Amitabh Bachchan on being honoured by BAFTA

By Subhash K. Jha, INDIA FM

How was the BAFTA experience? Another unique honour for you...

I feel very deeply humbled and honoured. My recognition is really an acknowledgement of the Indian film industry , and indeed India. It feels wonderful to see so much attention being given to our country. There was a retrospective of my films and some documentaries about me made by prominent people. I had to interact with the public over two evenings. British and Indian speakers spoke of my contribution and then I was asked up on stage for Q&A .Clips of my work were shown as a reference alongside on the screen. Good intelligent interaction with the public. The Chairman of BAFTA ended the event by announcing me as an honorary life -time member of BAFTA. I felt really proud to be a small part of the Indian Film fraternity, receiving this distinction.

Plans for the world concert featuring you with Abhishek and Aishwarya have been finalized?

Yes. We hope to be in action next year around April and cover many countries. The tour is called The Unforgettable .It'll be exciting to accompany such a young and energetic group of youngsters. The joy of having Abhishek and Aishwarya along is the added excitement. The tour is expected to take us to all important countries in the world as well as internally in India too. Some additions to the cast are in planning and soon should be finalized. I feel a lot of nostalgia and anxiety within me as I take this on after several years.

Would you like to do a project where all four of you feature together?

You mean Jaya, Abhishek, Aishwarya and myself ? Yes we would welcome a project that involves all of us actively. We hear a lot of talk amongst makers for such projects.

You've just returned from this trip to England covering IIFA, Leeds, London . How has it been for you?

It?s been wonderful. The family has been together. IIFA has been the best and the biggest Bollywood event since inception. It is such a joy for me to see the entire industry together in one place, entertaining, working and interacting with each other. The love and enthusiasm of the Yorkshire people, the respect and dignity with which they treated us was all so memorable.