I am alive and breathing
Says Amitabh Bachchan, dispelling rumours about his health and wealth. In an interview with Subhash K Jha, the actor clears the air
The speculation regarding your health continues. How much have you recovered?
I am alive..and breathing. I am mobile and I eat normal food. I read, I respond to mail, meet the odd visitor and visit temples. So one can safely assume that my recovery is progressing well. Of course, all the speculation is justified. The affection and concern of people - well-wishers and fans – has been overwhelming. For their sake, I shall succumb to the the somewhat intrusive intent of the media. But media has a job to do and information is vital to them. It's no fault of theirs. There is always a desire and need among people to seek information about celebrities. Yes, the extent to which they go is debatable. Competition in today's world is compelling. But people have been very kind and compassionate towards me, they have placed me on a pedestal that I most certainly do not deserve and certainly am not comfortable with.
A recent report said you've to have another surgery, for hernia? Is that correct? If not where do you think these rumours came from?
No, I am not going back for another surgery... at least I hope not. But, with my kind of medical history, you never know. Mine is a human body after all. Who knows what surprises it has in store. To answer the second part of your question, rumours can come from anywhere. The unfortunate part is that they generally invite belief. Recently I have had to put on the television to find out what I am ailing from and where and how my treatment is going to take place. They also inform me when I have stepped out of the house and when I shall be getting back. It's amusing, but one learns to take it in the right spirit.
Journalists keep quoting hospital sources to corroborate health reports of you. Is that right, or even accurate?
Yes I would assume they get their facts from hospital sources. Where else would they go...? Whether they are accurate or not, depends on the integrity and honesty of the journalist and his/her code of conduct. Every profession has its own regulations and yardsticks. I would like to believe that journalists in our country adhere to these regulations. Whether it is right or not, I cannot say. The medical profession also has very dedicated norms and ethics. In most western countries there is a strict code of confidentiality between the patient and the doctor. The right to protect medical information rests with the patient. Disclosure is forbidden, even to family members. I do not know if this practice is prevalent in India. I would imagine it is, considering we have the finest medical professionals here.
Were you at Nanavati Hospital, not Leelavati, this week? Is everything okay?
Yes I was at Nanavati Hospital. I went there for routine check-ups. I often do. This one was to ascertain the recent repair and the doctors seemed satisfied. I went to Nanavati, and not Lilavati, because of the former hospital's proximity to the house. And I went at midnight because I did not want to disturb the hospital and its other patients during normal working hours. The hospital graciously worked overtime to accommodate me.
When do you hope to be back at work... or even in public life? Do you think you will be able to attend any of the awards functions where Black is the outright winner?
I await doctors instructions for this, so I really cannot say. Once I get their clearance, I shall be up and about. I haven't got this clearance yet.
You're the highest tax payer in the film industry. And yet there's constant questioning and counter-questioning on your Income Tax filings. How do you hope to overcome this problem, especially at a time when you are recovering from a major health setback?
Yes, the media and the IT department declared that I was indeed the highest tax payer in the industry – Rs 6.35 cr approximately. Combined with Abhishek, th figure would be around Rs 7.5 cr. This would rank amongst the highest individual tax payers in the country too. But that's no big deal! If I have earned money, I must pay my taxes. This is mandatory for all citizens. So I have paid.
Constant questioning and counter questioning is a constitutional and legal right of the Income Tax department. Their actions are governed by the law of the land. Democratically, we as assessees, have the right to challenge their judgement via appeals, tribunals and courts. Finally, law and its interpretation succeeds and is implemented. The icon for justice has always been the figure holding the scales, blindfolded. No one is above justice. In my case, a notice was sent to me in November, at a time when I was in New York shooting for Kabhi Alvida Na Kehena. I asked for time until I returned to Mumbai, to comply.
Since the amount assessed came out of several disputed deliberations, the IT department had agreed that I should immediately pay 50 per cent of the amount and pay the balance by the end of the year, or with interest, by March 2006. I made payments as agreed, on my return. But within a week of the previous notice I got another one, demanding full payment. I don't know what made the Department change its mind. My counsel told me it was not normal for the Department to do that. But, as a law abiding citizen I complied with this too. At least partially. In January we were granted a stay for a certain period of time. That's all there is to it.
There was a second IT notice too.
Yes, the second notice, even though dated before I went to hospital, reached me when I was in hospital. Postal communications take three to four to reach their destination. This is normal. No officer walked into the ICU and served me the notice. That's incorrect. The media made out as though this is what happenned. Notices are sent to official addresses. Despite the fact that I have been spending a fair amount of my life in hospital ICUs, they are not my official address!
But, when IT department notices ask you to comply within three days or be subjected to coercive action, and you are in the ICU, then you hurriedly get on with the business of tearing out the oxygen masks, and all the intravenous survival contraptions plugged into you, and start writing cheques! During my entire December stay at Lilavati Hospital, I must have paid over Rs 6 crore to the IT Department, with nominal contributions from Abhishek. I have great respect for the law of this land and have always complied with it. I have always expressed my great admiration for the bureaucracy, their wisdom and their intelligence. And no act of theirs will make me change that impression. Hospitals and ICUs are regions everyone wants to avoid. They create emotional and psychological upheavals. You are vulnerable and sensitive. My statements may have been presented in a manner to incite sensational headlines, but I have not kept away from the truth. I have not lied. And I shall diligently follow the due course of law and abide by it.
There's a feeling of relief all around, as you get back to your feet. As and when you get back to work, what would be your priority?
I still have to hear from my doctors on what I can and cannot do. A lot will depend on that. Committments will get first priority. Projects that have been stalled and are incurring financial insecurities will get priority. New projects? Nothing at the moment.
Out of the three Filmfare nominations for best actor, two are yours and one is Abhishek's…
I feel deeply about the fact that we, father and son, can share this rare moment. I think perhaps there are no precedents to this. fathers and sons may have been nominated in different categories perhaps, but not in the same one. As a father I could not have asked for more. Actually I do. I would like Abhishek to beat me to it!
• When IT Department notices ask you to comply within three days or be subjected to coercive action, and you are in the ICU, then you hurriedly get on with the business of tearing out the oxygen masks, and start writing cheques!
* I'd like Abhishek to beat me to the awards
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