Amitabh Bachchan

‘Epithets, accolades and glorious verbosity that come my way are undeserved’

Amitabh Bachchan

The hallmark of his 50-year career in the film industry has been his unfailing professionalism. An actor who highly values time and uses it preciously, Amitabh Bachchan is known to be the most punctual star in showbiz. And it is time that has embraced him with open arms. At 76, his commitment to his craft is unparalleled. He is unstoppable, and he’s an actor who has truly kept up with the times. And as the drill goes for every film, he engages in a conversation about his upcoming thriller Badla — helmed by Sujoy Ghosh and starring Taapsee Pannu in the other lead — only this time, it is short and sweet. But before the first question can be put forth, with characteristic elegance, he says, “Before all else, I wish to state that these interviews for the promotion of my film Badla come laden with our hearts and mind in condolence and prayers for the bravehearts we lost in Pulwama, and the bravehearts that fight and protect us each hour for our safety and security!”

He brings dignity and maturity to every project that he partakes in. Despite his aura, he doesn’t consider his stature and standing, special. An advertisement recently released by a popular dairy brand celebrated Mr Bachchan’s Golden Jubilee, and the caption read, ‘Tab Bhi B, Ab Bhi B’ (with two illustrations of the actor, one from the past and one from the present, and in both he’s shown in action — running). Bang on! Addressing the euphoria around this landmark year, he says, “Epithets, accolades and glorious verbosity that come my way are undeserved. I could not understand the ad.” Fifty years on, and he’s worked in almost every genre of film possible. His latest film, Badla, is a quintessential thriller where an old lawyer Badal Gupta (played by Mr Bachchan) comes to the aid of a young woman Naina (Taapsee), who is under suspicion for the murder of a man.



Amitabh Bachchan

‘YOUNG ACTORS GIVE YOU A DIFFERENT VIEW OF THE WORLD AND IT’S MOST EDUCATIVE’

Recently, thrillers like AndhaDhun and Tumbbad have put the spotlight on this genre, in Hindi cinema. When talking about the genre, which has a lot of potential for filmmakers, but remains quite untapped, he turns around and stresses that thrillers have always been an exciting part of the world of movies. “From time immemorial, thrillers have occupied a vital part of film history in our firmament. For someone from my generation, I can recall Mahal, Ashok Kumar and Madhubala’s 1949 film, as an outstanding production. Several others since and after have had their say and stay in Hindi cinema,” he explains.

Ask him if he has some favourites from this genre, and he replies, “There are several! Naming them would be a test for my memory at my age. Alfred Hitchcock and his films would be the choice for international thrillers.”

Speaking of Badla, it was the uniqueness of the story that caught his attention. He explains, “I liked the story; I liked the director, Sujoy Ghosh. I liked the suspense and the thriller element it contained.” Ghosh’s psychological thriller, Kahaani (2012) had redefined the narrative of thrillers in our cinema during that phase. To make a film with a solid, gripping and emotional story in this space, one needs a deep sense and understanding of the human psyche. Mr Bachchan, who has worked with Ghosh in the past (Aladin, 2009), adds, “Sujoy is an intelligent and talented mind. His directorial ventures give ample proof of his creativity. He is restless, yet most composed in his thinking and what he desires from his artistes. It’s been a joy working with him.”

Not just young filmmakers, lately, he has been collaborating with a lot of young actors like Taapsee, Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt (in Brahmastra) and many others. He is always lavish with his praise for the new breed of actors and he shows keenness and excitement to collaborate with them on a variety of subjects. “They do give you a different view of the world and it’s most educative,” he says.

