It goes without saying that an actor is all about voice and expression. But what if the two attributes are not present in the same body? Director R. Balki, known for his out of the box ‘ideas’, is trying to figure out the consequences this week. Leading the show is Amitabh Bachchan, whose voice is as unmatched as his face. Well, the two have worked magic on screen in the past with almost equally novel ideas in “Cheeni Kum” and “Paa” and Bachchan seems confident of a hat trick with “Shamitabh”.
Starring Bachchan and Tamil star Dhanush, the film is said to be about a mute actor who thrives on the voice of a fading dubbing artist. Without giving anything away, Bachchan says it is about two persons having different skill sets and what happens when the two come together.
At 73, he is one of the busiest actors around with a film named after his name. Ok, half of it because ‘Sh’ of “Shamitabh” comes from Dhanush. Soon he will be seen in a commentary box in Australia during the India-Pakistan match. But his defence is impregnable as always and modesty underlines every statement of his. He calls the commentary assignment as just another commitment he is thrilled about particularly because of the teams involved.
Years back Bachchan changed the way Hindi film hero held his drink and fired his gun on screen. Here again, promos suggest that he is playing an alcoholic. “I took it just as part of the job. If I have to survive in this profession I have to do it. There was no training on how to hold the gun and I didn’t drink before giving the shot. If audience like it I am happy.”
It is not the first time that he is working with a star from the South. He always had strong bonds with stars of Tamil film industry. At the height of his popularity he played second fiddle to Rajinikanth in “Andha Kanoon” where Rajinikanth played a character called Vijay, a screen name which belonged to Bachchan. “Director T. Rama Rao came with the offer and I said fine. It was a simple decision to make. I am always for strong ties between the two film industries. Rajini and Kamal are friends and I respect them as artists,” relates Bachchan reminding of their on screen association in “Geraftaar”.
Excerpts from an interview:
Was it difficult to put the idea across technically?
It was. First, I recorded the entire script in my voice. Then we went to the sets and performed to the recording and then came back again to the dubbing studio to synchronise the performance with fresh recording so that there is no mismatch between the expressions and the voice.
Since both you and Dhanush are known actors with easily identifiable voices, don’t you think it will be difficult to sell the idea?
When you go to see “Jodha Akbar”, you know Hrithik Roshan is not Akbar.
But we don’t know how Akbar spoke. Here, you are playing actors, isn’t it?
Of course, you require suspension of disbelief and a lot depends on how the story is told. I took it as once I took the challenge to play an angry young man or when I was asked to play a grandfather. I backed it because I found the idea novel and refreshing. In fact, Indian cinema hasn’t seen a plot like this before. Also, the fact that Balki and I are working together again was an incentive enough.
Very early in your career your voice and your expressions were separated?
Yes, in ‘Bhuvan Shome’ I was asked to do the commentary and in ‘Reshma Aur Shera’, I played a mute character. I took it as part of the profession. I don’t know if one is better than the other. I will never know. If I were to think that way I will be approaching my profession in a wrong way.
The film talks about the ephemeral nature of fame and how ego comes in between relationships and kills creativity. Have you experienced them?
I am the best example of transience. I have had the good fortune to be working for 45 years. There have been younger years of success and now it is time to take a step back and realise that my time is over and let other’s take over. I know there will be a time when people won’t recognise me. Thankfully, one or two people still recognise me!
I don’t know what ego is. There may be healthy rivalry. Ego comes in when you say you are brilliant. And you got to have supreme confidence in yourself to say that. I don’t have that. Therefore, I am unaware of what ego is.
Your punctuality on social media is unparalleled and you are a lot more vocal on it. Do you feel that had there been blogs and Twitter during the Bofors controversy you would have presented your case better?
Sure, I would have. But it could have worked the other way as well. At that time there was only print media. Today, with so many news channels it is even more difficult to put your point of view across.
But the social media takes that elusiveness of the star, which actors used to cherish in the 70s, away.
When you meet the people through the big screen, a larger than life persona stays in their mind. And if you connect through social media about every day concerns the enigma is no longer there. But at 73, I don’t think there is any enigma left about me. Almost everything is documented.
It seems you are too defensive in front of traditional media.
Everyone feels that since I am a recognisable face, I have the ability to make a sensible comment on each and every issue. I don’t have the ability or the acumen to comment on many issues.
The charge is that you don’t stand up on controversial issues. Now that you are soon going to be decorated with Padma Vibhushan will you take a stand on issues like censorship?
I don’t really know what the issue is. (He says in reference to Mihir Joshi’s song on women safety where he has been asked to mute the word Bombay). I would rather take a stand to eradicate polio, save the girl child and other such social issues.
You recently met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and it is believed that you made an informal presentation.
I just felt that India is not just an incredible country but also an innovative country. We don’t have many facilities that the developed world has and yet we not only manage but also succeed. We are not just 1.25 billion people, we are also 1.25 billion minds. So I said, if there is ever a campaign to highlight this aspect of us I would like to be part of it. We make some fantastic innovations. I keep sharing the example that when your expensive mobile develops a snag if you call the company, it usually takes 10 days for the company technician to come and correct it but if you take it to neighbourhood kirana store, chances are that the guy there will do it for you in a matter of hours. We should celebrate this innovative spirit.
With “Shamitabh”, you are also returning to production.
We are holding hands with Balki. We don’t know actual production. We get involved in the creative process and share the profits. We will continue this way in “Piku” as well.
Have things changed since the time you burnt your fingers in production?
Yes, you can at least ensure that you don’t lose money. It has happened because of the availability of overseas rights, increase in the amount for satellite rights and in film branding and other such avenues.
