Big b photographed on the sets of Aaj Ki Raat Hai Zindagi.
New Delhi:
For years, fans have thronged the gate of his Mumbai bungalow every Sunday morning. He has the maximum followers on Twitter for an Indian and has a burgeoning "extended family" of those who read his blog. Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan who, at 73, attracts fans galore wherever he goes, said that they are an "essential" part of an actor's career.
The actor, who has spent over four decades in the film industry, often shares instances of how his fans end up getting either amused or startled if he's travelling in the same airplane as them; or of the exhilaration that they experience upon clicking selfies with him and more.
But Big B, a globally popular face from Bollywood and one who has admirers across the world, brushes it off as just a result of 'celebrity' status.
"I think this would happen to any one that has claims to being a celebrity. There is nothing wrong in it or objectionable. Fan interest is essential for an actor. They make us who we are. Giving them attention or getting it from them is justifiable," Big B told IANS in an email interview.
That has been an ongoing phenomenon throughout his career.
It's interesting how the actor has been experimenting with his driving skills -- whether it's riding a bicycle for Piku, a scooter for Te3n or even a tuk-tuk for leisure. But he said that the best drive for him has been his 45-year-long journey in showbiz.
When asked to share his best driving memory, the three-time National Award winner said: "Driving memories? 45 years in the film industry has been a wonderful drive!"
And why not? Best known for his roles in films like Anand, Agneepath, Namak Haraam, Don, Hum, Zanjeer, Black and Paa to name a few, Big B has regaled Hindi film buffs as much with his 'angry young man' persona as with his romantic roles; as much with intensely dramatic roles as those with a comical streak.
From portraying a 12-year-old boy Auro in Paa; to a friendly ghost in Bhoothnath Returns, a failed actor and drunkard in Shamitabh and a grumpy father in Piku - these all are a few of his recent portrayals on the silver screen that have been a testament to the veteran actor's talent, which has not faded, but only enhanced with age.
"At my age, this is the best that can come my way and one should be thankful and grateful that there is work available at this time of my career," said the son of late poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Teji Bachchan.
The experience of facing the camera has not changed for Mr Bachchan.
"Every day is an experience for me. Filmmaking has only one gospel - the sound of 'start sound', 'camera', 'clap', 'action' - you better get it right after hearing those words," he said.
Adding more versatility to his filmography comes Wazir, which features Amitabh as a paralysed grand chess master, confined to a wheelchair.
He said that the wheelchair made matters "a lot easier".
"I did not have to worry where to keep my hands. But seriously, it was great to be able to portray a character I had never done before," said Mr Bachchan, who said that the preparations for the role weren't too many.
It's a project that Amitabh readily said "yes" to, especially since it was an idea that filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra, whom he describes as an "astute producer", had narrated to him around 15 years ago. Big B had liked it then. (Also Read: What Amitabh Bachchan Thinks About Wazir)
Now that the film is ready to hit theatres on Friday, Big B describes it as a "smart and modern film, unique in its structure and presentation".
"And, yes, this one has been made most sensitively as well. It's intelligent and swift-paced," added the actor, who has also sung a track titled Atrangi Yaari along with co-star Farhan Akhtar for the Bejoy Nambiar directed-movie.
The actor, who has spent over four decades in the film industry, often shares instances of how his fans end up getting either amused or startled if he's travelling in the same airplane as them; or of the exhilaration that they experience upon clicking selfies with him and more.
But Big B, a globally popular face from Bollywood and one who has admirers across the world, brushes it off as just a result of 'celebrity' status.
"I think this would happen to any one that has claims to being a celebrity. There is nothing wrong in it or objectionable. Fan interest is essential for an actor. They make us who we are. Giving them attention or getting it from them is justifiable," Big B told IANS in an email interview.
That has been an ongoing phenomenon throughout his career.
It's interesting how the actor has been experimenting with his driving skills -- whether it's riding a bicycle for Piku, a scooter for Te3n or even a tuk-tuk for leisure. But he said that the best drive for him has been his 45-year-long journey in showbiz.
When asked to share his best driving memory, the three-time National Award winner said: "Driving memories? 45 years in the film industry has been a wonderful drive!"
And why not? Best known for his roles in films like Anand, Agneepath, Namak Haraam, Don, Hum, Zanjeer, Black and Paa to name a few, Big B has regaled Hindi film buffs as much with his 'angry young man' persona as with his romantic roles; as much with intensely dramatic roles as those with a comical streak.
From portraying a 12-year-old boy Auro in Paa; to a friendly ghost in Bhoothnath Returns, a failed actor and drunkard in Shamitabh and a grumpy father in Piku - these all are a few of his recent portrayals on the silver screen that have been a testament to the veteran actor's talent, which has not faded, but only enhanced with age.
"At my age, this is the best that can come my way and one should be thankful and grateful that there is work available at this time of my career," said the son of late poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Teji Bachchan.
The experience of facing the camera has not changed for Mr Bachchan.
"Every day is an experience for me. Filmmaking has only one gospel - the sound of 'start sound', 'camera', 'clap', 'action' - you better get it right after hearing those words," he said.
Adding more versatility to his filmography comes Wazir, which features Amitabh as a paralysed grand chess master, confined to a wheelchair.
He said that the wheelchair made matters "a lot easier".
"I did not have to worry where to keep my hands. But seriously, it was great to be able to portray a character I had never done before," said Mr Bachchan, who said that the preparations for the role weren't too many.
It's a project that Amitabh readily said "yes" to, especially since it was an idea that filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra, whom he describes as an "astute producer", had narrated to him around 15 years ago. Big B had liked it then. (Also Read: What Amitabh Bachchan Thinks About Wazir)
Now that the film is ready to hit theatres on Friday, Big B describes it as a "smart and modern film, unique in its structure and presentation".
"And, yes, this one has been made most sensitively as well. It's intelligent and swift-paced," added the actor, who has also sung a track titled Atrangi Yaari along with co-star Farhan Akhtar for the Bejoy Nambiar directed-movie.
