Amitabh Bachchan 8Th Third Eye Asian Culture Award 2009

Asian Film Foundation felicitates bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan with the the Asian Film Culture Award at Fun Republic at Andheri in Mumbai .

Is Amitabh overloading on work?

Mumbai, Dec 9 (IANS) Superstar Amitabh Bachchan's workaholism is well known. Little wonder that he dozed off at a felicitation ceremony in Chennai.

Amitabh was at Satyam cinema where he was honoured by the film federations of Chennai. Extreme exhaustion caught up with the 67-year-old veteran when he fell asleep before the ceremony Saturday and woke up thoroughly disoriented, not knowing where he was.

Director Balki who was with the Big B, says: "He was fine. He finally had some sleep. You've to understand that this is no ordinary human being. Amitji is a miracle. He can continue working non-stop without sleep."

At the end of the evening, the Big B had 24 shawls to bring back - though he had gone with only a day's baggage. When asked what he would do with the massive haul of 24 shawls, the Big B replied: "I'll give them away to the needy."

But the shawls were the least of his burdens in Chennai.

Says Balki: "Last week, he was running around getting the ('Paa') premiere in place. Then on Friday morning, he left to shoot for 'Bigg Boss' without any sleep after the premiere. After shooting the entire day in Lonavala, he attended the Bombay Times party and then on Saturday early morning he left for Chennai. At an age when a lot of us will be in a rocking chair he is still rocking."

But those close to Amitabh feel he is again overdoing his work schedule and needs to slow down.

Says a person close to him: "Even after two major health scares recently, Amitji has refused to slacken his pace. Except for the break he took to be with Amar Singh in Singapore earlier this year, he has been working round the clock."

HOW AMITABH BACHCHAN BECAME AURO

The most Herculean task about the latest release PAA was transforming a 67-year old Amitabh Bachchan into 13-year old child Auro, suffering from a rare disorder called progeria. So come let's take a short run-through over how Amitabh became Auro. Now you can see what's hidden The prosthetic makeup, as we know, has been done by Hollywood's Christien Tinsley (THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST, CATWOMAN) and Dominie Till (THE LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY). According to the reports Bachchan's make-up cost 10 per cent of the total budget. It is learnt that it used to take four to five hours daily for Amitabh Bachchan's makeup to be done for his film PAA. Not only this, if it used to take four hours to put on the make-up then two hours to remove it. There are eight different layers of clay which has been put in his make up in the film. While applying the make up he cannot eat, drink and talk for four hours. Most of the performance comes out because of the make up. Big B wore specially designed dentures so as to effortlessly replicate the voice of a 13-year old child. He gets a lisp and his speech pattern gets altered because of the extra teeth. He wore the dentures throughout the film's shooting and also had them on while dubbing. Infact he has also sung a song in his voice wearing these dentures, which sounds like a child. But Big B never ever showed a sign of panic, on the contrary he was always co-operative, patient, cool and full of enthusiasm.

Big B with wife Jaya Bachchan at the launch of the book Madhushala

Bollywood super star Amitabh Bachchan with wife Jaya Bachchan at the launch of the book 'Madhushala' on the occation of 102nd birth anniversary of his father Harivansh Rai Bachan.

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