Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan is "overwhelmed" at the audience response at the ongoing festival of his films in New York's Lincoln Film Centre.
"I find the American audience and media surprisingly receptive to Indian cinema," said the megastar from New York. "The response is not short of overwhelming. At the last count I've given 412 press interviews."
Amitabh has been wooed by the biggest names in the American media including the New York Times, Newsweek, ABC TV, the Charlie Rose Show and of course David Letterman of "60 Minutes" who last spoke to Aishwarya Rai.
Is this the beginning of Bachchan's international career?
"I don't know. And I'm certainly not craving to be in Hollywood films. But, yes, recognition of this magnitude at any level and in any part of the world is gratifying. I'm especially happy since my family is here with me to share this occasion.
"Jaya joined me in London after I finished at Amsterdam. Now Abhishek joined us last night," he said Friday. "We're chilling out over here. Abhishek got along the promotional clippings of 'Bunty Aur Babli' (featuring the father-son duo). It's rocking!"
The senior Bachchan was also formally designated Goodwill Ambassador by the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) at a formal ceremony in New York on Thursday.
{{/usCountry}}The senior Bachchan was also formally designated Goodwill Ambassador by the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) at a formal ceremony in New York on Thursday.
{{/usCountry}}"At that moment I once again felt very proud to be an Indian. The praise and attention...I'm completely undeserving of them. What really pleased me was the response to Abhishek at the UN function. He got the loudest roar from the onlookers. And when Abhishek landed in New York he was mobbed. My day was made."