Amitabh Bachchan: There is nothing special about my voice

New Delhi: He may have the most unmistakable voice in India but Amitabh Bachchan, whose baritone will play a crucial role in his upcoming film ‘Shamitabh', says he has a very normal voice and there is nothing special about it.  The 72-year-old actor denies that the R Balki-directed film, also starring Dhanush and Akshara Haasan, is a tribute to his voice.

“People may think like that because it is the story of a man who gives his voice to someone who does not have it. It is because of this that the success factor comes into play and then there is an ego clash. I don't think it is a tribute to my voice. I am most humbled if people think that but I have a very normal voice, there is nothing special about it,” Bachchan told PTI in an interview here.  The film, releasing this Friday, is their third collaboration after ‘Cheeni Kum' and ‘Paa' and Bachchan happily resigned himself to the transformative journey that Balki takes him through for his projects. Sometimes, that includes sitting in the makeup chair for hours.  “With ‘Paa' it was about five hours but this time it was about two hours. It was needed to create the bearded, unkempt look.

“Balki has the most unusual mind. His ideas are very fresh and different from what is prevalent. I do believe that it is a plot that perhaps has never been seen. It is inspiring to work with him. I doubt what he drinks or smokes. His ideas are weird but we settle down in the end and I admire the fact that he thinks like this,” Bachchan said.

‘Shamitabh' revolve around an ego clash between two artistes but the actor does not believe in ego.  “It does not exist in my life. Ego comes in your life when you think that you are the best. I don't think there is anything ultimate about me or indeed about creativity. For creative people to be satisfied is a horrible state to be in.  “When I get in front of the camera, I don't think that I am a great performer or what I do is ultimate,” he said.

Bachchan, who lived with the film for about nine months, said he kept waking up Balki with creative doubts.  “I keep pestering Balki in the night. I will call him and say, ‘Balki, I don't think I did good, can we do it again'.  Balki is like, ‘No, no, you have done fine.' When you step back and see the whole vision that only the director knew, you realise that he was right because he was thinking about the whole film while you were thinking about only yourself.” Bachchan said the movie is a comment on cinema and life.  “I am just beginning to learn how intelligently it has been made. It is a story about cinema but how wonderful to weave it into the story of life and individuals and to make a comment, which could be very profound but it is still entertaining.”

The actor said his son Abhishek, who worked with him in ‘Paa', has seen the film and thinks it is Balki's best directorial work so far.

Dhanush's name was suggested by Bachchan for the film as he felt ‘Raanjhanaa' star was perfect for the role.  “Balki wanted Shah Rukh for the film but it did not work out and then we started looking again and I suggested Dhanush.  He is a very talented artiste. He may look disinterested but he is totally transformed when he is in front of the camera.” Asked about the debate whether he should get a Bharat Ratna, Bachchan, who was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan award recently, said, “Whatever, I have received is enough for me.”

The actor was named for Padma Vibhushan with his “idol” Dilip Kumar, which he thinks is a happy coincidence.  “Dilip Kumar is my idol. I am a huge fan and always will be,” he said.