The Bangalore traffic makes for a good icebreaker. Especially when you come face to face with Abhishek Bachchan, in a quiet room, so far from the frenzy you are used to seeing accompany the actor. “We got delayed (getting back to the hotel) by two hours,” he acquiesces with a sigh. And just like that the setting for the interview goes from edgy to comfortable.
Abhishek was in town with co-stars Sonam Kapoor, Bipasha Basu and Neil Nitin Mukesh to promote their upcoming movie, Players. What was palpable at the press conference was the easy camaraderie the foursome shared. “That is because we are all friends,” explains Abhishek, reminiscing further, “Sonam, Neil and I have known each other since childhood. In fact, Sonam, Sikander and Bobby (the other two cast members) are my neighbours today. And Bipasha and I did our first ever screen test together.”
Getting the focus back on Players, did he get into the movie knowing that it was inspired by The Italian Job? “I got the script of Players three months after agreeing to do a film with Abbas-Mustan. They spoke about doing a film with me but we couldn’t work it out. They got back to me three months later saying, ‘Look, we have bought the rights to the Italian Job from Paramount pictures’.”
So, does he think the Hindi version is better than the English film? “Players is an action film with Indian sensibilities. It is a masala Hindi film that understands the grammar of the Indian audience. That way, it is completely in the zone,” says Abhishek.
For an actor who has deftly handled his successes and his failures, which in his case get magnified a lot more than his counterparts, the Jr Bachchan reveals that his decision to do a movie relies on only one thing — his desire to do the film. “That is the only reason you should be doing a film,” he asserts. “I hear a script as an audience member so if it appeals to me, I connect with it instantly.”
Shifting gears lightly, its time to wonder about the mob-like paparazzi frenzy that surrounds him and his family. When was the last time you enjoyed a quiet moment without having to look over your shoulder for the paparazzi? “Last night!” he responds, quite seriously too, so you know it’s not a joke. “Every day, in fact,” he animatedly states adding, “It only becomes frenzy if you allow it to be one. It doesn’t bother me and I am absolutely comfortable with it.” Understandably, the madness doesn’t get to him. “As an actor it is important to enjoy yourself. It’s a part and parcel of the field you work in and what you perceive as media interference, I see as media interest. They are just doing their job and that’s just reality,” is his unwavering outlook.
As the interview comes to a wind, you want to know if he’s earmarked any to-dos in his checklist for 2012. “I am among the few actors in the industry who does a lot of work through the year. I completely immerse my energies in creating stuff for audiences, so my checklist for the next year is to continue to work through the year,” he signs off with his trademark smile.
