The more you meet him, the more eager you are to know more about him. He’s been a phenomenon since time immemorial but his aura hasn’t faded nor has his luminescence. The giants, who travelled with him through time, have long since hung their boots. But Amitabh Bachchan seems to show no signs of tiring or slowing down, devouring milestones for breakfast and trophies and awards for dinner. And yet, amidst all that glory, he remains unmindful of his halo. He’s still so humble, still so rooted, still so keen to learn... you wonder you’re meeting a newbie and not a superstar several times over... someone who walks tall over the showbiz horizon. His is an infallible myth that generations believe in, deify and revere. His charisma is unrestricted by borders and boundaries. Here, the Big B takes some valuable time off to talk about his career choices, his better half Jaya Bachchan and the other ‘pretty women’ in his life. All hail the emperor as he speaks…
Would you say playing older characters is far more liberating than playing a ‘hero’, where one had to adhere to mass expectations?
Age does allow a greater variety yes and therefore it’s more challenging at times. But let us not overlook those early years as well. They were tough and difficult too. At this phase of my career one does get the benefit of a sublime liberation, of lesser responsibility for box-office returns, not because the box-office does not have meaning, but because the return is not in the range of the bigger stars on the firmament. Our returns will not be in the massive range of the others, so we strive to achieve within our limited means.
Most of your younger co-actors tend to be your fans. Is it difficult breaking the ice with them?
That is a misconception, for, I am their greatest fan. This generation has some of the most brilliant talents that I have ever seen. For me it is a fan moment to be in their midst.
How much emphasis do you give to both appreciation and criticism?
Criticism is important and valuable. It shows you a mirror that you’re unable to see. It teaches and I learn from it. Appreciation is humbling, but not something that one should get too overawed by I believe.
When was the last time you received criticism, which helped you as an artiste, as a performer?
Each film teaches and the critics bring out some aspect of the film or the performance, which enhances your capacity to learn and understand. Sometimes it’s difficult to mark a mistake yourself, until it is shown by another. That is something that should be valued. It happens in all the creative work that we do. And it’s most essential.
What makes you look forward to going on the set each day?
The continuity of another job…
Would you agree that being at work is the best therapy after all?
Oh yes! Those moments should be the happiest, else stop working! When the camera rolls and the director shouts, ‘action’, it is not a director but a therapist healing your mind and body.
TE3N took you back to Kolkata. What made it memorable this time?
Each visit to Kolkata is most memorable, enjoyable and nostalgic and filled with passion. The people and the city do this
to you.
Your portrayal of the grandfather in TE3N was much appreciated…
John Biswas, my character was an Anglo-Bengali, a lower middle-class old man, physically and emotionally weak. His effort is not to avenge so much as it is to discover the truth. One of the most difficult aspects of cinema is to remain simple. Ribhu (Dasgupta) and Sujoy (Ghosh) wanted that from me and
I hope we managed to achieve that.
TE3N brought you with Vidya Balan again. What makes it special to face the camera with her?
She’s a celebrated and gifted artiste and an exceptional co-artiste. It has been wonderful always to be in her company, both socially and professionally.
What was that special quality you noticed about Nawazuddin Siddiqui?
The effortless ease of his demeanor in front of the camera. That to me as an artiste is difficult to achieve. But Nawaz does it with such aplomb. Just watching him do that
is a great learning.
Which was the last performance of another actor that left you deeply impressed?
Ranveer Singh in Bajirao Mastani and Randeep Hooda in Sarbjit gave wonderful performances.
Aniruddha Roy’s uniquely titled Pink, your forthcmong film, is said to revolve around a father-daughter relationship…
No it’s not a father-daughter relationship. But a relationship with three girls who could have been his daughter’s age. It’s a film on women empowerment and that’s why it’s called Pink.
A father-daughter relationship is said to be the tenderest bond. Do you agree?
The tenderest and the most emotional!
Shweta, Aishwarya, Navya and now Aaradhya… what do daughters lend to a home?
The aroma of ethics, the hush of beauty, the smiles of their presence.
Abhishek (Bachchan) has often stated that he’s your fan and your buddy apart from being your son. And you?
He’s my friend first and a son later...
The audience enjoyed your candid act with Jayaji (Bachchan) in Ki & Ka. Do you agree that a woman sacrifices more in a marriage?
Yes I enjoyed doing it and yes I do feel that the woman ends up sacrificing more. Suddenly, one fine day, she realises she has to shift from the home she was born
and brought up in, to another which shall now onwards be her new home. She undergoes a change in her surname, she now brings new life to the new world and nurtures the family, brings them up keeping all other chores aside, builds a home for them, much like her own parents did for her when she was born. All this needs respect and admiration.
Jayaji and you have enjoyed a long innings together… What makes her special?
She makes a home that you long to come back to...
Do you sometimes wish you could turn back the hands of time?
Turn back the hands of time and do what? The past is over, look upon it with nostalgia, its teaching, its pleasant memory and move on to the tomorrow with expectation of betterment.