Amitabh Bachchan Interview Abhishek Bachchan wrapped up Paa within budget

Abhishek wrapped up 'Paa' within budget: Amitabh Bachchan (Interview)  
By Radhika Bhirani

New Delhi, Nov 27 (IANS) Amitabh Bachchan says "Paa" was crucial for his production company AB Corp and says son Abhishek has done a remarkable job as a producer by wrapping up the film within a Rs.15 crore (Rs.150 million) budget.

"Any film that a producer makes is crucial for him financially. And we completely recognise that. We can only hope that 'Paa' does well. This time Abhishek has managed all the production hassles and I am glad he has done it with a high level of maturity," Amitabh told IANS in an interview on phone from Mumbai.

"We had set out to make the film within an estimated budget of Rs.15 crore and Abhishek managed it in Rs.14.75 crore. This, in times when movie budgets are soaring to Rs.50 crore.

"I think he has done a remarkable job. I give huge credit to him for making the film without compromising on the quality or the shooting locations. God willing, it will pay off well," he said.

The real life father-son duo star in reverse roles in the film.

Amitabh says he was "quite well-behaved and obedient" on the sets unlike the "troublesome child" he was called by Abhishek who plays his father.

"Abhishek must have been fooling around when he said I was a troublesome kid. In fact, I was quite a well-behaved and obedient child (on the sets). I followed all instructions of the script and did as much mischief as the script and director Balki required from me. It was all in good fun," Amitabh said.

In "Paa", Amitabh will be seen as Auro, a 13-year-old suffering from progeria, a rare condition which causes premature ageing among children. While Abhishek plays his dad, Vidya Balan essays the role of his mother.

Amitabh, 67, had to wear over eight pieces of specially crafted clay pieces designed by international make-up artist Stephan Dupuis for his role and says he was pampered well during the entire process.

"I was quite pampered on the sets. Actually they (unit members) were more worried about the makeup as it was very tedious. I used to have a lot of problem in breathing, eating and used to feel itchy - but everyone was extremely courteous.

"I couldn't eat properly, couldn't speak and liquid supplies were given to me using straws. Everyone was quite nice to me and pampered me," he said.

But isn't he pampered much at home as well?

"Well! Of course, I am. But for 'Paa', I was really pampered like a kid," he quipped.

Asked about the experience of playing his son's son in the film, Amitabh said: "It was fine. It wasn't tough. Actually, once you decide that this is a role you have to play in a film, the father-son relationship takes a backseat.

"We just played our parts. For an actor, I think it's all about catching the right attitude of his character and that's what we have both tried to do."

Amitabh is all praise for Abhishek's acting skills.

"I think Abhishek is maturing with each film. He really suited the role he has played in 'Paa' and I must say he has done a marvellous job."

Amitabh is being lauded by film critics and industry members for his portrayal of Auro. Many have called it "awesome", "amazing" and his "best performance till date". But Amitabh said humbly: "I'd rather wait for public opinion."

After "Paa", which is releasing Dec 4, Amitabh will be seen in Ram Gopal Varma's "Rann" and Leena Yadav's "Teen Patti".

As of now, he can be seen as a host on reality show "Bigg Boss 3", which airs on the channel Colors. 

Abhishek   Bigg Boss 3    Paa   Vidya Balan

26/11 Anniversary Amitabh Bachchan has lent his voice

Amitabh Bachchan: Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan has lent his voice to a song commemorating those who died in last year's militant attacks on Mumbai, a report said Wednesday.

It's Dev Anand Amitabh Bachchan for Miss India Canada Dogra

It's Dev Anand, Amitabh for Miss India Canada
By Shilpa Raina

New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) Miss India Canada Aanchal Dogra admires legendary Bollywood actor Dev Anand for his energy level and megastar Amitabh Bachchan for managing his personal life well. The beauty queen hopes to work with both the veterans even though she herself is just 25 years old.

"I had a meeting with Dev Anand sir and we discussed various things, including his future projects. In an indirect way, I have shown interest to be part of any of his projects. Let's see if that happens...I hope it does," Aanchal, 25, told IANS in an interview.

"He is such a great person with so much energy. I'm inspired by his never ending energy level," she added.

Aanchal is also a big fan of Amitabh and said: "I would love to work with Big B. I adore him a lot not just because of his professional skills but the way he has managed to deal with his personal life despite regular media attention."

