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They said that Bachchan was the only choice because of his mass appeal and when he talks, India listens.
Did they? I am deeply honoured. I hope that I can contribute in my own way to make the brand’s vision of reaching out to Bharat a reality. I am extremely fond of wearing fine clothes. Suits, I believe, are a symbol of class and prestige.
Your dream of doing film with Sanjay Leela Bhansali has finally come true.
Yes, it’s a dream come true for me. Sanjay has signed me for his next flick Black and has given me an amazing subject. I’m very enthusiastic about the film. It’s the kind of film I have never done before. It’ll require me to do a lot of homework and hard work. We’ll start work by the end of the year.
Your 12 films are on the floor and that too with a new breed of directors. How do you acclimatise yourself as an actor with people much younger?
I am fortunate to be working with people like Farhan Akthtar, Vikram Bhatt, Ravi Chopra and Kaizad Gustad. They have given me some wonderful moments on celluloid. I also observe that they do their homework and know how to extract work from an actor. I learn a lot from them in terms of their views and vision. At this age, the best part of life is you can get away with a lot of things as people are more understanding.
Aren’t you over-working?
No, I am not over-working. These are commitments I made and I have to abide by them.
Even after three decades of an outstanding career, you say you still have a long way to go to reach the heights of your profession.
Yeh, creatively I am not satisfied. So I think that there’s a lot to be done on the silver screen. So long as there are people who want to work with me and offer me roles, I’ll continue to work. I hope to entertain audiences for a long time to come.
How is it working with Hema Malini in Baghbaan and Zeenat Aman in Boom after so many years?
Wonderful! They have not changed at all in their zeal. We have done many films in the past. I hope our reunion on the silver screen will work again.
Almost 10 years back, what was your inner feeling when you got the Filmfare Raj Kapoor Award for outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.
I thought it was a polite way of saying, Ab aap chup chaap baithe rahiye. Aap aage kuch nahin kar sakte hain (You sit still now, you can’t do anything anymore). But work kept on coming my way and I performed to the best of my ability.
What is the reason behind the popularity of Hindi films?
I had once asked the same question to my father who told me that Hindi films do poetic justice in three hours as goodness is rewarded, villainy or wickedness is punished and the hero gets his heroine in the end.
Do you think that Indian cinema should change its basics to compete for the Oscar awards?
I don’t think that there’s any need for our cinema to change its basic concept and identity to compete for the Oscar awards. Our films should not lose their flavour and individuality to compete with any international award. But good movies are always welcome everywhere.
Can we make good cinema the way Hollywood does?
Of course. Indian filmmakers always attempt to make good and powerful cinema but it falls flat commercially as the appreciation level here is not very high. Improvement in education level is necessary to raise the sense of appreciation of moviegoers. Once we have more educated audiences, better films will follow. We cater mainly to the Hindi- speaking regions and the emphasis is on to make the venture commercially viable. Thus, the very idea of making a good movie disappears in between.
What was the objective of conducting the film awards function abroad?
The purpose was to send a message that Indian cinema has the potential to match the global standards. The Indians abroad want to be part of our cinema. These award functions help promote Hindi cinema among them, besides attracting huge TV audiences all over the world and highlighting the potential of our cinema.
Share something about the French honour.
The township of Deauville in Paris organised an Asian and Western film festival, which showed a retrospective of my films for the first time. Deewar, Sholay, Agnipath, Kabhi Kabhie and Mohabattein were screened for the French audience who were very much
familiar about my work. Besides, I was made an Honorary Citizen of the town and presented with a medallion, an honour earlier bestowed on only two people — Queen Elizabeth II of England and the Soviet space hero, Yuri Gagarin.
You have received favourable feedback for your duet with Adnan Sami and now you are singing with Abida Parveen in Baghbaan. How do you rate yourself as singer?
I have never been much of a singer. But if people enjoy my voice then I am privileged. I have already sung three songs for Baghbaan. In one of them, Abida Parveen sings while I recite my dialogue.
Recently, you announced that you have cleared 90 per cent of your debts. You must be a relaxed man.
It is true. A small amount is left, which will also be cleared soon. Though some people suggested to me to declare myself bankrupt, I chose to work hard to redeem ABCL, now known as AB Corp, which is ready to launch two films. I will be starring in both the films, along with my son Abhishek. TWF
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slt les amis c mon poéme de moi
