Big B bangs at the Media

Amitabh Bachchan is miffed with the media for forgetting the importance of the situation and becoming restless to get bites from the celebrities who have come to attend filmmaker Prakash Mehra’s funeral. He vents out his anger at the media on his blog and slams them for forgetting the sensitivity of the occasion.

Big B writes on his blog, “Prakash ji’s eldest son Sumeet returned from USA this morning and the cremation took place by the afternoon. Abhishek and I attended it, but the behavior of the electronic media at the crematorium was just disgusting. No respect shown for the sensitivity of the occasion. No regard for the moment and no ethics at all in maintaining some decorum for this very private and sombre ritual. All they were interested in was in getting that ‘bite’ or shoving their cameras inches away from your nose, at a moment when one desired peace and quiet. Shameful. But what of some of the mourners, if they can be called that! They were no less. Pushing and shoving to get a position behind or near about the celebrity, so the cameras can catch them.”

He ends up saying, “I shall not dwell on this anymore. I may just burst a blood vessel.”

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Prakash Mehra was honest and straight: Amitabh

Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan must be feeling empty inside following the demise of veteran filmmaker Prakash Mehra, who worked with him in seven films such as Zanjeer, Hera Pheri, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Laawaris, Namak Halal, Sharaabi and Jaadugar. Amitabh pours out his grief on his blog on the death of Prakash.

“A long fruitful and incredible period of his remarkable films that he did with me, flashed past. His first meeting with me at Raj Kamal studio where he had come to cast me in Zanzeer in 1971 right through to the mid 80’s, year after year of unbelievable successes - Zanzeer, Hera Pheri, Khoon Paseena, Lawaris, Muquaddar Ka Sikander, Sharabi, Namak Hallal. What a huge bank of amazing films, right down to his last with me, Jaadugar. The only one that did not work,” Amitabh wrote.

Big B said that Prakash was honest and straight. He wrote: “I still remember his phone call to me in Bangalore after the release. ‘Lalla’, as he endearingly called me ‘gadbad ho gayee hai !’ he said. Things have gone wrong. Honest and straight. He had always maintained that the day I cannot make a successful film with you I shall stop working with you. He never did anything after Jaadugar.”

Amitabh recalled the simplicity in this great filmmaker. “A simple man who had the capacity to narrate great stories through the medium of cinema in the most simple manner. No fuss, no calisthenics. Just very ordinary camera placements and extraordinary content. A writer, a lyricist, a musician, he added all these qualities to his creativity behind the camera and gave me some of my most challenging roles. Never rewarded by any institution. And never sought one either. His films have lived out longer than him. A true mark of excellence. The music he gave to his films still ring in the hearts and ears of each generation that came after him. The performances he extracted from his artists were never ever considered for any recognition. It never bothered him. Critics panned his films and the greater the criticism the longer became their duration, at the box office,” he wrote.

70-year-old Prakash Mehra died on May 17 morning at the Kokilaben Hospital, Mumbai. He had been ill for the last three years.

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Babe Claudia impresses Abhishek Bachchan

Abhishek Bachchan and German supermodel, Hollywood actress and Playboy playmate Claudia Ciesla were seen enjoying each others company at the Indian Pavilion at Cannes sparking rumours that Claudia was fast making inroads into Bollywood. The originally blonde, all natural actress has hit Bollywood with a vengeance and is all set to dethrone the reigning queens in tinsel town. She was aggressively lobbying with every Bollywood persona, producer and director said a journalist who was present at Cannes. 

She was recently linked with Salman Khan and the rumour mills went into over drive suggesting that Salman and Claudia spent some quality time together over coffee at a 7star hotel at Juhu in suburban Mumbai. Apparently, according to reports, Salman also invited her to his house at Bandra where the two spent half a day together. He also ensured that she was not inconvenienced in any way during her stay in Mumbai and offered to drive her around. Another unconfirmed internet report also suggested that the two even stayed together. 