She is in India for various kinds of promotions, including visiting NGOs and spreading the message of peace, harmony and goodwill as part of her duties after winning the crown in August this year in Toronto. 

Miss India Canada is the largest of the South Asian beauty pageants conducted in North America every year.

Delhi-born Aanchal holds an MD in alternative medicine and describes her entry into the fashion world as "accidental".

"It just happened. I had not planned it. Out of the blue I participate and then I found myself among the top 16 finalists. So I thought let's go for the crown," she said.

Aanchal is brought up by her single mother who had apprehensions about her entering beauty pageant.

"My family was very apprehensive about my decision and they were not at all supporting me. This added fuel to my spirit and I was motivated enough to win the crown. Today my mum is ecstatic and I am happy that I brought that smile on her face," she added.

Having been a Delhiite, Dogra is familiar with the city and has mades sure she gorges on chaat at Kamla Nagar market here this time too.

"I am not new to this city as I was born here. Also, I have done my college from here so I knew about these places where you get the best of Delhi. I just love the chaat of Kamla Nagar and despite my tight schedule, I managed to go there," she said. 

Shilpa Shetty wedding reception at Aishwarya Rai and father Big B

Shilpa's co-star in Dus and Phir Milenge Abhishek Bachchan couldn't make it. But his gorgeous wife Aishwarya Rai and father Amitabh more than made up for his absence.

Vidya Balan First Child Big B

I can proudly tell my kids Big B was my first child: Vidya Balan 

New Delhi, Nov 22 (IANS) Bollywood actress Vidya Balan, who is playing Amitabh Bachchan's mother in her forthcoming movie "Paa", says that now she can proudly tell everyone that the 67-year-old megastar was her first child.

"After this role, I can proudly tell my children and grandchildren that Big B was my first child. Not even in my wildest dreams had I thought of playing mother to the living legend of the industry," said Vidya Balan.

"It was an humbling experience to work with Bachchanji. This is a very special movie for me," she added.

Balan is paired with Abhishek Bachchan in "Paa", which is an emotional story of a father-son relationship. Amitabh will be seen as Abhishek's 13-year-old son Auro who is suffering from a rare disease progeria, that accelerates ageing. 

The film is schedule for a Dec 4 release. 

Amitabh Bachchan was recently spotted with the Duchess of York at the Royal Rajasthan Gala event

Amitabh Bachchan was recently spotted with the Duchess of York at the Royal Rajasthan Gala event that took place in London

Abhishek Bachchan Promotion Paa On Big FM Studios

Event: Abhishek Bachchan at Promotion of the Film "PAA"

Celebrities: Abhishek Bachchan and Rj Rani

Venue:  Big 92.7 Fm Studio, Andheri, Mumbai

Date: 16th November, 2009

BigB Man Of The year Awards on the Cover of GQ

Man Of The year Awards  BigB on the Magazine Covers GQ.

Amitabh Bachchan sings with Rashid Khan for 26/11 album

Amitabh sings with Rashid Khan for 26/11 album  
By Subhash K. Jha

Mumbai, Nov 14 (IANS) Amitabh Bachchan has lent his voice to quite a few film songs but now the megastar is singing along with classical maestro Rashid Khan for an album dedicated to the victims of the 26/11 terror attacks on Mumbai last year.

"Yes, Rashid Khan and I have sung together. The system of recording these days allows a lot of freedom to sing how one is comfortable. That's how I managed it," said Amitabh.

Titled "Sound Of Peace", the project has been helmed by composer Aadesh Shrivastava.

Efforts are now on to get Ashutosh Gowariker to direct a video that will feature the Big B, Rashid Khan and Aadesh Shrivastava. Footage from the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai will be interspersed with scenes from 9/11 in the US and the London subway bombings of 2005.

Said Aadesh: "We initially planned to make this a Hindi-Urdu album in memory of the 26/11 victims. But we've now expanded it into a comment on global terrorism. Mr. Bachchan is now in the process of recording an English version of the peace song."

Composer Ilaiyaaraja cancels music release of Paa

Composer Ilaiyaaraja cancels music release of 'Paa'  
By Subhash K. Jha

Mumbai, Nov 14 (IANS) The music event of upcoming movie "Paa" that was scheduled for Children's Day Saturday here was cancelled, thanks to workaholic composer Ilaiyaaraja who is not ready to break his "creative process to attend the function".

