Out of big daddy'd shadow

Everyone’s heading towards the car park at Mumbai’s Palm Grove for a glipmse of the latest heartthrob. And sure, he arrives, straight from the airport after a shoot at Manali. ABHISHEK is to make an appearance at the press meet prior to the release of his second film Tera Jadoo Chal Gayaa ( — the film was eventually released last week). And the unhassled Bachchan Jr answers our queries in two sittings...

This is your second release this year.
That’s right. With Refugee, I did manage to prove that I could deliver the goods. But I guess, it will be sometime before the masses really accept me as a talented actor.

Do you say this because people compare you with your father?
That could be one reason. I am his son and he has been an icon. So there are bound to be comparisons. But I think that should not perturb me much at this point since I have just begun my acting career and have a long way to go.

How does it feel when you are compared with your dad?
I like it that I am being compared to the best. Frankly, everytime I try to give my 200 percent in my films, I know I can never be what my dad has been in his films. I am sure the industry and the people think so too.

The contrast between the characters you’ve played in Refugee and Tera Jadoo Chal Gayaa is vast. What kind of homework did the roles require?
For Refugee, I didn’t have to do any homework. I just followed JP Dutta’s instructions like a programmed robot. In TJCG, I again had a wonderful director who knew what he wanted from his artistes. Here again, there wasn’t much need for homework. All I had to do was believe in the script, and do what I was asked to. Cinema, I guess, is the director’s medium, not the artistes’. So I leave it to the captain of the ship to lead us.

But in your first film, you had an experienced captain while A Muthu is making his debut as director in TJCG.
For me, both the films have been different experiences altogether. Muthu has been in the industry for a very long time as an editor and this was his first directorial venture. On the sets, he was very supportive and helped me out a lot. He never let us feel he was a newcomer like any of us. He was always in control of the entire situation, very much at home as the director.

How would you compare your two directors, JP Dutta and A Muthu?
That’s a tough ask. It’s difficult to compare the two. While one is a veteran, the other is making his debut as a director this year, though he has been part of the industry for a long time. But in their own ways, they are remarkable. Moreover I feel it all depends on time and experience that one gets in his field of work. He has to get to know the medium better. JP Dutta is a stalwart and it was a great honour to work with him. I got to learn so much from him. And Muthuji is a pleasure to work with as well. He is the shy sort of guy who takes a while to mix with people. Moreover both directors have totally different styles of working.

What about the music of the film?
TJCG has music by Ismail Durbar and believe me, it has been outstanding work from an outstanding composer. This will be his first release after Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and like all of us, he too is awaiting the release of Tera .... The songs in the film are the sort that set your feet tapping. I hope they will be liked by all.

Have you ever felt it would have been better for you if you’d made your debut with any film other than Refugee?
Why should I? Frankly, I couldn’t have asked for a better film. I am very happy with Refugee and I am also happy that I was part of such a good film which had a message to convey.

Do you believe every film should have a message?
I do. Very much. But that message needn’t be a serious one. I would be happy if people come out of theatres feeling good after watching my films. There is no profound message in TJCG but I would like it, if people, after a hard day’s work, watch my film to forget their tensions and exhaustion and worries for at least those three hours.

What is your main criteria in selecting a film?
Primarily the story. I feel it must move me, inspire me to take it up.

How would you rate your films?
For me, a film is a film is a film. I try to do my best in every film.

Do you consult your parents before signing a film?
I would be a fool not to, don’t you think? After all, they have more than thirty years’ experience behind them in the industry. Besides, who can guide me better?.

What do you like more, dances or action sequences?
Actually, I’d prefer the sequences where I have to just stand in the background quietly, doing absolutely nothing (laughs). I feel both action and dances are quite demanding, physically and mentally. While dancing, one has to remember the movements. Action too is choreographed, just as dance is. We have to be careful all the time that we don’t step on our heroine’s feet or punch the other person too hard. It is really very demanding and exhausting. But I enjoy my work, nevertheless.

You look so much like your father. What do you think you’ve imbibed from him?
Only his height, I guess.

What else do you wish you’d inherited?
Possibly everything. Frankly, I don’t really know what I’ve inherited. I wouldn’t dare compare myself to him. On the very first day of my shoot for Refugee, I decided I couldn’t let the comparison get to me and my work. I mustn’t keep thinking I am Mr Bachchan’s son as that may come in the way of my work.

Amitabh Bachchan had two left feet. But the same cannot be said about you. You dance pretty well and have proved otherwise.
Let me assure you that like my father, I use my left hand more often. And actually I have two left feet as well. But my theory is, if you enjoy whatever you do on screen, the audience will love it too. You don’t have to be a technically good dancer to be appreciated. One has merely to enjoy the music and movement and if the enjoyment shows on your face, you win. I always try to enjoy what I am doing and forget the rest. So I always have a ball.

What have you learnt after becoming an actor?
That an actor has to keep growing. It is a constant effort. There is a lot to learn here and you learn as you go along. And like I said earlier, I have a long, long way to go.

It is said that the collections of Refugee were affected because of Kaun Banega Crorepati. As the hero of the film, what do you have to say to it?
Before being the hero of Refugee, I was my father’s son. I’d rather let my father win, anyday. I am only happy for him and have no regrets whatsoever.
After the release of TJCG, Dhai Akshar Prem Ke will hit the cinemas next.

Your releases have been spaced out quite well. Is it some kind of strategy you’ve adopted?
I wish I could say yes! Fact is, it’s nothing of that sort. I just shot for my films as they came along. And they have all been completed very fast. Though there is no strategy as you put it, their releases have been spaced out well. It’s more by coincidence than design.

What is your role in Dhai Akshar Prem Ke?
That of an army officer.

In Shararat?
I play a simple boy from Mumbai, with a family to support.

Are you all for comedy?
I would love to do comedy although I think comedy is the hardest emotion to portray. Believe me, it is the toughest.

Who’s your biggest critic at home?
Both mom and dad. They are so good at what they do. They pick on the smallest things which no one else would even have thought of. Like my father, I have long hands, too. And he pointed out to me that using them too often would distract the audience. So most of the time, I hide my hands in my pockets on screen. My parents even tell me which profile of mine looks good and how I should walk. I wish everyone would do that to me so that I can be better at what I do, and improve faster.

How would you like to see yourself on screen? Are you willing to be typecast?
Not really. Actually, there is no conscious effort to avoid an image or keep one. Luckily the roles that I have got so far have all been different and things have begun falling into place all by themselves without much effort from my part. I feel I have been very lucky that way.

What do you have to say about competition?
I think it is wonderful. There is so much new talent, and new ideas coming into the industry these days. And yet we can all try and make a name for ourselves. I believe in working as an artiste so competition is healthy. People forget that art cannot be compared. Likewise, acting is an art and there is bound to be comparisons but I feel every actor has his own style. And he must be accepted that way.

What about the competition with Hrithik Roshan?
Like I said, I believe that there is room for everyone. Hrithik is the best today. He is extremely good at what he does, and he’s proved it in no time. And the adulation he enjoys shows that too. I feel honoured and proud to be compared with him. I have grown up with him. Unfortunately, I have not met him after the release of Kaho Na .. Pyar Hai as he’s been very busy with his shoots.

How much of an asset are you at ABCL?
I am very much a part of the company. My family’s name is at stake. I am not going to let it go down. We will try to bring it back on course as soon as we can.

Finally what about a film with you father?
Though there is one in the pipeline, we haven’t signed any film together yet. I would love to work with dad. I want to prove to him that I am not his little boy any longer!

Namita Nivas

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