The 22-year-old Claudia who recently appeared for her University Exams flew immediately to Cannes to be part of the Indian Pavilion. Her media spokesperson and publicist for India, Flynn Remedios said that Claudia and Abhishek discussed and chatted for quite some time. They shared notes on common interests including her work in Bollywood. Abhishek was impressed with her in-depth knowledge of Bollywood and her fascination for Indian movies. The junior Bachchan was also taken in by her love for Indian couture, Indian Fashion and particularly an Indian embroidery outfit worn by Claudia and designed by Bollywood fashion designer Umair Zaffar. Speaking to the media at Cannes when queried about her outfits, Claudia said, “Umair Zaffar’s Indian bridal wear is really impressive. His designs, style, cuts and fits are fantastic.”


Meanwhile Claudia was all praises for Abhishek’s wife, Aishwarya Bachchan. “She is the perfect embodiment of the modern Indian woman – talented, beautiful and stunning. Abhishek is really a very lucky man,” Claudia told Hollywood Reporter at Cannes.

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Bachchan recalls his magic innings with Mehra

Mumbai: Condoling the demise of legendary filmmaker Prakash Mehra, megastar Amitabh Bachchan has said that he had lost a friend and a colleague and an entire era of cinema has passed away with him.

"An entire era of cinema and my association with him passed away. He was recuperating well in hospital and was to be shifted from the ICU to a general ward. A sudden infection resulted in multiple organ failure and he breathed his last," Bachchan said on his blog.

Bachchan recalled their first meeting at RajKamal studio where the filmmaker had come to cast him in Zanjeer in 1971, and then right through to the mid 80s.

"Year after year of unbelievable successes - Zanjeer, Hera Pheri, Khoon Paseena, Laawaris, Muquaddar ka Sikander, Sharabi, Namak Halal. What a huge bank of amazing films, right down to his last with me, Jaadugar. The only one that did not work," Big B said.

Bachchan wrote that Mehra called him in Bangalore after the release of Jaadugar and said, "'Lalla', as he endearingly called me, gad bad ho gayee hai!(Things have gone wrong).

"Honest and straight. He (Mehra) had always maintained that the day I cannot make a successful film with you I shall stop working with you. He never did anything after 'Jaadugar'," Bachchan said.

The actor described Mehra as a simple man who had the capacity to narrate great stories through the medium of cinema in the most simple manner.

"No fuss, no calisthenics. Just very ordinary camera placements and extraordinary content. A writer, a lyricist, a musician, he added all these qualities to his creativity behind the camera and gave me some of my most challenging roles," the megastar said.

"Never rewarded by any institution. And never sought one either. His films have lived out longer than him. A true mark of excellence," Bachchan said.

"The music he gave to his films still ring in the hearts and ears of each generation that came after him. The performances he extractedfrom his artists were never ever considered for any recognition. It never bothered him," the actor said.

"Critics panned his films and the greater the criticism the longer became their duration, at the box office," Bachchan said.

"Unko likhne do woh, jo bhi likh rahe hain, aur jahan bhi likh rahe hain. Main jaanta hun main unhe kahan likh raha hoon!," he (Mehra) would often retort. A friend and a colleague, gone forever," Bachchan concluded.

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Big B turns dialogue writer for Last Lear

Conquering new peaks has become a bit of a habit for Amitabh Bachchan. He did it yet again on the sets of his English-language film Last Lear when he penned down some on-the-spot Hindi dialogues for a scene with Preity Zinta and Bengali superstar Prosenjeet.

Director Rituparno Ghosh, reluctant to reveal details, admits that Bachchan has indeed penned the Hindi dialogues for a scene in Last Lear. 

"Since the film is almost in English, Last Lear has been my easiest film to date. But this is a film-within-a-film plot. There was a scene where Preity and Prosenjeet are supposed to be enacting a tense dramatic scene in a Hindi film, Gosh told the agency.

