Bollywood
superstar
Amitabh
Bachchan
was
all
praise
for
Raavan
when
he
saw
it
at
its
London
Premiere,
not
knowing
that
it
would
receive
huge
backlash
from
the
media
and
the
audience.
But
he
has
so
much
experience
in
filmdom
that
he
knows
every
little
bit
of
it
like
no
one
else.
Surprisingly,
he
is
not
surprised
by
the
criticism
on
his
son
Abhishek
Bachchan's
Raavan.
Here
is
the
exclusive
interview
of
the
actor.
You
have
again
started
signing
in
films
after
a
long
gap.
Please
describe
the
projects
that
you've
taken
on.
Yes
I
had
not
signed
a
film
for
a
while.
There
had
been
an
accumulation
of
5
films
one
after
the
other,
due
to
the
multiplex
strike.
All
of
them
have
released,
barring
one.
I
have
signed
up
with
Rajkumar
Santoshi,
and
there
are
projects
on
the
verge
of
finalization
with
Pritish
Nandy
Communication,
Prakash
Jha,
Puri
Jagannath,
Abbas
Mastaan
and
of
course
R
Balki.
You
were
in
Paris
recently
for
a
recital
of
your
father's
poetry.
How
was
that
experience.
Yes,
I
was
in
Paris
to
do
a
recital
at
the
prestigious
Theatre
des
Champs-Elysee,
of
my
father"s
poems.
It
was
a
first
for
me
and
a
first
for
the
Theatre
too.
Almost
70%
French
audience,
subtitled
facilities
inside
the
theatre
and
a
most
remarkable
evening
for
me.
A
venue
that
has
played
host
to
greats
in
philharmonic
orchestra,
world
renowned
ballet
and
opera
to
be
hosting
Hindi
poetry
recitation
was
unique.
Some
of
my
fans
came
in
from
New
York
and
London,
Germany
and
Spain
to
witness
this
occasion.
I
thought
it
was
most
endearing
on
their
part.
For
me
it
was
a
privilege
to
be
able
to
introduce
my
Father"s
works
to
a
foreign
and
alien
audience.
Just
such
a
honour.
My
Father
would
never
have
dreamt
that
this
would
happen
someday,
but
it
did
happen
and
it
filled
me
with
a
lot
of
pride.
In
London
you
had
dinner
with
Aamir
Khan.
Any
projects
together
coming
up?
Why
would
you
assume
that
when
two
actors
meet
and
have
dinner
together
that
they
would
be
doing
a
project
together!!
Aamir
was
in
the
same
hotel
as
me,
he
called
we
met
and
went
out
for
a
meal.
Just
another
social
evening,
nothing
more.
Though
working
with
Aamir
would
be
a
joy,
particularly
if
he
were
to
direct
the
film.
Lately
Mr
Amar
Singh
has
had
a
lot
of
comments
to
make
on
your
family.
Your
comments?
Amar
Singh
ji
is
family
and
any
matter
about
him
becomes
personal.
I
would
not
comment
on
such
matters.
Does
the
savage
criticism
Abhishek's
solo
films
Delhi
6
and
now
Raavan
strike
you
as
being
perhaps
a
little
unjust
to
him?
No
not
all.
People
pay
to
go
and
see
a
film.
If
they
do
not
like
something
they
have
the
liberty
to
criticize
it.
I
cannot
understand
why
you
particularly
mention
'solo".
None
of
my
successful
films
Deewar,
Trishul,
Muqaddar
ka
Sikandar,
Sholay,
etc.
were
solo.
Abhishek,
too
has
had
his
share
of
solo
successes
and
non-successes.
Some
work
some
do
not.
It's
film
making.
Happens
the
world
over.
One
accepts
the
public
verdict
learns
from
it
and
tries
again.
His
recent
hit
was
Paa,
where
you
also
starred.
Any
more
projects
featuring
you
and
Abhishek?
I
hope
there
will
be.
There
are
a
few
talks
in
progress,
when
they
are
ready
we
can
talk
about
it.
Do
you
think
the
subversion
of
the
Ramayan
especially
towards
the
end
was
justified?
Firstly,
we
need
to
understand
that
the
film
is
not
Ramayan.
It
is
Mani"s
concept
of
a
story
with
elements
of
the
epic
and
his
own
interpretation
of
it.
This
is
the
director"s
take
on
a
story.
We
cannot
comment
whether
it
is
justifiable
or
not.
It
is
best
left
to
his
sensibilities
as
a
creative
artist.
Comment
yes,
justify
perhaps
not.
I
remember
your
vocal
and
emphatic
support
of
Mani
Ratnam's
Guru.
Do
you
feel
as
strongly
about
Raavan?
Yes,
but
in
different
ways.
Guru
was
straight
storytelling
and
Mani"s
brilliance
in
its
presentation
was
very
clear
to
observe.
Raavan
is
asking
me
to
study
and
think
and
analyse
and
probe.
It"s
taken
a
while
to
comprehend,
so
it
is
not
immediate.
It
is
driving
me
to
intellectualize,
something
that
most
viewers
are
not
prepared
for
when
they
go
to
see
a
film.
Mani"s
technique
and
approach
may
already
be
the
subject
of
discussion
and
inspiration
or
imitation
even
as
I
write.
But
then
that
is
a
personal
and
individual
view.
It
cannot
be
generalised.
Apparently
you've
been
reminding
Mani
Ratnam
and
Abhishek
that
they've
worked
thrice
together
and
that
it's
about
time
you
got
a
chance
to
work
with
him.
Is
a
film
with
Mani
around
the
corner?
I
wish
it
was
true,
but
there
is
no
such
offering.
Could
you
put
in
a
word
for
me??
I
can't
help
asking...you're
tweeting
and
blogging.
Do
these
means
of
communication
make
the
press
redundant
for
you?
How
could
you
possibly
ask
this
question
at
the
end
of
this
most
exhaustive
response
of
mine
to
the
press!
No
the
media
will
never
be
redundant.
Yes
I
Blog
and
Tweet
and
Vog
and
soon
shall
also
video
blog,
but
the
press
shall
always
have
its
presence
and
importance.
For
me,
these
mediums
are
a
wonderful
opportunity
to
connect
with
my
fans
and
well
wishers
independently
and
instantly.
The
internet
is
becoming
a
vast
medium
for
the
future.
Most
of
the
requests
for
interviews
have
also
reduced
because
the
media
picks
up
all
the
daily
news
from
our
blogs
and
tweets.
Look
at
the
vast
amount
of
information
that
these
mediums
provide
on
individuals
you
would
perhaps
have
never
had
the
opportunity
to
interact
with.
It
should
be
allowed
to
grow
and
prosper
its
use
and
misuse
notwithstanding.
Tweeting...what
has
been
the
most
memorable
experience
in
that
sphere
of
activity?
To
have
had
the
great
opportunity
of
a
chat
with
Lataji!!