Amitabh Bachchan returns as the boisterous Bhoothnath

Veteran actor tells us about the evolution of his character and what it’s like to share screen space with children .

LAHORE:

Bhootnath is coming back to raise your spirits (pun intended) on April 11. And his timing is coincidentally apt. With the 2014 Indian general elections (April 7 till May 12) presently underway, Bhoothnath is returning as a comical yet conscientious spectre.

Sequel to Bhoothnath (2008), Bhoothnath Returns is a horror comedy that features Amitabh Bachchan as Bhoothnath and Boman Irani as a mean-spirited, corrupt politician.

The Express News talks to Amitabh Bachchan, Bhoothnath himself to find out about the film and his transition from a superstar to a supernatural being.

“Bhoothnath Returns begins right from where Bhoothnath ends; the man who came as a ghost goes back to the ghost world. This is a fantasy world, where everyone is a ghost and keeps laughing at and irritating Bhoothnath,” says Bachchan.

After being repeatedly pestered by fellow ghosts, Bhoothnath goes to the managing director of the ghost world and issues a complaint. But the managing director tells him that since he couldn’t even scare one child, he has caused the ghost community immense embarrassment.

He is asked to return to Earth and scare at least 10 to 12 children if he wants to regain his dignity among the ghosts. So, Bhoothnath is sent back to the world, not in the form of a human being but a ghost.

Much to his dismay, he can’t successfully scare anyone as he can’t be seen. “Only one child, whose name is Akhrot, can see him and subsequently, leads to them becoming friends,” shares Bachchan.

Akhrot is a poor kid from a poverty-stricken area in Mumbai and has many worries. Bhootnath tries to alleviate his troubles.

There is a politician (Irani) in the area, who doesn’t fulfil his duties the way he should. “Bhootnath and Akhrot confront him together. And then, the election time approaches. Later in the story, we find out who wins and who loses. Does Bhootnath contest in the elections or not? We will show you all this in the film,” he shares.

Set in an area where corruption is rife, the film touches upon issues that are pertinent for the public. “There are multiple topics in this film, which are applicable to the common man. The problem of corruption is discussed [in the film] and how the system isn’t working efficiently. In the political spectrum of every country, these issues are always raised.”

Commenting on the role of child star Parth Bhalerao (Akhrot), he says, “Parth is a very good actor. It doesn’t seem like he is only a child. This kid has received no training. He comes from Marathi cinema and has done justice to the character like a refined actor. It was really nice working with him.”

Having worked with children in films including Kyun! Ho Gaya Na... Bachchan shares that he has a great working rapport with them. “Working with children creates a unique environment because they are very brave. They are very talented and serious actors. It [can be] difficult to work with them because they are unpredictable and never fail to surprise us,” he says.

Interestingly, in one scene, Akhrot says the following deprecating words to Bhoothnath: “60 saal ke hogaye ho magar saath saal ki akal hai tere main.” (You have turned 60, but you have the brain of a seven year old.) Did it offend him?

He explains the background of the scene and jokingly shares why he takes it in his stride: “There comes a point in the story where the child feels what I did is wrong. [He fears] that the work for which they were moving forward will get jeopardised due to it. So, he scolds Bhootnath as they both share a close relationship. That’s why I let it go,” he says.

Bachchan stars next to versatile actors, such as Irani and director-producer Anurag Kashyap. Touted as a megastar, Bachchan has often been viewed as an actor, par none. However, he modestly proclaims, “Saying that no one can come at par with me would be wrong. I’m a small actor. Actors who work with me are all competent,” he says.

“I believe that if the actor working next to you is not good, your work will not turn out to be good. If you compliment me, you will also have to compliment those who star with me.”

A man with strong familial values, Bachchan holds his grandchildren dear. The two-year-old Aaradhya, daughter of Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, is the most recent addition to the family.

Has the presence of the small wonder in his real life helped him in understanding the children he works with on the reel? “My granddaughter [Aaradhya] is very young. She finds recognising people difficult right now. Sometimes, she recognises me in my pictures, but till now, she has no role to play in any of my characters [in films],” he shares.

Translated and compiled by: Ayesha Shaikh

Published in The Express Tribune, April 9^th, 2014.

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