"I casually asked the Big B to help me out, not even thinking he'd take me seriously. Before I knew it he went into a corner and asked everyone, including me, to leave him alone. In no time at all the dialogues were ready!"

Hence, in Last Lear we would be hearing for the first time dialogues written by the Big B.

"That isn't the only first for Amitda in Last Lear. This is his first full-length English-language film and also the first film where he plays an actor doing a film within the film."

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Shahrukh consciously avoiding Amitabh!

Bollywood Baadshah Shahrukh Khan[^] is in the news again, not for the dismal performance of his IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders but for his rapport with superstar Amitabh Bachchan[^] . The grapevine is abuzz with the news that he is staying away from International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards 2009 because of Amitabh.

Being the brand ambassador of IIFA, Amitabh Bachchan[^] is surely going to be the cynosure of all eyes at this year's IIFA Awards ceremony. He is leaving no stone unturned to make it a big event and had recently promoted it in the beautiful city of Macau. He had even said publicly that he would invite Shahrukh to the event. But sadly, Shahrukh is likely to miss it if the latest rumours are to be believed.

It is said that Shahrukh would miss IIFA Awards 2009, as he is planning to go for a 10-day vacation to London with his family. Ironically, he is currently taking a break. He is not even cheering for his IPL team in South Africa.

The superstars had earlier dismissed having any rife between them.

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Amitabh Bachchan enjoys gondola ride after 30 years

By Arpana
Macau (China), May 8 (IANS) It was in 1979 that Amitabh Bachchan enjoyed a gondola ride on the famed waterways of Venice for a song sequence in a Hindi film - and 30 years later the Bollywood superstar relived the ride Friday, but this time in Macau!

“After Venice, I have experienced a gondola after 30 years at the Venetian Macau. It was an enchanting experience. I sat on the gondola 30 years back to shoot the song “Do lafzon ki hai” for my film “The Great Gambler” (1979). The song for the film not only made the Venetian gondola popular, but Venice as well,” Amitabh said on the sidelines of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) press meet here Friday.

Directed by Shakti Samanta, “The Great Gambler” starred Zeenat Aman and Neetu Singh in the lead and had Amitabh in a double-role.

Despite the big names involved, the film did not set the cash registers ringing but got etched in audiences’ minds for its romantic songs by R.D. Burman and the picturesque locales.

“After 30 years, today IIFA is going to do the same thing to the Venetian Macau what it (the song) did to Venice then. It was a very interesting and exciting ride,” the actor said at the press conference held at the plush Venetian Macao Resort-Hotel, which will host the three-day IIFA weekend June 11-13.

IIFA aims at taking Indian cinema beyond Indian shores and this year it is celebrating its 10th year in Macau after having travelled to countries like Britain, South Africa, Singapore, Dubai and Thailand in previous years.

Amitabh is the brand ambassador for IIFA and this is the 66-year-old’s first visit to Macau. He is staying at the Venetian Macao Resort-Hotel, which covers a 100,000 square feet area and boasts of having one of the largest casinos in the world.

The IIFA weekend, organised by Wizcraft Entertainment Pvt Ltd and to be sponsored by Videocon, is expected to draw over 500 luminaries from the Indian film industry.

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Amitabh miffed at rising budget of Teen Patti

London, May 3 (IANS) Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan is miffed with the soaring budget of his latest film “Teen Patti” and has slammed the crew and unit of the movie.
Big B, as he is fondly called, was recently in London filming alongside Sir Ben Kingsley for the film, but apparently wasn’t happy to see the unprepared unit in the last shooting stint of the film, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

“When the film first went on the sets, the budget of the film was a mere Rs. 12 crore and now after shooting for over a year the film has crossed the budget of Rs.20 crore,” said a source.

“Big B is perhaps unhappy with the prospects of his film going over budget as no star would like to be in such a situation where his film is finding it difficult to recover its huge making cost especially in the present times of recession,” the source added.

