Never paid attention to my popularity: Amitabh Bachchan

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who turned 70 today, says he never cared about his popularity but believed that one's outlook towards life matters the most.

"Every human being will go through a phase when there are highs and lows. Everything that goes up also comes down. I don't think I am particularly different from anyone. We all have our highs and lows. It is just about what kind of attitude you have during the time," Bachchan said in an interview.

"If you have success, you should know that it is going to be short lived and if you have lows and the courage to fight or an attempt to make a comeback, then all the best," he added.

The Bollywood legend, who has appeared in over 180 films in his career spanning more than four decades, says his contemporary actors too are doing well in their capacity.

"I never judge myself. I cannot say my contemporaries have been left behind me. That would be wrong. I have never paid attention to my popularity. People can write what they want to but it doesn't matter to me," he said.

Bachchan said actors like Shatrughan Sinha, Vinod Khanna, Dharmendra and Rishi Kapoor are "very much active" and working in films.

"Unfortunately, Shashi Kapoor is unwell or else I am sure he too would be active.

"In fact, Vinod Khanna and Shatrughan Sinha have entered politics and are doing well... I feel I have been left behind by my contemporaries," he said.

Bachchan, who acted only once with Dilip Kumar on screen- in 1982 hit 'Shakti', says the acting great is his idol.

"Dilip saab and Waheedaji (Waheeda Rehman) are my favourite artists of all time and my idols even today. When it comes to the history of Indian cinema, I believe it can be easily divided into an era before Dilip Kumar, and after he joined films. There cannot be anyone like him," he said.

... contd.

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