Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan came, saw and instantly generated more than a ripple of excitement among the Indian contingent attending the 60th Cannes Film Festival here on Tuesday.
Bachchan is in Cannes to promote Eros International's new film,
Cheeni Kum
, as well as to participate in the rapidly expanding entertainment company's 30th anniversary celebrations.
"I feel great to be here. The buzz being generated by our cinema is palpable. I knew what to expect because (son) Abhishek had given me feedback about the awesome quality of the Cannes Film Festival in terms of organisation and content," the superstar said.
In the evening, Bachchan attended the premiere of advertising PRO R Balki's maiden feature film,
Cheeni Kum
, in the company of Eros International's Kishore Lulla. The audience, made up of mixed nationalities, gave him a standing ovation.
A bittersweet romantic comedy,
Cheeni Kum
, on its part, struck an instant chord with the audience.
The film finds Bachchan and Tabu is fine fettle and the director negotiates his way through the tricky tale of a 64-year-old man falling in love with a 34-year-old unmarried woman without slipping up.
The film finds Bachchan and Tabu is fine fettle and the director negotiates his way through the tricky tale of a 64-year-old man falling in love with a 34-year-old unmarried woman without slipping up.
Enjoying every opportunity to play a variety of roles, the actor says it is wonderful that he is being "tested even at 65."
Stating that it may not be commercially prudent to deviate from the usual structure of playing a leading man, he hoped that audiences would be able to associate morals with the characters rather than looking at them from a distance.
The actor stated also stated that Cannes was a "wonderful experience" for newly-wed Abhishek and Aishwarya Bachchan, he was delighted at the recognition Indian films and stars were receiving from the French people.
"Cannes is internationally famous for marketing films all over the world. It is wonderful to find Indian cinema here as well," said Bachchan.
He also said that he was happy to see that immigration and security officials at the airport recognised him and talked about his films. Indian films were making a mark in France, he added.