While the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards held at The Dome in Johannesburg last week aimed at showcasing the best of Indian cinema, it was also a tribute to an extraordinary relationship between India and South Africa. Paying homage to the late Walter Sisulu at the awards ceremony, Indian silver-screen legend and IIFA ambassador Amitabh Bachan emphasised the powerful bond between India and South Africa by saying: “Mandela once said that you [India] gave us Gandhi, we say that it was South Africa that gave us the Mahatma.” Having dominated the Indian film industry since the 1970s, Bachan has been described as a living institution. Yet even at 61 years of age, and voted the superstar of the millennium, he continues to challenge the boundaries of Indian cinema in timeless elegance. He has even been tipped to play Mac Maharaj in the upcoming Anant Singh film on the life of Nelson Mandela.
How comfortable are you with the title of “Indian Oscars” that has been given to the IIFA Awards?
That’s a difficult question. We would like to look upon ourselves as an independent entity, having our own dignity and importance. And every now and then there are these comparisons with other institutions and events. I would say that we are IIFA and the Oscars are the Oscars. So be it.
The South African film industry is still in its infancy. What kind of relationship does the IIFA envision between Indian cinema and its South African counterpart?
We hope that we will promote local talent through events like this, where people can meet and interact in productions. We also feel that when we host an event such as this in a particular country, we would like to involve talent from the host country as well. If we could reach a stage where local talent in the host country can be equally acknowledged, we would be very happy.
What keeps you coming back to a country that in so many ways is still burdened by its tragic past?
In many ways we would like to think that the histories of your country and ours are quite similar. There have been moments of inspiration from both countries that have worked towards achieving freedom and liberty. In that respect we find South Africans very close to our temperament. You were responsible for giving us the father of our nation. But it’s wonderful to find a country breaking loose, being free, being accepted back in the universe and doing so well. It’s a moral example and I hope it continues to flourish.
What is needed for Bollywood to be taken seriously and not simply be billed as “spicy” and “sensual”?
It’s taken a while for Indian cinema to reach where it has reached. But from not being accepted socially within its own country to a stage where it’s become almost a parallel culture in other countries is a huge improvement. And to find Western audiences and people who do not speak our language, who do not know anything about our culture, attracted to Indian cinema is yet another step. I think, with time, the importance that Indian cinema has to over a billion people all over the globe will wipe away these odious contentions that people have about Indian cinema.
You successfully portrayed your character in the recent bank-heist movie Aankhen as a multilayered and complex personality. What criteria do you use for choosing your scripts nowadays?
There is a lot more variety coming my way. When you are a leading man you’ve got to be good, woo the leading lady, beat up the villain in the end and get the girl back. So there are limits to what you can do and very definite limitations on what you look like. If there is a certain look that has been successful, then people want to keep identifying you with that — it’s difficult to change your hairstyle, dressing and so on. But when you’ve reached my age you start playing character roles. I can be a pauper, a king and a general in the army. There’s a lot more variety and therefore I find it slightly more enjoyable.
What was it like to work with your wife, Jaya Baduri, in so many films and most recently in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham?
Most of the films I’ve done have been with her as the leading lady, much to everyone’s surprise. She’s a wonderful actress, very spontaneous and very articulate with her face and feeling.
In 1984 you had a short stint as a politician. Almost 20 years later, with the title of superstar of the millennium, would you consider returning to politics?
I was a failure and I accept that. I entered politics on an emotional note. My father was a friend of Jawaharlal Nehru. And as a young man who found himself with the responsibility of running a country we all felt emotionally attached to him. But emotion has no place in politics and I soon realised that I was a misfit. So rather than assert my inadequacies on the people, I felt I should let someone else do the job. I’m not going back into politics.When the cameras stop rolling and you escape the gaze of adoring fans, who is Amitabh Bachan the man?[Laughs] Just another human being.