As a tribute to his exceptional career in Hindi cinema and his influence on society beyond its frontiers, Amitabh Bachchan was recently bestowed with the Officier de la Legion d'Honneur by the Republic of France. Verve recreates some of its interaction with the superstar
Veteran
of Bollywood (he insists on calling it the 'entertainment industry')
with a hundred films and celluloid roles under his belt, Amitabh Bachchan's
most stylish role is undoubtedly, playing himself. Unorchestrated by
designers and unencumbered by stylists, the most ritzy character that
he plays is, in fact, Amitabh Bachchan. Foot-stampingly impatient at
being described a style icon, he is unable to recognise his own panache.
An interviewer's nightmare, he sidesteps questions on his 'look' with
particular agility.
My parents were very progressive
for their age, in the 40s. They broke norms. They gave us the liberty
and freedom to do what we wanted. We have adopted a similar temperament
with our kids.
At the end of the day, my kids do
come out with flying colours.
I don't know what we learn from
our children. A bit of French, perhaps! After all, they did go to Swiss
schools.
I don't drink alcohol, coffee or
tea. I don't smoke, I am a vegetarian. I don't do any of this for health
reasons or religious reasons. I just don't do it! I used to smoke, eat
paan, have tea, coffee, drinks...
In this age
to ask 'how do you know?' is absurd. If you can read, you know!
I don't do anything that is orchestrated.
Recently, there has been an upsurge of very controlled groups who manage
the 'look' of a film. I have been subjected to these people. Other than
that, what the director wanted, I wore.
If I give you a time, I should keep
it. You have a watch. Look at it and be on time.
The media makes a hoo-ha about everything.
I was petrified of being on television. I still am. I lose weight. I become crabby. It is not an easy role.
There is no such thing as 'superstardom'. We are all just actors.
Method acting is too complicated for me. It is a waste of time, really.
Abu-Sandeep design my ethnic clothes. They are also personal friends of the family.
I like anything that is trendy - Armani, Versace…. I shop for myself.
It's nice to go post your own letter, buy your own groceries. I do enjoy the anonymity when I travel abroad.
On occasion I have taken my grandchildren to shop for toys, in Mumbai.
I write with my right but I do everything else with my left.
It would be a terrible day for an artiste to be completely satisfied.
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