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