“The megastar of the century Amitabh Bachchan turns 82 today. Even at this age 'Big B' is one of the most active actors of his time. Most stars of the 80s like Dharmendra are less seen on screen now, but Amitabh's glow is still intact.”
We spoke to director Vivek Sharma, Sunil Darshan, Mehul Kumar and makeup man Deepak Sawant on the occasion of 'Big B''s birthday.
What Bhootnath director Vivek Sharma said about 'Big B''s birthday – know in his own words..
Today's generation should learn from Bachchan Sahib Vivek Sharma said that it is a matter of good fortune to have me among his close people. Bachchan Sahib keeps very few directors in his personal zone. I am one of those lucky ones. I met him in connection with a film in June itself. We are going to start the film soon. If Bachchan sahib has a personal relationship with someone, he comes to meet him and drop him off at the gate. Today's generation should learn this. He has been in the industry for 54 years. The technician and the director have a lot of respect.
Not bothering anyone is Amitabh Bachchan's specialty During the shooting of Bhootnath, his secretary Sheetal Jain said that Bachchan Sahib does not shoot on Sundays. Some of our locations were only available on Sundays. I messaged Bachchan Sahib that some locations are available only on Sundays. He immediately got ready and shot for seven Sundays. This is against his rules, but he is always careful that work should not stop because of it. Not bothering anyone is Amitabh Bachchan's specialty.
Bachchan sahib is like Agneepath character Vijay Dinanath Chauhan in real life. First he talks around, so that the other person becomes comfortable. Suddenly Vijay says in Dinanath Chauhan's style, say what's the matter? Then one feels a strange fear.
Bachchan Sahib's soul drank Afza Sherbat It took me a while to get comfortable. Two glasses of Rooh Afza Sherbat were placed on the opposite table. Bachchan Sahib's soul drank Afza Sherbat. Although he tried to stop me by extending his hand, I ignored him. Bachchan Sahib does not express during narration. It is not clear whether they like the script or not. He has a different outlook. He loves detailing everything. Closely associated with music.
He has a wonderful sense of music Shahrukh Khan gave the idea of singing a song in Bhootnath. I sang two songs for Bachchan Sahib in the film 'Chalo Jaane Do' and 'Mere Badi Suno Jara'. A song sung by Juhi Chawla in 'Chalo Jaane Do' was suggested by Bachchan Sahib. Bachchan Sahib was not ready to sing at first. Said, we won't be able to sing, take it by Sudesh Bhonsle. Then you said – I will try, but if I don't like it, then replace my voice. But he sings very well. He has a wonderful sense of music.
Also plays the piano well Few people know that Bachchan sahib also plays the piano very well. He has also built a small recording studio at home. 'Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein Khayal Aata Hai' has been re-dubbed in his own voice. But it has not been released yet.
The case of the shooting set of the film 'Deva' As soon as Bachchan Sahib comes to the shooting, the entire unit suddenly becomes silent. Subhash Ghai started the film 'Deva' with Amitabh Bachchan. But the film was stopped after three days of shooting. Was there a strange atmosphere of fear on the set to speak or not? Subhash Ghai felt that no one could direct a film in this environment, and the film was shelved. I have confirmed this from Bachchan sir.
Bachchan sahib's strict rule during shooting However, there is such an atmosphere on the sets for two-three days. People respect Bachchan sahib a lot. He has a different aura, is silent when he comes on set. Later, Bachchan sahib has a lot of fun on the sets. Also makes fun of the assistant. Lives in a very friendly manner on the sets. But during shooting, there is a rule that no one should cross behind the camera. This happened once during the shooting of Bhootnath. Shana Dia has played the role of Priyanshu Chatterjee's wife in this film. She used to wear bold clothes on the sets. Bachchan sahib said, playing with our emotions, keep them aside.
'Bachchan sahib loves samosas very much' Juhi ji is not used to working in the kitchen. There is a scene in the film where Juhi ji makes parathas. She could not weave paratha in this role. We ordered parathas from the hotel which Bachchan sahib ate. He told us that I have eaten parathas in no case. Bachchan sahib loves samosas very much. He himself orders a samosa giving the name of the hotel.
Filmmaker Sunil Darshan, who directed Amitabh Bachchan in Ek Rishta – The Bond of Love, shared his experiences with Big B on his birthday.
We are only related to 'Sat Hindustani' Sunil Darshan said – My relationship with Amitji is from his first film 'Sat Hindustani'. The distribution of this film was done by my father Darshan Sabharwal. My father also distributed his first superhit film 'Zanjeer'. If Amitji made 50 films between 1973 and 1993, my father distributed 25 of his films. There was a special relationship between the star and the distributor.
He asked me right from the front of 'Ek Rishta- The Bond of Love' I never thought that I would get a chance to work with Amitji. He was planning a new film after the film 'Janwar'. One day he suddenly called and expressed his desire to work in a film. I thought someone was joking. At that time, Amit ji was doing Aditya Chopra's 'Mohabbatein', Karan Johar's 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham' and Sanjay Gupta's 'Kante'. Ready for my film 'Ek Rishta – The Bond of Love'.
