We never work to cause a revolution: Amitabh Bachchan

He gave the Hindi film industry its own 'angry young man', became the 'Shahenshah' of Bollywood and revolutionised television with his game show "Kaun Banega Crorepati". Megastar Amitabh Bachchan says he doesn't work to cause a revolution.

The star has been a phenomenon for almost five decades and has been entertaining movie buffs with his films like "Zanjeer", "Abhimaan", "Deewaar", "Sholay", "Don", "Shahenshah", "Paa" and "Piku".

The National Award-winning actor, known for his tall personality and deep baritone, has now lent his voice to a mythical hero - Astra the Immortal in the new superhero animated series "Astra Force".

Another revolutionary step?

"We never work because we are going to cause a revolution. We work because we enjoy doing something and hope people like it," Amitabh, who believes that when people do something different there is always an apprehension, told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

"Graphic India wanted to design me as one of the characters. The look of the superhero was with my characteristics and facial features and therefore, I said if facial features are mine, they should carry my voice as well. And so, I did the voice-over," he added.

The animation series by Graphic India and Disney Channel, is a funny and fast paced, action-adventure series which tells the stories of the adventures of 8-year-old brother and sister Neal and Tara. They accidentally awaken Astra the Immortal from his long hibernation.

"During my time, the kind of superheroes that kids see today, we didn't have. The Lone Ranger and Superman were my favourites. As time passed, generations grew up with different kind of superheroes. This (the show) is an attempt to combine the two generations," said the 74-year-old, who has three grandchildren.

"Astra and the kids meet a lot of aliens, and at the end of the day, there is always a message that superheroes teach while trying to overcome the evil forces."

The Indian society also has many evils and villains. Which ones does the actor, who starred in "Pink" - a film which deals with crime against women and more - want to get rid of?

"Some of the evil stuff like poverty, and try to make India a clean nation and try to get rid of some of the ailments that we have in the society," said the Padma Vibhushan awardee, who has been creating awareness on health issues, including Hepatitis and Tuberculosis.

So, does he have any make in India dream?

"We keep making movies. We are doing animated films, doing music and television. All are made in India in our creative field. That's good," said Amitabh, who is associated with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Swachh Bharat Mission'.

Hailing the animation industry of India, he said: "We have a tremendous animation talent in this country. A lot of the work in Hollywood comes from here in India. They got a lot of talent from here. I am proud of the fact that we have the talent here which matches anything that is best in the world."

(Natalia Ningthoujam can be contacted at natalia.n@ians.in)

--IANS

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