There were arguments between the Big B & Balki

There were arguments between the Big B & Balki
Monday, September 20, 2010 13:10 IST
By Subhash K Jha, Santa Banta News Network
/> A night after the National award for his performance is announced, the Big B has hardly slept. His phone is jammed with enthusiastic greetings from well-wishers and fans.

"I'm trying to delete the messages on my phone. I didn't know the National awards were going to be announced on Wednesday. My office had put in the applications for the awards.They were keeping an eye. I was resting at home. Abhishek called me in the afternoon. He was shooting far away. He said, 'You've done it.' I heard him and went back to sleep."

It was only when wife Jaya came with the news that it sank in properly. "She was very excited. Far more so than me.She told me Paa had got four National awards. That was what got me up in a hurry.

She was more excited for Abhishek for having won his first National award, and that too as a producer. Abhishek took us through the film's course, supervising every detail.And then he also acted in Paa. I thought he performed very well."

What was the Big B's reaction to his award? "One just hopes there will be directors who will continue to make films. One doesn't work for awards. If my tally of National awards has gone up to 4, I consider mysef lucky. The main charm is to find projects that challenge me."

Looking back a day after the triumph the Big B can't get over the audacity of playing his own son's son. "When Balki came to me with the idea I laughed out aloud.But as an actor I'm always attracted to something challenging. Once I accepted the challenge of playing Abhishek's son my problem was, now what? Once the makeup happened I was convinced I could do it."

Post the National awards for Paa there is a clamour to bring the progerian hero back to life. However the Big B will hear none of it. No matter how popular the Big B's Auro might be he is not inclined to carry the progerian legacy forward. The danger of exploiting physical challenges looms large over the aura of Auro.

Says the Big B, "First of all Auro died in Paa. So I don't think it's logical to revive him. Secondly—and this is my personal opinion—it does not seem very ethical to commercially extend the reach of a physically challenged characterI think any further commercial exploitation of the theme would be unethical and insensitive."

This is the Big B's second National award for best actor in a film about a physically challenged child. Apparently the script that Balki came to the Big B with was very different from what was shot in Paa.

Concedes the Big B, "Jaya and I have been working for years with physically challenged children. We support their cause emotionally and financially.

Whenever we interact with such children we are constantly reminded by their teachers and trainers not to sympathize with them. Even the use of the word 'handicapped' is objectionable. Both Balki and I felt we must keep Auro away from being seen as handicapped because that word is like an abuse."

The original script was radically different from what was shot.

Reveals the Big B, "When Balki first narrated the story to me he had a completely different take on it. I thought it could be taken to another level. I thought it was the easiest thing in the world to milk the plight of a physically challenged child and make him sympathetic.

He scrapped his first version completely. The greatness of Balki's final script was that it did not exploit the child's illness. I was keen to show Auro as a happy normal person."

There were arguments between the Big B and his director on how to end Paa.

Says the Big B, "I wanted Balki to end the film when Auro from his deathbed smiles at his father and dies. But Balki wanted to continue the story. He wanted Auro smiling laughing and dancing at the end."

Even as the fourth National award rolled into the Big B's life he gets ready to spend the next few months on the Hot Seat for Kaun Banega Crorepati.It's a melee of excited guest, phone calls messages at the Bachchan residence Jalsa.

You tell him that the National awards committee decided on him for best actor without any dispute and the Big B brushes away the comment, "I don't know about that. I don't work for awards.I think I am driven by the desire to get more and more opportunities. We've very intelligent young filmmakers.I hope they continue to pose challenges for me. At this age it is a little tough.Balki is working on something that will again take me to another level."

For now the Big B gets busy with Kaun Banega Crorepati. "We've started recording episodes. Telecast starts in October. Then it goes on to November.While doing KBC I'll start a film, Raj Kumar Santoshi's Power."
Varun Dhawan Unveils First Poster of 'Nain Matakka' Featuring Keerthy Suresh!

Varun Dhawan's upcoming film Baby John is already creating waves in the entertainment world. The latest buzz surrounds the highly anticipated track "Nain Matakka," and the excitement reached new heights when Varun shared the

Friday, November 22, 2024
'Agni' Trailer Unveiled: A Tribute to Firefighters' Bravery and Sacrifice!

The much-anticipated trailer for Agni, directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Rahul Dholakia, was released on Thursday, offering a gripping look into the world of firefighters, their bravery, and the sacrifices they make to protect

Friday, November 22, 2024
Sara Ali Khan Shares Fun BTS Moments from Ad Shoot, Invites Fans to Let Their Spirits Soar!

Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan recently took to Instagram to share a delightful behind-the-scenes (BTS) glimpse from her latest advertisement shoot, revealing her cheerful mood and creative spirit. In a playful and heartwarming post, Sara shared a video

Friday, November 22, 2024
Kartik Aaryan Enjoys Quality Time with 'Sea, Sand, and Sun' at IFFI Goa!

Bollywood heartthrob Kartik Aaryan, who is currently in Goa for the prestigious International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and Filmazaar, took a moment to unwind and connect with nature. The actor shared a series of serene pictures on his Instagram, showcasing

Friday, November 22, 2024
Shehnaaz Gill Starts Shooting for Punjabi Film: A New Journey Begins!

Actress and social media sensation Shehnaaz Gill is all set to embark on a new chapter in her career, as she commences shooting for her upcoming Punjabi film. The actress shared her excitement with her fans on Instagram, marking this milestone

Friday, November 22, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT