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"You people have taken the Oscar as the best recognition and award," Bachchan said when asked if there was dearth of good Indian movies as very few have managed to get into an Oscar race.
"They are great in their place and we are so in our place. It is not that Oscar awards are the ultimate recognition," he told an audience during the release of a book on him ‘Bachchanalia’ at the Jaipur Literature Festival in Jaipur.
However, he hastened to add that he was happy that the artistes who were working behind the scenes were finally getting their due recognition. Bachchan said the nomination of Indian sound director Rasool Pookutty for an Oscar is all the more important, besides that of Rahman and Gulzar.
"It is encouraging when we see that the media, which conducts the film award ceremonies in India has started recognising the worth of background artists. Rasool, a sound engineer from India being nominated for the Oscar awards is definitely a wonderful news and makes me terribly happy for him," Bachchan said.
"Moreover, I hope that Rahman, who has already done India immensely proud brings back a second Oscar to the country," he said, a day after Indians bagged six Oscar nominations
"Oscar has its own place. We do not disrespect it. If they wish to give us an Oscar they can do it. If not, it would be even better," he said.
"India cinema has always stood first, stands first, is the best, Oscar has its own place," Bachchan said at the interaction.
The 66-year-old legendary actor also chose to clarify his remarks over Danny Boyle's film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ that bagged 10 Oscar nominations.
Bachchan said he believed the film was an artist's creative presentation and everyone had the right of expression. He denied that while writing his blog he had opined that the film was negative in depicting the poverty of India.
"The words (criticising the film) were not mine. In fact, in my blog I had analysed some comments on the film put on my blog by the readers. I have since then spoken to both Anil Kapoor and Danny Boyle and clarified my position," Bachchan said.
On why he did not attend a nomination function despite an invite from Anil Kapoor, he said he was busy and conveyed his good wishes and congratulations to entire team of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’.
Asked whether Indian movies were fulfilling the aspirations of viewers and reviewers abroad, Bachchan said he was very happy as Indian films were catering to amount 2.5 billion people.
"Look at cinema from the beginning, 50-70 years ago, it was not well respected. No one wanted to join the film line then, now the Indian cinema has grown tremendously, enveloped all of us.”
"Criticism and cynicism at the international level gives us a satisfaction of growing Indian cinema's standard. We are a pioneer in film creativity and talent is no way inferior. If given an opportunity, we can make brilliant films for foreign competition", he said.
"Indian movie has now greater acceptability, more and more movies are being screened in foreign countries like Japan, US and China," Bachchan said.
Praising the 10 Oscar nominations for ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, Bachchan said Bhanu Athaiya, the costume designer of film ‘Gandhi’, was the first to get the Oscar award.
"There are people who work behind the making of film. There was a time when they were not noticed, now even my make-up man could get any award one day. Dignity and respect should be given to them who work behind the camera and now time has come for each member of the film unit to be recognised," he said.
Describing cinema as a uniting medium, Bachchan said there was no better example of an integrated India than a cinema hall.
On a question of violence being increasingly depicted in Indian movies, he said they were only reflecting the reality. "Movie is the strong medium of expression and creativity to depict what ever happening in the society.”
"Bihar records the maximum crime but has less movie halls. Andhra Pradesh has the maximum movie theatres. It is the movies that keep communal harmony as people of all communities and religion sit together in the hall to watch a movie, where they laugh together, weep together. Tell me how cinema is promoting violence", he asked.
‘Bachchanalia: The Films and Memorabilia of Amitabh Bachchan’, co-authored by Bhawana Somaaya is a collection of pictures and posters of Bachchan's films. "It was a novel concept of capturing and preserving your forgotten past for posterity, with the caption lending an idea of what was the state of cinema at the time," he said.
Asked whether Indian literature is moving in the right direction, Bachchan, who is son of renowned poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, said, "I do agree that the importance of written word- the great literature written in the past-- is being forgotten.”
