Amitabh Bachchan made a much-awaited appearance last week, along with wife Jaya and son Abhishek, at Akshardham temple in Delhi on the occasion of Amar Singh's 50th birthday. But there are still no signs of him returning to work. Subhash K Jha talks to Big B about his return to Bollywood.

Q: Your level of recovery?
A: I'm getting along. But it takes time. It can take any amount of time. I'm gradually going back to my normal diet and routine... the whole re-orientation of my body has to take place. I'm coping as best as I can.

Q: You won all the Best Actor awards for Black. Comment.
A: It feels very, very good. Sanjay Bhansali swept the Apsara awards. I'm not allowed to appear in public. So I remain at home and watch the awards on television. Even Jaya and Abhishek were unable to go. Sanjay collected the Best Actor award on my behalf. After the function, he called and told me it was the most special evening of his life.

Q: Ek Ajnabee and Family didn't work. Maybe audiences don't want to see you in action roles?
A: Then I won't do them... Simple! The audience always lets its pleasure and displeasure known. If they don't go for a particular kind of film it's signal for us that we don't feature in such films... I actually told the makers of Family including Rajji that I was doing a similar film Sarkar.

Somewhere I felt there was a similarity between the two. But the makers of Family felt their film was different.

Q: What are your priorities after a full recovery?
A: There's some work left in Karan's Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna and a lot of work in Ravi's Babul. They've been very gracious, understanding and kind. Karan and Ravi meet me every other day but never discuss work.

They both are like family. The moment I can get to work, I will. I've only these two films on the floor. Vinod Chopra's Eklavya is over. That's in sync sound. So that's all right. It depends on when he wants to release it.

Q: Abhishek saw success in 2005.
A: I'm very proud of him. Jaya and I supported him like any other parents, and stood by him. Like everyone else, Abhishek had to fight his battle alone. He has fought many odds. He has braved severe criticism and ridicule. Today he has proved himself.

Exciting moments last year were those where I was with him on-screen. Those films will always remain special. I found his performance in Bluff Master! to be the best so far. It was a wonderful, near-flawless performance.

Q: The best thing to happen in 2005?
A: The success of Black. It was a marvellous experience. All the faculties available to an artiste were put to use within me. And then to see the finished product! I remember the first trial with Sanjay, his mother, Jaya, myself and Rani... I had been through it, but it moved me so much.

After the trial Rani and I just held each other and wept... Somewhere it was a culmination of the emotions that we had lived in the film. But it was more... this process of re-living the experience just continues. It's embarrassing for me to weep at every viewing of the film.

Q: The most moving Black experience?
A: Shah Rukh coming up after the premiere to say that he wanted to touch my feet while I was holding Dilip Kumar's hand.

Dilip Saab just hugged me and kept looking at my face. It was an unbelievable moment. He went home and sent me flowers and a beautifully worded letter, which I've framed in my office.

Dilip Saab has been my inspiration from the time I was in school and college. To have someone of his stature write a complimentary note... these are moments that I'm truly blessed to have got from Black.

Q: Q: What are you looking forward to in 2006?
A: Work... Films are all I do. Then, I've some endorsements pending. They need immediate attention. There are companies who want to renew their endorsement contacts with me.