By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service
Mumbai, (IANS) Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan is all praise for his son Abhishek for his performance in “Bluffmaster”.
“I found his performance in ‘Bluffmaster’ to be the best so far. This may sound ridiculous. But I know what I am talking about. He was extremely subtle in ‘Bluffmaster’,” the Big B told IANS.
He added: “It was a wonderful, nearly flawless performance.”
The senior Bachchan, who bagged the best actor trophy at the STAR screen as well as Apsara award functions for his stupendous performance in “Black”, says he will not do roles the audience dislikes.
“I won’t do them… Simple! The audience always lets its pleasure and displeasure known. If they don’t go for a particular kind of film it is signal for us that we don’t feature in such films,” he said.
The failure of his two recent releases, “Ek Ajnabee” and “Family”, has not upset Big B. He said he had warned Rajkumar Santoshi that his role in “Family” was on the lines of that in Ram Gopal Varma’s “Sarkar”.
“I actually told makers of ‘Family’ including Raj-ji (Santoshi) that I was doing a similar film ‘Sarkar’… Somewhere I felt there was a similarity between the two. But the makers of ‘Family’ felt their film was different,” says Bachchan.
EXCERPTS:
A: I am getting along. But it takes time.
Q: Congrats, the awards season has started. The best-actor awards are all yours for “Black”.
A: It feels very, very good. Sanjay Bhansali swept the Apsara awards. Both Jaya and Abhishek were unable to go. So, Sanjay collected the best actor award on my behalf and called me after the function. I won best actor award and Ayesha Kapoor won best supporting actor award. So cute! Sanjay gave a very emotional speech. Then he called and told me it was the most special evening of his life.
Q: When will you attend one, maybe the Filmfare awards?
A: I don’t know if I can attend that. It all depends on what the doctors say. I can’t be subjected to any investigation or scan to see if it is all healing well. I just have to wait for nature to take its course. It can take any amount of time. I am gradually going back to my normal diet and routine… The whole re-orientation of my body has to take place. I am coping as best as possible.
Q: STAR Plus has given an indication that you might be shooting for them from February end?
A: How can one order the body to get into action again? It will happen when it will happen. When the doctors say it is fine, I’ll inform all the producers. It is unfortunate but what to do?
Q: Shockingly, neither of your two post-illness releases “Ek Ajnabee” or “Family” has lived up to expectations?
A: Why, what’s so shocking about it? If a film is not liked by the public, it doesn’t work. It is as simple as that.
Q: Maybe audiences don’t want to see you in gun-toting action roles?
A: Then I won’t do them… Simple! The audience always lets its pleasure and displeasure known. If they don’t go for a particular kind of film it is signal for us that we don’t feature in such films… I actually told makers of “Family” including Raj-ji (Santoshi) that I was doing a similar film “Sarkar”… Somewhere I felt there was a similarity between the two. But the makers of “Family” felt their film was different.
Q: But do you agree when I feel audiences don’t want to see you as gun-toting cynics?
A: I have no immediate means of knowing. It is very difficult to decide. You do a family film like “Waqt”. And fans say: ‘We don’t want you to die on screen’. People love “Black”. But some people say we don’t want to see you as an old senile man stricken with Alzheimer’s… There is a freedom and a spectrum of opinion and we should respect that.
Q: Immediately after your recovery do you return to Karan Johar and Ravi Chopra’s films?
A: Yes. There’s some work left in Karan’s “Kabhi Alvidaa Na Kehna” and a lot of work in Ravi’s “Babul”. They have been very gracious, understanding and kind. Karan and Ravi meet me every other day. But they never discuss work. Karan and Ravi are both like family.
The moment I can get to work, I will. I have only these two films on the floor. Vinod Chopra’s “Eklavya” is over. That’s in sync sound. So that’s all right. It depends on when he wants to release it.
Q: What about the assignments that are supposed to start this year?
A: We’ll adjust the dates accordingly.
Q: Apparently the income tax department has asked you to prove that you are a “kalaakar” (artiste)?
A: Income tax is a perennial issue. We all have to deal with it. They are only doing their job. I am a law-abiding citizen. And I’ll always respect their demands and dictates. As you must have read, I am the highest taxpayer. And I’ll follow the law. I have never challenged the law. But I’ll go to appeal. And if I lose I’ll pay up.
Q: The Filmfare power list places you at number three.
A: The clout? I don’t have any. I am just an actor. These are media-generated surveys. It is quite entertaining for everyone. But I have no power.
Q: How can you say that after watching the whole nation pray for your recovery?
A: That isn’t my power. I am lucky enough to be part of people’s prayers… I have recovered. Right now I have so many things to do around the house.
Q: Abhishek was spectacularly successful in 2005.
A: I am very proud of him. Jaya and I did nothing special for him. We supported him like any other parents and stood by him. Like everyone else, Abhishek had to fight his battle alone. Once the camera starts your impact depends entirely on your acumen and performance. Abhishek has fought many odds. He has braved severe criticism and ridicule.
Today he has proved himself. He had several successes last year. By far the most exciting moments last year were those where I was with him on screen. Those films will always remain special. He also sang a song in “Bluffmaster”, which has proved to be a chartbuster. I found his performance in “Bluffmaster” to be the best so far. This may sound ridiculous. But I know what I am talking about. He was extremely subtle in “Bluffmaster”. It was a wonderful, nearly flawless performance.
Q: Would you’ve preferred his performance in “Bluffmaster” to be recognised at the awards?
A: I have many desires. But they don’t need to tally with others. People have different yardsticks for excellence. I respect their opinion. But I’ve my opinion on my son. And I think his performance in “Bluffmaster” is by far his best.
Q: You two come together again in Apoorva Lakhia’s “Just Punjabi”.
A: Oh yeah… I’d love that. I love working with Abhishek and Apoorva. I have always liked him from the start.
Q: What was the best happening of 2005?
A: The success of “Black”. It was a marvellous experience. All the faculties available to an artiste were put to use within me, thanks to Sanjay. Everything from the co-artistes to the dialogues to the ambience on the sets… they provided such a beautiful atmosphere for work. I couldn’t have not excelled. And then to see the finished product!
I remember the first trial with Sanjay, his mother, Jaya, Rani and myself… I had been through it but it moved me so much. After the trial Rani and I just held each other and wept… Somewhere it was a culmination of the emotions that we had lived in the film. But it was more… This process of re-living the experience just continues. It is embarrassing for me to weep at every viewing of the film. It’s the ultimate desire of an artiste to have his work noticed. When you have people from your fraternity come up to you and express themselves with so much love, it becomes an incredibly emotional experience.
Q: What was the most moving moment in the “Black” experience?
A: Shah Rukh Khan coming up after the premier to say he wanted to touch my feet while I was holding Dilip Kumar’s hand. Dilip saab just hugged me and kept looking at my face. It was an unbelievable moment. He went home and sent me flowers and a beautifully worded letter, which I’ve framed in my office. Dilip saab has been my inspiration from the time I was in school and college. To have someone of his stature write a complimentary note…. these are moments that I am truly blessed to have got from “Black”.
Q: What are the things you are looking forward to this year?
A: Work… films are all I do. Then I have some endorsements pending. They need immediate attention. There are companies who want to renew their endorsement contacts with me.
