Covering Bollywood and the Hindi Cinema

MSN talked to Abhishek Bachchan recently and the man shed light on his relationship with Ash and his new found affinity to hairbands!

What’s with that hair-ishtyle Baba?
Hopefully, it’s there only till April for Drona. You think I like maintaining my hair

You look more in shape after the kilos you put on for Guru.
Not entirely. I’d gone right till 91 kg.. now I’m 84 kg, must lose five more.

How did you sustain the look for different age spans of Guru?
It was shot chronologically from start to finish in three months, that helped to sustain the physical aspect. It was challenging.

What do actors mean by challenging?
Anything that’s a cakewalk isn’t satisfying. Like you wouldn’t be doing this interview if it wasn’t challenging..like you have to match wits with the person you’re interviewing. Actually Mani sir (Ratnam) was planning quite another film.. on the life of a criminal in Manchester. He faces adversities, redeems himself.. halfway through the script he felt it wasn’t what he wanted to make.

So Mani sir switched to a veiled biography of Dhirubhai Ambani?
This wasn’t mentioned to me ever.

But every character in the film was drawn from Mr Ambani’s life.
That’s your perception. Anyone who has seen Guru will tell you that.

How did the Ambanis react to the film?
They loved it.

No talks on the similarities?
Anilji said he enjoyed the film..so did Tina aunty..but then she could have been biased, she’s been fond of me ever since I was a kid.

What does love mean to you?
Very clever, khaala. I don’t know much about love. That’ll make a super heading.. “I don’t know much about love.” Come on, every one knows what love is. Even I do. (Pause) Love is absolutely unconditional.

Not bad. And hello, why has Sanjay Gadhvi, the director of Dhoom, been badmouthing you?
Has he?

Now you’re acting.
Have I ever lied to you? I’ve been travelling, I haven’t read his statements. See, he’s entitled to his opinions. Maybe I’ll have to work harder for him next time..if there’s a next time.

Weren’t you totally subverted in Dhoom 2 ?
The first Dhoom was my first success, ACP Jai Dixit and Ali had to be a part of the sequel. In any case, Dhoom has been about villains. John Abraham was tremendous in the first part, the next one had to be bigger and badder the way it is in the Superman and Batman series.

I knew what was happening..no matter..it was terrific to work with my childhood friends Hrithik and Uday..and of course Bipasha Basu and Aishwarya Rai.

Who? Say that again..you mean Ash.
Aishwarya Rai.

How did you propose to her? Evidently successfully.
Khaala you’re not going to trap me.

Tell me about the special moment just before proposing marriage to her.
Wonderful try khaala..but that will always be between her and me.


Are you in love?
Obviously. Stop sparring with me. What’s within my heart and house doesn’t have to go outside.

Chalo, can I ask you why you’re not in Rakeysh Mehra’s Delhi 6 ?
Unfortunately, I had committed the winter months to Goldie for Drona. Rakeysh is a buddy, we’re looking at two projects to do together. Actually, I was to do my first film with him — Samjhauta Express. But then he opted for Aks.

Aha, listen I want to go back to Ash if I may.
Stop it khaala. Can’t.

Listen I want to go back..
For me Aishwarya is real.

Hmm. Fine, are you planning to do films together?
Yes Ram Gopal Varma’s Sarkar 2. And the Dharma production directed by Tarun Mansukhani and another by Rohan Sippy? Yes..we hope to start on Tarun’s film in June.

Will you allow Ash to continue acting?
Who am I to stop anyone from acting? Why is there a huge debate on this? I’m the son of an actor, my mother is an actor. Get it?

Aren’t you a bit pampered?
I think I’m loved, not pampered. A bit of a kid? For you maybe. There’s a child in everyone, there should be.

How do you feel about getting married?
Fine, okay.

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