So many films. So many moments. Scenes that stay with you, characters that refuse to go away, performances that burn up the screen decades after. ‘The angry young man’ has mellowed somewhat, the baritone has acquired a gravitas. But even at 73, the Big B rules the marquee like no other. Be it movies, TV shows, endorsements or other commitments – he’s at the top of the game. As the actor crosses a personal landmark, there is much to celebrate, much to rejoice. For him, for his fans. We join in the celebrations by culling out some Bachchan bytes from the Filmfare archives.
“To be a successful actor in a commercial set-up, you need just about 1.5 per cent talent. The rest has to be made up by business sense, patience and luck. And the real problem is not to get to the top but to stay here.”
– December, 1972
“There were women saying, ‘We won’t lie on bed until he recovers, we’ll sleep on the floor.’ There were pujas in mandirs and things like that. But that was not all. It was happening in churches, mosques, gurudwaras...It’s terribly flattering and frightening at the same time. I didn’t want to get out of the ICU even when I was well enough to be out of it. I had this psychological thing going on that I came in on a stretcher and unconscious and I wanted to walk out on my own feet.”
– December, 1982
“When they started bumping me off in every film, it became difficult for me to die in different styles. But now I have to start thinking of different ways of getting drunk.” – May, 1985
“The other cinema is okay to inform people at festivals that we also have our great filmmakers. To win awards. But that doesn’t satisfy the masses’ needs. Even abroad, our mainstream cinema is popular. There must be something in our films that they all want to watch them. I’m beginning to believe in their power, their inexplicable but enormous potential. Contrary to the impression created, popular cinema has always glorified our values. Good always triumphs over evil in our films.” – August, 1986
“There seems to be a strong sense of revolt within me. Probably it is in my genes. I’ve seen the rebellion in my father’s early writings. When I tried to show anger on screen, it seemed to come through naturally and beautifully.” – April, 1987
“I may be number one to number ten at the box-office but that doesn’t mean I’m irreplaceable.”
– May, 1985
Despite my shyness, yes, I prefer my own company to anybody else’s, I find it easy to open up before the camera.
– April, 1987
“In the beginning, I didn’t like what I was doing on screen, the way I was being presented. Then it became a challenge. If millions of people are flocking to see what I’m doing on screen, there must be something right. If people enjoy what I’m doing, why should I deny them that pleasure?”
– October, 1989
“There seems to be a strong sense of revolt within me. Probably it is in my genes. I’ve seen the rebellion in my father’s early writings. When I tried to show anger on screen, it seemed to come through naturally and beautifully.” – April, 1987
“No, I didn’t ban the press. The film press banned me. Some of the editors got across to me and said they wanted me in their mags because the readers wanted me. But I refused because it wasn’t me who started the war!” – April, 1987
“There have been disappointments when I’ve tried to be different. I put in a lot of effort in Imaan Dharam and Alaap. Neither the people nor the critics appreciated me. Bemisaal and Jurmaana had some very poignant scenes. So had Sharaabi. But the critics raved only about an Amar Akbar Anthony, Mr Natwarlal, Laawaris and Coolie. I just had to walk through these films!”
– April, 1987
Does acting still excite me? Well, it’s a tricky question. I would say ‘no’. But I’m sure a good script and a good role can get me charged any time.– April, 1992
“My only contribution in all my films was my performance. People like Salim-Javed, Manmohan Desai and Prakash Mehra decided what was right for me. I merely did what they asked me to do.”
– April, 1992
“Last year when I was given the Filmfare Raj Kapoor Award for outstanding contribution to cinema, I thought it was a polite way of saying, ‘Ab aap chup chaap baithe rahiye. Aap aagey kuch nahin kar saktey hain.’ So I was hardly expecting an award this year!” – June, 1992
“I’d rather talk to the mirror than to the press. There is a part of me that remains within me and the rest goes out to the public.” – March, 1997
“Whether anyone likes it or not, for the time being, Insaniyat will remain my last film. It will go down as a film I worked in.” – May, 1994
“I’m quite clear that I can’t be 50 going on 25. I will have to play what I am – like it or not, an actor has to finally act his age.”– July, 1993
“Politics is something I couldn’t cope with. I was too idealistic and naive. A politician is someone who promises a bridge even when there’s no river.” – July, 1993
“Do I miss acting? Not really. At times, I even think that I won’t be able to act anymore.” – December, 1994
“Yes, I cry. But I’ve never stood in front of a mirror to analyse my expressions.” – December, 1994
“I’ll do a film with Rekha if there is something, which suits both our personalities.”– August, 1996
“My body creaks and it pains. I’m working on my body a little more – exercising, yoga, a bit of everything. All said and done, I’m working to the extent that it is medically permissible.”