Apart from acting, one of his other passions is music. For Badla, he has rapped for a track called Aukaat. In his 2018 release 102 Not Out, he sang a peppy track called Badumbaa, and he shook a leg to that, too. Even in the past, he has delightedly stepped in to lend his voice for several songs. He takes his passion seriously, and he also has a full-fledged recording studio at his home where he occasionally brushes up on his musical skills. Talking about his affection for music he says, “Who doesn’t love music? Music plucks the chords and strings of our souls… it’s divine.” Recently, acclaimed sitar player and composer Niladri Kumar presented Mr Bachchan with a zitar. Speaking about it, the acting legend says, “Yes, Niladri gifted me a zitar. I do not know how to play any instrument and I lament that.”

HARSH RAJPUT

‘If supernatural shows excite the audience, how can actors have a say on whether the genre is good or bad?’

HARSH RAJPUT

Television has seen quite a few actresses turn daayans on screen. Now, it looks like even male actors are slipping into a similar avatar. Harsh Rajput is currently seen playing Daavansh — half human-half devil — on the TV show Nazar. Ask the actor if it was lack of good content-based roles that made him opt for the supernatural genre and he replies, “I have always believed in doing something different. So, when a devil’s role was offered, I saw it as an opportunity to do some good action sequences.”

He, however, denies that the genre is clogging the GEC space. He reasons, “The audiences decide what they want to watch. If supernatural shows excite them, how can actors have a say on whether the genre is good or bad?”


Interestingly, Harsh, who has earlier been a part of shows like Dharam Veer, Hitler Didi, Dharti Ka Veer Yodha Prithviraj Chauhan, Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke and Janbaaz Sindbad, was at one point thinking of giving up his acting career. He says, “After Saath Nibhaana Saathiya ended, I auditioned for a few shows, but they didn’t work out. Rejection and failure almost made me give up, but I have realised that patience and self-belief are the two most important traits for anyone. Fortunately, Nazar happened sometime ago. I feel that it is important to be happy with what you get and keep doing your work instead of being choosy.”

But does he feel that male actors don’t have much to do in shows, many of which revolve around women? “Not really. Even on my show Nazar, every character is as important as the daayan. Also, I am getting an opportunity here to play different characters at the same time.”

Harsh, who relocated from Navsari to Mumbai around 12 years ago, says it wasn’t easy for him when he first came here. He says, “Since Navsari is a small town, my world turned upside down when I came to Mumbai. Probably my confidence level was not that high then. It took me a while to understand the culture in a big city. But gradually I learned how to survive here.”

Harsh sports a six-pack physique and like others he too feels that it is important to be fit specially when you are an actor. He says, “I feel nowadays many actors have to do bare-chested scenes and you need to look extremely toned for that. My six pack abs actually helped me land a role in the show as it required many action scenes.”

The actor also feels it’s important to stick to your belief system and not compromise on your values. He says, “There are some people who try to take advantage of you. But it's up to you whether you want to compromise.”

AMIT SARIN SHIFTS BASE TO THE US

The actor has quit the TV industry and India to pursue his Hollywood dreams

Dreams know no boundaries. Ask actor Amit Sarin. The Banaras-born TV actor, who has featured on several shows like Kkusum, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Doli Saja Ke and Pavitra Rishta, and was last seen on Nisha Aur Uske Cousins, moved with his family — wife Vineesha and two children — to the US in May, 2018.

BT met Amit when he was recently in India on a visit. He said, “Since the past five years, I was not taking up shows here unless they were really appealing. I was busy setting up a production house with my wife and I was completely focussed on it and hence, acting took a back seat.”


His life changed when Vineesha developed a Hollywood project and happened to meet the legendary actor, Al Pacino, for it. Titled Tiger Heart, the film will have five principal actors. While four of them will be Hollywood artistes, the fifth character will be portrayed by Amit himself.

The actor added, “Meeting Al Pacino gave me the faith and vision to look beyond what I was doing. At that point, I wasn’t too happy with what I was being offered on TV, but had to do it to run my home. Things started falling in place last year, and we shifted base to the US because it’s an outand-out Hollywood project.”

