Abhishek Bachchan Speaks To Subhash K Jha. You turned a year older.
Yes, 31.

Is this birthday more special because you're getting married soon?
A birthday is a birthday. I was working through it. That's what I like to do on my birthdays. I like to spend my birthday with my family if I can.

When is the marriage going to happen?
Nothing is decided yet. I've left it to our parents to decide. We're ready any time they are.

But it's not happening in February?
No.

You are currently shooting for Drona in Bikaner.
It's a special-effects film. Interesting, because it's a new genre and therefore never done before by me. The film will have lots of special effects. And my mom plays my mom in the film, though she has a very brief role.

We shot together and it was great fun. Actually we did a Bengali film Desh together. I spoke a bit of Bengali in the film. The Drona director Goldie Behl is family. His sister Shristi and Goldie have grown up with me. Both mom and dad have worked for their banner.

So it's like a home-coming. This is my second film with Goldie. Great fun.

Why did Goldie take so long to make another film after Bas Itna Sa Khwab Hai?
That was his personal choice, and we should respect that. He wanted to be sure of what he wanted to make. Both Goldie and I have changed a lot as persons. The conviction will show up in Drona. We've finished about sixty percent.

Guru has got you unbelievable applause.
Unfortunately because I'm in Bikaner I'm kind of cut away from what's going on in Mumbai. But it's great to know a TOI editorial has been written about it. Guru is a very special film. It's so wonderful to know that our hard work has paid off.

The audience has picked up on the emotions of the theme. The boxoffice collections convey that. When I saw the film first I was very inspired by the character. For the first time in my career I stopped being an actor and looked at the film as a member of the audience.

You worked hard on the body language and the girth of your character in Guru?
In today's day and age the audience is so well- versed in cinema you can't get away with sleep-walking through your role. The audience wants to be sucked into the world of make-believe. This kind of dedication is required from all actors. Guru has been a very demanding and very rewarding film.

One had to jump into it wholeheartedly. I'd hate to look back and think I didn't work hard enough on Guru, or any of my roles. There's always room for improvement. But I'd hate to be in a situation where I look back and say I should've worked better.

How does your dad's vocal appreciation of Guru make you feel?
If I may be allowed to sound a little pompous, let me say I didn't care what the rest of the world would say. His reaction would be more than enough for me. Did his reaction embarrass me ? Not not at all. Praise is what we live for.

My father's opinion means the world to me. He isn't only a father but also someone whom I consider to be the best actor in the world. To be honest I don't care what the film's fate would've been. His positive reaction to my work us enough. What more could I ask for?

As an actor I crave to make my parents happy. Thank God I got the opportunity in Guru. As a son I firmly believe I wouldn't want to come in the way of a father's praise. I'm not a father. So I don't know what that emotion is. One day I hope to be father.

Then I'll know the same pride that my father does. As a father he's allowed to express his appreciation for his son, isn't he? And I love him even more for it.

A lot of people feel he's over-doing the praise for you
I think they're being very mean. Yes, he's Mr Amitabh Bachchan. But first and foremost he's a father. People who grudge him a father's pride are not nice. Pl don't take that moment away from him. You've the right to express your comments on him as an actor. Please leave him alone when he' s playing a father.

A lot of people are disappointed by your performance in Dhoom 2.
I'm very proud of the film. I thoroughly enjoyed doing it. As for my subdued performance, as you called it, I had to go by the way the character was established in the first Dhoom. I was just carrying forward my character.

Are you a more careful selector of parts after Guru?
I've never selected parts. Parts have selected me.

Satisfied with life?
I don't think an actor can ever be fully satisfied. I'm very excited about the work that I'm doing.

Looking forward to your role as a householder?
That sounds so scary. It's a new dawn, a new day, new challenges....I'm looking forward to it. God has been very kind.