Directed by Leena Yadav, “Teen Patti” is a movie on high-stake gambling.

Amitabh plays a professor who tutors the art of the game, but with a cause, to five of his brightest proteges - played by R. Madhavan and newcomers Siddharth Kher, Dhruv Ganesh, Vaibhav Talwar and Shraddha Kapoor.

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Amitabh refused to work with Abhishek!

The Amitabh-Abhishek combination has always worked very well on screen (Sarkar, Sarkar Raj, KANK), then why did Sr. Bachchan refuse to work with Jr. Bachchan in Sujoy Ghosh’s ‘Aladin’? Apparently it was Amitabh who requested Sujoy not to cast his son Abhishek along with him in the film!

Filmmaker Sujoy Ghosh (of ‘Jhankaar Beats’ fame) revealed, “One afternoon when I was narrating the first draft of ‘Aladin’ to Mr. Bachchan, the initial script caught his attention but he was also quick to state; “Sounds interesting... but let’s not consider Abhishek for Aladin’s role. We are already doing a few films together... so let’s take a fresh face this time”. That’s how we thought of casting Riteish. Riteish is a very close friend of Abhishek and thus bonded very well with Amitabh.

We hope the new 'Aladin – Genie' combination will create magic at the box-office too.

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Amitabh Bachchan Turns Stylist

Amitabh Bachchan has always been a trend-setter, but this time he goes a step further by adding a personal touch to his character.

While planning a shoot for a special number for his forthcoming film ‘Aladin’, directed by Sujoy Ghosh, Mr. Bachchan suggested doing his own styling for the song’s picturisation.

Apparently Mr. Bachchan was extremely excited about the groovy track picturised on himself and Riteish Deshmukh and while planning the shoot for the peppy number, expressed his desire to contribute to the song in his very own way: by choosing his own outfit for it!

Of course, the director willingly agreed and Mr. Bachchan went on to chose a deep red velvet jacket which added that extra touch of grandeur to his already larger-than-life persona in the film.

Now that’s what we call flaunting your style with panache!

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I doesn't like Bachchan presence: Biapsha Basu

Bipasha Basu missed the showing of Shiamak Davar's collection launched by a sportswear company on Thursday night. What's particularly interesting about this bit of news is that Bipasha is the brand ambassador of said company.

A source present at the event says, "Shiamak and Reebok tied up to present his collection of the Bollywood workout program and the fashionable dance collection on Thursday night at a suburban hotel. Bipasha too was invited to the launch as she's the company's brand ambassador. But she didn't turn up even though she was in Mumbai."

The source further says, "Initially, Bipasha had committed to attend but something happened and she didn't turn up at the last moment leaving the organisers flustered. Fortunately, Shiamak saved the show with hiscrew putting a performance put up by specially challenged children.

Apparently, Bipasha was miffed that Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan had also been invited at her event and she wouldn't get solo coverage which she had wanted to promote her film, Aa Dekhen Zara, that released yesterday. Shiamak had sent her T-Shirts with the sportswear logo and design a day before the event but she still didn't go."

Bipasha's spokesperson says, "This is not true at all. It was more a Shiamak event than a Reebok event. Bipasha would have loved to attend it because she's the company's brand ambassador and also because Shiamak is a friend.

She was an invitee and it wasn't imperative that she attend the event. Also the timings clashed with her prior commitment for her movie (Aa Dekhen Zara) promotions and a preview screening on the eve of the film's release. The timings were clashing for both events and hence she couldn't attend the same. The brand had invited her on Tuesday for the event on Thursday and they were informed at the same time about the timing stress."

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Big B is a Ranbir Kapoor's fan

Two-film-old Ranbir Kapoor has found an admirer in none other than megastar Amitabh Bachchan. "He (Ranbir Kapoor) has shaped up so well in his career so far and with such ease and rapidity.

