Mr. Bachchan is on an interviewing spree these days and has no qualms about giving the sound bytes to different quarters of the media. However this particular interview makes an interesting and fun read as its more personal and Big B talks Orkut, his love for fast food and even Rekha!
When was the last time you were nervous and didn’t know what to do?
Recently, during Abhishek’s wedding. My mother has been unwell for many
months now.
She can talk, hear, see, move or eat. She is having her daily meal through an artificial pipe which has been inserted from her stomach. I see my mother and feel helpless.
She is the most beautiful woman on earth and can only understand what I speak. (Becomes emotional) The next moment I come back to Jalsa and I dance because it’s my son’s wedding.
I have to switch on and off in real life too. It’s very difficult. I can’t stop my son from celebrating because my mother is serious. I become nervous, when it comes to balancing such incidents in life.
Have you ever lost your temper with Jaya, Abhishek, Shweta and now Ash?
I don’t lose my temper. I get worried when Jaya, Abhishek or Shweta fall ill. I might ask them to be careful about their health… but I wouldn’t call it anger.
Are you the attention seeker in your family?
No, I don’t think so.
But Jaya said you were, on Koffee With Karan?
You are getting it wrong, she must have joked.
Have you ever tried to cook and impress Jaya?
Even if I want to impress Jaya, I would never try to cook. I can hardly boil water.
Would you be able to handle it if no one gave you a second look when you are walking down a street?
Oh, that happens often, nowadays.
What?
Yes, people don’t look at me. And I am very chilled out about it.
You mean to say people don’t look back at Amitabh Bachchan?
Oh, come on, that’s just another name.
Have you ever travelled in a local train?
Oh yes, when I came to Mumbai that used to be my mode of communication. But I haven’t done it since becoming a film star, barring a few instances for shooting purposes.
Any idea how much a rickshaw ride would cost from Juhu to Bandra?
Rs 150?
What’s your monthly income?
You will have to sit with my CA. He will give you the exact amount.
Do you count your money everyday?
Yes, I do. I keep a check on my bank account everyday.
Do you fit inside a taxi comfortably?
You mean to say, do my legs give trouble? Oh no, I manage it fairly well. (Laughs)
When was the last time you ate fast food at Juhu beach?
Not at Juhu beach, but there is a fast food center near Haji Ali. A few weeks ago, while I was coming back from Haji Ali, I stopped my car and had bhel.
Did you get mobbed?
No. Why?
Do you like to meet strangers?
I meet them everyday. It’s interesting. They stand outside my house with petitions and requests. Some are nice, some are really weird. I listen to all of them.
Do you have an account in Orkut?
What’s that?
Do you answer emails?
Yes, I do.
Are you in touch with your school friends?
Yes, very much. In fact next year we’re celebrating a re-union of the 1958 batch. All my friends from Sherwood College in Nainital will come. I am looking forward to it. It will be a lot of fun for all of us.
Did you ever bunk school or college?
School was a bit difficult, because it was a boarding school. But in college, I bunked so many classes. We would stand beside the swimming pool and watch girls — the typical boyish things you do.
Do you miss being a normal grandpa to Navya Naveli, attending school functions and walking in the garden with her?
Sorry to inform you that I am very much a normal grandpa. I do walk with her in my garden, and attend her school functions and grandparents’ meeting. I used to do it for Abhishek and Shweta also.
When was the last time you connected with nature?
Everyday. I take a walk in my lawn at Prateeksha. I also like the Himalayas, Shimla and various other locales in India.
What’s the last book you read?
I have become a bit lazy. The last book I started reading was Shantaram, because Mira (Nair) wanted me to read the book. But I found the book too tedious and have now decided to read the screenplay. I buy lots of books but hardly finish them. I read a few chapters and then keep them aside.
Mr. Bachchan is on an interviewing spree these days and has no qualms about giving the sound bytes to different quarters of the media. However this particular interview makes an interesting and fun read as its more personal and Big B talks Orkut, his love for fast food and even Rekha!
