Brooding Bachchan

Indian superstar Amitabh Bachchan

Ask Thais to name their favourite Indian film and the answer will almost certainly be "Sholay", released here back in 1978.

So it's not surprising that their favourite actor also hails from that era. Indeed, superstar Amitabh Bachchan portrayed Jaidev in the Bollywood classic and last week he delighted his fans by popping into Bangkok to promote the International Indian Film Academy Awards, a three-day event being held in Thailand from June 6 to 8.

At 66, the actor looks young, slim and smart. He'll be back next month for the IIFA event, which will also see the world premiere of his latest movie, "Sakar Raj", at Siam Paragon. The political drama, the sequel to 2005's critically acclaimed "Sarkar", also stars his son Abhishek and daughter in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

According to director Ram Gopal Varma, the casting of the three was intentional, but having the family working together has made for a much more intense drama.

"He's absolutely right; it's one of the proudest moments in my life. As a father, it's great watching a child grow up to be taller and better than I was," says the actor, who spent three years as a politician before returning to the silver screen and also hosting the Indian version of the popular TV game show "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" in 2000.

Defender of culture

A well-known playback singer, Bachchan made his first film in 1969 and is a staunch defender of the Bollywood-formula movie, which typically includes six or seven songs.

"Music is an important ingredient in Indian society and in the cinema; it's a celebration of life. I'm pleased that we haven't succumbed to Western criticism and dumped the songs. Quite the contrary, in fact.

He has visited Thailand several times for work and for concerts, most recently to film "Ek Ajnabee" in 2005.

"I was so impressed by Thai hospitality," he recalls. "Everyone I met offered their help."

XTRA

Indian idol

>> Bachchan's first English-language film, "The Last Lear", premiered at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival and earned good reviews but has yet to be released in India.

>> "Shantaram", in pre-production and set to co-star Johnny Depp, will be the actor's first international film. Directed by Mira Nair, it's based on the book of the same name by former heroin addict Gregory David Roberts.

>> Check out his blog: Blogs.Bigadda.com/ab.