Even at 68, Amitabh Bachchan is bagging 'Best Actor Awards', playing son to heroines half his age. Perhaps that's the magic of being the 'Shahenshah of Bollywood'. The living legend in conversation with TWF correspondent Sreya Basu.

You are playing a mediaperson in Rann. Do you think it is really possible to balance ethics and TRP in media business?
This is what the film is all about. It is believed that media is the conscience of the country.

And media is a business as well. Do media compromise with its conscience for the sake of business? Or do media compromise with business so that it can maintain its conscience? This is the war shown in Rann.

You have shown the dark side of the media in this film...
(Interrupts) No, we haven't. We have shown very bright side of media actually. We are trying to say that in every story there is a beginning, middle and an end. You have to build a story. If you don't show a villain there is no point in making a movie.

There is a boy and a girl and a father in-between; and the father doesn't allow the girl to meet the boy; something like that. We are showing that there are all aspects to it and how difficult it is to be in media, what are the problems they go through; what all are the issues that come into existence.

Okay. So you don't think it's the dark side of the media (like taking money and making news) that has been highlighted in the film?
We have shown all aspects of it. There is the good, the bad...everything is there. How these elements are used by some other elements...there is a bit of politics in that also...and also politicians; and how the story is woven around all these aspects is what Rann is all about.

You are all set to share screen space with Ben Kingsley in Teen Patti this February. How do you feel?
It has been a great experience. He's a wonderful human being.

While all your contemporaries have taken a backseat, you are still bagging 'Best Actor' awards...
Yeah, I don't know what to say about that (laughs). I am just fortunate that there are people who still like what I do. I am fortunate to get these awards.

You recently got 'Best Jodi' award along with Abhishek at a recent awards function. How did Aishwarya react to it?
She knows it very well that it's she and Abhishek who are the best couple in real life.

You have played almost all characters an actor can portray in a lifetime...coolie, poet, genie, teacher, 13-year-old child...and now a newsman. What's next on your list that you want to experiment with?
I don't know what there is...but I do hope there is something...I hope there are people who can write something different for me and give me an opportunity to work.

Yeah. But today scripts are written for Amitabh Bachchan...
No (laughs aloud). Scripts are not written for Amitabh Bachchan. Instead, Amitabh Bachchan tries to fit into the characters.

You are making random appearances both on big and small screen these days. Even for endorsements, 5 out of 10 ads feature you. So what's the mantra of being Big B?
Arree, if I would have known that, I won't be standing here to answer your question. I myself don't know what is there in me. I just hope people keep blessing me this way.

You are an icon to all. Who's your inspiration?
I think if there is work to do and if there are people who offer me a job, then it's my duty to do it to my best.