When was the last time you were nervous and didn’t know what to do?
Recently, during Abhishek’s wedding. My mother has been unwell for many months now.
She can talk, hear, see, move or eat. She is having her daily meal through an artificial pipe which has been inserted from her stomach. I see my mother and feel helpless.
She is the most beautiful woman on earth and can only understand what I speak. (Becomes emotional) The next moment I come back to Jalsa and I dance because it’s my son’s wedding.
I have to switch on and off in real life too. It’s very difficult. I can’t stop my son from celebrating because my mother is serious. I become nervous, when it comes to balancing such incidents in life.
Have you ever lost your temper with Jaya, Abhishek, Shweta and now Ash?
I don’t lose my temper. I get worried when Jaya, Abhishek or Shweta fall ill. I might ask them to be careful about their health… but I wouldn’t call it anger.
Are you the attention seeker in your family?
No, I don’t think so.
But Jaya said you were, on Koffee With Karan?
You are getting it wrong, she must have joked.
Have you ever tried to cook and impress Jaya?
Even if I want to impress Jaya, I would never try to cook. I can hardly boil water.
Would you be able to handle it if no one gave you a second look when you are walking down a street?
Oh, that happens often, nowadays.
What?
Yes, people don’t look at me. And I am very chilled out about it.
You mean to say people don’t look back at Amitabh Bachchan?
Oh, come on, that’s just another name.
Have you ever travelled in a local train?
Oh yes, when I came to Mumbai that used to be my mode of communication. But I haven’t done it since becoming a film star, barring a few instances for shooting purposes.
Any idea how much a rickshaw ride would cost from Juhu to Bandra?
Rs 150?
What’s your monthly income?
You will have to sit with my CA. He will give you the exact amount.
Do you count your money everyday?
Yes, I do. I keep a check on my bank account everyday.
Do you fit inside a taxi comfortably?
You mean to say, do my legs give trouble? Oh no, I manage it fairly well. (Laughs)
When was the last time you ate fast food at Juhu beach?
Not at Juhu beach, but there is a fast food center near Haji Ali. A few weeks ago, while I was coming back from Haji Ali, I stopped my car and had bhel.
Did you get mobbed?
No. Why?
Do you like to meet strangers?
I meet them everyday. It’s interesting. They stand outside my house with petitions and requests. Some are nice, some are really weird. I listen to all of them.
Do you have an account in Orkut?
What’s that?
Do you answer emails?
Yes, I do.
Are you in touch with your school friends?
Yes, very much. In fact next year we’re celebrating a re-union of the 1958 batch. All my friends from Sherwood College in Nainital will come. I am looking forward to it. It will be a lot of fun for all of us.
Did you ever bunk school or college?
School was a bit difficult, because it was a boarding school. But in college, I bunked so many classes. We would stand beside the swimming pool and watch girls — the typical boyish things you do.
Do you miss being a normal grandpa to Navya Naveli, attending school functions and walking in the garden with her?
Sorry to inform you that I am very much a normal grandpa. I do walk with her in my garden, and attend her school functions and grandparents’ meeting. I used to do it for Abhishek and Shweta also.
When was the last time you connected with nature?
Everyday. I take a walk in my lawn at Prateeksha. I also like the Himalayas, Shimla and various other locales in India.
What’s the last book you read?
I have become a bit lazy. The last book I started reading was Shantaram, because Mira (Nair) wanted me to read the book. But I found the book too tedious and have now decided to read the screenplay. I buy lots of books but hardly finish them. I read a few chapters and then keep them aside.
Does this white beard help cover wrinkles?
I don’t know that but I keep it because I like it. But I shaved it for Khakee. I am an actor and I need to keep changing my look.
Does your body ache each time you do a dance act or stage show?
Oh yes, it does. Why just dance shows, it aches everyday when I wake up from my bed.
Why did you play an extra in JBJ?
