Celebrating his birthday, we share Amitabh Bachchan’s unpublished interview with Subhash K Jha in 2000 as he discusses his revitalized career and more. It is not to be missed.
With Mohabbatein doing rip-roaring business all over the world, the epithet ‘superstar’ is being applied to Amitabh Bachchan’s name all over again. The game show Kaun Banega Crorepati has turned him into a household name, what with youngsters and grownups, toddlers and octogenarians alike getting hooked to the man on the hotseat. His suave and sophisticated anchoring has set new standards for Indian television. Even as he speaks on his reinvention as a superstar the pioneer and pathbreaker remains stoically detached from his new-millennium success .Shooting for KBC and taking time off to spend with his daughter Shweta who’s in Mumbai to have her second child, the Big B seems exceptionally busy . But he speaks. And how!
Your first post-Crorepati release, Mohabbatein, has been an overwhelming success. How does that make you feel?
I am really happy for Adi and Yashji and everyone who’s worked over the film.
But there’s a general sense of disappointment about the length of your role in Mohabbatein?
The script was written a year-and-a-half ago. It was narrated to me about a year ago. My role remained exactly the way it was narrated to me. I like the script. It gave me the opportunity to work with the latest sensations in the production and direction fields. It also gave me the chance to work with Shah Rukh , Aishwarya and all those youngsters. It was wonderful working with Yashji after so long. The last film we did together was Silsila 18 years ago.
It doesn’t seem like 18 years?
No it doesn’t. It was a wonderful experience, really. At this age, time and moment of my career I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work in a set-up like this. I really can’t be too concerned about the length of my role, and so on. Yes, Crorepati has happened. And maybe it has had a certain impact on audiences’ throughout the country. But let’s not forget television and cinema are two different mediums. And I doubt the two can meet.
But the host of Crorepati is being seen as the the actor in Mohabbatein. You have a whole new generations of fans.
I’m truly grateful for that. But somewhere, people will have to differentiate between television and cinema. I think it is unfair to expect the same volume of audiences who see me on television, to see me in the cinema. It’s up to producers and filmmakers to decide how they want to use me now after Crorepati. I’m just happy being associated with such wonderful people like Yashji and Adi and such a wonderful film like Mohabbatein.
How do you respond to your fans saying they wish there was more of you in Mohabbatein?
That wasn’t in my hands. I had to follow the storyline that was narrated to me. I never demanded excess footage. I never did, and I don’t want to change that.
Are you now alert to your responsibilities towards those fans who have discovered you through Crorepati?
If you mean, will I be particular about the length of my roles, the answer is, I wouldn’t allow that to happen to me. I must look at my film career as a professional actor and leave it to my directors as to how much of me they want to use. As far as I ‘m concerned, I should continue to look at my roles instinctively regardless of their length. If producers and directors think this is what I should be doing, then I am very happy doing what comes my way. If I felt my role in Mohabbatein wasn’t substantial I wouldn’t have done it.
Your character Narayan Shankar lacks motivation. We don’t know why he’s behaving the way he’s doing?
To be honest, when Adi narrated the script to me he told me where my character was coming from. But he didn’t want to go into that area in his narration since too much time would have been taken in explaining characters’ backgrounds. My personality was a presupposition in the plot. And I took it up from there. If he wanted to be more elaborate in the characterization of the youngsters then that’s the director’s prerogative.
How different was it working with Aditya Chopra from Yash Chopra?
There was no real difference in the atmosphere on the sets. The difference, if any, was in the enthusiasm level. The amount of enthusiasm, conviction and organization which the new generation of directors generates, whether by learning from their seniors or on their own, is awe-inspiring.
And now you are doing another film with another new-generation filmmaker.
That’s right. Karan Johar’s Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham. The atmosphere is the same as on Adi’s sets. They were both born and brought up virtually in front of my eyes. The two are very close friends and their families are very close to us. Working with Adi and Karan is a picnic. In Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham I play Shah Rukh and Hrithik’s father. An affluent businessmen. Everything is just great.
The greatest happening in Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham is that you’re working with Jaya once again?
Yes, we’re working together again after Silsila . In fact we’ve just done a schedule together for the film. It’s a pleasant experience to set out from home together and share a makeup room. The set becomes an extension of the house.
Silsila apart, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham is the first film you and Jaya have done after marriage. What’s it like playing husband and wife?
We’ve so far shot only a portion of a song. The actual mechanics of the characters will come into play later. I don’t think there will be any problem. We both have to look at our roles very professionally. We’re just two professionals doing our job.
Your next release is Aks. What kind of a film is that?
It’s a psychological thriller. Manoj is playing the psychological character. I’m playing a cop after so many years. Nandita Das is my wife. Rakesh Mehra is a young man with a lot of fresh ideas and talent. We had the opportunity to work together in the BPL ads. He also directed two of my music videos Eer Beer and Kabhi Kabhie . Even then he was very keen to make a feature film. We would spend a lot of time discussing ideas for films. Actually we had five scripts ready. And we’ve been sitting on them for years together. He was first supposed to do a film with Abhishek. That didn’t take off. Then I decided to do a film with him. We found a producer. But that didn’t work out. So Rakesh decided to produce Aks on his own.
What further plans do you have with Rakesh Mehra?
He’s going to be directing two films for AB Corp Ltd. One with Abhishek and the other with Abhishek and me. The second will probably have Jaya in it too. I can’t say much about it now. But yes, it’s going to be a family-oriented subject.We’re keen to start this one first. As for the Abhishek starrer tentatively titled Awaaz . It’s going to be about the young generation.