"We not only need to revive the interest of young generation, but we require an instrument, ideas, inspiration and promote it".
About how he has influenced son Abhishek as an artiste, Bachchan said he shared more of a friendly rather than fatherly relationship with him and hoped Abhishek would imbibe the lessons of life from his experiences.
"When I had a son, I decided I would be a friend to him rather than a father. I regularly speak to him about my experiences as an artist and I hope he incorporates them in his life. In my eyes he has remained a balanced and down to earth person.”
"However, both myself and Jaya have never attempted to professionally promote him though we even have the wherewithal to produce a film, lest he comes in for unnecessary criticism or loses his confidence," Bachchan said.
Asked about his guiding force Bachchan said he always admired Dilip Kumar and Vahida Rehman. "I was impressed by Gurudutt, ‘Kagaj Ke Phool’ was my best choice. Every generation actor of past like Rajendra Kumar, Dev Anand, Rajesh Khanna, in directors' category Khawaja Ahmed Abass, Manmohan Desai and Ramesh Sippi, Saleem Javed Tinu Anand of ‘Agnipath’ Adi Chopra, Karan Johar".
Young artists and directors were coming up with new dreams and plans, he said, adding they were not in any way ‘less than Raj Kapoor and Hrishikesh Mukherjee’.
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HypocrisyWe as Indians are largely hypocrites of the highest order. We love and wish to do everything behind hidden doors. For example our acting legends have become millionaires out of the hard earned income of several slumdogs ( pls forgive me for using the word) of India. But when some one tries to show the true color of India then there is resistance. Lets be brave and face it . Movies alone can’t change the world. Charity begins at home so all those actors and actress who have managed to mint millions of rupees at the cost of the poor of this country pledge that they will do something for the slum dwellers of Mumbai and change their lives .
Namaste Mr. AMITABH BACHCHAN the legendry actor in the whole world.I am proud of it to become a fan of AMIT jee..he is great.I am totaly agree with big b what he said.Obviously oscar is not only for bollywood but all over the world.And obviously the selection team of oscar is european,so they have their own taste.So its totaly right that oscar awards should not be considered as the ultimate recognition..BIG b is always right.he is the legend.plz pray for his long life.,i love very much AMITABH BACHCHAN..thanx.
Why should we beg for their awards. It should become other way around. They should compete to get awards in India.... but a long way to go.
This movie is not an Indian movie,although there are many Indians involved in the production.It seems only an outsider could've made this movie as we suffer from such emotions that no Indian director could've made this objectively.Rather than admiring the positive side of the story line Indians are only looking at the negatives.Why are we so afraid to admit the negative side of our society?Class,poverty,social disparity is not unique to India,however we seem to be blind towards social injustice within our own borders.We as Indians need to grow up and take personal responsibility and have the open mind needed to accept good in everything and everywhere including art.My humble opinion is if Indian movies were that good they would have been recognized all over the world.Good art form is universal and thus recognized universally.Let us not be narrow minded and learn to embrace all that is good in everyone and everything.
big B if somebody give some big amount even you will act any worst films...
I really do not why AB is against Slumdog Millionaire right from the beginning. Did he expect the slum dwellers to be shown clad in expensive silk kurtas, suits and flashy dress materials like his co-stars did in movies like Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gham? Or is he upset because his show (Kaun Banega Crorepati) was shown the anchor (Anil Kapoor) with shades of gray? If he does not like the movie then let him keep his views to his coterie. Let him not bad mouth the achievement of the movie and its technicians/artistes. Really speaking, why should media gives so much of coverage for Bachan's ramblings about Slumdog Millionaire?
I have been reading all about the Oscar awards, ofcourse AB is right, getting or winning an Oscar is not the ultimate thing, our guys make flims or act in them and get personal satisfaction,if the public likes the film that much the better, who cares about an Oscar, our public's satisfaction is greater then any Oscar award or any award for that matter.