Cannot imagine he was assisting Sanjay Leela Bhansali as an AD (Assistant Director) on Black," Amitabh wrote on his blog.

"He and Sonam Kapoor were assistants on the set together. And now look at them. Big stars in their own right. Feels so wonderful to watch how this generation grows and accomplishes itself," he added.

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Big B' surprise appearance in Delhi-6

The suspense is out! The producers of Delhi-6, UTV and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, had kept Amitabh Bachchan's cameo in the film hidden from all and sundry.

Now it can be told. The veteran stars in the film, albeit in a brief role. He first appears in a photograph, when Waheeda Rehman walks into the ancestral home and refers to Bachchan Sr. as her husband. Yep, Bachchan Sr. enacts the role of Abhishek's grandfather in the film.

Bachchan Sr. eventually appears on the screen towards the end, during a crucial part of the climax. The sequence brings the real-life father son together. Of course, we wouldn't like to spill the beans, but the sequence is vital for the film.

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Big B visits Shahrukh at Mannat

Amitabh Bachchan visited Shah Rukh Khan at his home, Mannat on Bandstand, Mumbai, today, February 19, 2009. He had earlier written on his blog that he had plans to visit the ailing star who had just come out of a successful shoulder surgery.

"I had sent him (Shah Rukh) a message for his speedy recovery. He called back to thank and inform me that he is home. 'I was getting depressed in hospital, so came away', he said," Amitabh posted on his blog.

Amitabh messaged him, "I was planning to visit you in the hospital" and Shah Rukh replied saying, "Come home sir, we shall play some games."

"Don't take after surgery too lightly, I warned him and take rest and do not get into any kind of activity. He sounds a little groggy. I shall visit him tomorrow," he added.

Shah Rukh underwent an arthroscopic surgery Monday for a nagging pain in his left shoulder at the Breach Candy hospital in south Mumbai. He was relieved from the hospital Tuesday evening. The actor has been advised six weeks' rest.

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Big B's big Hollywood Project with Pacino

Feroze Nadiadwala is the next Bollywood filmmaker to show a fascination for Hollywood. He’s got Rob Cohen, who made hit Hollywood films like Fast and The Furious, The Skulls, Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story and The Mummy 3, to direct his Rs 300-crore magnum opus Jewel of India and action director Dan Bradley of Bond series fame.

You may hold your breath... for the Feroze-Cohen combine is looking at signing either Al Pacino or Robert de Niro, with glamour being lent by Monica Belluci, Eva Mendes or Cameron Diaz, and - yes, getting Amitabh Bachchan and Katrina Kaif to join this eclectic gang of superstars.

Feroze, who has made slick hit comedies like Hera Pheri, Phir Hera Pheri and Welcome, believes Jewel of India will generate huge business opportunities for Indian cinema. “It’s going to open up the market in a big way,” he said, “We have good content and talent in India and bringing in Western technology and expertise can boost our economy.”

Cohen, who will be in Mumbai soon to discuss the film and meet Bachchan, added, “In India, there are vast resources of untapped talent and many vibrant artistes not known to the West. My intention is to bridge the Hollywood-Bollywood gap in a mainstream fashion. I can’t wait to begin the film. Or for the day when Amitabh Bachchan and Al Pacino or Robert de Niro come together in one frame. It will mean the coming together of the fast and the furious.”

Jewel of India is the story of a student who discovers a document that leads him to believe that the Kohinoor diamond in the Tower of London is not real and that the real diamond is somewhere in India or close by. “It will be a modern day action film with Indian history woven into it to create an exciting treasure adventure,” revealed Feroze.

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Big B to spreading his fragrance

More than film, Big B is busy in endorsing brands these days. He is gearing up for the launch of his second signature perfume by French brand Lomani.

It is believed that Amitabh Bachchan went to meet the designers in Paris recently. He is believed to have discussed the marketing strategy for the launch, which is due in nine months. Reportedly his last Lomani perfume, floral- spicy blend was introduced in 2002. It was a huge hit.

