Amitabh Bachchan addressed those who said South Indian cinema is doing better than Bollywood these days at a recent event.
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan said that the film industry is often held responsible for changing a nation’s morality. Instead, he believes that society has always served as an inspiration for cinema. In his address to the students at the Pune Symbiosis Film Festival, Amitabh Bachchan discussed the benefits and drawbacks of technological advancements in cinema as well as the criticisms directed towards the film industry.
He and his wife, Jaya Bachchan, attended the festival’s opening ceremony, which was hosted by Symbiosis International.
Morals of Country
He addressed the issue of movies being the factor responsible for changing the morals of the country. But he believes that stories and films are made from experiences that makers notice in nature, in the world, and everyday life, and that is what becomes their inspiration.
Recalls His Late Father
Big B remembers how his late father used to watch a lot of Hindi films on repeat television. According to the actor, his father cherished cinema’s poetic justice element. Amitabh added, “He (Harivansh Rai Bachchan) said, ‘I’d get to see poetic justice in three hours. You and I will not get to see poetic justice in a lifetime.’ And that is the learning that cinema gives to all.”
Lauded Malayalam and Tamil films
In addition, Bachchan praised the authenticity of Malayalam and Tamil films. However, he also asserted that it is false to claim that South Indian cinema is outperforming Hindi cinema.
“We are remaking your old films. There’s Deewar, Shakti, and Sholay somewhere in all our stories. Malayalam and some of the Tamil cinema are authentic and aesthetic. This whole idea of pointing fingers at a particular region and saying that unki aachi chal rahi hai, humari nahi (they are better than us) is not right, he added.
Technological Advancements in Bollywood
In response to a question concerning technical developments in the industry, Bachchan remembered the days when performers were expected to give it their all on the first take. This was because filmmakers could not afford to use film celluloid because of budget constraints. However, with today’s chip, you are allowed to do 20–30 takes.
“Sometimes, it is an advantage for a director. Sometimes I feel, and I’m sure the people of my generation feel the same; I can’t keep on repeating the same thing. Many times, the modern generation asks, How do you get it right on the first one? I said there’s a long history behind this. You’re getting an opportunity to improve yourself; we never had that,” he said.