My only wish is that I get work, says Amitabh Bachchan

He likes to move ahead with time and talking in pure Hindi is his habit. At the age of 71, he has great energy and a long queue of films in his kitty. He doesn't like the word Bollywood. He claims he's capable of doing the role of the angry young man even today. In Vidhu Vinod Chopra's next movie, he is going to play the character of a chess player. Most of the time he maintains good distance from media, but this time Bollywood superstar has been seen promoting his movie 'Bhoothnath returns' on TV and other media. He agrees that nowadays marketing is the main tool as far as a film's promotion goes. Here's an exclusive interview with Bollywood's superstar Amitabh Bachchan.

Work is never easy: Amitabh Bachchan

These days you are quite visible on TV for promoting your movie. Any special reason?

Marketing is an important tool. TV medium are also grown up. Earlier there were only one government channel. Now, we have 500-600 channels. In past movies run for 25, 50 and 75 weeks, people had time and they saw the movie again and again. Now days, you can watch anything on you tube or TV at home only. This reduces films life and now films earn only 1 or 2 weeks. People want to enforce promotion to earn as much as possible in first 1 or 2 weeks that's why we are focusing on marketing.

How was this experience?

In the beginning, we felt very awkward because we belong to old generation. But according to me we have to move with generation.

How would you see Indian cinema at international level?

India Cinema has its own charm and importance. Besides that our films are criticized in foreign, we haven't changed ourselves and I am very happy with this. In 1970-80's, whenever we go to foreign, at that time they criticize our films. They say movies have songs...The society and atmosphere we have in India, the reason due to which we make movies and the kind of people saw the movies, these movies are perfect for them. Foreigners don't understand this as they don't have this kind of environment in their country.
Good point is that after so many years, foreigners also recognizing our cinema. They consider us inferior due to our population but now it's becoming our USP. In Foreign, around 1 to 1.5 crore people see a program, so they thought that they have achieved a milestone whereas in India this figure completes by half Mumbai. They can't imagine that here around 25 crore people see a program. Due to population, for them its economic gain and big studios are coming to India and they are making collaborations and movies.

After spending 45 years in movies, do you face any difficulty while facing the camera?

Every day I face problems. Work is never easy. As the time changes, we need to move with it. It's completely wrong to perceive that anything is easy for me too. According to me, I never want to be in a situation where I felt that work is so easy.

It's election time. Film stars are joining politics and campaigning for politicians, have you not received any such offers?

No, I have left politics long ago.

Has any friend asked for a favour?

They know that I don't do politics. The day I left, I have never done any political work and not even say single word on any political platform.

Amitabh Bachchan's newly released film Bhoothnath Returns has garnered a good response.

As an actor, is there any character that you want to play?

I hope for this type of role. My only wish is that I get work, if we get work then I feel good, but directors need to think, they need to search. If they come up with any character, then I need to see whether it's challenging or not.

While selecting a character, what things do you mainly consider?

The story. My Character. Who is directing, producing. Will movie going to be complete or not. After making, what is the strategy for promotion and distribution, and many more things come into mind. Many people are not aware of such things. And even I don't know complete about this business.

In this matter, where does the new generation stand?

Today's generation actor has much more knowledge. Many of them are even producers. They are running their own companies. Whether it's Shahrukh, Hrithik, Aamir or Slaman, they have their own companies. I appreciate these peoples as they knew this business as I don't know anything about this business.

Any character or movie due to which you have any regret?

No, no... I have never thought this, I have done many films and I am proud on all those movies.

Are you recording Harivansh Rai Bachchan's Jan Geeta?

It's in process. I have not set any timeline. I have recorded Hanuman Chalisa as of now and working on Sunderkand. Jan Geeta is translated version of Geeta. Babuji translated this into Tulsidas's Ramayana language and this is done by anyone first time. Of Course you will get to hear this very soon.

You don't like to use the word Bollywood. Do you still maintain the same stand?

Yes, I think, it is not a good name.

But it's quite popular?

Forget popular. It's now in dictionary, too. No, even today I don't like this. I like the term Indian Film Industry only.

Does gossip about you and your family published in the papers, bother you?

You are in a business which is connected to public life. Such 'gossip' is published because people want to know what we are doing, eating and wearing. There is eagerness to know the things due to which it all happens nothing else.

How are you so active in this age?

In my opinion, as long as my body allows it, I should continue to work.

Do you advise Abhishek and Aishwarya about the kind of work they should do?

No, no...They are self-sufficient.