Abhishek Bachchan on PAA

Paa has been one of the most talked about films in India since the past few weeks. It is a film that features father and son Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan where Amitabh is playing Abhishek’s father. The film is difficult for Amitabh, as he is playing a 13 year old kid but its as difficult for Abhishek to play Amitabh’s father even because it is his first film as a producer too. We spoke to Abhishek Bachchan on Paa…

Bunty Aur Babli, Sarkar, Sarkar Raj and now Paa. Everyone has high expectations from the father-son jodi. What’s so special about Paa?
Paa is a film about a 13-year-old kid suffering from progeria, played by Amitabh Bachchan. The central character is called Auro, a , and suffers from a rare condition which causes premature ageing among children. While I play his dad and Vidya Balan his mother. What is special is for all to see, don't you want to see me playing father to my father?

So you are playing father to Amitabh Bachchan in PAA, how easy or difficult was it?
It was too difficult playing PAA to Amitabh Bachchan. I mean, look at him! He is a living legend...he plays the role of a 12-year-old with as much ease as he plays his age on-screen. I doubt if any other actor has ever portrayed such diversified roles as he has done and is still doing! Before the camera rolled, we were like buddies...at times; I was bossing over him jokingly. But once the camera rolled, he completely took over. He is the boss, from every angle, any day, anytime






Paa has been one of the most talked about films in India since the past few weeks. It is a film that features father and son Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan where Amitabh is playing Abhishek’s father. The film is difficult for Amitabh, as he is playing a 13 year old kid but its as difficult for Abhishek to play Amitabh’s father even because it is his first film as a producer too. We spoke to Abhishek Bachchan on Paa…

Bunty Aur Babli, Sarkar, Sarkar Raj and now Paa. Everyone has high expectations from the father-son jodi. What’s so special about Paa?
Paa is a film about a 13-year-old kid suffering from progeria, played by Amitabh Bachchan. The central character is called Auro, a , and suffers from a rare condition which causes premature ageing among children. While I play his dad and Vidya Balan his mother. What is special is for all to see, don't you want to see me playing father to my father?

So you are playing father to Amitabh Bachchan in PAA, how easy or difficult was it?
It was too difficult playing PAA to Amitabh Bachchan. I mean, look at him! He is a living legend...he plays the role of a 12-year-old with as much ease as he plays his age on-screen. I doubt if any other actor has ever portrayed such diversified roles as he has done and is still doing! Before the camera rolled, we were like buddies...at times; I was bossing over him jokingly. But once the camera rolled, he completely took over. He is the boss, from every angle, any day, anytime

This film seems to have a very challenging role for you as an actor?
Yes, it is different from how it has been in the past. I’ve chosen a challenging job. As my luck would have it, I’m curious to see how audiences react to these completely different characters. As long as they’re entertained, I’m happy. But this film is totally different, although peoples attention will be on Paa I mean Amitabh but I and Vidya are playing important characters which are totally different ones.

When the shooting was going on, was there a shot when you just stared at Amitabh Bachchan and was amazed just to see him act and give a power packed performance?
Lots of shots in the film are like that. In the promos there is a scene where he looks up and says ‘Paa’ I guess that particular shot is wonderful. No one would recognize him. I was so thrilled because it was the only shot and in just one shot Balki got convinced. Actually I have seen him evolve and improve every passing day of the shooting. He is reinventing himself on a daily basis. Every time he faces the camera, he gives a new and fresh dimension to his performance. So every shot was amazing.

How did Balki convince you?
Balki's brief to me was very simple, I had to be best friends with my father's character 'Auro' throughout the film, and since Paa and I are best of friends in real life too, I really enjoyed playing Paa's Paa!.. Actually, it has not been tough at all. I would say it was the exact opposite; it was a lot of fun. I was happy with the concept and also eager to watch my father in such a role.

When you saw Amitabh Bachchan for the first time in the get up, did you recognize him?
Ohh, let me tell you that incident. On our very first day of the shoot we all were outside on the sets and then suddenly I went inside the make room to search for Paa, I asked everyone if they had seen him? Everyone in that room was staring at me so I juts left again, I roamed on the entire sets and again went to his make up van where Balki was also there and then I guessed that the man sitting in front of the mirror is actually Paa. He was looking so different that no one could have recognized him. And let me tell you one more thing, that the film's name also came from there because until that time the title was not fixed but when Balki heard me calling Paa he said , it’s the perfect title.

Its your film not only because you and father are there but also because its an AB corp film, it's for the first time you are playing a producer? How was it and how you deal with the post production work?
It's not at all easy to be a producer. But I finished the film in the budget and moreover there iss lots of work after the film completes. Promotion, marketing, post production, lots more. We are just trying to set up AB Corp again and I hope by Paa we can do it.

How was it working with Vidya. She is not so experienced as an actor like you?
I have seen her in Munnabhai, one of my favorite films and after that I watched Parineeta and I realized that she is not only immensely beautiful but she is a great actress too. Both of our characters are different and its very tough to work with Amitabh Bachchan because every shot given by him is perfect. And sometimes Vidya used to get nervous but she is a great performer, the other side of Vidya’s acting will be shown in Paa.

I think being a son, more than being an actor in particular, I think being my father's son has been my favourite role. I enjoy the fact that I'm his son. I enjoy the responsibility he gives me. And most of all I enjoy being his bouncer. I enjoy the fact on Sunday, I don't know if you know, but on Sundays hundreds of his fans come outside the house gates to meet him, which is a trend that started after his '82 accident. They used to come to see him and check on his well-being. And he used to go out and wave at them and sign autographs and that has continued till date. And now, instead of everyday it's only on Sundays, you literally have hundreds of people outside the gate waiting to see him. And he comes out religiously in the evening, waves out, shakes their hand, signs autographs. And since I was a child whenever I was at home, he used to always take me out with him. And I used to enjoy being the bouncer . You know, warding off the crowds and all. And I still do it, although now he takes me out because he's the proud father and wants to say, this is my son. And this is what I call his Lion King moment. He holds me up and says, here's the cub. But for me it's always about, you know, I'm the proud son who enjoys the fact that my father is still showered with all the love and blessings and I enjoy it.

We are seeing you in many ads also, suddenly you’re in so many endorsements? Can you tell us why?
My criterion to endorse a brand is simple. Would I use the product and am I comfortable endorsing the product? It’s very important for the brand ambassador to have faith in the product. I believe in the products I endorse.
Source : Star Box office