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NAGRAJ MANJULE
Aks (2001)
He did his first ad film and music video with me, and later, I went on to make my first feature film with him. He has contributed a lot to my career as a director. He still has the enthusiasm of a 17-year-old. He has that twinkle in his eyes, and is still curious to learn new things. If you observe the history of the Indian film industry, you can easily see the difference— the phase before Amitabh Bachchan and the one after it. For me, he personifies change, and is most certainly one of the pillars of our industry. Jhund (upcoming)
Bachchan saab is such a big actor, and yet, he is humble and grounded. We didn’t have any other big stars in our film, but he would make sure that he spends time with everyone. The reason he is relevant even today is because he has changed with the times. We don’t pay attention to his age as he is so excited about his work. The more I got to know him, the more I admired him. I was so influenced by his role in Deewar (1975), that I would style my school shirt just the way he did in the film — with tied-up ends and open buttons. Aladin (2009) and
Badla (2019)
I was a fan even before I met him. For someone who hasI grown up watching his films, I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that he was in front of me and ready to listen to me. Even now, I am a fanboy in front of him. It’s only when I am directing him, that I am the director and he is the actor. And I like it that way. For me, he has been a guiding light as he has bailed me out of serious decision-related issues. What he does beyond the set for me places him above everyone else. Three of his films that I distinctly remember are Kaala Patthar (1979), Aakhree Raasta (1986) and Khuddar (1994).