Amitabh Bachchan: I take criticism as an incentive

Amitabh Bachchan has had his share of detractors in his long cinematic career but the megastar says rather than shying away from criticism, he uses it to improve further.

“It (criticism) is important for us, it helps in improving yourself… I don’t look at criticism as it is rubbish and not read it. I sometimes use it as an incentive,” Bachchan said in an interview.

“So, when there is a critic, a write-up or assessment of your work, it’s wonderful to have another view point, you get a different perspective.”

The ‘Piku’ star, who will be next seen in ‘TE3N’, said if a celebrity enjoys the love of public, he should also be ready to hear negative things as well.

“If you keep hearing good things about yourself, you will be spoiled as a person. No one is perfect. We all have our faults, we all have our minuses and we don’t have the capacity to notice all of that… If you are a public figure, then you are bound to be face all this. You have to reconcile with it.”

“When they (fans) praise you, you take that well and when they throw brickbats, you say don’t hit. How can you do that? It’s not possible. It’s not right, it’s not expected either.”

Bachchan, 73, says he tells his son, actor Abhishek, to learn from his own failures and bounce back.

“I keep telling Abhishek, ‘if your film doesn’t work, you put up that criticism on the wall, get up in the morning and say you are going to work harder and prove’. There are times when things that are written are derogatory but that is the challenge that creative people have.”

When asked if he is subjected to criticism considering his stature in the film industry, Bachchan shot back, “No, it is not rare. It’s very natural.

“Everyday you get criticised for what you do, what you wear, what you say, what you do in films, how you worked, where you are. That’s the freedom people have.”

Bachchan, however, feels the voice of criticism is often not heard properly.

“That voice is often not heard and it’s needed to. This is how I look at it. I don’t know about others. It’s very essential that you be pointed out for your mistakes as it gives you an opportunity to improve.”

When asked about the controversy over AIB comedian Tanmay Bhat’s video on Sachin Tendulkar and Lata Mangeshkar, Bachchan chose not make a direct comment.

“I think that is the perspective of people. It is about what they feel, what they are comfortable with. If they are comfortable with it, you can’t stop it. If you are uncomfortable or if it’s beyond law, then there are greatest of the institutions to take care of it.”

Bachchan has not seen the video, which has gone viral, and he feels his response is not important.

“What is the fact, what is the issue that is pursued is more important. I think these are just not worthy of comment. I don’t know anything about it and even if I do what good is it going to do.

“The point is, you have to go through your own democratic constitutional laws, otherwise, you will be living in a different country. There are certain rules, regulations and laws that are done and you perform according to that.”

Inputs from PTI

Amod Pandit

Quiet, resonant, and creative, he can be seen immersed in his own world, and puts in his heart and soul into the one passion that he has, Bollywood. His line for survival? Feel happy to be a part of it.