Watch out for Amitabh Bachchan's new avatar as a lover boy. He will soon be seen vying for 18 year old Jia in Ramu's Nishabd and wooing a 34 year old Tabu in Cheeni Kum. Plus, he has roles like the protagonist in Vidhu Vinod Chopra's Eklavya and Ramu's Sholay. But that's not all, he is also preparing for the most-talked about wedding - Abhishek and Aishwarya, so looks like Amitabh has lots to look forward to.

Rajesh Shah: After being conferred a doctorate by the De Montford University at Leicester, Amitabh recently also received the French honour Legion d'honneur at the French Embassy in the Capital. After having won so many awards - what do these honors mean to him?
Amitabh Bachchan: "Every award is a moment of great happiness, joy and pride as it should be. This one was more so because I am glad that France is taking notice of the people in the Indian film industry. Our cinema is going global and garnering audiences there." Does he get tired of awards? "No, not at all. Though at times I feel I don't deserve many of them, but I accept the appreciation and warmth of people with gratitude and humbleness."

RS: Ramu's Nishabd seems quite interesting. Did he ever have any kind of apprehensions about doing it as it might not have jelled with his image?
AB: "Well, yes. Knowing the kind of social taboos and norms we live with, thinking of Nishabd did seem alarming. But when I read the script, and later saw the film and his treatment, I knew he had given the film the right tone and I need not worry. I have faith in Ram Gopal Varma. He's a very passionate filmmaker. He works very fast so one is on all toes all the time, which is great. Ramu has portrayed Nishabd in a very sensitive manner," he claims.

RS: How exciting was it for him to play an older man attracted towards women much younger to him like in Nishabd and Cheeni Kum?
AB: "Very Good. You see the treatment and the director matter the most in such films and roles. They give us actors something else to do than the movies you have been doing for a long time. Now I am no longer the leading man, I play character roles, I don't affect the outcome of the film. I can take more risks - I'm enjoying myself more."

RS: The other event rocking is his son Abhisek Bachchan's marriage to the most beautiful girl in the world, Aishwarya Rai. How does he feel about that?
AB: "I feel wonderful about the wedding. It's great. But media speculation has never taken me by surprise."

RS: What does he think of Shah Rukh Khan as the host of Kaun Banega Crorepati?
AB: "I haven't seen any episode so I can't comment but I am sure he is doing a fabulous job. But I will see one soon, call Shah Rukh and talk about it."

Want to contribute your own Bollywood Features? E-mail us to find out more.