SRK is the worst producer: Abhishek Bachchan

Abhishek Bachchan talks about his role in Happy New Year, working with director Farah Khan and more in a cool conversation with Lipika Varma

Tell us something about your character in the film?

I am playing the character of Nandu Bhide who stays in Sangam Chawl in Mumbai. Nandu is an integral part of the team he is an irreplaceable part of the film and the team can’t go forward without him. He is an entertaining character, a funny guy. I had a lot of fun while playing this character but at the same time it was also the most challenging role for me.

How was your experience working with Director Farah Khan?

She is very organized as well as prepared. She knows the film that she wants to make and for her making a film is more like an execution. She does her home work much before coming on the sets. As a director she gave me the liberty to discuss scenes with her and I always used to give her some kind of inputs regarding the mannerism of my character in the films. If she was convinced she would allow me the way I suggested otherwise we would carry on as per original script.

Having worked with different directors how is Farah Khan from those?

I think man are programmed to react in a different way and women programmed to react in a particular way. So there’s a different approach towards emotions. Men and women are different therefore a man’s point of view is very different from a woman but I didn't find much of a difference in Farah and what I like about her is that currently I feel that she is the only female director who loves making commercial masala entertainers.

What message does Happy New Year hold for the audience?

Everybody in life gets a second chance but it’s up to you to avail that chance and that’s the message we are trying to convey to everyone through this film.

Do you think celebrities’ presence can play a major role in upgrading sports like Kabaaddi games which are looked down upon?

Yes, definitely. See if I can use my status of being a celebrity for promoting a good thing then I will definitely go for it. We as celebrities are asked to come and promote public welfare campaigns like- Polio, HIV, then why not for sports? If celebrities' support can give 493 millions of viewers for a sports channel then it’s a brilliant thing to do. See people will only watch those sports which they find interesting so as a celebrity we are just trying to draw their attention and the rest only the sport can do. I was very thankful to Shah Rukh, Aamir as well as the entire team of HNY for coming forward to support Kabbadi because their presence suddenly made a huge impact on the tournament.

How is Shah Rukh Khan as a producer?

From a producer’s point of view I would say that he is the worst producer because he never thinks too much upon the production cost of the film and spends lavishly on his films. But from an actor’s point of view I feel that he is the best producer as he will look after you, care for you throughout the film's journey.

What was the most difficult task for you while enacting the character of Nandu?

We had to create this character as the character of Nandu was very different from my real life character. If Nandu speaks English it is going to have a heavy Mumbai accent therefore all such small technical things had to be kept in mind while performing as Nandu.

What are your forthcoming films?

After Happy New Year I’ll be working on All Is Well and Houseful 3.

Lipika Varma