Had he not been star of the millennium, he would have probably been selling milk in his hometown Allahabad, maintains Amitabh Bachchan, who just turned 68 on Monday.
Despite being unarguably the most respected actor in Bollywood and also being voted the star of the millennium on a BBC poll above the likes of Laurence Olivier, Charlie Chaplin and Marlon Brando, ?Big B?, as he is known, still carries startling humility.
?I think I have remained myself despite myself – weak, uncertain, hesitant, incomprehensible, indecisive,? wrote the actor on his blog on the eve of his birthday.
In his 69th year, going ever-strong, the punctuality-freak actor reprises one of his most popular roles — the host of India?s most iconic game show Kaun Banega Crorepati, which begins its 4th season on Monday.
And he has been working very hard lately on the show, which he says he wants to make really special this time.
The human-interest factor has been upped this time on KBC and the ?lives of the contestants will be followed to their roots?, the actor was quoted as saying.
Being the biggest star in B-town also meant that wishes kept flooding in from all inlets and Bachchan acknowledged the horde of greetings on Twitter by tweeting, ?To all that have sent me birthday wishes my sincere gratitude and love. I can give nothing else in return but that…and more of that.?
Despite not exactly being the angry-?young?-man any more, there seems to be no derth of zest for life as he continues strutting ramps for friends.
Recently he walked the ramp for filmmaker Karan Johar whom he couldn?t refuse since ?he was family? even though the experience was ?actually like a nightmare?.
Bachchan, who once spent a few nights on a bench at Marine Drive, Mumbai, when he was a struggler trying to make it big in films, takes everything he does with characteristic sincerity and dedicates his endeavours to his fans.
?Thank you all that have religiously and with sincere dedication remained with me. And wished me the best from all over the world. This is your finest gift to me,? wrote the actor on Sunday night for his fans.