Amitabh Bachchan is experimenting with roles, teaming up with actresses from all age groups and says that he is willing to explore new genres because he is not bound by any commercial constraints.

"At this stage of my life I think it's my duty to do as many kinds of roles as possible. When one is younger, the lead role comes with commercial constraints. When that weight has gone from one's head, one feels freer. Yes, I'm freed from the pressures of commercialism," Amitabh said.

"Nishabd is a total departure from whatever I've done so far. Then there's Cheeni Kam, which is a quirky satire," he added.

From Hema Malini to Ayesha Kapoor and Sharmila Tagore to Jiah Khan, Amitabh is working with a variety of co-stars. But right now he is full of praise for Cheeni Kam co-star Tabu.

"What an artiste! The beauty of her performances is that whatever she feels is shown on her face. That's an unbelievable quality in an artiste. We generally try to come as close to what's required from us. Not Tabu. She goes the whole hog. She feels every bit of her emotions. It's a hallmark of a true artiste."

When asked to comment upon Vidhu Vinod Chopra's Eklavya getting damp box office response, Bachchan said, "I don't share that disappointment. I look at Eklavya as a very smart film. Vidhu Vinod Chopra's intelligence and intellectual wherewithal come across in the film.

The fact that it's doing so well overseas proves there's a certain intellectual quotient in it. It isn't so evident over here," said Bachchan.

Bachchan said he would credit Chopra for being ahead of his times. "I love the fact he has taken a Shakespearean concept and placed it in Rajasthan. I love the fact that he has taken mythology that's thousands of years old and challenged it."