Close X
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
ADVT 
Bollywood

Fans Make Us Who We Are: Amitabh Bachchan

IANS, 05 Jan, 2016 11:31 AM
  • Fans Make Us Who We Are: Amitabh Bachchan
For years, fans have thronged the gate of his Mumbai bungalow every Sunday morning. He has the maximum followers on Twitter for an Indian, and has a burgeoning "extended family" of those who read his blog.
 
Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan who, at 73, attracts fans galore wherever he goes, says they are an "essential" part of an actor's career.
 
The actor, who has spent over four decades in the film industry, often shares instances of how his fans end up getting either amused or startled if he's travelling in the same airplane as them; or of the exhilaration that they experience upon clicking selfies with him; and more.
 
But Amitabh, a globally popular face from Bollywood and one who has admirers across the world, brushes it off as just a result of 'celebrity' status.
 
"I think this would happen to any one that has claims to being a celebrity. There is nothing wrong in it or objectionable. Fan interest is essential for an actor. They make us who we are. Giving them attention or getting it from them is justifiable," Amitabh told IANS in an email interview.
 
 
That has been an ongoing phenomenon throughout his career.
 
It's interesting how the actor has been experimenting with his driving skills -- whether it's riding a bicycle for "Piku", a scooter for "Te3n" or even a 'tuk-tuk' for leisure. But he says the best drive for him has been his 45-year-long journey in showbiz.
 
Asked to share his best driving memory, the three-time National Award winner, said: "Driving memories? 45 years in the film industry has been a wonderful drive!"
 
And why not? Best known for his roles in films like "Anand", "Agneepath", "Namak Haraam", "Don", "Hum", "Zanjeer", "Black" and "Paa" to name a few, Amitabh has regaled Hindi film buffs as much with his 'angry young man' avatar as in romantic avatars; as much as in intensely dramaticl roles, as those with a comical streak.
 
From essaying a 12-year-old boy Auro in "Paa"; a friendly ghost in "Bhoothnath Returns"; a failed actor and drunkard in "Shamitabh"; and a grumpy father in "Piku" - these are a few of his recent portrayals on the silver screen that have been a window to Amitabh's talent, which has not faded, but only enhanced with age.
 
 
"At my age, this is the best that can come my way and one should be thankful and grateful that there is work available at this time of my career," said the son of late poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Teji Bachchan.
 
The experience of facing the camera, he says, has not changed.
 
"Every day is an experience for me. Filmmaking has only one gospel - the sound of 'Start sound', 'camera', 'clap', 'action'... And you better get it right after hearing those words," he said.
 
Adding more versatility to his filmography comes "Wazir", which features Amitabh as a paralysed chess grandmaster, confined to a wheelchair.
 
He said the wheelchair made matters "a lot easier".
 
"I did not have to worry where to keep my hands... Hehe.. But seriously, though it was great to be able to portray a character I had never done before," said Amitabh, who said the preparations for the role weren't too many.
 
It's a project that Amitabh readily said "yes" to, especially since it was an idea that filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra -- whom he describes as an "astute producer" -- had narrated to him around 15 years ago and he had liked it.
 
Now that the film is ready to hit theatres on Friday, Amitabh describes it as a "smart and modern film, unique in its structure and presentation".
 
 
"And, yes, this one has been made most sensitively as well. It's intelligent and swift-paced," added the actor, who has also sung a track titled "Atrangi yaari" along with co-star Farhan Akhtar for the Bejoy Nambiar directorial.

MORE Bollywood ARTICLES

Watch: Ranveer, Sonakshi Reunite With 'Hera Pheri' Dubsmash

Actors Ranveer Singh and Sonakshi Sinha, who were seen together in the 2013 period romantic drama film “Lootera”, have reunited with each other to create a dubsmash video from the 2000 film "Hera Pheri".

Watch: Ranveer, Sonakshi Reunite With 'Hera Pheri' Dubsmash

I'm OK If Invited To Add Glamour In 'Bigg Boss': Nora Fatehi

I'm OK If Invited To Add Glamour In 'Bigg Boss': Nora Fatehi
Model-turned-actress Nora Fatehi, who will be the fifth wild card entrant in "Bigg Boss Nau", says she is okay if she has been invited to the 'Big Boss' house to add a glamour quotient to the ongoing reality TV show.

I'm OK If Invited To Add Glamour In 'Bigg Boss': Nora Fatehi

Parineeti Chopra Not Doing 'Sultan'

Actress Parineeti Chopra has denied reports that she will star alongside Bollywood superstar Salman Khan in director Ali Abbas Zafar's upcoming film “Sultan”.

Parineeti Chopra Not Doing 'Sultan'

Sonakshi Sinha Open To Pursuing Fashion Designing In Future

Actress Sonakshi Sinha, who started her career as a costume designer, says that she is open to explore fashion designing as a profession in the future.

Sonakshi Sinha Open To Pursuing Fashion Designing In Future

No Hard And Fast Rules In The Pursuit Of Art: Om Puri

No Hard And Fast Rules In The Pursuit Of Art: Om Puri
Veteran actor Om Puri, who has carved out his own niche in the entertainment industry in his over four-decade long career, feels there isn't any “hard and fast” rule to gain success in showbiz.

No Hard And Fast Rules In The Pursuit Of Art: Om Puri

I get immense joy by performing live: Farhan Akhtar

Actor-singer Farhan Akhtar says he loves performing live as he gets instant reaction from fans during concerts.

I get immense joy by performing live: Farhan Akhtar