The decision was not an easy one, as it required leaving behind a career of 20 years and starting from scratch in a new country. Amit recalled, “Everyone around me was shocked at my decision. Honestly, it was tough, but when the drive to succeed and excel is powerful, it takes over everything else. We tried making the film from Mumbai, but it was impossible. For such things, there are no half measures. The age of my children — my daughter was six and my son, four — was also right for us to move. Since Vineesha was raised in New York, she understands the culture there.”

Amit said that he had to say ‘no’ to a lot of offers back home in Mumbai. “My biggest challenge was to break away from the comfort zone here. In June 2018, I got a big offer, and it was heartbreaking to decline it. I keep getting offers, because most people don’t know that I have shifted base. It did take a toll on me, as I couldn’t take up the offers because I was pursuing a bigger dream. Fortunately, Vineesha coped with me. She’s my pillar of strength and was there when I needed her the most,” he signed off.

All of us have grey shades and I find that aspect in people’s personalities very interesting: Sujoy Ghosh

All of us have grey shades and I find that aspect in people’s personalities very interesting: Sujoy Ghosh

In a chat with Bombay Times, Sujoy Ghosh talks about movies, his passion for capturing intense conversations between his characters on camera, his comfort with rejection, ideas of revenge and his upcoming film, Badla.

Sujoy, you take your own sweet time to make movies. How do you keep away from the rat race which comes with the territory?


I come from an average middle class family. Mine is not a sob story, but everything in my life has been a struggle and is still a struggle. I don’t expect anything on a platter. I have had to work hard for everything in my life and I am okay with it. I am used to rejection. In fact, I am very good with rejection as I have not tasted success at every step in my life. I had to give tons of interviews before I landed my first job. I wanted to do Computer Science from Manchester University, but I got rejected. But then, I worked hard and got in.


Taapsee Pannu and Amitabh Bachchan in a still from Badla


Sujoy Ghosh

I have always been around capable and strong women, so I feel I know where they are coming from: Sujoy Ghosh

I know this process and I am cool with it so I think that helps me stay sane. I could write a script and I am aware that it may not get made into a film because it could also be a shitty script.

Your films are led by strong female characters. Vidya Balan in Kahaani for instance or Taapsee Pannu in Badla...

I have grown up around strong women. I don’t know if strong is the right adjective, but I have seen my grandmother, then mother controlling and taking charge of our family. Even now my wife takes care of us in a way. I have always been around capable and strong women so I feel I know where they are coming from. Be it Ahalya (his Bengali short film starring Radhika Apte) or Durga (Vidya Balan in Kahaani 2), I have seen such strong women who have influenced me. Even as an individual, I get to learn a lot from Taapsee or a Vidya as people.

As a filmmaker you tend to be intrigued by capturing conversations on camera.

It’s interesting. Why are we talking for the past 10 minutes? There has to be something about this conversation. How do I present this to the audience, who would then be equally interested in knowing what you and I are talking about. That’s the challenge I like. That’s making a thriller out of a normal conversation. I enjoy that and the master of this was Satyajit Ray and Rituparno Ghosh. Their films were about conversations.

Many believe that the best form of revenge is no revenge, instead you just move on. If you were to keep the film aside for a while, what’s your take on revenge?

Interesting question. I live by the Mahabharata. I am not willing to let go of anything without putting up a fight. That’s me. I don’t know if that translates into revenge or confrontation. If somebody has wronged me in life, I will fight back but it also depends on the situation. The question determines the answer. If someone punches me in the face, I will punch him back but it all differs from situation to situation.

Badla is a Hindi adaptation of Spanish film The Invisible Guest. What made you choose this film in particular for a remake?

Initially, I didn’t want to do it. It is Taapsee’s fault (smiles). She kept telling me that it’s interesting. I finally read what was written and felt that I can contribute to it. As a director, I need to know if I can contribute to a certain story. The challenge was to tell something that was already told in a fantastic manner (Spanish original), so how do you top that?

