Life is like a boxing ring: Amitabh Bachchan

Life is like a boxing ring: Amitabh Bachchan  
New Delhi, March 12 (IANS) Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who recently met world light-welterweight boxing champion Amir Khan on a flight, says it is a "terrific sport" and its ring is "much like life".

"Did I ever tell you that I boxed in school too? I think I did. In Boys' High School in Allahabad and then in Sherwood College, Nainital. Terrific sport. The ladies do not much care for it. Too brutal for them they say, but such a lesson in life, that four cornered ring," Bachchan posted on his blog www.bigb.bigadda.com.

"Alone with an adversary, with nothing to defend yourself with except your own guile, strength and the will to fight. No external support and no avenues to escape. Just that roped square and the screams and encouragement from without. The outside. Never inside, never of any assistance, just words and voices. Much like life. You fight alone and you fight strong. There will be voices, but no one comes in to help or hold. They sound good, but they remain distant. Demarcated and away," he added.

The 67-year-old says he was extremely happy after meeting the boxing champ.

"When I was boarding the flight in London along came the compact figure of Aamir Khan the renowned world boxing champ... who turned out to be an admirer of my films and brought along his family to where I was seated for a keepsake photograph... 

"He is a perky fighter and I have witnessed several of his bouts on the TV. Full of spunk and great technique and speed, this little package of immense talent has been the pride of England, of which he is now a citizen," Amitabh posted

Amitabh Bachchan to be honoured at Hong Kong film fest

Amitabh to be honoured at Hong Kong film fest

New Delhi, March 13 (IANS) It's raining awards for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan this year. The veteran is set to add another feather to his cap with the lifetime achievement award at the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival.

"The Hong Kong's Asian Film Festival now wishes to honour me before the end of the month. And so soon after I leave the picturesque shores of Oman, I should be heading further east to receive what I believe, not so much a personal recognition, but one that comes to me as a member of the film industry of India and indeed India itself," the 67-year-old posted on his blog bigb.bigadda.com. 

"Yet another moment when the Indian tricolor shall earn recognition on foreign soil. A moment of pride for me, a fraternity of which I am part and a country whose citizenship I cherish," he added.

Amitabh was honoured with the lifetime achievement award at this year's Apsara Awards and Muscat Film Festival as well, besides winning several awards for best actor. 

Angry Bachchans threaten to skip Filmfare awards

Angry Bachchans threaten to skip Filmfare awards

New Delhi, Feb 27 (IANS) A furious Bachchan family has threatened to skip the prestigious Filmfare awards Saturday evening unless the Mumbai Mirror publishes a formal apology for spreading "false" news aboutAishwarya Rai health.

The Mumbai Mirror and Filmfare both belong to the Times Group. Aishwarya Rai, who was supposed to perform at the event, has decided to pull out.

The Bachchans have also sent a legal notice to the editor of Mumbai Mirror, seeking a retraction and apology.

"We have informed Filmfare that neither will Aishwarya be performing at the event, for which all preparations had been made and neither shall any of us be attending," Amitabh Bachchan posted on his blog, bigb.bigadda.com.

The family is angry that the paper has not published a formal apology for the article stating that Aishwarya is suffering from stomach tuberculosis and cannot conceive, a news branded as "completely false" by father-in-law Amitabh.

"Suffice to say for the moment that despite a few personal apologies from management and owners, no public apology has taken place. You cannot abuse me in public and then come and say sorry to me in private.

"So, even though we have great relations with the family in ownership and despite the fact that we have continuously responded to their needs whenever desired, unstintingly - the lawyers notice has been delivered to the editor of Mumbai Mirror, seeking on a legal plane retraction and apology," he added.

The Bachchans are not alone in their stand. Director R. Balakrishnan, who helmed the Amitabh and Abishek-starrer "Paa", has also decided to stay away from the event to show his support to the Big B.

"Balki, the director of the film, even when 'Paa' has been nominated in five categories for the evening, (is not attending). No coercion, just a voluntary decision of solidarity. Thank you Balki," said Amitabh.

The Filmfare awards will be held in Mumbai Saturday evening.

How about some teen patti with Big B

How about some 'teen patti' with Big B?

New Delhi, Feb 26 (IANS) Superstar Amitabh Bachchan is trying to connect with his fans by gambling with them one on one in the age-old game of 'teen patti'.

His latest film "Teen Patti" is about greed and deception with the background of high-stake gambling.

A social game - Teen Patti - on ibibo.com is similar to poker but is a fast-paced game. One can win money a lot quicker in this game and also lose it in a jiffy. The game uses a standard 52-card deck with Aces ranking highest and two's the lowest.

"Amitabhji is doing very well with his fans, he is playing very well. Anybody can be a part of the game. People ranging from those who know nothing about the game and are just there to be with Amitabhji to those who are experts in this game, are playing," Rahul Razdan, vice president of ibibo told IANS over the phone.

"The response has been remarkable - reason could be the love for the game or an opportunity to know Big B's fun side," he added.

The uniqueness of the game is that one not only plays with live multiple players and earns money but can chat with friends while playing. Players can invite their friends to play the game or try their luck with others across India.

The film "Teen Patti" stars Sir Ben Kingsley, Raima Sen, R. Madhavan and Saira Mohan in important roles, apart from Amitabh in the lead.

The film also introduces four newcomers - Siddharth Kher, Vaibhav Talwar, Dhruv Ganesh and Shakti Kapoor's daughter Shraddha Kapoor.

Amitabh Bachchan gets Abhinaya Chakravarthy Award