Amitabh Bachchan speaks to Subhash K Jha on his 66th birthday...

66th birthday....are you a birthday person? Do you enjoy the extra attention that you've to deal with on your birthday?
Yes, 66 and stepping into 67. Attention of any kind embarrasses me. But I respect the attention that comes my way as a result of another year having gone by.

The attention the family gives me, the fans and well-wishers. The immense amount of emotion that engulfs those that come to acknowledge my birthday.

The little- little things they do and craft. The poems they write, the banners they make, the flowers they gather. Just such a warm and embracing feeling. So much love. It is embarrassing. I do not and never have thought myself to be worthy of such attention.

How will you be bringing in your birthday this year?
It has not been a year since my mother passed away, so it will be quiet and without celebration.

I will though remain home and spend time with the family and meet those that may take the trouble of wishing me. And I shall seek the blessings of the Almighty for keeping me alive for another year.

Do you like the thought of an extra candle on your cake? Are you a cake-balloon-candles kind of person?
This age- old custom of the cake and candles is a cute gesture introduced into the universe by the West, but it has now lost its charm for me ! As has the singing of 'Happy Birthday'.

I would prefer a large portion of mevaa on a dish, followed by the singing of a wonderful poem written by my father for occasions such as this - 'Harsh nav, varsh nav; Jeevan utkarsh nav'.

I always have pictured my Father and Mother singing it for one of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's Birthday's at the Teen Murti House, for the first time, when we were with him and a small select close group of family, in his private dining area for breakfast.

Have you ever had friends and family throw a surprise bday part for you?
Yes. It was in Los Angeles, when I had gone there for treatment and to rest and repair after my myasthenia episode.

Jaya and a close friend took me for a drive, after I had insisted that I wanted no celebration, to an almost deserted Hotel and suddenly threw the doors open to a massive hall, where almost half the Indian community of USA had assembled to wish me. Oh, It was unbelievable !!

What is the earliest memory you've of a birthday?
The earliest would be of Allahabad. The common friends and the fancy -dress party and the eats and of course the gifts that we, at that age, always looked forward to.

Insolent to the point of walking up to the guest and asking him even before he had wished you - "What have you brought for me ?" Ha.. Ha. The days of innocence. How we all lament about them.

Did your parents celebrate your and your brother's birthday with a lot of fanfare?
Yes. Whatever was economically possible for them. You must remember my father was of limited means. He always wrote a fresh poem for me on the day and my Mother would bring in all the cheer and fanfare.

Please tell me about the most memorabe birthday you've ever had?
Each one has been most memorable. But if you will insist on me putting a finger on it there will be two. One the first after my accident in 1982, when my father traditionally recited the poem he had written for me and breaking down while reciting it.

A very rare sight. I never saw him moved to tears on any occasion.

But Oct 11, 1982, was a date many felt I would not be alive to witness. Those were the feelings that the poem expressed and it was far too emotional for my father to bear.

The second most memorable birthday was my 60th birthday and the effort that Jaya made in making it memorable for me.

The book she brought out, To B or not to B, and the labour that went into it, the arrangements and detailing she did in celebrating the evening with the Industry and friends and fans at a party she organised single handed. Overwhelming.

Which is the best birthday gift you've ever received?
I receive it every birthday – the love and affection of the people of this country. Apart from the love and presence of my family with me.

Besides good wishes and love what is the one (material) gift that you'd like to receive this year?
I don't want any material gift !

Looking back on the year, which is the one most memorable happening of the year for you?
The Unforgettable Tour !!

And the one happening that you wish hadn't happened?
I believe things happen for the good. I would never wish otherwise. "Man ka ho toh acchha.. Na ho toh zyada acchha..", the famous teaching from my Father.

This was also the year when you did your English-language film...a fecund year as an actor?
Yes in a sense. One must promote the capability of producing many different works that are imaginative. At least for an actor.

What are the projects that we can look forward to seeing you in ?
I have Aladdin on completion and for release early next year, Teen Patti, and Pa and a film by Pritish Nandy and by Rakyesh Mehra and a few more under discussion and finalization.

To me the most exciting one is the bio-pic on Ashok where you get together with Tabu again.
Yes. It is a vast subject and has huge proportions and of immense magnitude. The story in History too is mostly unknown and poignant. Plus the joy of being with Tabu again.

Why have historicals-biogpics eluded your career so far?
They seem to be coming in droves now. Making up I guess for lost time and opportunity.

Your comments on the way Drona was received by the audience and critics?
We accept the verdict of the audience and acknowledge the criticism and we get down to working harder in order to correct the wrongs that we made.

Finally what is your one wish and message this birthday?
Peace and harmony and brotherhood and friendship and trust. And strength from the Almighty for all to accomplish this.