You seem to have a special connect with Mr Bachchan. Is it intimidating to tell him what you (as a director) think he needs to or doesn’t need to do for a particular shot? What’s the process like when you work with him?

I will always draw a line, but he expects you to say what you feel, else you are doing a disservice to your film. If there is anything I don’t agree with, I will always discuss it with sir. That discussion is of utmost importance. I will always voice my concerns or interests to him and sir is very clever. He does control checks to see whether we are sleeping on the set or not (laughs!). He knows exactly what you want to say even when you don’t say it. He has this process of understanding the script over and over again. Once he studies that, he does what he thinks is correct and if that’s okay with me, we go ahead. If not, I explain to him my point of view and if he agrees, we change it. It’s very organic, we discuss and improvise.

You are particularly drawn to layered thrillers, isn’t it?

It’s a coincidence but I do feel I am attracted to stories which are of this nature. Given another story or genre, I think I will be able to tell that too. I started my career with Jhankaar Beats after all. I don’t care about genres as long as it’s exciting enough for me to give nine months of my life to that film. As far as layering is concerned, when I was growing up, everything was very black and white. Hero, heroine, villain... it was all very compartmentalised but as we go through life, you see things about yourself which you didn’t know existed. The good and the bad side. You evolve. When I fight with my wife and think about it later, I feel I am a very bad person but in my head I was right in doing what I did. It all exists within us and that’s how the layering comes. We have different sides to our personality, all of us have grey shades and I find that aspect in people very interesting.

The audience will become the judge in Badla: Taapsee Pannu

Director Sujoy Ghosh, who is known for edgy thrillers like Kahaani (2012) and Kahaani 2: Durga Rani Singh (2016), is all set for his next outing, Badla. The film is a Hindi adaptation of the 2016 Spanish crime thriller, The Invisible Guest. It will bring Amitabh Bachchan and Taapsee Pannu back together in lead roles, after their last successful outing in Pink (2016). While Big B plays a high-profile lawyer, Taapsee will be seen as a powerful business woman.

Talking about the film, the actress says, “Badla is whodunit murder mystery and I think that genre hasn’t been explored much in Bollywood. Most whodunits progress in a linear fashion but here, you have two people (Taapsee and Amitabh Bachchan) sitting across a table and discussing the same incident multiple times from different perspectives. There are various versions to the same incident and it’s about discovering which one is right, especially when no one is telling complete lies. What’s true and what isn’t… how do you find that? The audience will become the judge. The story is interestingly crafted and layered. You won’t even go for a loo break for the fear of missing out on a crucial scene.”


On his part, Sujoy is happy to work with Amitabh Bachchan once again. The filmmaker says, “I love working with sir. Every time I work with him, I learn something new. Making a film is such a long and arduous task that you need to be with people who you enjoy working with. They need to make you look forward to your work. In a way, he is the youngest member on the set.”

Badla, presented by Red Chillies Entertainment, in association with Azure Entertainment, co- produced by Gaurav Verma, and produced by Gauri Khan, Sunir Kheterpal and Akshai Puri, releases on March 8.

ZAYN TWEETS ‘LOVE YOU’ TO GIGI TWO MONTHS AFTER SPLITTING

Recently, Zayn Malik tweeted to Gigi Hadid, saying, “Love you” — making fans wonder what the on-again, off-again couple’s current relationship status is. Hadid is yet to reply to her former flame’s message, but has tweeted back to a couple of fans.

A source told an American website in January that the two broke up, but not because they don’t love one another. “After trying for a long time, the couple just couldn’t make it work. Zayn has been dealing with personal things for a while and Gigi has become a comfort blanket for him,” the source explained.


“Gigi will always support him but she realised only Zayn can help Zayn.”

Making a hard-hitting film around women’s safety

Director Sunil Pathare’s long and interesting journey of exploring different creative endeavours has resulted in him making Meera, a 30-minute film on women’s safety. His passion for photography and landscape paintings, intertwined with his penchant for storytelling, holds him in good stead. Talking about his passion for filmmaking, Pathare says, “A good idea and a thought-provoking message, if executed well, will always find an audience. Once an idea makes its place in my mind, nothing deters me from seeing it through.”