The other Paris connection of Big B is that he was recently featured on the issue of L'Officiel Hommes. Designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla styled him in Louis Vuitton and well known photographer Ian McKell shot him in the beautiful city of Paris.

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Anil Kapoor better than Big B: SRK

Slumdog Millionaire is getting rave reviews world wide and one man who couldn't be happier is director Danny Boyle. When we bumped into Danny recently the director was all praises for apna Lakhan bhai, Anil Kapoor.

Expressing his liking for Anil he stated, "Anil has been a great ambassador for us, for this film and Mumbai. The way he represents India is phenomenal. He is such a wonderful actor."

Showing no regrets for not having Big B and SRK in the movie, he further added, "Amitabh and Shah Rukh have already hosted shows and are legends in their own right but I needed an actor who can be a legend and also make the character his own. I was happy with Anil."

Anil definitely seems to be the man of the moment.

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I don’t Support Big B: Sonam Kapoor

The occasion was to announce Worldwide Media’s title sponsorship agreement with IDEA Cellular Ltd for the 54th Filmfare awards. But guess who hogged the limelight? The vivacious Sonam Kapoor! And why not? Her ‘Delhi 6’ opposite Abhishek Bachchan is ready for release...

We spoke to her on the obvious, and much more.

Excerpts:

What is so special about ‘Delhi 6’?
Sonam Kapoor: I love Delhi. I love the food here; Chhole Bhature, Golgappas and chaat at Chandni Chowk. My family lives here. So obviously shooting in Delhi was fun. Working with Abhishek and Rakeysh Mehra was special too!

Your favourite song from ‘Delhi 6’ is...
Sonam Kapoor: I love animals so Masakalli obviously! It is about me, a free-spirited bird. During the shooting I developed a bond with this pigeon. The way Masakalli is composed, sung and shot makes it special.

‘Saawariya’ bombed at the BO, are you scared for ‘Delhi 6’?
Sonam Kapoor: I am hopeful and have high expectations from the movie. I got what I wanted from ‘Saawariya’, so I am happy!

Last year the Filmfare went to Deepika. Were you upset?
Sonam Kapoor: Yes I was. But as I said I got a lot from ‘Saawariya’ - endorsements, popularity, and ‘Delhi 6’. I am young, invincible, and on top of the world. Should I be upset?!

Your dad Anil Kapoor is part of the ‘Slumdog...’ phrnomenon. How does it feel?
Sonam Kapoor: We attended ‘Slumdog Millionaire’s premiers and did bhangra on the red carpet. The movie is about triumph of underdog, love, and India as it is. I am proud of it.

Your response on Big B’s disgust and Anil Kapoor’s performance...
Sonam Kapoor: It’s a democracy and everyone has a right to say what he/she feels. I don’t’ support Amitabh ji’s opinion. SRK in KBC, Big B in KBC, and my dad in ‘Slumdog Millionaire’: well, my dad is the best!

Anil Kapoor says he never gets awards...
Sonam Kapoor: Ghar mein itne saare to pade hain... He is a liar. How can you trust him?

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Slumdog is wonderful: Amitabh Bachchan

Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan, who had stoked a controversy by slamming Slumdog Millionaire, Friday said the movie was "wonderful" and expressed happiness that composer AR Rahman won three Oscar nominations for his score and songs in the movie.

"The sound engineer of this wonderful movie Slumdog Millionaire, Rasool, an Indian, has also won a nomination along with Rahman. I am so happy. Bhanu Athaiya was the last Indian to win an Oscar for the designing the costumes of Richard Attenborough's Gandhi in 1982," Bachchan said at an overflowing venue at the Jaipur Literature Festival.

Referring to his comment regarding Slumdog Millionaire that "the film projects India as Third World's dirty underbelly developing nation and causes pain and disgust among nationalists and patriots", he said, "I write a blog. But the opinions expressed in my blog were not my own. So many people write on my blog site and I was just quoting one of them. I have spoken to Anil Kapoor and Danny Boyle and cleared the misgivings. But everyone must have freedom of expression."