Mr Bachan you are right! Oscar is not the ultimate and that is for sure no matter who says what. Having said that it is equally important that we respect Oscar and feel good when anyone particularly an Indian gets the award.
I pledge today that i will 10 yrs from now make the 'Slum Bitch Billionairess', based on the then slums in Newyork or London showing the plight of a shitty poverty striken hapless white girl. And ofcourse we will all celebrate when the film gets 10 nominations at the 'Filmfare's. Welcome to the new world order!!For long as a third world or a developing country our plight and sadness has been made a source of entertainment to the west under the pretext of pseudo-social upheaval hogwash. Its time we stopped this and stood our ground cause though our problems do exist and need attention, but then every form of society has an underbelly which needs careful planning and solution finding not senseless glamorization and humiliation.
now he's showing signs of aging
Jehush Parsad, so what were you trying to say?
whatI am trying to say Jas is that AB is nothing but a Jealous actor who is feeling uncomfortable with the recognition of SDM.He has been staying in mumbai for a long time now,rite? But funnily he has NEVER spoken about the poor,destitute slums-dwellers even once.Or has he? If he is sooo uncomfortable with this RELITY then he better do something abt it.Rather than slamming the movie itself.And with sycophants like you he has not dearth of fan following.He should voice his opinion in a more sensible manner.He goes to the Cannes film festival to get international recognition and than bangs the same people who has shown the OTHER side of India.AB has lost all respect from a lot of people.He is simply trying to get tech-savvy by writing blogs on anything and everything he comes across.
Eversince ha has been waxed, none of his statements make any sense.He should take an exile from Film industry or related business and refrain from confusing others.
It is very sad to see that we depend on the recognition for Western Media for our achievement.I was born and bought up in Bombay, and for more than a decade have been staying in Canada. The only news that get publish in Canadian newspaper is either about Bihar or Dharavi. Every attempt direct or indirect is made to degrade India or it culture. There is lot of sinister intention in giving Oscar to Slumdog.
AB is right. Someone just wrote in that he is mad. Why? Because his viewpoint differs from what you think? Please, you need to wash your mouth with soap. There is nothing extraordinary about this film. It's designed to appeal to western obsession with the idea that there is no more to India than poverty and squalor, its very cleverly pacakaged and we've fallen for it just because a few crumbs in the form of nominations are thrown our side. Its not our flick anyway, notwithsatnding some Indians do feature here---- but who else is expected to feature in a film made on India. For many of us, its not enough that our own people recognise and honor or work---- the confirmation should come through an Oscar so you can throw some weight around in your own Oscar obsessed society. The award comes from abroad, but the gallery played to is local!
AB was never right, he was just outright cunning. By the way,have you watched him anytime on Kaun Banega? That was the turning point for him, alas! NOT YET SO FOR THE REST OF US. If your judgenment still falis you, God help. Very few in film industry are worth any, otherwise their language would not be taking a noticeable turn from genuine Hindi to all through Urdu. Even the cartoons our children so adore advance Urdu not Hindi that we learnt in school. Just start wondering why, OK?some one else has already brought it up, do you notice? About time, guys.
The Big B is very right, "The Oscar has its own place." International recognition and the craving for it should not get the better of the pride of an actor or a performer's efforts in his work in Indian films as an Indian.
This man is blown out of proportions by the media and it is hitting his head. At times, I wonder what the media aims at by diverting us to these people repeaedly and not focusing on the main socio-political issues? AB knows how to cook a good dish out of sour grapes, that's my observation so far. Wherever it is likely to be better, you will soon find him trotting along there. Such are our so called machos. Good for nothing. It is time he took up Desh Seva barring all else, otherwise when is he going to repay to the public all that glory he recd over so many years? Sometimes deserving it, but many times just by the heck of it. And the couple has begun to show off recently if one observes closely. They were successful in launching Abhishek (dyansty trends in film industry, too), now what else remains?
Who knew, such meanness lay hidden in even Amitabh Bachhan.