The film is Pathare’s directorial debut and he chose to take a non-commercial route while making a sensitive and muchneeded film around women’s issues. He adds, “Looking at the situation not only in India, but around the world, there should be many more films like Meera. If we have a medium like cinema that can create an influence around the world, we should use it to bring about a change.”


Full of ideas, Pathare aims to venture into unexplored realms of filmmaking by experimenting with thought-provoking themes and subjects. The story of this movie depicts an alternate reality where there is no law stopping men from committing violent sexual acts against women. The narrative unfolds in a different way and puts forth lot of questions for the viewers to assess.

Meera, a Maxwell Entertainment presentation and Roopesh Rai production, produced by Kapil Pathare, creative producer Roopesh Rai Sikand, features Kimaya Bhattacharya playing the title role.

‘Glorification of trolls has added crazy pressure on entertainers’

She’s one of the most followed celebrities in the world, especially on social media. Having made an impact in both Bollywood and Hollywood, Priyanka Chopra has always marched to her own tune. In a recent conversation, the actress says glorification of trolling has added “crazy pressure” on entertainers. She feels the increasing prevalence of trolling culture will only lead to bullying and depression.

Speaking about the pressure of being a global star, the Quantico actress says, “First of all, the pressure comes from people’s opinion and how in today’s age everyone’s opinion becomes news. Most of the time, I see media writing about someone getting trolled for this or that. I have never understood how somebody’s opinion becomes news. How the media gives such credence to maybe 500, 600 or 1000 people writing behind the anonymity of the computer.” Priyanka also adds, “Those are the pressures that are not even created by us or the fans. It is just created by the one thing — which is the internet. It has has made people’s job easier... You can make a story out of anybody’s comment. Glorification of trolls has added crazy pressure on entertainers.”


The actress has come back to India for her brother Siddharth Chopra’s roka ceremony, which took place in Delhi recently. Right now she’s in Mumbai for professional commitments. And, speaking about the demanding lifestyle of a celebrity, she says, “There is something called living your life according to the social responsibility that you feel as an individual and then there is something else — living your life according to how everybody else wants to you to live. That is not the world we should live in.” Priyanka has also faced the wrath of social media for myriad subjects like her dressing style, using firecrackers at her wedding last year or even for taking her husband and singer Nick Jonas’ last name.

She points out a serious implication that comes out of the trolling culture, as she explains, “Our children should not be thought that people’s opinions are that important... When they get bullied in school or when they get bullied as teenagers because of the comments written on Instagram, it can lead them to depression or taking harsh decisions in their lives. It is being propagated by these stories where we give so much importance to the way we look on Instagram or what we talk about on Twitter or what our image is.”

Talking about her own journey, she says, “I have not lived my life according to somebody else. I have walked to the beat of my own drum, but I am very cognizant of somebody’s feelings as a public person.” 

‘I will only go to events that are taking place for peace or for protests against war’

Gurmehar Kaur says those who ridiculed her in 2017, now understand the relevance of peace between India & Pak

Gurmehar Kaur, the Delhi University student who kicked up a storm in 2017 with her post on social media, advocating stronger Indo-Pak relations, says her narrative against war is being understood now by people in the face of military escalation at the Indo-Pak border. The girl, who is now an author and student peace activist, says she still fears radical student outfits, who had threatened her when she posted a video in 2017 saying that, Pakistan didn’t kill her father, a martyred Indian Army officer, but the war did. Speaking to the team at an event, Gurmehar reitertated her stand. Excerpts.

Given the present situation between India and Pakistan, has your stance changed since the time you first started the narrative of peace between the two countries?


