Amitabh Bachchan to star in his One Millionth Film

By Tushar Singh

BBC News, Dehli

Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan has announced plans to play the lead role in Hari Potter and the Cab Driver’s Stone – making him the sole member of the “Million Movie Club”

For decades Amitabh Bachchan has been an Indian household name, consistently delivering breathtaking performances in Bollywood cinema and television. A renowned international star with an impressive resume that consists of a plethora of awards, a successful foray into politics, and being Aishwarya Rai’s first father-in-law, Bachchan can soon proudly say he has been in one million films.

Bachchan seemed destined for stardom right from conception. In early 1942 Bachchan got his first big break while still a mere fetus, taking the leading roll in Hum Thum Bhoth Dum. Even with a partially developed central nervous system and no audio sensory, the then un-named actor blew audiences away with his depiction of a wide-eyed villager in love with a girl of higher caste. On his literal birthday he was honored with his first “Best Actor” National Film Award - the Indian equivalent to an Oscar.

And Bachchan never looked back. But the road to making a million films was not an easy path - during a streak from 1979 to 1988, Bachchan made an average of eight full-length feature films everyday, sleeping only 30 minutes a week and frequently going to the hospital for exhaustion and dehydration. The fruits of his labor paid off as he starred in hit films such as Mohabbatein, Silsila, Sholay, and 999,996 others.

Part of his success can be attributed to the simple of cookie cutter nature Bollywood films. The formulaic plotlines can be broken down into three broad categories: (1) “Fighting” Theme – Son/Hero avenges father’s death by the hands of mustached villain (2) “Love Marriage” Theme – Indian version of Romeo & Juliet without the solid Shakespearian plot line (3) The Remake Film – Remake an already successful American movie. Think Patel Gump.

Whatever the case, Bachchan added his trademark deep voice, comedic edge, and, of course, unparallel synchronized group dancing skills.

It is undeniable that Bachchan is one of a kind. A 2006 study conducted at the Indian Institute of Technology put his talent in context for westerners. The three year long empirical research concluded what most already knew: “From the perspective of theatrical aptitude, if you were to somehow combine two Anthony Hopkins with one Tom Hanks and the entire cast of Friends including Gunther, you might get one Amitabh Bachchan.”

In Hari Potter and the Cab Driver’s Stone, Bachchan will test that seemingly never ending talent by depicting Hari Potter – a character adapted for Indian audiences based on J.K. Rowling’s popular book series. So confident in his acting skills, Bachchan has decided not to shave his goatee while portraying the nine year old Potter. Hari Potter is set to be in wide theater release in May of 2008.