Few filmmaker-actor collaborations in Indian cinema hold the kind of magic that
Amitabh Bachchan and
Yash Chopra created together. From redefining the “angry young man” persona in the 1970s to giving Bachchan a glorious second innings at the turn of the millennium, Yash Chopra was not just a director but also a dear friend to the megastar. On the occasion of the legendary filmmaker’s 93rd birth anniversary on September 27, Amitabh Bachchan looked back with warmth and candour on his association with Yashji.
Amitji, Yash Chopraji’s 93rd birth anniversary on September 27?Gosh, how many years has he been gone? Thirteen years! It seems like just yesterday when I walked from my home to his bungalow to ask him for work.
You have told me this earlier. I would like to see Yashji’s face when Amitabh Bachchan asks for work?But it is true! This was the year 2000, and I was jobless. I had no films on hand.
That was because you were in transition from the conventional hero’s role?Whatever the reason, I was sitting at home when one fine morning I strolled over to his home and asked to be cast. He immediately offered me ‘Mohabbatein’, and I was working again.
‘Mohabbatein’ began your second innings?If you want to put it that way.
Earlier, you did some of your most memorable films with Yashji?Yes, ‘Deewaar’, ‘Kala Patthar’, ‘Trishul’… all were a major part of my career.
‘Deewaar’ was a turning point in your career?We never planned to make ‘Deewaar’ what it is. No one can plan a classic. Guru Dutt didn’t tell himself, “All right, let’s make a classic,” when he decided to make ‘Kagaz Ke Phool’. Not that I’m comparing ‘Deewaar’ to any of the classics.
But it is a classic?That is for critics like you to decide. We did our work not thinking of how it would be assessed fifty years later.
Yash Chopra was a family friend?We were very close. Working with Yashji was always a pleasure. With him, it never felt like work. We would be constantly playing games between shots, eating, chatting. It was like a picnic.