Amitabh Bachchan plays the role of Meyer Wolfsheim in The Great Gatsby
New Delhi:
Amitabh Bachchan has called hisbelated Hollywood debut in The Great Gatsby "just a friendlygesture" but would not mind doing an encore if he comes acrosssomething interesting.
(Read review here)
"I don't look upon it as my Hollywood debut. It is just afriendly gesture and nothing more. It is just a small scenewith Gatsby and his friend, played by Leonardo DiCaprio andTobey Maguire. Meyer Wolfsheim is looked upon as some kind ofmentor to Gatsby in the story," Bachchan told PTI in aninterview over phone from Mumbai.
(Read: Amitabh Bachchan "in shocked disbelief" over The Great Gatsby rave review )
Asked whether he is open to doing more Hollywood films,Bachchan said, "I don't know... If something is offered and Ineed to consider, I will certainly consider it."
The Baz Luhrmann directed film, a 3D adaptation of FScott Fitzgerald's 1925 novel, is set in the roaring 1920s ofAmerica and stars DiCaprio, Maguire and Carey Mulligan in leadroles. Warner Bros is releasing the film in India on May 17,just two days after its screening at Cannes film festival.
Bachchan's appearance in the Hollywood film comes after asuccessful four-decade-long career in India as he "never cameupon a Hollywood role" before.
The megastar is seen sporting sideburns and impressivewhiskers in the movie, something that Luhrmann came up with.
"The look was Luhrmann's idea. I have got nothing to dowith it. I only told him that I can't remove my beard becauseI was in the middle of continuity and he incorporated that."
Asked about re-teaming with the Australian director, hesaid, "That's something he will have to decide. I can't speakfor him but it would be wonderful if he does and it would befantastic if he were to ask me to work again."
Bachchan is happy that India is making its presencefelt globally with its cinematic culture.
"I am delighted that India is being looked upon as anation that is culturally important as far as cinema isconcerned. A lot of talent is going across and working inHollywood, there are many co-productions.
"We hope that in future many films get shot here and alsohave Indian artistes in it. I find these are happy moments."
Bachchan first met Luhrmann, who is famous for hiscolourful movies set on a huge canvas, while the director wason a private trip to India.
"I was quite surprised that he (Luhrmann) wanted to meetme or knew who I was. We met but we did not talk about anyfilm. He was just touring India. One day he called me andsaid,'there is a small, little role. I know this is not bigfor you but I would be really happy if you could do it.' So Isaid, 'fine'," says Bachchan recounting how he came onboardfor the film.
Besides the cameo, Bachchan's famous baritone alsoappears in one of the songs in the movie. Rapper Jay-Z, who isbehind the music in the film, has incorporated a portionof his dialogue in one of the tracks.
"Jay-Z who has done the music on it, wanted to use aportion of my dialogue in the song that he has composed. BazLuhrmann just asked me whether he could use my voice. The songprobably has something to do who Gatsby is," Bachchan said.
Describing his meeting with DiCaprio and Maguire,Bachchan said they were very normal and friendly.
"We did not talk about Indian films. I don't think they(DiCaprio and Maguire) know me at all but it was nice meetingthem and they were just very casual, normal individuals. Theywere very friendly, very warm and very cooperative."
Bachchan spent about a week shooting his part and wascharmed by the professionalism on the movie set.
"We worked for 2-3 days in preparation and I think abouttwo days of shooting. It was just marvellous to watch the kindof dedication that people have on sets. Yes, the atmosphere isno different from any other set but there is a certain methodof working where everybody has designated jobs and goes aheadand fulfils it in the most efficient manner possible.
"There is huge amount of professionalism, great researchand detailing that goes into preparing something like this,especially if it is a period film and this was about 1920s NewYork."
(Read review here)
"I don't look upon it as my Hollywood debut. It is just afriendly gesture and nothing more. It is just a small scenewith Gatsby and his friend, played by Leonardo DiCaprio andTobey Maguire. Meyer Wolfsheim is looked upon as some kind ofmentor to Gatsby in the story," Bachchan told PTI in aninterview over phone from Mumbai.
(Read: Amitabh Bachchan "in shocked disbelief" over The Great Gatsby rave review )
Asked whether he is open to doing more Hollywood films,Bachchan said, "I don't know... If something is offered and Ineed to consider, I will certainly consider it."
The Baz Luhrmann directed film, a 3D adaptation of FScott Fitzgerald's 1925 novel, is set in the roaring 1920s ofAmerica and stars DiCaprio, Maguire and Carey Mulligan in leadroles. Warner Bros is releasing the film in India on May 17,just two days after its screening at Cannes film festival.
Bachchan's appearance in the Hollywood film comes after asuccessful four-decade-long career in India as he "never cameupon a Hollywood role" before.
The megastar is seen sporting sideburns and impressivewhiskers in the movie, something that Luhrmann came up with.
"The look was Luhrmann's idea. I have got nothing to dowith it. I only told him that I can't remove my beard becauseI was in the middle of continuity and he incorporated that."
Asked about re-teaming with the Australian director, hesaid, "That's something he will have to decide. I can't speakfor him but it would be wonderful if he does and it would befantastic if he were to ask me to work again."
Bachchan is happy that India is making its presencefelt globally with its cinematic culture.
"I am delighted that India is being looked upon as anation that is culturally important as far as cinema isconcerned. A lot of talent is going across and working inHollywood, there are many co-productions.
"We hope that in future many films get shot here and alsohave Indian artistes in it. I find these are happy moments."
Bachchan first met Luhrmann, who is famous for hiscolourful movies set on a huge canvas, while the director wason a private trip to India.
"I was quite surprised that he (Luhrmann) wanted to meetme or knew who I was. We met but we did not talk about anyfilm. He was just touring India. One day he called me andsaid,'there is a small, little role. I know this is not bigfor you but I would be really happy if you could do it.' So Isaid, 'fine'," says Bachchan recounting how he came onboardfor the film.
Besides the cameo, Bachchan's famous baritone alsoappears in one of the songs in the movie. Rapper Jay-Z, who isbehind the music in the film, has incorporated a portionof his dialogue in one of the tracks.
"Jay-Z who has done the music on it, wanted to use aportion of my dialogue in the song that he has composed. BazLuhrmann just asked me whether he could use my voice. The songprobably has something to do who Gatsby is," Bachchan said.
Describing his meeting with DiCaprio and Maguire,Bachchan said they were very normal and friendly.
"We did not talk about Indian films. I don't think they(DiCaprio and Maguire) know me at all but it was nice meetingthem and they were just very casual, normal individuals. Theywere very friendly, very warm and very cooperative."
Bachchan spent about a week shooting his part and wascharmed by the professionalism on the movie set.
"We worked for 2-3 days in preparation and I think abouttwo days of shooting. It was just marvellous to watch the kindof dedication that people have on sets. Yes, the atmosphere isno different from any other set but there is a certain methodof working where everybody has designated jobs and goes aheadand fulfils it in the most efficient manner possible.
"There is huge amount of professionalism, great researchand detailing that goes into preparing something like this,especially if it is a period film and this was about 1920s NewYork."