What about AB Corp’s project with Aamir Khan which has been in the pipeline for some time now?
Mansoor Khan is going to be directing it. This is a completely different project from the one we had planned earlier. It’s a story that Aamir and Mansoor have approved. I am not going to star in it. At the moment we’ve only signed on Rakesh Mehra and Mansoor Khan to direct films for us. Let’s see how it goes.
So AB Corp Ltd is back in business?
It was always in business. We had some financial problems. But now we’ve slowly and steadily paid off all our creditors. All our liabilities and legal problems have been sorted out. Pretty soon we shall be back in the market in a re-structured state. We’ve learnt from our past mistakes. Hopefully this time we’ll be on safer grounds.
There’s so much activity on your career front . Would you agree that there wasn’t so much activity earlier on?
I would agree with that. This activity is primarily because I’ve left behind the heroic image. I’m now slotted as a senior citizen. Obviously now there are more things to do for me on screen.
How does Kaun Banega Crorepati effect your movie career? It’s being said that the night show is becoming affected by the telecast of Crorepati?
I have heard people saying this. But I disagree. If Crorepati is affecting the movie business, then the films will have to get bigger and better. Cinema has to learn to fight new battles. We’ve overcome bigger hurdles earlier. It’s quite co-incidental that I am in Mohabbatein and on Crorepati simultaneously.
Would you agree Kaun Banega Crorepati is the best role of your career?
I think there’s a difference between my films and my television role, and somewhere down the line audiences will realize this. Whether it’s cinema or television a lot of other people besides me have roles to play. If it wasn’t for the intrinsic merit of the game Crorepati wouldn’t have worked. I credit Sameer Nair with the success.
Do you enjoy your one-to-one interaction with participants on Crorepati?
Everyday it’s a new experience. Each day there’s someone from a fresh background. Plus there’s the opportunity to interact with a live audience. I keep meeting all kinds of fans and well-wishers. There have been some very emotional interactions with such people. God! There are so many memories of interactions with fans. During the time I was ill in hospital, the outpouring of affection was unforgettable. That’s an experience I’d never forget.
Have you had fans who have followed your career right through?
There have been certain people who have been watching me from my first film. They’re still there, religiously following my career. It’s very heartening to know of such people.
You’re acting with a lot of 1990s’ stars. What’s that experience like?
They’re all very good. Whether it’s Akshay Kumar in Ek Rishta or Sanjay Dutt in David Dhawan’s film, Shah Rukh or Aishwarya they’re all hard-working and fully aware of what’s going on around them. They’re certainly more cinema-educated than we were at their age. It’s very inspiring to watch them at work.
How do you interact with these people?
Purely on a one-to-one basis. Like a friend. Unfortunately, they treat me like an elder most of the time. That’s very disheartening. I’d love to be part of their conversations and activities. But sadly, they don’t allow me to. I’d love to go out with Sanju, Salman, Hrithik, or Shah Rukh. But they never take me along. It’s very sad. But I feel like doing the things they do. I ask Abhishek to include me in some of his activities. Sometimes we overcome those parent-son barriers and have fun. But I guess they just don’t want me around.
Do Abhishek and you now-interact as actors?
He’s still hesitant about approaching me for personal advice. I think he should be given his space, if that’s he wants. As far as pointing out his mistakes or giving him advice are concerned Jaya and I are always there. We don’t force anything on him. When he asks for advice it’s readily available, and he knows that. I look upon him with pride. I feel he has been improving with every film. If there are areas where he needs improvement we tell him about it. I’m sure he will work on those areas. I didn’t get where he is even after my first 30 films.
I think you got there after 6 or 7 films.
No, much more. A good 25 or 30 films. Even in Zanjeer there were some awkward moments. It’s just the role that was so strong that it didn’t allow me to make too many mistakes.
You just celebrated your 58th birthday. How was it celebrated?
That’s right. 2 short of 60. As usual I woke up to the blessings of my parents.That’s the most important part of the day. Then I was off to work, shooting for Kaun Banega Crorepati. Then in the evening, a quiet dinner with the family.
Would you agree that the last one year has been extremely eventful for you?
Every year has been eventful for me. Even when careers go down, that’s eventful. Because you’re spurred to work harder. I hope no one has to go through the same low phases as me. But life would be so bland if there were no downs to go with the ups. You’ll never get the highs if you don’t bear with the lows.
Speaking of lows, a section of the media had predicted your downfall when you decided to do Crorepati?
You know it’ s the media’s job to write. They’re doing their job. In 1980 Devyani Chaubal had said the sun had set for Amitabh Bachchan after she saw Lawaaris . God bless her soul. This is what life is about. It throws challenges all the times. It provides new opportunities every day. I’d like to believe every day has been a new learning experience for me. But I’m excited about being in this profession. Every day is a struggle. I’m very excited by the way life has treated me. And the excitement of the actor is very different from the excitement of the journalist. The media will always be writing about what’s happening in our lives. If we don’t do things they won’t be able to write. Their writing is dependent on what we do. Both professions are equally challenging. Life is no less difficult for either of us.
Has the volume of fans increased after Crorepati?
They still come to my house in the evenings. And I meet them, yes(softly). I don’t think the number of fans increases or decreases due to my economic or commercial standing. They come out of an unconditional affection for me. I’m just thankful to God for giving me the opportunity to reach out to the younger generations through Kaun Banega Crorepati . I consider myself very fortunate. I’m sure any anchor would have succeeded, given the format and technical polish.
