Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan, who turned 74 on Tuesday, says his birthday is not a “festival” but thanked his fans and well-wishers for their overwhelming love and support over the years.
“My birthday is not a festival. The day I was born was also Dusshera. I am grateful to my parents,” Bachchan told reporters in Mumbai when asked about his birthday.
This year too, hundreds of fans had gathered outside Big B’s residence in suburban Juhu to wish him.
With his fourth National Award this year and commercial success and critical acclaim for Pink, Bachchan had reasons enough to celebrate his birthday in a big way but he chose to keep it low-key and has no special plans to ring in the day except to be with his family.
“I was with family last night. Everyone wished me. [Granddaughter] Aaradhya is sleeping right now. I will spend time with family today,” he said on Tuesday.
Bachchan added: I am grateful that there are followers but this doesn’t happen to me alone, it happens with everyone in the film industry. I am thankful to my fans, media and family and friends for their love and support.”
With each passing year, Bachchan keep surprising fans with his performances. In 2016, he had three releases: Wazir, Te3n and Pink. Now, the industry veteran is looking forward to the next year and is all charged up to work hard, give his best and entertain his audience.
“I am looking forward to the next year. Everyday I am breathing is what is nice and I am happy about it. I will continue to work hard,” he said.
“Whatever I do I get happiness and peace in that, when I am talking to fans on social media I get happiness and when I am with family and friends I get happiness,” he added.
His upcoming projects include Ram Gopal Varma’s Sarkar 3 and Aditya Chopra’s production Thugs of Hindostan, which also stars Aamir Khan.
Born in 1942 in Allahabad, it took Bachchan 13 flops before he finally broke into the film industry as a hero, thanks to Prakash Mehra’s action film Zanjeer.
His angry-young Vijay enthralled everyone and it marked the start of another era in Bollywood — Abhimaan, Namak Haram, Deewar, Trishul, Kabhie Kabhie, Sholay and Don. Soon, Bachchan made his way to superstardom.
