We are ordinary folks: Amitabh Bachchan

Jaipur, Jan 24 (IANS) Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan wants to dispel myths about his "high and mighty" image, saying that he would prefer to be known just as the son of Teji and Harivansh Rai Bachchan.

"I never believed that I was special. I am just blessed. I would like to be known as the son of my father Harivansh Rai Bachchan and mother Teji Bachchan. I respect my parents for bringing me up the way I am," Bachchan said while speaking at the Jaipur Literature Festival Friday.

The superstar, who has given the country the maximum number of hits and blockbusters like "Zanzeer", "Deewaar" and "Don", said he has "never consciously tried to project my star image. It is an epithet created by the media."

"I have not contributed to the fact that I am a star. My son Abhishek and I want to do away with the word star. We are ordinary folks. My relationship with my son is personal and domesticated. Even before Abhishek was born, I had made up my mind that if I ever had a son he would be my friend. Abhishek is as balanced and down-to-earth by nature as I would expect anyone from our family to be.

"While acting, we do not follow any particular routine or concepts - we both leave it to the director. In fact, Abhishek had a very normal upbringing. Jaya and I have never tried to do anything special for him. We did not produce any movie to secure him a toehold in the industry. He has never felt propped up - all that he has done has been on his own," Bachchan said.

Further listing the virtues of his son, Bachchan said Abhishek possesses sharp powers of observation and reaction.

The audience - numbering around 500 - comprised over 165 writers, an equal number of delegates and an army of media representatives both from home and abroad.

Bachchan feels the love of millions of Indians has helped him become the "phenomenon" that he is today.

"The love and affection of the people of the country, my fans who prayed for me each time I fell sick, have helped sustain my journey over the last four decades that began in 1969," said Bachchan.

The actor, who has worked with almost every generation of directors in the country - from Prakash Mehra, Ramesh Sippy, Manmohan Desai, Yash Chopra to Tinu Anand and the youngsters like R. Balakrishna and Sujoy Ghoshe, says he has grown up watching Dilip Kumar and Waheeda Rehman.

"I was their fan and also loved watching Guru Dutt movies. 'Kagaz ke Phool' starring Guru Dutt was my favourite. Now that I have an opportunity to speak about all the directors I have worked with, I hope one of the youngsters in Mumbai grows up to be a Dilip Kumar or Guru Dutt," he said.

Father Harivansh Rai still remains the star's obsession.

"I am not an avid reader, but now whenever I have time to spare, I read my father's poetry and his autobiography. I try to bring out snippets from his works in my blog. And in the process I learn more about my father," he said.

The superstar, who recited "extracts" from his father's seminal work "Madhushala", signed off with a message for the audience: "Yadi man ka ho to accha, agar man ka na ho to aur bhi accha. (If things go the way you want, it is good. And if it does not, it is better)."

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