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Amitabh Bachchan seems to be in great hurry to finish all his pending acting assignments and is going all out to do the same. Despite being advised by his doctors to go slow on work, these days, he has been doing two shifts – for Ravi Chopra’s Babul and Karan Johar’s Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. Evidently, he shoots for Babul in the morning at Film City and later in the day, he joins the Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna team at Yash Raj Studios where Karan is picturising a song featuring Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Rani Mukerji and Preity Zinta, with Kajol who makes a special appearance in the film. After the song picturisation, the entire shoot of KANK will be over. On the other hand, Ravi Chopra is expected to complete the entire shoot by August and the film is scheduled for a year-end release. Another Ravi Chopra film that Amitabh is racing to complete is Chini Kam, which co-stars Tabu.

Amitabh recently concluded the entire shooting of Ram Gopal Varma’s Nishabd in a start-to-finish schedule of 25-days. And the shooting of Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Eklavya too is complete. Interestingly, after Babul and Chini Kam, Big B will have only one film, Rumy Jaffry’s God Tussi Great Ho, to finish.

Forget the young turks, 63-year-old Amitabh Bachchan is still considered ‘hot’ by many young girls across the globe. Recently, Tabu, who’s doing a film with the actor, shared that her teenage neighbour, requested her to convey a message for Amitabh, that he is hot. Big B’s heroine, 16-year-old Jiah, who stars in Ram Gopal Vamra’s Nishabd is another big admirer. Incidentally, Jiah is the daughter of actor Rabiya and was to debut with Tumsa Nahi Dekha that was directed by Anurag Basu and was produced by the Bhatts. Sources say Jiah couldn’t do the film, and was replaced by Dia Mirza. Jiah can surely not contain her happiness since she gets to debut with an actor she so admires. As for Big B, looks like he is certainly the ultimate hottie for many a pretty young things in the industry. Not just Jiah but many young girls admit to finding him hotter than his sonny boy Abhishek.

Ali Murtuza Haji, the kid who plays Kajol’s son in Fanaa, has more confidence than most actors. And contrary to belief, Fanaa is not Ali’s first film. He has earlier done Raj Kumar Santoshi’s Family and a number of ads with Amitabh Bachchan. Bachchan says, “I’ve shot with him a number of times. I remember during Family, after a shot I was sitting in my van when Ali came directly to me and said, ‘I believe Karan Johar is making a film. Does he have a role for me?’ I was stunned. I told the child that I’d let Karan know. The boy then walked away, but before that he saw some snacks in my van and asked me if he could have some. He was amazing.” This isn’t the first time Bachchan has been floored by a child actor. Earlier he was impressed with Ayesha Kapoor during the shooting of Black. Seems like Bachchan is quite taken in by the new generation.

You have to give it to Amitabh Bachchan for taking time out to promote a film that has taken seven years to complete, when its other stars Karisma Kapoor and Arshad Warsi are nowhere in sight to do the same.

Does Bachchan expect his fans to be as excited about ‘Zamaanat’, as they would be about his forthcoming films ‘Cheeni Kum’ or ‘Nishabd’? “I can’t say that. Obviously a recent product turns out to be more exciting. But, the fact is that this product is ready now and I am happy with the opportunities it gave me to perform. Primarily, I am happy for (director) Mr S Ramanathan because he had to struggle for seven years to complete this film,” he says.

Most folks in the country are wary of getting into court-related matters. After playing a lawyer for the first time in ‘Zamaanat’, the superstar’s take on the same is quite pragmatic. “In real life, we obviously never wish to be in a court or face lawyers, but I think we all love to watch a court room drama. Such a situation offers you scope for performance too.”

The sweetest defeat is to be overpowered by your own offspring. What does he envisage for son Abhishek, who is on the way to superstardom? “I don’t believe in such things. Abhishek has a long way to go. He has some good projects with very fine makers. I hope he will be able to do justice to them.”

As for the the revival of the show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ (KBC), he says, “There have been some talks of wanting to take it further. You know, ‘KBC II’ was a balance of my previous episodes, but because of my illness some 24-odd episodes have yet to be completed. About taking it further there have been talks, but nothing is confirmed.”

The general perception is that he has slowed down post his illness. As for the notion that he might be missing the earlier hectic phase, he explains, “I’ve never had a hectic phase. It was probably misconstrued just because one saw me in ads, films, on ‘KBC’ and at functions. You probably think that I am not getting time to sleep. It’s not like that. You know all these activities are planned by my manager, who schedules everything appropriately for me.”
Acclaimed world over as the greatest superstar the country has produced, are there any goals yet to be achieved? “Ask the people who say this. I don’t think I have ever worked for any goals. Life moves on. If there are challenges, you face them and try and do your best.”

