Covering Bollywood and the Hindi Cinema

Abhishek Bachchan who celebrated his 32nd Birthday yesterday talked to the press about his upcoming films and of course wife Aishwarya.


How does it feel to be 32?
Thank you for reminding me. I don't get bogged down by age. I'm just happy to be where I am.

So tell me, where have you been hiding yourself?
Nowhere! Just been shooting out of Mumbai in the freezing winter of Jaipur for my friend Rakeysh Mehra's Dilli 6. But the warmth of our unit just makes you forget the weather conditions. I'm lucky to be working with friends constantly.

But why have you been lying low?
It isn't a conscious decision. Unfortunately, such is the nature of our career that we interact with the media only at an event or when a release is around the corner. Otherwise, we tend to get caught up in shootings. I've been traveling extensively during the past few months and had no time for anything but work and immediate family.

2008 is professionally special for both you and Aishwarya…
Yes, she has Jodhaa-Akbar coming up. I've seen the film's trailer and heard the music. I love it! It's so wonderful to hear such sublime sounds. And I'm not saying this because my wife is in it or because a very dear friend of mine Duggu (Hrithik) co-stars with her. I do hope for their sake that Jodhaa-Akbar does well.
Aishwarya looks like a true royal princess in Jodhaa-Akbar.
Most definitely! I married her. And I think she's the most beautiful woman on earth.

Do you and Aishwarya discuss one another's work?
Oh, yes. Most definitely I'm always very keen to know her reactions to my assignments and projects. She has very keen insight. She's a wonderful sounding-board.

Does she take your advice on what roles to do?
Oh most certainly. When she was in two minds about doing Pink Panther because my grandmother was ailing and this film required her to be out of the country for two months, I encouraged her to do the film. It was a wonderful opportunity for her to work with some great actors. I take Aishwarya's advice just as I take my parents' advice. They're some great actors in the house and I do seek their advice.

Are there lots of film discussions at home?
We're very good at leaving our work behind. After a point we don't discuss work at all. We like to keep aside our work and just talk about other things.

You also figured in Taare Zameen Par…
Yes, in the list of dyslexic people, I got a very nice mention from Aamir. He had approached me when I was shooting for Guru asking if I could be part of the film. I happen to be a spokesperson for dyslexia. When Aamir explained what kind of a film he was making I was very happy to lend my support in every way. Aamir has handled the subject very well.