Now, the sound tracks will hit the outlets Sunday without any formal release.

"We had planned a formal music launch on Children's Day in Mumbai. But Raja sir is busy doing the background score for 'Paa'. In fact I'm with him right now. He says there's no way he would break his creative process to attend the function. We all respect his wishes. We've cancelled the formal music release," director Balki says.

The music event was to be attended by Bollywood actresses Vidya Balan, Abhishek Bachchan, Balki and Ilaiyaaraja, who is currently in Chennai.

For Children's Day, Balki will release a number of messages from Big B in the voice of Auro for kids all over the world. In "Paa", Amitabh Bachchan plays the character of Auro, who has a rare genetic defect that causes accelerated ageing.

Balki said Amitabh won't appear in person for any of the promotional activities of "Paa".

"We'll only be hearing him talk about the film in the voice of Auro in all the campaigns. He won't be seen in person anywhere," the director said.

Amitabh Shamita Shetty and Tanaaz on the sets of Bigg Boss 3 Photos

Amitabh Bachchan Shamita Shetty and Tanaaz Irani on the sets of Bigg Boss 3 Photos

Legendary Amitabh Bachchan alongwith actress Shamita Shetty & Tanaaz Irani on the sets of 'Bigg Boss 3'

Amitabh Bachchan and Shamita Shetty pose for a picture on the sets of a television reality show 'Bigg Boss'.

Amitabh Abhishek role reversal main motive behind Paa: Balk

Amitabh-Abhishek role reversal main motive behind 'Paa': Balki (Interview)  
By Ruchika Kher

New Delhi, Nov 12 (IANS) The idea to cast Amitabh Bachchan as Abhishek's son in "Paa" struck filmmaker R. Balakrishnan when he watched the father-son duo together and observed a high level of maturity in the latter's behaviour.

"My main aim was not to make a film on progeria. My main motive behind making 'Paa' was to reverse the roles of Amitabh and Abhishek. I decided to do something like this because once I was with both of them and I saw Abhishek behaving in a very matured manner. It was then that this idea struck me," Balakrishnan, who is known as Balki, told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

The director revealed that he got to know about progeria, the premature ageing disease, much later and used it to make his film look real instead of a fantasy fare.

"I didn't know how to implement my idea. Then a few friends introduced me to this ailment called progeria. I consulted doctors and even researched on the internet to know more about it. This gave me the idea of making my film look believable," he said.

"Paa", an emotional story of a father-son relationship, will see Amitabh playing Abhishek's 13-year-old son Auro who is suffering from progeria.

The much-awaited film is slated to release Dec 4 and has been made under Amitabh's banner AB Corps Ltd.

Balki, who had cast Amitabh in his directorial debut "Cheeni Kum", says he was convinced that Amitabh was right for the role in "Paa" right from the inception of the idea.

"I was convinced from the very beginning that Amitabh will be best suited for this role. He has given brilliant performances before, but this is his most mind blowing performance," he said.

"For the role, he had to be completely different from his real self. For an actor to give a performance away from his personality is a very difficult thing," he added.

For the special look of Amitabh's character Auro, Balki roped in noted international make-up artist Stephan Dupuis and the arduous make-up procedure used to take more than four hours.

What is unusual about the promos of "Paa" is the fact that Amitabh has been referred to as a newcomer.

Asked about it, Balki said: "We wanted to remove every bit of Amitabh Bachchan from the character and present him as a completely new person. His distinct style, mannerisms and the way he talks...we wanted to remove all that. That was the whole purpose of this exercise."

Balki is also impressed with Abhishek and Vidya Balan, who play Amitabh's parents in the film.

"Abhishek is a very sensitive, understated and subtle actor. As an actor and as a son you need courage to play father to your father in a film. It's extremely difficult but he has done a great job," he said.

"As far as Vidya is concerned, I believe that she is the finest actress we have today. She can play mature roles as well as exhibit childish qualities in her," he said.

Amitabh Bachchan Sachin at felicitation Gavaskar and Vishwanath Photos

Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan and Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar pose with former Indian cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Gundappa Viswanath during a function in Mumbai . Videos