Bachchan turns 64 today

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dhaval

@dhaval_h_parekh

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Posted: 19 years ago

i felt like sharing this article from mid-day with everyone hope u guys enjoy reading this

Bachchan turns 64 today
By: Subhash K Jha
October 11, 2005

Jaya Bachchan wishes Amitabh a happy 60th

One day from his 64th janamdin, Amitabh Bachchan (otherwise referred to as the Big B, superstar of the millennium and sundry other epithets) can look back with satisfaction.

This year, the actor was part of Black, Bunty Aur Babli, Sarkar and Waqt — all of which were box office winners. Given the fawning adulation he enjoys, the actor tells hitList he must be doing something right…

How do you plan to spend your birthday?
It's like any other day; it'll be work, work and work. I'll be shooting for KBC. In the evening, I'll come home and spend time with my family… which I hardly get to do these days.

Your 60th birthday bash is still being talked about.
That was because Jaya thought turning 60 was some kind of a benchmark. She said we had to celebrate it. I said, 'Bhaiyya main kuch nahin karne wala hoon.

Aap jahan kahenge main chala jaoonga'. My family, Amar Singhji and Anil Ambani, organised everything. Hamare Hindu calendar mein 60th year auspicious mana jata hai. I don't know how far it's true, but a man is supposed to grow wise at 60. A 64th birthday is just another day.

Is there any ritual you follow, like visiting a temple, on your birthday?
I have to shoot all day. I'd love to do the things people normally do on their birthday, but my prior commitments this time make it impossible. Anyway, a birthday is like any other day for me. What's the big deal?

It's a big deal for family and friends. How do you feel about surprise birthday parties?
It cannot be a surprise if I comment on it. Agar hoga to dekha jayega.

Your fans and fan clubs will go berserk again this time…
I'm grateful and happy. I can only reciprocate by giving them my good wishes and hoping I live up to their expectations. Fans do all kinds of over-the-top things to express their adoration and adulation. I don't approve of building a temple, doing havan and writing letters in blood — makes me uncomfortable. But I can't stop them.

They get hurt when you stop them. I don't want to hurt their sentiments. But I don't want them to go to extreme lengths to show their love either — I'm not worthy of it. I want them to show temperance, but I can't stop them. Their love depends on how well I'm doing professionally. I guess I must be doing a few things right.

thelist@mid-day.com

Amitabh on Eklavya

Vinod Chopra

Tell us about working with Vidhu Vinod Chopra in Eklavya.
Vinod Chopra is very passionate about his work; meticulous to the point that the birds must fly in the correct direction! Vinod wanted to work with me ever since he came out of FTII, but it never worked out… until now. All of us had a great time.

You play the title character?
Yes, Eklavya, set in Rajasthan, has intrigue and enigma. Before this, I shot with Apoorva Lakhiya for Ek Ajnabee, in Bangkok. Apoorva has edited the material in a very novel fashion. There's a new style of presenting the scene. You have to see it to believe it. It's just two hours long, and doesn't have actors singing on screen.

You're working with a whole gamut of directors now.
Yeah, when people ask me to work with them, I return their warmth. I do cinema, television and endorsements, and there's room for more. Next year, I have Ravi Chopra's Babul, Karan Johar's Kabhi Alvidaa Na Kehna and Balkrishnan's first feature film, with Tabu. I've also agreed to Deepa Mehta's next.