One can learn a lot from Amit ji Amit ji has a very beautiful way of working. Learned a lot working with him. In those days films were shot on negative. It was very expensive. Amitji said- son, be careful that the negative is not ruined. Rehearse me as much as you want, but take less tech. Amit ji didn't have any dates when I started the film. The dates on which the film was planned. Due to Juhi Chawla being pregnant, the film could not start on that date.
'Finished the film by shooting at night' When I spoke to Amit ji, he said that the film has to start soon. At that time, Karan was shooting for Johar's film 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham'. Told me that I will shoot for Karan's film from 9 am to 6 pm and come to you at 7 pm every day and work till 2 pm. So that you can finish the film. A problem still arose.
Very supportive of producers Rakhi Ji was cast opposite Amit Ji. According to the agreement with him, he will not give shots between 9 and 10 pm. Rakhiji gave the reason that he watches 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' between 9 and 10. He said that it is fun to watch the show and Amit on TV. Amitji suggested not to disturb the shooting. You leave them at quarter to nine and call them at quarter to ten. Install a TV with cable in their make-up van. During this time, he would eat and watch shows. Your work will also be done. Amit ji was cooperating at this level. From the beginning, he has a record of being very cooperative with producers.
Was very nervous before the release of Zanjeer I remember I was 13 when I met Amitji for the first time. This was in 1973. I met Amitji for the first time with my father on Farida Jalal's birthday. Zanjeer was scheduled to release two weeks later. He was very nervous at that time. His career was going through a rough patch.
Trust was lost from the award Once talked to me about the award. That said, awards are very important, but even more important is how much your audience likes you. There is no guarantee of material reward. While Dilip Kumar Sahib did not get the award for the film 'Ganga Jamuna'. After that, he was disillusioned with the award.
Filmmaker Mehul Kumar, who has directed Amitabh Bachchan in films like 'Mrityudata' and 'Kohram', shared some special things on Bachchan sir's birthday.
Never thought that he will make a comeback with my film Mehul Kumar said – Amit ji is busy today even at this age. He is the history of film industry. As long as the sun and the moon remain, his name will remain. No one can forget them. He has no ego. I never thought that my film would make a comeback with 'Mrutyudata'. Even if the film does not work, it is a different matter. The film was produced by Amit Ji himself. Apart from this film, I also did 'Kohram' with him.
Amitji asked, is there any hot script? Met Amitji at the music launch of 'Rangeela'. He was not working at that time. Started own production company. Ask me, do you have a hot script? I didn't take it seriously because such incidents keep happening in the party. The next morning, I got a call from Sheetal Jain, Amit ji's secretary asking when I would be able to listen to the script.
Do not sit in the vanity van during shooting Amit ji is punctual. Everyone knows this. He never leaves the set and sits in the makeup van during the shoot. Once I even said, I am taking a close shot of another artist, so you can relax. He said, is there any problem if I sit here? Amit ji narrated an incident that once Dilip Kumar sahib said never leave the set. The opposite actor is responding to your dialogue in a close shot. You can see his expression. Similarly, I look at the expression of the person in front of me so that I keep his expression in mind when I speak my dialogue in close shots. Today's artists do not think so at all.
Deepak Sawant, who has been doing makeup with 'Big B' for the past 50 years, also had a special conversation on Bachchan sahib's birthday. 'Still works with the same energy' Deepak Sawant said – Bachchan Sahib works with the same energy that he used to work 50 years ago. Read and rehearse your dialogues several times before shooting. When given the first shot, it should be perfect. I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with such a great personality.
Actually, I reach the set two hours before Bachchan Sahib reaches there. I have never taken a holiday till date. One day he could not reach on time due to rain. The shooting of Khuda Gawah was going on at Mehboob Studio. The producer told Bachchan Sahib that he was running late for the shot. It is raining a lot. Deepak will not be able to come. Get makeup done by someone else. Bachchan sahib said – wait, Deepak will come 100 percent. Arrived 45 minutes late that day.
Bachchan Sahib reprimanded for the first time My mother died at 8 am. Brother was out, was supposed to come by 3-4 pm. I wondered what I would do from 8 pm to 4 pm. I arrived to do Amit Ji's makeup. An ad film was being shot that day. Pack up was done quickly. Amitji comes to know that mother has passed away. scolded me a lot. Said to him – what is this mother passed away and you came to work? I said, mother always said that son, don't leave work. Everything happens when there is work.
Worked in four films without money I have made films as a hobby. Never made films with the intention of making money. When the first Marathi film was made, Bachchan Sahib himself expressed his desire to work from the front. The shooting of the film was over. I got Jaya ji and Amitji for a special song. When Bachchan Sahib was approached for the Bhojpuri film Ganga, he initially refused. KBC was being shot at that time. I gave the script to Bachchan sir to read. He said that Deepak Sawant, your movie is a hit. You can leave work. I said, I will never leave your work in my life. After Ganga I made Gangotri and Gangadevi. Bachchan Sahib never asked for money nor did I dare to give money.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