– March, 1997
“My body creaks and it pains. I’m working on my body a little more – exercising, yoga, a bit of everything. All said and done, I’m working to the extent that it is medically permissible.”
– March, 1997
“I haven’t undergone hair-weaving. I just add a little colour to my hair, cover up empty spaces and hit the floor. My chin, of course holds because I’ve stapled it. I tuck in my stomach and keep smiling.” – March, 1997
“I feel insecure when I have to dance with Govinda or fight with Ajay Devgn. I’m just not in their league.” – April, 1998
“I’m bad with economics and Finance. I’ve never known how to market myself.” – March, 2001
“I haven’t made it big. Other stars have.” – July, 1998
“I’ve never ever raised my hand on my children. They’ve been normal kids with normal idiosyncrasies.” – January, 2001
“Most of the time directors reject my inputs. And happily those films have done well.” – March, 2001
“Truly, I don’t know what a 60-year-old chap is supposed to feel. I like doing some of the things that my son does. I love the kind of clothes the young wear, I love going to their hang-outs, I love to talk like them. I’d love to be included in their evenings out. I don’t see myself in a rocking chair reading a book.” – June, 2001
For reasons of authenticity, I have at times been so overpowered by the character and the situation that it has
been emotionally exhausting... and continues to be. – June, 2001
“I’m reticent, extremely shy and easily embarrassed. The atmosphere and the ambience projected by Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) is just the opposite of what I could be easy with. That’s why I look upon KBC as a job. I behave in accordance of what’s expected of me.” – June, 2001
“I’m not fanatical about any one God, Guru or religion.” – October, 2001
“As an actor, I’m not against negative roles. But commercially this may not be permissible after Aks.” – October, 2001
“I was never happy with politics. There’s no room for emotion there.” – October, 2001
“There are commitments to be fulfilled. I just have to keep going. Long live pain-killers.”
– January, 2002
I truly believe that an actor should leave all his belongings, opinions and beliefs at home. If Amitabh Bachchan has been hired as a professional, it’s his job to deliver the goods and that’s it. Any personal interaction with one’s co-artistes should be strictly after hours.
– January, 2002
“Me a playboy? You must be joking. But playing something like Robert Redford’s role in Indecent Proposal would be a pleasant surprise.” – May, 2002
“Seeing my rushes is a nightmare. The eyes, which people say they like, trouble me the most. My voice may be good but I am yet to achieve modulations. And I must try for better coordination of movements.”
– October, 2002
“No, I’m not being paid on a daily basis. I’m still charging one or two crores per film depending on the project. And sometimes
I charge nothing at all.” – July, 2003
“If I’m fortunate enough, I’d like to continue working in films till the industry eventually tells me to get lost.” – July, 2003
Every other journalist asks me when I’ll win an Oscar. I think that’s a stupid question. For me, our own system of recognition is good enough. Every sixth person in the world is an Indian and I’m happy to be recognised by one-sixth of the world’s population.
– July, 2004
“I’m confident Indian Cinema will be very proud of Black. I wouldn’t want anyone to judge this film because this film is beyond judgement.”
– March, 2005
“When I was exposed to brighter lights,
I began noticing prettier things, faster cars, motorbikes…girls! Then just like any young man I wanted it all!” – June 11, 2008
"Life would be morose and so unexciting in the absence of detractors! I love them. They become the motivation to work harder and hopefully to be able to disprove. One must never ever forget those that instigate motivation! – February 3, 2010
If you are an actor… and you are honest to yourself, you will realise that your face or body is not working and you’re not being appreciated. I think I will know when the time comes when people won’t like me anymore. – August 17, 2011
“I saw Dilip saab standing, waiting to greet me after watching Black. He just held my hands and said nothing. That moment said everything.” – April 24, 2013
I never worked to attain the ‘angry young man’ tag. It was an epithet given by the media. I just worked on a story. If there was anger to be depicted, I did just that. – January 16, 2013