Click to play videoYorkshire: Actor Amitabh Bachchan’s played it all on-screen. CNN-IBN Entertainment Editor Rajeev Masand finds out what role he would like to play next.
Rajeev Masand: In Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, you played a promiscuous senior, in Baabul you played a progessive father-in-law, in Eklavya a palace guard. In Cheeni Kum you played a chef and in Nishabd, a photographer. You have had a really good 12 months, haven’t you?
Amitabh Bachchan: Yes, and still going. There are some interesting projects like Ram Gopal Verma’s Sholay in which I’ll be the so-called Gabbar.
Rajeev Masand: Isn’t that the role you wanted to play in the original film?
Amitabh Bachchan: Yes. I was very excited to see the script and wanted to do the film. Plus, there is a cameo in Jhoom Barabar Jhoom with Abhishek (Bachchan), Preity (Zinta), Bobby (Deol) and Lara (Dutta). There is Sarkar 2, Bhootnath, in which I'll be playing a ghost. There is Alladin in which I play the genie. I think it all comes with age. Obviously, you can’t play the leading man so you get the leftovers.
Rajeev Masand: Is there a part you really want to play? We asked our viewers on the show which role they would like to see you in, because you have pretty much played everything.
Amitabh Bachchan: I think that would not be the right thing to suppose but I would like to hear what the viewers have to say. I have run out of ideas of what role to play so I would like them to suggest what role I should take on and hopefully I shall try and live up to it.
Rajeev Masand: In Alladin, you play the genie. If you were granted three wishes, what would they be?
Amitabh Bachchan: Oh, I’m not prepared for this. For our country, an opportunity for everyone to get formal education because I believe education will bring discipline and that will bring a certain attitude and culture which is progressive. I hope we can become the number one nation in the world and that the film industry does the same.
Rajeev Masand: In a Salman-Khan film called God Tussi Great Ho, you play God. You must have been embarrassed when they came to you with the film?
Amitabh Bachchan: I was deeply embarrassed but this is a commitment I gave to Rumi (Jaffrey) when he was writing Bade Miyan Chote Miyan and he said 'if I ever become a director will you work with me?' I said ‘yes’. So I want to honour that commitment.
Rajeev Masand: With films like Baabul, Cheeni Kum, Baghban, the role of the senior in the family has evolved and much with you. The directors say that you inspire the writers to come up with interesting characters for senior people.
Amitabh Bachchan: I hope you are right because that ensures a job for me. At my age people retire. But I’m happy that they still think of me favourably and are able to devise and design roles for me. It’s very challenging. I think the more diversity I can hope to handle will help me grow as an artist. Every day is a great challenge in this category for all of us and I hope to live up to those expectations.
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