I want to avoid unwanted controversy: Amitabh Bachchan

October 31, 2015

New Delhi, Oct 31: At a time when writers, filmmakers and historians have revolted against a rising culture of intolerance towards freedom of speech, Indian cinematic icon Amitabh Bachchan, a widely followed celebrity on social media platforms, says he's always cautious about expressing himself to avoid "unwanted controversy".

AmitabhWith over 20 million Facebook fans, a Twitterati of 17.5 million, and a growing "extended family" on his blog, the 73-year-old son of legendary poet Harivanshrai Bachchan was aptly titled the 'Social Media Person of The Year' by an association earlier this year.

He often writes about trivia related to his past, present and future projects; shares his views on life in general and social issues; talks about his weaknesses, his family members, especially his grandchildren; but what Big B mostly avoids is commenting on sensitive issues.

Is he reluctant about sharing his views freely?

"That's a discretion I will exercise because there is a certain vulnerability with celebrities," Big B said in an interview on the phone from Mumbai.

"We (celebrities) are vulnerable to almost everything. There are times when something we may have spoken could have created a controversy...So, there is a certain amount of cautiousness that I exercise," he added.

But there are actors and filmmakers who share their thoughts on socio-political matters without a second thought.

"God bless them," exclaimed the thespian, adding that he finds such people "very brave, honest, frank and strong".

"I exercise a lot of restraint in expressing myself on various issues... I don't want to create unnecessary controversy," said Amitabh, who has learnt the tricks of the trade in his four decade-long journey in filmdom.

He also said that if he is ever forced into commenting on something, "I will perhaps not be able to give an adequate reply, or I will excuse myself from it because either I don't have the right answers or I don't wish to make comments on it."

Big B's latest initiative to connect with his fans and well-wishers across the globe is Wakau, a celebrity video blogging application, which he launched on Thursday. He's looking forward to let his fans into his candid moments and open up his life to them further.

His adeptness with technology has improved over the years and, unlike many his age, he has embraced it beautifully -- even though he admitted that he's not totally comfortable with it.

The "Paa" actor makes no bones about saying that he turns to his children Abhishek and Shweta, as well as to his grandchildren Navya Naveli and Agastya Nanda, when he doesn't understand new features on smartphones, laptops or iPads.

"My kids and grandchildren help me with these modern inventions. Sometimes when I don't know how to work on a mobile or a laptop or an iPad, they are very conversant to that, so I seek their help," Big B said.

He feels the onus to introduce "older generations -- grandparents and at many times parents who are not conversant with technology -" lies on the youngsters.

Recounting one incident when he introduced his celebrated father to a mobile phone, he shared: "I remember the first time when I took a mobile phone to my father, he had actually backed away from it... like there was some kind of danger involved here.

"But gradually once they get used to it, they understand."

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
May 2,2020

Los Angeles, May 2: Pop diva Madonna has revealed that she has tested positive for the COVID-19 anitbodies.

The singer shared the news in the 14th edition of her “Quarantine Diary” on Instagram TV.

“Took a test the other day and I found out that I have the antibodies. So tomorrow I’m just going to go for a long drive in the car, and I’m gonna roll down the window and I’m gonna breathe in the COVID-19 air. Yup. I hope the sun is shining,” Madonna said.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), US, antibody tests are used to determine whether or not a person has been exposed to COVID-19 by finding proteins the body produces to fight the virus.

However, the CDC has yet to confirm if the possession of antibodies is equal to immunity.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
July 5,2020

Nalgonda,  Jul 5: Bollywood filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has been booked in connection with his upcoming film 'Murder' which is based on Pranay Kumar's murder in Nalgonda district.

Ram Gopal Varma was booked following Nalgonda court's directive on a petition filed by father of a man who was killed in an alleged honour killing incident in Miryalaguda in 2018.

"We have booked filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma following a court order for his upcoming movie 'Murder', which is based on sensational caste-based Pranay Kumar's murder that occurred in Miryalguda, Nalgonda District in September 2018, " Police said.

On June 21, the filmmaker has released the poster of 'Murder', based on a true story.
Police said, "Pranay's father Balaswamy has filed a petition in Nalgonda Court stating that the film will affect the on-going trial of Pranay's murder case and the film should be stalled."

"We've registered a case under relevant section of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act and taken up investigation."

"The court has ordered Nalgonda police to register a case against the film director Ram Gopal Varma and the producer," added the police.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
Agencies
July 31,2020

Mumbai, Jul 31: Maharashtra Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said that the Enforcement Directorate should carry out an investigation in actor Sushant Singh Rajput's suicide case.

"There is a huge public sentiment about handing over #SushantSinghRajput case to CBI but looking at the reluctance of State Government, atleast @dir_ed ED can register an ECIR since misappropriation and money laundering angle has come out," tweeted Fadnavis.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said that no FIR had been registered in Maharashtra yet and that the case must be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

"There is a confrontation between two states and there has been no FIR registered yet in Maharashtra. Chirag (Paswan) had spoken to CM Thackeray that there should be CBI probe. All political leaders are demanding for it. It should be handed over to CBI," Paswan said.

A team of the Bihar Police that arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday, recorded statements of two persons, including actor Sushant Singh Rajput's sister, on Wednesday in connection with the case.

An FIR was filed by Sushant Singh Rajput's father against actor Rhea Chakraborty in Bihar on Tuesday.

Rajput was found dead in his Mumbai residence on June 14.

According to the Maharashtra Police, statements of 41 people, including filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, film critic Rajeev Masand, director-producer Sanjay Leela Bhansali, and filmmaker Aditya Chopra have been recorded in the investigation so far.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.