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 inspiration?
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.

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.