Commitment continues

He is called the living legend of Indian cinema. As an actor Amitabh Bachchan is a professional to the core. Perhaps, that is why he has always remained a successful performer even if some of his films have flopped.

His recent illness may have resulted in slowing down his frenetic pace of life on the advice of doctors. But his commitment to his work and now to IIFA will not take a back step. Excerpts from an exclusive interview with Gulf News.

What is your role as the Brand Ambassador of International Indian Film Academy (IIFA)?
To be able to give interviews to people like you (laughs). And to talk about IIFA and what it means to the Indian film industry, to the people of India and to be able to provide a connectivity between the Indian people and the host nation.
And to be able to tell something about our industry, to have the opportunity to take the entire film industry, its technicians and everyone and put them together for three or four days over the weekend and organise events which are film and entertainment oriented and to provide a showcase of what Indian cinema is all about and celebrate it.

Why was Dubai chosen as the venue for the seventh IIFA Awards presentation ceremony?
Because we have strong ties between India and the UAE - both culturally and diplomatically. Moreover, a very large percentage of the people in Dubai are of Indian origin, the community there, from Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Middle East, is aware of Indian cinema. Dubai is just two and a half hours away which is as good as going to Kolkata. We chose Dubai because the fact is there is a general mode of welcome among the Arabs - in their generosity, in their friendship and affection towards Indians and the fact Dubai is perhaps one of the most progressive cities in the world today.

What about holding IIFA Awards in Pakistan?
Certainly, we would love to do that but this is something that the organisers would have to think and talk about. Yes, we love to take it to Pakistan.

How is IIFA Awards different from other film awards?
It is different because the industry votes. I vote for the one who I feel has done the best and that is all computerised and managed by a very efficient chartered accountancy firm called Price Waterhouse.
The fact that it actually travels out of India gives an opportunity for us to celebrate this event with locals from other countries and to be able to tell them about us. I think it is a great moment of pride for India.

Do you think Indian cinema is at its best? Do you feel they could do with a more varied line of stories that could be tried?
Certainly, we should never, never rest on the fact that we are the best because everyday is a day of creativity, everyday is a desire to improve, everyday is a desire to do something different, everyday is a challenge really to do what is best in the rest of the world and everyday there is a desire to want to compete with them and come out even better than them.

Do you think at some point Hollywood and Indian cinema will work on film projects together?
Yes there are many offers and many assistants already working together. Hopefully in future there'll be many more.

Have any Hollywood offers come to you?
No, no

Have you ever thought of directing films?
I don't know direction.

Black was such a huge success. Was it because it had a different story line?
In a sense Black answers the question that you put to me earlier. You know you desire to do something different but what is really creditable in a film like Black is that Sanjay Leela Bhansali had the strength, guts and the creativity to create something which is unique and different and more importantly the people of this country who had the maturity and intelligence to be able to appreciate it to be able to make it a success. I would give credit more to the people of the country.
So what I'm trying to say is that this is a progressive nation. This is a nation that is moving rapidly at great speed and it is being reflected in their tastes, in the way they talk, in the way they dress, in the way they move and the way they think and they think Black was a good film.

Does it mean that a song and dance formula will not particularly make a good story?
May or may not. That is a creative option and I would not want to change that because I think that is something we need for Indian cinema. We should live with it. After all that is what got us all the notice and attention.

Do you think the media gives too much space and time for film personalities?
I don't know. You are the media. You should answer that question.

What was the high point of doing the KBC show?
KBC itself is a unique concept. The high point is the opportunities I get to meet contestants, the audience, look at their aspirations and see them going through various psychological reflections within themselves. It was a great opportunity to meet people.

Has your recent sickness and the earlier accident made you more religious or spiritual?
I think we are all religious and spiritual. We all believe that 'I'm not boss.' I'm no different.

Your son Abhishek is doing very well in films and has impressed audiences. Do you often evaluate his films critically?
Yeah, if I get an opportunity. He's been travelling very vastly for a year or so. Of course, as a family we sit and talk and discuss.

How does it feel being a grandfather?
It's the best thing in the world.