The superstar was here for a day to release his biography, Bachchanalia: The Films and Memorabilia of Amitabh Bachchan, spanning 40 years of his career in the Hindi film industry.

The book – co-authored by Mumbai-based author Bhawana Somaaya and the Mumbai-based auction house and archive OSIAN's Centre for Archiving, Research and Development (CARD) wing – is the maiden publication of Osian's publishing and design department. Founder and chairman of OSIAN's Neville Tuli was in conversation with the superstar.

Bachchan, clad in a pink shirt and a black velvet blazer, cut an amenable figure as he fielded queries from his host and the audience alike. "Indian cinema is gaining global acceptance. I was in Paris two weeks ago for Salon Du Cinema, a festival of world films, where India and my family were the focus this time.

"I realised that the Indian movie industry was being acknowledged and Hindi movies were being shown on television channels in countries like France, Germany and all over Europe – even in those European nations where there had been no awareness about Indian movies before."

"If you want a personal and an honest opinion, I think Indian movies are paramount. They don't fall short in any way globally – be it in terms of cinematography, content or the cast. I am very happy with the kind of movies we are making. The Oscar is in its place – the fact that they have decided to nominate one of our artistes is heartening," Bachchan said.

The superstar held forth on a variety of subjects – ranging from his relationship with his son, reading habits, concern for junior artistes in Mumbai, secular fabric of the country and his own life. Striking a patriotic note, the Bollywood veteran said he was proud to be a movie star.

"I'm proud to be in the profession because once people walk into a movie theatre they forget the identity of those with whom they are sharing the hall. You do not ask if the person seated next to you is a Hindu, Sikh, Christian or a Muslim. We watch the same emotions, cry over the same grief and sing the same songs. I think the integrated India lies inside the movie halls of this country," Bachchan said.

The superstar was emphatic that his angry young man image, which had a created a new metaphor in Indian cinema after his hit action movie, Zanjeer, was not setting a violent precedent among the youth. "For every angry young man, I have played a benign Anthony bhai (Amar Akbar Anthony). The maximum violence as I read in the papers happens in Bihar," he said.

"The history of this country is more than 1,000 years old – I don't want to look down upon the younger generation. You have to give space to each generation to progress," he said.

As a model citizen of India, Bachchan said his dream was to ensure that every Indian should know, understand and follow the Constitution and work together for an integrated country – especially in these troubled times of terror.

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Big B feels disgusted by Slumdog Millionaire

Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan has slammed Danny Boyle's Golden Globe award winning underdog drama “Slumdog Millionaire” for showing India in poor light.

“If 'Slumdog Millionaire' projects India as Third World dirty underbelly developing nation and causes pain and disgust among nationalists and patriots, let it be known that a murky underbelly exists and thrives even in the most developed nations, ” Amitabh said in a posting on his blog Wednesday from Paris, France.

“Its just that the 'Slumdog Millioanire' idea authored by an Indian and conceived and cinematically put together by a westerner, gets creative global recognition, ” he added.

The 66-year-old also talked about the changing trend in recognition of Indian cinema.

“The commercial escapist world of Indian cinema had vociferously battled for years, on the attention paid and the adulation given to the legendary Satyajit Ray... and not a word of appreciation for the entertaining mass-oriented box office blockbusters that were being churned out from Mumbai.

“Ray portrayed reality. While, the other - escapism, fantasy and incredulous posturing. Unimpressive for Cannes and Berlin and Venice (film festivals), ” he explained.

He further wrote: “But look how rapidly all that is changing. Dedicated TV channels running Hindi cinema on prime timings. Premieres at Leicester Square (referring to 'Chandni Chowk To China'), the home of all Hollywood royalty, thronged by hundreds on the street in cold biting weather.”

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