The legend

You have lent your voice to Dhanush, who reportedly plays a deaf and mute character in Shamitabh. What made you say yes to the offbeat concept?
The concept was created by R Balki, a person, who has continuously thought differently in his creative process. Each time he thinks thus, it strengthens my belief that he is ‘on’ something! He has never divulged his ‘poison’; I’ve never asked. He enjoys the process of creation. I attempt, often poorly, to give it life. He has been most generous in his acclaim towards me. But I know I have failed him on far too many occasions.

Do you think Shamitabh is an ode to your voice? How challenging was it for you to match Dhanush’s performance through your voice?
It would be arrogantly contemptuous in a most conceited and supercilious manner to ever entertain the thought that a film would be an ode to my voice – an element that has been given undue and blatant accolade. Shamitabh is just another film, designed in the inventive mind of a maker. It is best left at that. Challenge and matching… it calls for praise for Dhanush. It was the other way round. I recorded the entire film much before it went on set. Dhanush performed to it brilliantly!

You are always keen to learn something from youngsters. What did you learn from Dhanush and Akshara Haasan?
The simplicity of expression!

Balki is now like family to you. Do you sit with him on the script level and make it better with your inputs?
Undoubtedly, Balki is like family. And yes we do sit and discuss the script for hours and days. He has always had an open and receptive mind during such discussions and is most ready to accept what he believes is in the interest of the product. And to his credit there have been occasions when he has taken drastic u-turns as well. But eventually, it is his vision that must prevail. I’ve never insisted, and neither has he, on any point of disagreement between us.

If you could be the guiding voice to someone, who would, you choose?
Hah! I do not have the capability or the acumen to become a guiding voice for anyone. But yes, if ever there were to be a situation that coerces me to do so, I’d choose my children and grandchildren.

The promos of Vazir (directed by Bejoy Nambiar) have created a buzz. Again, a difficult role in the sense that you’re playing someone who has lost his legs and is confined to the wheelchair.
All roles are difficult to portray. Nothing comes easy in front of the camera. I’d like to believe that standing on your ‘own feet’ would be a bigger challenge for anyone in a film.

Apparently, Deepika Padukone has started calling you Baba as she’s playing your daughter in Shoojit Sircar’s Piku?
Yes she plays my daughter in Piku and in character she addresses me as Baba. Often, she playfully does that off camera too.

Which classic of yours would you like to see remade… and with whom? Or are classics better left alone?
If any of my films do fall into that category, then yes, they are better left alone.

Abhishek (Bachchan) was appreciated in Happy New Year. Is he getting his due as an actor?
He has in the past, in the present, and hopefully he will in the future too.

Aishwarya (Rai Bachchan) is going to make a comeback in 2015. Is the family excited?
Yes of course. She has always had the liberty to get back to films. And we shall always be supportive and excited.

What was your state of mind when your long time friend and collaborator Deven Verma recently passed away?
Deven was someone who never appeared without straight-faced humour! Directing a film, producing it, as a co-star, as an integral part of a stage show, in social gatherings… there was always that little trick or two he had, which brought laughter to the occasion. ‘This floor is made of cement concrete’ was our favourite meeting line as we pretended to sink into the floor – it giving way - contrary to the words said. He needed to be around a lot longer.

What mix of emotions did you experience before your recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi? Can Amitabh Bachchan get nervous?
I have met the Hon. Prime Minister on many occasions and they have all been most congenial. His demeanor and conduct, despite his exalted position, has always been warm and welcoming. I would have a mix of emotions if I were to meet him to ask him of something. But I never have asked him for anything. I do hope that I never need to do so.

What’s the next level for you as an actor?
By this question you presume that I have attained some level, which  I must now push or go past to reach somewhere else, perhaps higher. Your presumptions are incorrect.
I cannot say of others but I am still struggling to find level ground. And by the way things are going and have gone, I perhaps never will.

Would you agree that the camera is the most revered deity for an actor?
Yes! And all those behind it… the DOP, the crew, the director, the writer, the producer, assistants… all!

Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) enters its 14th year. How did the show enrich you?
KBC, apart from its intrinsic game value, introduces us to an India that many do not have opportunity to know or reach. I feel privileged to get an opportunity to be able to spend time with the contestants, to learn of their existence, their issues and their incredible and indescribable exuberance in winning the prize amount. For most, it’s a life changing experience. I’m just delighted that I could be part of that experience.

How do you handle gushing female fans – of all ages – on the set and off it?
With great dignity and respect!


