I have a right to be called farmer: Big B

CELEBRITY IS AS CELEBRITY DOES: If you are a public figure then everything about you gets noticed, says Bachchan.

        

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New Delhi: While his reel-life graph has only seen an upward curve, actor Amitabh Bachchan’s real life has been full of ups and downs.

From his alleged involvement in the Bofors scam, to the murky land deals, to the extravagant wedding for his son Abhishek, Indian film industry’s legend has been eulogised and criticised all the same.

In an exclusive interview with CNN-IBN’s Bhupendra Chaubey, Bachchan clears air on his status as farmer, his soured relationship with the Gandhis, his association with Amar Singh and the alleged rivalry with Shah Rukh Khan.

Bhupendra Chaubey: Hello and welcome to this CNN-IBN special. My guest on the show tonight is a man who has completely redefined the art of acting in our times. The more he advances in age, the finer his performances get. The one and only – Amitabh Bachchan. Welcome to the show, Mr Bachchan.

Amitabh Bachchan: Thank you so much for your kind words, most undeserving, but still thank you.

Bhupendra Chaubey: Perfectly deserving, many would say. From Saat Hindustani to Sholay to Coolie to Black - how is it that you have managed to straddle so many different genres of movies?

Amitabh Bachchan: I think if you are a professional actor, it comes with the territory. You get offered different kinds of roles and if you are fortunate enough to be viable for them as an artist, you just work along with them. Times change, stories change, makers changes, we as artists change our craft to suit the character that we are doing. That’s how you progress and move on.

Bhupendra Chaubey: Would you say there are similarities between your reel life and real life. In your reel life, it’s only been one way – a graph that has only moved up. But real life has been full of highs and lows.

Amitabh Bachchan: Well, thank God for that because we would be superhumans if we were what we are in reel life. We can’t fight 10 or 12 people at the same time and come out looking victorious. We can’t fly like Krrish or Superman or Spiderman. These are fascinating stories. We play characters. But life is different. It’s more human, there’s struggle, there’s strife and uncertainties, pitfalls, defeats, accusations, happiness, achievements – all of this makes life so beautiful.

Bhupendra Chaubey: How was it like growing up in the streets of Allahabad? Surely the Big B – as you are known now – was not the man he is when he was growing up.

Amitabh Bachchan: These epithets are media constructed and we don’t really believe in them. But just because you have created them, it doesn’t mean we have to start living up to them. We are very ordinary people, I am just another professional actor. My early years in Allahabad were just like any other small town boy's early years. You grew up, you went to school, studied.

Bhupendra Chaubey: Did you also go to the Ganga for a snan (bath) everyday?

Amitabh Bachchan: Most certainly, though not everyday. We went every weekend and very regularly to Sangam for walks.

Bhupendra Chaubey: And that’s where your relationship with the Gandhis also started.

Amitabh Bachchan: Yes, it did.

Bhupendra Chaubey: Through the years, as you grew up, your parents became very close to Gandhis and Rajiv Gandhi was your best friend.