Big B asks Bollywood tostopcomparisonwithHollywood

"Why can't we be proud of what we are doing rather than comparing ourself with others. The west is west and the east is east. Let both of them exist in their own world. What is wrong with the Indians?," the actor said.

The 66-year-old actor recently stirred a controversy when he criticised the multiple Oscar winning film Slumdog Millionaire for it's stereotype representation of India and its poverty.

When the topic was raised, the actor said that the film has indeed generated an interest about India amongst global audience and filmmakers but pointed out that there are many other stories to be told about the country other than its poverty.

"I respect the creative freedom of the writer and the director and if the film has created an interest in India we welcome that. There are many stories and ideas that need to be exposed and over the years they will realise that," the actor said.

The actor who was voted as the star of the millennium by BBC in 2000, said that Hollywood might have an edge with its technological finesse but when it comes to creativity Indian talent matches up to its western counterpart.

"I have always believed that Indian talent and Indian creativity is no where less than any other part of the world. The new generation is aggressively pursuing quality which will appeal to the world over," said the star.

The actor also launched a book 'Bollywood In Posters', and said that cinema will help build bridges between India and China.

"There is not much difference between Chinese and Indian culture. Human emotions are same everywhere. So if you tell a story centering around human emotions people from every corner will like it. Our efforts is to make films that is enjoyed by every community," the actor said.

"People are fighting everywhere but I think cinema is a medium that joins us together. We don't ask for a man's caste in a cinema hall," the actor said.

When asked the whether the tenth edition of IIFA awards had lost its lustre with many Bollywood stars giving it a miss Bachchan dodged the question.

Bachchan also remembered late actor-director Feroz Khan and said that the star had been an integral part of Indian cinema.

The press conference was also attended by Sanjay Khan, Zayed Khan, Lara Dutta, Resul Pookutty, Boman Irani, Australian singer Peter Andre, Ritiesh Deshmukh and other stars from the industry.