I don`t understand politics: Amitabh Bachchan

Bollywood’s megastar Amitabh Bachchan needs no introduction. With the multitude of moolah-churning blockbusters in his kitty - Bahchchan, even at 67, is giving actors half his age a run for their money. But for an actor whose every word is analysed and dissected, Big B steers miles away from controversy, simply sticking to his ‘no comment’ status on queries that are bound to raise eyebrows. Speaking to Swati Chaturvedi of Spicezee.com on her show Kahiye Janab, the czar of filmdom spoke about Dhoni, elections, poetry and his much read blog. Swati: Your father was one of India’s most renowned poets. Haven’t you ever thought of giving poetry a shot? Amitabh Writing poems is not in my capacity. I must have written a few lines when I was in hospital, but that was all. I remember my mother was often asked that whether someone else from our family would follow my father’s footsteps, and she would answer that one poet in the family is enough. Swati: So are you a poetic, romantic person? Amitabh I feel that all of us are romantic and poetic in our own way. I am often asked which is my favourite film, and I have always maintained that I have given my best to all my films, so they are all my favourites. Swati: There are a lot of Bollywood personalities like Shah Rukh, Preity who own an IPL team. Why haven’t you bought one yet? Amitabh Simply, because I don’t have the money to afford one. Swati: And if you did have the money? Amitabh I can’t say. It’s purely a business decision. Swati:How did you feel when so much of controversy was created when IPL was shifted out of India? Amitabh I can’t say much. I believe that the people who created this controversy should answer this. If our government thought that holding the matches during the elections wasn’t a good idea, then I feel one should not question the decision of the government. Swati:You have had five Padma awards in your family. What do you have to say about Dhoni, who did not come in person to receive his Padma award? Amitabh See, he is a player. He might have been busy. We knew Aishwarya would get one so we made our plans accordingly. But if Dhoni did not come, then I am sure he had his reasons. Swati:You had congratulated Dhoni, but he has not responded. How do you feel about that? Amitabh It’s no big deal. May be he did not receive my message. He is busy playing for the nation. There are no hard feelings. Swati:Why did you then write about it on your blog? Amitabh Oh, it was just in a passing moment that I mentioned it. It so happened that I met John Abraham and asked him about Dhoni, as they are good friends. I just told John that I wanted to wish him. There is no controversy in all this. If my blog has created such a stir then I shall go and delete it. Swati:In your blog you have often written about how you want to be a part of media. But at times one can also sense a certain kind of anger for the media. Amitabh It’s a completely wrong notion. See I believe that in our nation, all kinds of people from all kinds of backgrounds live. Now, as per their right, each individual has the right to say and do as he feels. We have the freedom of expression and all of us are free to say what we want. But we (actors) don’t have the advantage of a camera that the media has. Many a times there are wrong stories written about us. I feel that the blog is just a small medium through which I can clarify any wrong statements attributed to me. I feel that it’s a very good medium to connect with fans. Swati:The General Elections just went by. And Mumbaikars, who had come out in huge majority to do candle light marches post 26/11, recorded a very low margin of voters? Amitabh See, I gave my vote. And I strongly believe that one must cast his vote. Now, if some people don’t vote, then it’s up to them. Swati:What about politics? Amitabh I just don’t understand politics and have no interest in it either. Swati Sanjay Dutt has become a politician from UP. Do you think he has become what you would have had you joined politics? AmitabhWhy not? If he wants to pursue politics then he is free to do so. Adapted By: Tanu Talwar