Big B at his diplomatic best

Despite the conspicuous lack of the Khans and other heavyweights at IIFA, Amitabh Bachchan was diplomatic as ever. Asked to comment on the lackluster show of celebs, he replied, “Aap aa gaye, wohi achcha hai.” Princy Jain speaks to him.

Despite the conspicuous lack of the Khans and other heavyweights at IIFA, Amitabh Bachchan was diplomatic as ever. Asked to comment on the lackluster show of celebs, he replied, “Aap aa gaye, wohi achcha hai.”

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For Amitabh, IIFA is not just an awards ceremony, it’s proof that the world is becoming smaller, and people are coming closer than ever. “When IIFA started ten years ago, this was just another award ceremony. But gradually, with everyone’s support, people started coming along and it became a movement.”

At an international forum like this, the mention of Slumdog Millionaire is obvious. So, does Big B think the movie has helped Indian cinema in anyway? While the actor admits to the movie’s popularity and says, “We welcome that interest [of the West],” he adds that many such stories are waiting to be exploited in India. “Sooner or later they will realise, the potential of India and it’s people. I believe Indian talent and creativity is at par with any other nation in the world. Yeah, they might have more technical facilities and money that us, and at times that comes across as a handicap, but it’ll change soon.”

And finally, would he be visiting any casinos? “No!” comes his instant reply.