Shaad wanted me to be in the song. If that has disappointed my fans, I will be careful next time.
Are you jealous of other actors?
No, why should I be jealous of others?
Are you very conscious of Brand Bachchan?
Now what’s that? I have been reading a lot about it in media, but I don’t think any such brand exists.
Are you the richest farmer in India?
Oh! That’s subjudice so I would not talk about it. But I promise that I will give an apt reply very soon.
Will you call SRK for dinner?
Yes, I can call him right now… (And he dials SRK!)
If everything is fine between you two, then why didn’t you attend Zee Awards and why did he avoid IIFA?
There is no war. I called him personally for IIFA this year, but he was holidaying with his family in London.
During the Zee Awards, none of my family members were in town, and I had to stay back because of my mother. We have made it a point that someone from the family will always be in town.
This recent avatar of yours is a bit shocking. You have become over protective about Abhi-Ash and clearing all sorts of confusion in media. Why?
I had no option. How much can a person take? Now they are married and happy, why can’t the media leave them alone? I am appalled with the stories printed. How can someone call Ash ‘panvati’, ‘mangalik’ and accuse her of bringing evil to our family? Is this how educated people speak?
So you have become a Lion King?
I am just another father. I need to protect my children. I had to speak, because I think there was a lack of communication.
Did you ask Ash to wear Indian outfits whenever she is with you and Jaya?
Never! She is free to wear whatever she is wearing. We don’t have any protocol.
Did Ash cook anything for you after the wedding?
Yes she did. We have a Bengali custom in our family. On the first day after marriage, the bahu enters the kitchen and cooks some delicacy for her father-in-law. Ash made yummy halwa for all of us.
Why did Jaya take off on Vivek Oberoi in Koffee With Karan?
I think you got her wrong. Jaya mentioned Vivek’s name when Karan asked who she feels that ‘a man on a mission’, because she is very fond of Vivek.
The biggest goof up in your career?
I don’t make any goof-ups, and I always stand by my mistakes.
Do you read film magazines and gossips?
Yes, I love reading them, and my interest begins and ends there.
Rekha talks about you in all her interviews, but you’ve never acknowledged her in any of yours?
Oh, no one asked me about her. I think Rekha is a fantastic co-actor and she came from south, had no idea about the language. She groomed herself brilliantly and we have worked in some of the most remarkable films. I have high regard for her.
So, will you act with Rekha?
Why not? I would love to act with Rekha once again, provided we get a really good script.
You mean to say, till date, no one’s wanted to make a film with you and Rekha?
Yes, there have been a couple of offers, but none of them were worth it.
Are you in touch with Rekha?
What do you mean? I don’t call her every now and then. When we meet at social gathering we acknowledge each other.
I don’t think so. A year ago at the Sarkar premiere, Rekha looked through you and went up to Abhishek. The photographs were flashed all over and I am sure you must have seen them?
Yes, I did see them. Well, you can do a lot of fun stuff with photographs. There is this famous joke about the Pope, that when the Pope came to the Vatican and someone asked, will you be going to a discotheque, and Pope asked, ‘Is there a discotheque in Vatican?’
The next day media reported Pope says, ‘Is there a discotheque in Vatican?’ Now that’s how you can play with words and pictures. Rekha is very fond of Abhishek and so is Abhishek. There is no story in between.
Will you allow Abhishek to act with her in future?
He is free to work with anyone.
Do you feel awkward when the electronic media shows your reaction whenever Rekha is on stage and vice versa?
There is nothing to feel awkward about, she is an actor and I am part of this industry. If electronic media is taking our reaction, then that’s nothing but obvious.
Did anyone from the Gandhi family call to wish you after the Abhi-Ash wedding?
That’s very personal and I would not like to comment on that issue.
Did it upset you that Raj Babbar invited everyone except you for his daughter’s wedding?
I don’t know whether he has invited me or not. If he decides not to invite me for his daughter’s wedding, that’s his wish. My best wishes for his daughter.
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