50 percent tax exempt for Paa Amitabh Bachchan thankful

50 percent tax exempt for 'Paa'; Amitabh thankful (Lead)

Bangalore, Jan 23 (IANS) Superstar Amitabh Bachchan's film "Paa" has been granted 50 percent tax exemption in Karnataka as it has created public awareness about the disease progeria. The legendary actor, who was present in the city, thanked the state government for recognising the sensitive elements of the film.

"We have made a film like 'Paa' with lot of professional commitment and hard work. I am really happy that the Karnataka government has decided to make an exemption of tax for this film," said Amitabh at a joint press conference with Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa here.

"I am also happy that the film will be viewed by him and his cabinet colleagues besides the honourable members of the legislature," he added.

Yeddyurappa said though he has not yet seen the film and would be seeing it later in the evening with the legislators and ministers, he has heard that the film has been able to create awareness on the disease progeria.

"I am sure Amitabh will make and act in such meaningful films in future also," he added.

Replying to a question, Amitabh said there is no political angle in his meeting the chief minister. "I had gone to Kolkata to promote my film. That does not make me a communist. I have steered away from politics and distanced myself from all the decisions taken by my wife (Jaya Bachchan) and friend Amar Singh," said Amitabh.

I am now getting roles that suit me Amitabh Bachchan

I am now getting roles that suit me: Amitabh Bachchan

Bangalore, Jan 23 (IANS) Legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan Saturday said that he prefers to act in films that not only excite him but also suit him.

"Ram Gopal Varma (director of 'Rann') creates characters that excite me and 'Rann' is a film that I have really enjoyed working in," said Amitabh, while participating in a promotional press meet for his much-awaited film "Rann" at the Taj Residency Hotel here.

Seated along with Varma and Kannada film actor Sudeep, who plays his son in the movie, Amitabh said that he is happy that he is getting roles that suit him.

Complimenting Sudeep on his role, Amitabh said that the Kannada actor has done a very good job in the film.

"Sudeep is very talented and an intense actor. He has a bright future," he added.

Talking about his role in the film, Amitabh said that he plays a media baron, Vijay Harshavardhan, in the film.

"Rann is Varma's story idea. I am only an actor playing a character in the film. Vijay Harshavardhan is an honest person who is committed to certain values. His voice is truthful. I have tried to work in the confines of the script written by Varma,' he said.

"I think the media represents the conscience of the Nation. And Varma has a right to look and analyse the work of the media in his platform," Amitabh said in reply to a question.

"Media is doing its job as much as we are doing our job. We get married and media covers it," Amitabh said, adding that celebrities in the public domain should not feel unhappy because they are covered by the media.

Varma conceded that the film is closely inspired by the life of people working in media.

"I have not done a film focusing on any particular channel. I have made a film based on my own perception of the media. The characters may look realistic to some people, but some others may feel it to be a fantasy or fictional. I will leave it to the people to understand it the way they like it," he added.

Commenting on his role, Sudeep said: "I have played a character in the film which forms an important component of the story. I don't think I have played a negative role. It is a powerful character. I really loved the character."

Big B Abhishek Bachchan record inaugural episode of Bingo just in time

Big B, Abhishek record inaugural episode of 'Bingo' just in time
By Subhash K. Jha

Mumbai, Jan 23 (IANS) Barely hours before Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan game show "Bingo" was to go on air Saturday, channel Colors was in a panic. Its staff was running around trying to put together the inaugural episode featuring the host with his superstar father Amitabh Bachchan.

According to channel sources, Big B was busy with the promotion of his upcoming film "Rann" while Abhishek was trying to juggle dates for his movies with the television recordings.

Abhishek admits it has been a hectic time for both his father and him.

In fact the channel had another episode ready as the inaugural episode in case the episode with the two Bachchans did not work out.

"We've a bank of episodes ready. But we really wanted the two Bachchans to be together to start Abhishek's show. However, coordinating their dates was a big problem. Both of them are exceptionally busy. We finally got them to come together just a day before telecast," Colors CEO Rajesh Kamat told IANS.

Rajesh admits the recording of the episode with Abhishek and Big B was cutting it really close. "But we had no choice. We had even put the promotion on air without recording the episode. We had a bank of episodes ready. And we could've used any of them if the episode with Mr. Bachchan had not materialised," he said.

Luckily for the channel, Amitabh rushed back from Delhi just in time to record the episode with his son.