After four years, Amitabh Bachchan is all set to play yet another Vijay (after Aankhen) in Ram Gopal Varma’s Nishabd. Nishabd is about 60-year old Vijay falling in love with an 18 year old played by Jiah. Said to be based on Vladimir Nobokov’s novel Lolita. Jiah was earlier supposed to debut opposite Emraan Hashmi in Tumsa Nahin Dekha but was dropped as the makers weren’t happy with her performance. Well, those who come to see Bachchan in a kind of taboo relationship with his daughter’s friend won’t be too concerned with talent.

Amitabh Bachchan, the brand ambassador of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards, is pleased with the academy’s achievements in the world arena. Amitabh says apart from popularising Indian cinema abroad, IIFA also allows the film fraternity to spend quality time with each other.

How are IIFA awards this year different from previous ones?
I think every year there is some progress made at the IIFA awards. We started by merely acknowledging and honouring artistes for their work. Now we have moved on to creating a forum where business opportunities are created and discussed. There are forums for discussion on cinema for people from all over the world. There are charity events and sports events. Then, of course, the awards ceremony is unique because the film industry votes for itself. The awards are all computerised.

Which one is the most enjoyable aspect of IIFA for you?
I think it is a wonderful opportunity for the entire film industry to get together in one city in any part of the world over a period of four days. We are all neighbours in the film industry. But we don’t get the time to meet one another. I think it is wonderful to be in an environment where one can relax and be with one’s colleagues without stress or anxiety.

Do you think IIFA awards have grown over the past four-five years?
Oh, most certainly. I think over the past seven years IIFA has benefited the film industry both commercially and socially. From providing a lucrative venue to creating awareness about Indian cinema…it has achieved a lot.

What unique aspects this year at IIFA?
Instead of the sports event there is going to be a charity fashion show. And of course we have tried to make improvements in every aspect, from the facilities provided to the guests to the quality of the live shows.

Don’t you think there are too many awards ceremonies every year?
Why not? This is a free society. Everyone has the right to do what he or she likes. It’s any individual or organisation’s prerogative to host an awards ceremony. How wonderful to find our fraternity being acknowledged for our efforts. Creative artistes need the appreciation.

This year you have swept all the popular awards.
Yes, yes…It’s been unique. But that is primarily due to the fact that the film Black was so well-made…all credit to Sanjay (Leela) Bhansali and to the audience for embracing this piece of art. It is unique for a film to score with both critics and the audience. The success of Black shows the maturity of our audiences. A film like this demolishes the wall between art and commercial films. Really, Black has bridged many gaps. And that’s so wonderful.

Ram Gopal Varma wrapped up the Amitabh Bachchan starrer ‘Nishabd’ in three weeks, creating a record for himself. Also for the first time, the Big B, who has flirted with shutterbugs for decades, actually gets on the other side of the lens. He plays a photographer in ‘Nishabd’, the alleged screen version of Vladimir Nabokov’s timeless novel ‘Lolita’.

A source reveals, “Mr Bachchan plays a wildlife photographer. He spots Jiah (the heroine) for the first time when she’s watering plants in a garden. She’s wet when Mr Bachchan starts clicking her incessantly. That’s how their love story begins.”

Interestingly, what also comes to light here is RGV’s apparent fascination for photographers much like his mafia fixation. In the past RGV has made Saif Ali Khan and Fardeen Khan play photographers in ‘Darna Mana Hai’ and ‘Pyar Tune Kya Kiya’ respectively.

Sprain or fracture? Is he well? These were the rumours doing the rounds in Delhi, when actor Amitabh Bachchan cancelled a press meet on Friday morning. Sources say that the Big B’s absence was due to the fact that he’d hurt himself after a round of morning exercises. But people close to the star reveal that he is fine. Another source too insists that he’s fine but didn’t want to talk about his health. “Everyone has gone out for a function,” is all he said. And this function was the Bachchans’ wedding anniversary. Understandably, he was out with a few friends and family “for a private party.” However, daughter Shweta and grandchildren were not part of this party – being away on a holiday in Europe. Ever since Big B’s health suffered a major setback a few months ago, even the news of a sprain sends shock waves all across.