What film-maker Balki hates about Amitabh Bachchan

Adman and film-maker R Balki wanted to make movies from his younger days. He got into advertising thinking he would get to make movies some day. So, it was a great moment for him when he got to make his first movie with none other than Amitabh Bachchan — Cheeni Kum. The chairman and chief creative officer of Lowe Lintas followed that up with the critically-acclaimed Paa. Now, there are talks that he’s set to make a third movie with Bachchan. Isn’t that too much of a preoccupation with one star?
Balki says, “I am a very big fan of Amitabh Bachchan. I just imagine how I want to see him in a film and then start working on the script. The script is for Amitabh; Amitabh is not for the script. I just get lucky that he agrees to work with me.”

Interestingly, there is also something that he hates about Bachchan. “I hate the fact that Amitabh does not drink. If he did, I could get him talking more. Because I am the one who’s doing the talking all the time,” he laughs.

His other fascination is with South actors Rajnikanth and Kamal Haasan. He says, “I haven’t yet imagined how I would like to see Rajni in a film. But a role for Rajni has to be totally whacked out. I might write a script which will have Amitabh and Rajni together.”

Balki has always looked up to his father, Rajgopalan, to draw inspiration. He says, “My dad worked in LIC. In his heart he wanted to be a lawyer, but he never got the time to study for it. He retired at the age of 58 and decided to study law. You might be surprised, but now at the age of 75, he is a practicing lawyer. It made me think if I am overworked, working 12 hours a day? The answer is no.”

The adman finally admits that he has two regrets in life. “I dated my wife Gauri Shinde for seven years before we got married. I would have been a better person if we had gotten married earlier,” he says. And what is his second regret? “About 5-6 years ago I got an opportunity of doing commentary in an India-Australia cricket match. I couldn’t do it then and I still feel bad. I am really passionate about cricket. So I hope that someday I’ll be able to do it,” he ends