‘Rishi and I have done so many iconic films together’: Amitabh Bachchan on '102 Not Out' and more

As always, Amitabh Bachchan is immaculately dressed. Clad in a white linen kurta with green embroidery and a lightweight shawl wrapped around his shoulders because of the efficient air conditioning in the room where we are seated, he appears picture-perfect. As is the usual custom with him, he offers me a cup of coffee and asks if I’ll eat something. Men in black trousers and white shirts are running around doing their daily chores. “This will go on,” he tells me as I wait patiently for his staff to disappear at Janak, his fashionably-furnished office in Juhu. Since that is about to happen, I seize the moment, switch on my dictaphone and ask:

People are loving the promos of 102 Not Out. Are you looking forward to it as well? 

We always do. We’ve worked on the film. Obviously, we look for appreciation and hope it was worth it. 

Does your involvement in the movie go beyond acting? Are you a quasi-producer, too? You have sung as well as composed Badumbaaa. 

I’m the artiste in the film, not a producer. As for the music, I suggested that perhaps I could just construct something and get director Umesh Shukla to hear it. So, I composed it. Umesh and others liked what they heard. The marketing team, too, felt this was something that could be utilised. So, Badumbaaa is being used for the film’s promotions.  

You’re working with Rishi Kapoor after 27 years. How has the collaboration been? 

It’s always good. We’ve done so many iconic films (Amar Akbar Anthony, Naseeb and Coolie, etc) together. It’s not as though he was ever out of sight or out of mind. The two of us have been around in the industry, he’s also a member of the family now. My daughter (Shweta Bachchan Nanda) is married into his (Kapoor-Nanda) family. So, it’s not like a lost-and-found story. It isn’t as if we just met after 27 years. He’s an accomplished artiste; the choice of him playing the other role was good. Working with him is always a joy. 

Originally, Paresh Rawal was supposed to play the part? 

I don’t know. You will have to ask Umeshji about that. 

You’re also doing Brahmastra with Ranbir Kapoor. Have you shot with him? 

I haven’t shot with Ranbir yet for Brahmastra. But, I’ve worked with him when he was an AD (assistant director) on Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Black (2005). He was the one who trained the little girl Ayesha Kapur (she played a differently-abled child). In between shots, I’d see him train her; it was impressive. Ranbir is an exceptional artiste. He doesn’t do anything, yet he does a lot. I keep telling him that he’s God-gifted. I’m his admirer. I am happy that I’ve got an opportunity to work with both father and son in the same year, it’s a blessing for me. 

We are looking forward to a film where you team up with Abhishek. Is there anything on the cards? 

There are some people who are talking about it. But it’s too early for me to say anything. There are some ideas that they have discussed with us. Let’s see how it goes. 

You’re working with directors Sujoy Ghosh and Nagraj Manjule next.

I’m starting the film with Sujoy in June. I don’t know the title, I think it’s called Guest. They have acquired the rights of a European film. It has Taapsee (Pannu) in it. That’s all I know so far. Nagraj’s movie, Jhund, is in the process. We will soon know what the situation on it is.  

Is there any film with you and Jayaji (Bachchan) in the offing? 

No, R Balki is keen to do something with us together. We did a cameo in Ki And Ka. If something good comes up, I guess we will work. 

What did you gift her on her 70th birthday (April 7)? 

Affection. 

The Sunday darshan outside your home each week has become such a huge thing. Week after week, the crowd increases. Seeing the love of so many people, what goes through your mind? 

This (the crowd gathering outside my home) started in 1982 after my accident on the sets of Coolie. It depicts their kindness, love and affection. I feel, as an artiste, I owe it to them, so I give them due respect. That’s why I go out and meet them. At times, I change my schedule in order to be present at that particular hour. I often feel bad when I can’t be there, so I tell the security at the gate to convey the message to them. It’s a humbling experience; people come and stand there for hours, irrespective of the hot sun or rain. Sometimes, some of them want to come in, for personal photographs and autographs. Unfortunately, I have to be a little selective, but I try my best to do all that I can.  

You’re working with Aamir Khan for the first time in Thugs Of Hindostan. Aamir says he’s a huge fan and is happy for the opportunity to work with you. 

It is the other way around. I feel happy that I’ve got an opportunity to work with him. It’s an honour to be working in a film with an artiste of the calibre of Aamir.

Is there a spirit of competitiveness between the two of you?

The only thing we are interested in is the director’s (Vijay Krishna Acharya) vision. And the fructification of the script. Everything we do is done to achieve maximum creativity, and we hope it succeeds. The media is fond of asking questions about competitiveness. Why should there be any? We’re working together in a project and we give our best to make sure the culmination of the product is good. That is the only thing we strive for. 

Your daughter Shweta has written her first book. Have you read it? 

I feel very proud, for familial reasons. She is my daughter. There’s a sense of the continuation of the legacy of my father (Dr Harivanshrai Bachchan). My brother’s (Ajitabh Bachchan) daughter (Namrita Bachchan), also writes, so somewhere the genes have continued. I feel proud and happy that Shweta has done it on her own. I’m eager to see how people react to it. I haven’t read the manuscript yet, Jaya is currently reading it. She says it’s beautifully written and its beauty lies in its lucidity. You can see everything unfold visually. That’s highly encouraging.