RADIO SARGAM INTERVIEW: AMITABH BACHCHAN!

Bollywood's living legend Amitabh Bachchan has recently been criticised for choosing some poor roles, which have registered little impact at the box office and left fans feeling disappointed. The superstar has decided to become more selective - no longer saying an instant yes to filmmaking friends. However his friendship with Romesh Sharma was a last minute exception to the new rule. Amitabh Bachchan has been busy filming Romesh's flick Dil Jo Bhi Kahey, where he plays onscreen father to Romesh Sharma’s real life son Karan. We caught the Big B in a relaxed mood on the sets of the film, where he answered every query and also talked about all his forthcoming films as well! Excerpts from an interview.

What prompted you to do this film Dil Jo Bhi Kahey?
See, Romesh Sharma is a very old friend of mine. When he came to me with the offer saying that he wanted me to work in his film, I said yes. I did not even ask him what the role was. It was simple. He would not ask me to do anything that is going to be bad for me. Moreover, it is a film to launch his son Karan.

Can you tell us a little about your role?
I play a banker in the film. My forefathers had come to Mauritius from Bihar as labourers, but I have worked hard to get myself a standing in the country. Now my son falls in love with an English girl. These are the people whose forefathers used to be the masters of my forefathers. Hence there is a racial clash. Her family does not approve of the relationship at all.

How do you find Karan?
Well, he is a hard working lad. He seems to be talented. The media should be nice to newcomers. You cannot expect him to work wonders, but he will be good. Ask me this question when the film is complete.

Do you feel you had a bonanza of releases this year?
See, the media has criticised me a lot for doing a lot of films which have not done well. They keep forgetting that I am not the lead actor. Keep the success or the failures aside, but films like Khakee and Dev have given me a sense of satisfaction and contentment. I am now waiting for the release of Anil Sharma’s Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyon in which I play a Sikh for the first time.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali is full of praises for you for his film Black!
Well, he is a talented filmmaker and will go places. I must admit that this man has a lot of guts and a vision as well. After making a huge colourful film like Devdas, he opted to do a film like Black. That explains his desire to be different as well.

What other films in the pipeline?
Well, there is Virudh which Mahesh Manjrekar is directing for us. Then there is Ranveer which contrary to public perception has not been shelved and will resume next year. Currently, I am also working on this film called Family which Raj Kumar Santoshi is directing for me.

How come we do not find Abhishek’s name in the cast for Family?
See, it is not important that both Abhishek and I keep acting in all films produced by AB Corp. Every film will have a cast who suits it.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY RADIO SARGAM