When it comes to acting, almost everyone will agree that Amitabh Bachchan is an institute in himself. So it comes as a surprise when the legendary actor says that he feels he would have been a better actor had he got the chance to learn at a professional film institute. Bachchan was at Subhash Ghai’s film school as part of the graduation function of the current class.
“I was never as fortunate as Subhash Ghai, Shatrughan Sinha or Jaya (Bachchan) to study film at a proper institute. I wish I had got the opportunity to be part of such an institute and have better understanding and knowledge about the technicalities of film. That would have helped me enhance my potential,” says Bachchan, on being awarded the Maestro Award at the convocation ceremony of Ghai’s film school.
Reminiscing about his time at the Delhi University (DU), Bachchan feels that the younger generation is more mature and focussed than the ones before them. “It was compulsory to be a graduate when I graduated in science from DU. At that time, we didn’t know what to do in the future. I picked science as I thought I would become a scientist, but till date, I’ve never used my science learning. The present generation is mature. Even seven- or eight-year-old kids know what they want to do,” says the veteran actor. “I wish I was born today. I’d have loved to work with the generation of the present age.”
The veteran actor also feels that today’s youth determines the way the world perceives India. “While there are concerns in terms of the Indian economy, we don’t lack in wealth. Our present generation is hugely talented. I am impressed by the kind of films they make. This is a beautiful period for Indian cinema,” he says. “Indian cinema frames the way the world looks at us today and it looks at us with great hope, owing to the talented young generation.”
The veteran actor also feels that today’s youth determines the way the world perceives India. “While there are concerns in terms of the Indian economy, we don’t lack in wealth. Our present generation is hugely talented. I am impressed by the kind of films they make. This is a beautiful period for Indian cinema,” he says. “Indian cinema frames the way the world looks at us today and it looks at us with great hope, owing to the talented young generation.”
Praising Bachchan for his work ethic, Ghai feels it would be an achievement for any actor to be like him. “What one can learn from Amitabh Bachchan is sincerity. He has worked in very bad movies, but even if he hates the scene and director, he’d deliver his dialogues with the utmost commitment,” says Ghai.