it easy to walk the path of stardom? A. I cannot understand why people target star children. It is a free country and everyone is free to choose a profession of one’s liking. The only advantage they have is that for them it might be a bit easy to get a break but you need to prove your calibre to make a mark here. But the perception is that things come on a silver platter for them and the journey to stardom is strewn with roses… A. Look at Shahrukh Khan, he is no star child but has a commendable following across the globe where Indian cinema has a reach. I again say that it is your work that is your passport to success. There are simply no shortcuts. There are reports that you are coming back on the small screen. Is that true? A. Yes! I am looking forward to finishing the remaining 85 episodes of Kaun Banega Carorepati. As per the contract I have to do them before 2006. Now that you have climbed so many peaks of success are there any more to conquer? A. Please don’t be so generous in your praise. I am just doing my job. And like any other guy, there is not one but many things that I want to achieve. I wish I had time to learn all the languages of our country, I wish I knew how to play a musical instrument. There are many things that I feel I have missed out on. Do you have the time considering the number of films you are doing? A. Unfortunately no. Right now I can only indulge in one passion - acting in films. What are your forthcoming films? A. There is Farhan Akhtar’s Lakshya, Sanjay Leela’s Black, Milind Luthra’s Deewar, Sameer Karnik’s Kyon? Ho Gaya Na Pyaar, Ram Gopal Verma’s Ek, Vipul Shah’s Waqt, Govind Nihalani’s Dev, Anil Sharma’s Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo, A.B.Corp’s Ranveer and Yash Chopra’s next. Which actor do you think can fit into your shoes, once you retire? A. Please don’t put anybody in such messy situation. Please don’t wish this on any one. But more seriously, I would say that there are some incredibly talented young actors who will go a long way in films. I wish them all luck. *****
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