At a time when he is the undisputed ‘Shahenshah’ of Bollywood, having left his contemporaries way back and giving the young stars a run for their money, Amitabh Bachchan is modest enough to say that he would feel lucky if he gets a very small role in a forthcoming film.
And that film is Shekhar Kapur 's project on African apartheid leader Nelson Mandela.
"I have met Mandela twice and he showed lot of affection towards me. I was highly impressed by his ideology and I even visited the island where the African leader was imprisoned... I would feel lucky even if I am able to get a very small role in the movie," Bachchan told Zee News in an interview, the second part of which was telecast on Saturday.
Bachchan said he had already met the producer of the film, Anand Singh, though nothing has been finalised as yet. Amitabh is also working with Rituparno Ghosh in a film based on the life of Satyajit Ray .
Citing the case of recent films Khakee and Baghban , the Big B said that these roles were tailor-made for him. However, it is not always the case and should not be perceived as a trend.
When questioned about the sudden spate of movies in which he would be donning the mantle of an army officer, Bachchan said that it's "a mere coincidence". Films like Lakshya , Deewaar , Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyon which will be released in the coming weeks will transform the Don of the seventies into a khakee-clad army officer serving his nation with patriotic zeal.
Talking about the changing times, the Big B said the new generation of directors like Karan Johar , Sanjay Leela Bhansali are much more confident, organised and foresighted. "Infact, Karan Johar told me the date and theatre in which his film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham would be released even before he narrated the script to me," said Bachchan, appreciating their commitment and desire for success.
At a time when he is the undisputed ‘Shahenshah’ of Bollywood, having left his contemporaries way back and giving the young stars a run for their money, 