Mr Bachhan is obviously a deeply disappointed actor for never being even nominated for an Oscar. Naturally, grapes are sour.
What Mr Bacchan is saying that we are good even if we do not get any Oscars. I totally agree with him. We should not wait for others to tell us that we are good. Weterners consider India as country of poors, serpents and elephants. Any movie which reinforces this perception is recognized instantly. If we see the history of foreign recognitions of the Indian movies, we can see the trend- All movies which show India's misery and proverty are instantly recognized abroad. Best example- Satyjit Ray's 'Pather Panchali'. It shows India's proverty and misery and it is considered as a classic and awarded in many countries. His other movies such as 'Satranj ke khiladi' was not given any award outside India.We Indians constantly look at west for approvals. Even the Yoga and Ayurved started getting attention by Indians when Gora's started using it.
Probably the only guy around who's feeling inferior is AB.Lets get it straight that DANNY BOYLE DIDNT GO TO HOLLYWOOD TO GET THE OSCAR NOMINATIONS!!! He got it because he made a good movie.Its as simple as that.How did Yoga,ayurved even come in the picture...lol.Nobody's asking for approvals my friend.The movie will not get erased from people's mind if it doesnt get an Oscar...I bet that if AB had been a part of the movie than he would be speaking a different language all together..
mr ab - please leave film industry and go and prey god for the rest of your life. god has given enough for you and dont be jealous about others achievements. go to himalayas and chant god and you will get peace of mind.
First of all I believe the Oscars is something special for anyone who achieves it because in the west especially in America it is considered the top most award recognition given to a movie or its cast and for their efforts(Probably the only recognition there is to achieve). It is highly disappointing to see that as years have gone by in India, every Tom ,Dick and Harry wants to throw an award show in a foreign country or in India and make a hue and cry out of it. We see actors and actresses getting awards like they are handing out candies to babies at different malls. I wouldnt mind them just having one major award show in India and spending all their money over it , instead of multiple award shows which are just meaningless and diffuses the value of achieving something in Indian cinema. Plus I do not understand why Big B has to keep making these comments and embarrassing him self, he already did it with his first comment (which later had a u turn effect) now here is a second.....
BIB B IS GETTING PESSIMISTIC NOW ..HE KNOWS NOW THAT HE IS CORNERED .HE IS SPEAKING OF REALITY NOW...BUT ABOUT HIS OLD MIND FUNCTIONING WITH THIS IDEA. I WILL BE PROUD IF WE WIN OSCAR. FOR BIG B NOW GRAPES ARE SOUR !
I fail to understand what is bad about what Mr. Bachchan has written for people to gt upset. all he has said is that it should not be considered the ultimate recognition. He has praised the individuals who have got the awards. It is Indian express that had managed to post selected excerpts from his blog here where he started a discussion based on reader comments (which were not even his words) please go and read his blog. Oscar Awards are are an american institution and they honor mostly American films. It is credit to the American marketing machine that they have made it so big worldwide. There are brilliant British films, Iranian films and for that matter even Indian films who havent got an Oscar does that mean that they were bas or less talented. All Mr. Bachchan is trying to say is that it is not the ultimate recognition which I agree it isn't.
Amitabh Bacchan is angry and jealous and literally shooting off his mouth. But I give it to him, he has been consistent in his tirade against the effect and influence of Hollywood on the Indian Film Industry, starting with the name "Bollywood", he has been a known critic on that front. But his present attitude and comments on success if any, reeks of ENVY, the OLD License RAJ system, and difficulty in accepetance of changes and a FEAR, maybe for HIMSELF and his children. Prakash
This dude suffers from huge inferiority complex. He is not true to his profession. I put myself in AB's shoe, I would have rephrased his words like "If we get Oscar, excellent, if not, better luck next time". To say "better" for not winning Oscar shows his dark side. May be it is because SRK accompanied the Indian Contingent for Golden Globe.