Paa’s Boy

What was your first reaction when you saw Amitabh Bachchan on the sets with his makeup on?
I didn’t recognise him. My dad and Vidya Balan were shooting near our home and Balki asked me to come and drop by. I was mingling around with people there and then I asked Balki,‘Where’s dad?’ And dad called out saying,“Next to you”. I was completely stunned at the way he looked and behaved. He had transformed into a 13-year-old.

You sport just one costume in the film.
I was happy since I did not have to change. Coming from a film like Dostana,where all I had to do was change costumes,this one was a cakewalk. But then Balki took his revenge in a song where he made me wear 17 different costumes.

You play a politician in the film. Did you derive inspiration from real-life people?
Yes,from two of my good friends Milind Deora and Sachin Pilot,but only the physicality.

What is the whackiest thing that Amitabh Bachchan did as a kid in the movie?
He got onto my back.

Since he played the kid did you have the liberty to be one up on him?
I did when we were doing a shot together. I could bully him around,but once the director said ‘cut’,dad was back to his usual self. And then I had to bear the brunt of bullying him in the shot.

Weren’t you afraid of being overshadowed by your father?
Every actor is overshadowed by Mr Bachchan in a film. But then you cannot afford to think that way and be in awe of him. I would not have done so many films with him had I thought that way.

Amitabh’s role is rather infectious and there is a tendency to bring it home. Did this happen?
No. Dad never brought any of his roles home. We would have liked it if he brought a character like Shahenshah home or he hung a rope around his shoulder like in Deewar. But in his illustrious career,not once has he brought work back home.

You have worked with Vidya Balan earlier,but this is the first time you are paired opposite each other?
I did a small part with her in Guru where she was absolutely brilliant. When Balki told me that he had cast Vidya for the lead,I couldn’t agree with him more.

As a producer,did you have it easy on yourself?
Being a producer is not a happy spot to be in. But then it is not that tough on me either,because all I do is say a ‘Yes’,‘No’ or a ‘I’ll think over it’.

What are your expectations from the film?
I made this film for my dad and,after watching this film,I just want dad to tell me that he is proud of me.

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