Abhishek Bachchan has an absolutely endearing smile. And when he flashes it, one can forgive him almost everything. Including the fact that one has had to wait months to buttonhole him for an interview. «I do as many interviews as I’m asked to,» says AB Junior, flashing that disarming smile again. Knowing very well that he’s been as elusive as an eel, he adds, «I’ve been really very busy for the last few months. So it was becoming tough to co-ordinate things.»

One should perhaps give him the benefit of the doubt. After all, the actor has had six releases this year. Run, Yuva, Dhoom, Hum Tum and Phir Milenge have already hit the screens and there’ll be Ram Gopal Varma’s Naach in October.

However it is his role of Lalan Singh in Mani Ratnam’s Yuva that’s trained the spotlight on his acting and he admits it’s been gratifying. «At the end of the day, praise is pretty much what an actor looks for. I would be lying if I said I’m not happy. But I also know it was Mani Ratnam and a big team of actors who put together such a good film.» In fact, he says, «I’d give myself only 4 on 10 for my performance.» Besides, he feels, post-mortems always leave an actor wanting. «There are many things about Lalan Singh which I thought I could do differently,» he trails off. «I feel I could’ve worked more on my dialogue delivery, on the character’s focus. But that is always going to happen to an actor. You keep mentally improvising on a character even long after a movie has released.»

Though the trade pundits insist Yuva isn’t manna at the box office, the actor staunchly defends his movie by saying : «I’m immensely happy with the success of Yuva.» Of course he’s heard those not-so-encouraging box-office reports making the rounds, too. «But, he shrugs «we actors put our blood and sweat into a film. And then people who are not emotionally attached to it judge the whole thing. But that’s the way the cookie crumbles.» On a more upbeat note he adds : «The best way to remedy the situation is to make a film which no one can dismiss. After all, we are in a commercial medium and one must strive to make every film a blockbuster.»

«The critic is the guy who sits in the theatre and then communicates to the actor what the audience feels about a performance or a look. I have always looked at him as a wonderful guideline on what one should do and what one should avoid. Though there is a lot of speculation on the relationship between the critic and the film fraternity, in my opinion the two go hand in glove.»

«I don’t think critics have ever been drastically wrong,» he continues. «Since they communicate audience reaction, their views are a ready reference for an actor. So I fail to understand why some guys complain saying, ‘Oh we are being targeted.’»

Abhishek is also very clear that it is only his craft that he wants highlighted in print. «The ticket-buying audience wants to know how I prepare for a role or about my forthcoming movies,» he insists. You can’t be serious, I remark and we launch into a long discussion, but Junior is adamant: «I don’t need to tell people whom I’m having dinner with.»

So is it infuriating to have other aspects of his life, especially the very personal bits, highlighted? He admits, «Intrusion on one’s privacy is a part and parcel of an actor’s life. When one becomes an actor in Indian cinema, one becomes public property. So you take most things written about you in your stride. I personally don’t give too much importance to rumours. I just believe in continuing with my work. After all, I have earned the right to do what I please. It’s my life. And as I said earlier, it no one’s concern who I do dinner with.»

In that case, what does one make of the speculation about whether he is seeing Preity Zinta? «Do I see Preity Zinta?» he asks tongue-in-cheek. «Preity is a pal. That’s all there is to it.»

Oh, yes, he’s also not one bit amused by all this talk of his being the most eligible bachelor in the film world. «Me, the most eligible bachelor in town?» he repeats incredulously. «How embarrassing a title is that?» And asks, «Anyway, why would women find me eligible? I’m just an ordinary guy.»

Ordinary guy?! If you insist, I say, but tell us, which part of you is more exciting – Abhishek or Bachchan? «You tell me,» he drawls. «As far as I’m concerned, they’re both the same/one.»

Point out that the women, especially those in tinselville, find him exciting because he’s not engaged, married or gay, and he thinks carefully before saying, «Now I’m positively embarrassed. Women most certainly don’t come on to me. None of the exciting things that you read about me in the gossip columns actually happen to me. I have no time to indulge in all these wonderful things. I really have been very busy working.» (In fact, his father Amitabh Bachchan is the only other actor doing so many projects simultaneously.) Abhishek reels off his working list: «Aunbhav Sinha’s Dus, Ram Gopal Varma’s Sarkar, Rituparno Ghosh’s Bengali film, Rajkumar Santoshi’s Ranveer and Shaad Ali’s next with Rani Mukherjee are all the films I’ve been offered. And since I love being busy every single day of my life, these are all the films I’m doing.»

Analysing his career graph from Refugee to Yuva, the actor says, «Personally, I see a vast growth in my acting. I think I’m improving every single day. But, of course, the public will eventually decide how good I am. An actor learns so much through experience and that is what I have acquired in the last three years. When I look back at Refugee, I realize I should have done more homework. But initially I just had a zid that I wanted to be an actor. It was as if I’d been given a toy. I didn’t quite realise how serious a profession acting is. I should’ve been more prepared for JP Dutta saab.»

Preparation reminds him of his friend-cum-film-maker Mani Ratnam. «Working with Mani was a memorable experience,» he declares. «If Mani offers me his next film – which he hasn’t – I would love to do it. The thing about Mani is that he instigates his actors to perform from the word go. He believes a lot in his actors and he lets you do pretty much what you want because he has immense confidence in you.»

The two share a warm friendship that goes beyond the sets. «Mani is a great guy,» smiles Abhishek. «During our initial meeting I was in awe of the man because of his incredible body of work. Once the reserve was gone, we forged a nice friendship. He’s a lot of fun, very warm and passionate about cinema. It’s great to hang out with a guy like him after pack-up. Mani is intensely intelligent and a conversation with him is very stimulating. Because I have so many limitations, it is very important for me as an actor to be comfortable with the people I work with. I need to be on a one-to-one with my director.»

Isn’t he on a one-to-one with actors Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgan and Suniel Shetty? «No, they are like elder brothers to me,» he replies. «They are always taking care of me. It’s nice to have three wonderful people out there, with no hidden agendas, looking out for me only because they are fond of me. And of course I’ll be there for them if ever they need me.»

Which reminds him, he takes serious offence to all recent reports of his being the prankster on his sets. «I don’t know why this is being said about me because I have never pulled a prank on anyone,» he declares. «As I pointed out earlier, because of my limitations as an actor, I need to feel comfortable on my sets. So if there is tension on the sets, I make sure I diffuse it. I think one must enjoy one’s work. So I do fool around with my colleagues, my own staff and even the spot-boys. We are one big family after all. The atmosphere has to be jovial and conducive towards creativity. It’s not as if we’re going to school, you know. But none of all this makes me a prankster.»

Okay, point noted. Somewhere in the quiet of the Bachchan home, a cellphone trills. Quiet footfalls indicate that the next visitor has arrived. One discovers it’s Shaad Ali, for a story narration. Abhishek Bachchan is a busy actor. And though he flashes that famous smile once again, one knows today’s interview is terminated.n

<I>«Because I have so many limitations, it is very important for me as an actor to be comfortable with the people I work with.»</I>

<B>Source Filmfare

by Meena IYER</B>