My stance will never change. My stance is something that I came to terms with after twenty years of walking this planet, and isn’t something that dawned on me one fine day. It’s a very strong opinion that I formed over the years. In the present situation in the country, people ask me why I haven’t made my opinions vocal now. I tell them that, I don’t need to speak about it again and again. Now that the fear of war is looming, people are like, ‘Yeah that silly girl was right’. I think now other people need to say what I was saying back in 2017. I have said enough.

In your opinion, is the present situation between India and Pakistan scary?

I am actually surprised that someone is using the word ‘scary’. Because when I had posted an anti-war narrative, people threatened me, hated me. Even now, the word they use is ‘tense’ and not scary.

Last time when you took a stand against political party, they threatened you with death and rape. You had to leave Delhi for a while too. Do you still feel fear?

Yes, I am still scared. I don’t take the metro, and I still travel by auto. I don’t take public transport anymore. I am now extra careful, and don’t go out in particular spaces or places that has radical presence. I will only go to certain events that are taking place for peace, or for protests against war. And if I am going to attend events, I don't really put out my location or whereabouts on social media. I just be a part of the protest and mingle with the crowd as one of them.

The teaser of RAW (Romeo Akbar Walter)

RAW is a tale of patriotism and valour

The teaser of RAW (Romeo Akbar Walter), which released on Republic Day, has caught the attention of every patriotic citizen. Set in the tumultuous period of 1968-71, the film is based on true events that left an impact on the future of three countries. It was one of the shortest wars in history, with the Pakistan Army eventually surrendering to the Indian Army. The story is based on a period where the subcontinent’s most decisive battle led to the birth of a new nation — Bangladesh. The country’s intelligence agencies played a crucial part in this conflict where India’s every action was precise, impactful and deadly.

Written and directed by Robbie Grewal, this espionage thriller is a salute to those who serve the nation behind enemy lines and yet remain nameless faceless and often forgotten. The trailer of the much-anticipated film is being launched today by producers Ajit Andhare, COO, Viacom18 Studios, Ajay Kapoor, Producer and Managing Director, KYTA Productions and Vanessa Walia of VA Films. John Abraham essays the role of a RAW agent, who chooses to serve his country and sacrifices everything he has... even his very existence. The film also has an ensemble star cast featuring Jackie Shroff, Mouni Roy, Suchitra Krishnamoorthi, Sikander Kherr and Raghubir Yadav.


RAW (Romeo Akbar Walter), produced by Viacom18 Motion Pictures, Dheeraj Wadhawan, Ajay Kapoor, Vanessa Walia, and Gary Grewal, releases on April 5.

Why Kartik Aaryan didn’t invite his family on set in Gwalior

Kartik Aaryan

The story of Kartik Aaryan and Kriti Sanon’s Luka Chhupi is set in Gwalior and recently, while promoting the romantic comedy, the lead man revealed that he was warmly welcomed in the city with placards with slogans like ‘Son of Gwalior’. It was during a location reccee that the director, Laxman Utekar discovered that the quaint Madhya Pradesh city is Kartik’s home town. However, Laxman admits that he was surprised to see the kind of fan-following the actor enjoys back home.

When we asked if it became a nuisance to shoot in the city, Laxman told us, “Kartik is a superstar in Gwalior. I am not joking; we had to call the police and get extra bouncers to guard him. We were shooting at the Gwalior Fort and it became so difficult to film, because there were thousands of people waiting to see him. When we cast him, I had thought yeh ubharta sitara hai, but eventually, I realised yeh already sitara hai.”


Despite being in his home town, Kartik preferred to stay with the film team. Laxman reveals, “You can’t force actors to hang out with the unit or to stay in a hotel together with everyone in the crew. In that sense, Kartik was very professional. He stayed with us throughout the schedule except for the days when we were not shooting. Those were the only days when he went to see his parents and friends, or they came to spend time with him. He used to get irritated if an acquaintance dropped by when he was shooting. He had that apologetic expression on his face. He hates being distracted at work.”