Amitabh Bachchan talks about Sarkar Raj, RGV & Aishwarya Rai

Here’s the latest interview Amitabh Bachchan gave to the media in which he talks about his latest project Sarkar Raj, his equation with Ram Gopal Varma and about working with his daughter-in-law, Aishwarya Rai.

Read on….

# Sarkar Raj has opened to mixed responses. Comment.

People are supreme. Their verdict will always remain our guideline and inspiration. However, we had a premiere in Bangkok where industry stalwarts, trade analysts, stars and audience – both local and from India – watched the film and expressed their appreciation.

The messages coming in from different parts of the country and abroad have been ecstatic too. People have been unanimous – the sequel is far superior to Sarkar. And at the very crowded press conference after the premiere, the media broke into applause as the cast and Ram Gopal Varma walked into the venue.

I have never, in my entire career of 40 years, ever experienced such a reaction from the media. I wish to thank them for this encouragement and for their spontaneous reaction. And also for the gracious messages sent to me and the director and cast from several prominent media personalities.

# The film mixes politics with the theme of family values in an uneasy clasp. How comfortable were you in embracing that mix?

I embrace what is asked of me by the script and the director. It could be the politics of Maharashtra or coming out of an egg in a top hat!

# Your performance towers above the narrative. At this stage in your career, is that a good place to be in?

You display how limited your knowledge of assessing cinema is when you ask this question. No performance of any actor can ever be beyond the narrative or the script of the film.

# The grim role comes right after the light and frothy Bhoothnath. Isn’t that quite a revealing contrast?

Yes. It is the prerogative and delight of any artist to be in a situation where variety beckons him. It challenges our creativity and provokes us to pick up the gauntlet.

# What sets Sarkar Raj apart is that it’s a sequel. How hard did you have to work on the continuity from the first part to the second?

Yes. A sequel in a sense that the premise of the Nagre family is the same, though their circumstances are different, the story is different. It’s another day in their lives. Body language and continuity became very important. The passage of time had to be incorporated.

Have you noticed the subtle changes? The slight weight gain by Shankar (Abhishek) to show a settled and more prosperous life, the gentle stoop of Subhash – played by me – and his slower movement. His greyer hair and beard and its uncared for look as compared to the first version.

Yet, when Subhash gets back into control mode, he has to be his agile self. The sleeves of his shirt which had remained complacently lower down on his arm had now been rolled up as in the first version to signify that he is fighting and is in command now. The look in his eyes, one of determination after the atrocities on his family and his personal loss were also part of that physical change.

# Sarkar Raj is quite the family film. How did it feel sharing camera space with Abhishek again? Has he evolved since Sarkar?

Yes it is. Working with the family is always a joy and sharing space with Abhishek and Aishwarya a greater joy. Abhishek evolves with each film and that is creditable. He has a long way to go and I pray and hope he continues to progress in this manner.

# It is your first film with Aishwarya after her marriage. How did it feel to be facing the camera with her?

We were friends before she became family and she remains that and more now. Always a joy then; greater now.

# How difficult was it for you to do a political film in a scenario where politics often impinges nastily on your life?

I play an imagined role in the film. Outside and in the real world, the imagination is in the minds of the media and subsequently through them, in the minds of the people. I try to put in my best to portray what is required of me as an artiste in the former.

The media and the people do what is required of them to do; to portray what is required of them, in the latter. It is the way democratic rights should function and exist. My difficulties lie in the effort required of me as an artiste for the portrayal of the role. The media’s difficulties lie in the effort they go through to portray to the people the credibility of their imagination.

# Ram Gopal Varma as a director. Any radical difference in him since Aag?

RGV is a rare talent and shall remain so in every film he does. And by constantly bringing up the mention of Aag, you exhibit your immaturity in questioning and the lack of information and research on the subject; a pre-requisite for any journalist.

Sarkar Raj was shot and completed many months before Aag was released. That should adequately answer your query.

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