You’re an international icon. Do you feel it’s a huge responsibility?
Explain this to me please! This is a media created title. At times there has been felicitation under its synonym. I am none of this and never shall be – whatever it may mean. It sounds rather generous.  A little too generous for my limited capacity, thank you kindly!

What is that one thing you’d like to tell the youngsters?
Youngsters in the film industry? Learn the language of your vocation, learn your lines and learn to zip up your pants before appearing in public!

What fitness tips would you like to give to us lesser mortals?
I have no particular regimen to share. I guess what you feel content with would be the best. I read your tweets where you constantly mention your Sundays and mother’s hand-cooked delicacies. Mothers are never wrong – stay with that!

What’s the secret of being the king of social media?
You are not going to battle me with such regal inanities! The social media came to me quite by chance and has now grown to an ‘extended family’ (EF) status for my well wishers. I personally operate all my platforms and may I say that your interview is presently eating up my time with my EF. I connect with them every day – it’s Day 2442 on Blog, T 1715 (or the number of days on Twitter) and FB 805, which is the number of days on FaceBook. It is permanent in my life now, among many others. There is a secret but
I am not telling you!

You have started writing poetry and share snippets on social media. Is there a book in the offing?
I do not have the intellect to write poetry or any snippet. These are just very ordinary musings. Putting it in a book would be a stupidity.

You’re an avid photographer. We would love to see a coffee table book of your top shots.
Really? I never knew that I was. I do possess a few lenses and cameras but have never put them to good use. Perhaps I should, more regularly. But for my own pleasure. Nothing quite as ambitious as a coffee table book.

Mind over matter. Can you share any incident from your life to reinstate our faith in this proverb?
Talking yourself into believing that you are well. Displaying the willpower to overcome a physical adversity, would define ‘mind over matter’. In my personal example there have been many. Some known, some not. It is best they remain that way. Self-aggrandising is too large and complex for me to entertain.

After a hard day what’s it that you look forward to when reaching home?
To know where the family is. To be informed of the work for the next day. To study, to prepare for it. To be with my EF on the social media.

What is your favourite way to spend time with your grand children?
To be in the company of their minds and their innocence

For three decades, every Sunday, you greet your fans outside your residence. Are there some who have unfailingly turned up for those many years? Do you recognise them?
Yes there are many ‘constants’ and I do recognise them and meet them too!

Do you enjoy the anonymity that perhaps a vacation to a lesser known place brings? What do you enjoy doing on a holiday?
Anonymity does not require a vacation, to lesser known places. I can and do enjoy it here in my city, every day. Holidays have been hard to come by but when they do, the company of the family is prime.

Do you ever feel overworked? At 72, is it hard facing round-the-clock attention considering there’s some tidbit about you always making news?
How can one feel overworked at 72? You thank the Lord that there is work and that attention comes your way, at all... Making news is your prerogative. Ask yourself that!

How would you define life at this stage of your life? Is it really beautiful?
Life at this stage is the realisation that your prime is over, that there are others younger and greatly more popular. That they shall attract more attention both on and off the camera. That, what would have been written for you shall now be written for another. That the edit on your character in the finished version of film shall be subjected to severe cuts to accommodate others of prominence. That the fuss of stardom has shifted to the current and not to the past. That the roar of your presence and the attention among the masses shall be incidental. That in the group photograph that adorns this article, the still photographer shall be focusing all his attention only on the lovely and attractive Akshara. That preferences shall differ between you and the younger popular other; a syndrome that you would have gone through in the reverse, some decades ago. That the speed of your conversation better be as rapid as the young, or else you face rejection or indifference. That the ‘spring out of bed’ in the morning is a sepia coloured past. That the grips in the shower area are a necessity for the morning bath. That bending down to pick up that dropped personal property requires an eternal thought process. That your reverence for the lift in your building or any building is worthy of worship. That travel to another part of this crowded metropolis needs detailed surveys of the route, that screams of Don! Shahenshah! Agneepath! in public presence are replaced by somber whispers of Dadaji if you’re lucky. Most of the time it’s the more appropriate Ae buddhe… But life could not be more beautiful!

On a lighter note, what remains childlike about you?
Surely, that would be something that someone else would have to describe. I would like to believe that there is a child in all of us, till we perish!

What is your New Year resolution for 2015?
I have always wondered why anyone should wait a year to form a resolution. I have no resolution… bas zinda rahein yahi bahut hai!