I know how media works and functions: Amitabh Bachchan

Amitabh Bachchan, who plays a media baron in forthcoming film `Rann`, says he was among the pioneers of satellite television in the West long before it came to India and has a fair idea how a channel runs.



"I was one of the pioneers of satellite television in the United Kingdom and New York. We ran Asian television there. We were actually the first ones who did that many, many, many years ago before satellite television came here. So, yes, I know how it works and how it functions," Bachchan told reporters.

"But now, of course, it has become a huge industry. It`s a very intricate process, a very difficult task and extremely competitive. I have been to some of the (news) studios and I have seen how they function - (it`s) a massive task," he added.

Bachchan had endorsed one of the first satellite Asian TV channels in Britain in the early 1990s - TV Asia before it was taken over by ZEE Network.

The megastar clarifies that "Rann", which releases Jan 29, is pro-media and not at all about media bashing as has been reported.

"It`s a little premature for the media to think like this, but you know `Rann` is a very pro-media film. In the film what I do as part of the media (industry) is nothing dishonourable. I (have been) put across as a very honourable person and whatever I do is very pro-media."

Directed by Ram Gopal Varma, "Rann" is about business and consciousness in electronic media and the moot point of the film is what edges the other.

"Whether business wins over consciousness or otherwise, that would always depend upon the owner of the channel and that`s the crux of the story. It`s a battle between business and consciousness.

"Does Mr.Vijay Harshvardhan Malik (played by Amitabh in the film), who is a symbol of purity and integrity, succumb to things like `I don`t care about business, I want to keep my consciousness` or `to hell with conscience, I will have to save my business`; that`s what the story will be," said Amitabh.

The actor also said that he didn`t borrow any mannerisms from media personalities like Prannoy Roy or Rajdeep Sardesai.

"I don`t try imitating any particular action of anybody. I try to be myself," said Amitabh, but added Ram Gopal Varma might have taken inspiration from the two while creating a character.

"These are elements which we see every day. Yes, when we are making a film on electronic media, it is very difficult to ignore them (Prannoy or Rajdeep) or not be inspired by them."

While Amitabh appreciates the positive impact of the media, he maintains that it is not flawless.

"Media is a very powerful medium. It`s the voice of the nation. It informs and also forms opinion. It has the power to be able to influence you in forming a decision. It has a power to change governments... Now, when one entity has so many powers, are there any drawbacks? Are there any loopholes there? Do people use them or misuse them? These are some of the issues that the film deals with," he said.

The actor, who recently criticised the paid news syndrome in an interview, said the media is not solely responsible for such practice where the source of information is kept under wraps.

"Somebody has to bring the concept. You are the medium and they have to publish it or broadcast it. It is your decision whether you want to do it or not. One doesn`t mind provided there is a disclosure. Disclose what you are doing, then it is fine. If it is made transparent, I don`t see any harm. Let everybody have some kind of transparency.

Priyadarshan strikes big deal

Popular director Priyadarshan’s home banner Four Frames has entered a mega deal worth $20 million with a US-based entertainment firm Woodpecker Pictures to produce two films in Hindi. Both these films will be directed by Priyadarshan.

The first film is expected to roll from April 2010 and the second will start by December. Meanwhile, there are also reports that the first venture will the Hindi remake of critically acclaimed Tamil film Naadodigal (which was also remade in Telugu as Sambo Siva Sambo, both directed by Samuthirakkani). The film will also soon see a Kannada makeover.

To strengthen its presence, there are rumours that Woodpecker is also considering making a mainstream international movie with top stars from Hollywood to be shot in Mexico. Priyadarshan may direct this also as part of an extended agreement.

Priyadarshan has made more than 60 films in Hindi, Malayalam and Tamil. He is a popular name in Indian cinema. Last year his Tamil fil

Yes, I’m getting married in Europe: Adnan Sami

Pakistani singer Adnan Sami, who has his base here, admits that he is tying the knot for the third time — this time with Roya Faryabi, qualified engineer in Munich, in Europe Jan 31.

‘All my family members and all of Roya’s family are going to be at the wedding. I’d like all my friends from Mumbai to accompany me to Europe for the wedding. Unfortunately, there’s no time for them to make travel arrangements. So I’ll have a large wedding reception in Mumbai as soon as Roya and I return after the wedding,’ Adnan told IANS.

At the moment, Jermaine Jackson and his wife are on the guest list.

Talking about his second wife Sabah Galadari, he said: ‘According to Islamic marriage laws, she was technically never my wife at all. Even if she was, my religion permits me to have three wives.’

‘I was going through the worst phase of my life when I met Roya. I lost my grandfather, then my father. She held my hand during my darkest hours while I was fighting the ugliest court battle with my former wife.’

‘Roya is very family-oriented. More than the fact that she loves me, I love her for understanding the importance of family ties. Roya respects my mother. This is something I didn’t have in my earlier marriage.’

Most important of all, Adnan’s son Azaan gets along like a house of fire with his new stepmom-to-be.

‘The most important criteria for me in any woman is that she has to get along with my son. While Sabah couldn’t get along with Azaan, Roya loves my boy. In fact, they are best friends and I’m often the brunt of their jokes.’

Happiness has come to Adnan at a time when he had hit rock bottom on a personal level.

‘I wouldn’t say Roya came into my life suddenly. We got to know each other gradually. After having gone through what I have, I was in no mood to jump into a new relationship. But it didn’t take me long to realise she was the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.’

Roya will move to Mumbai with Adnan right after the wedding.

‘She is a qualified engineer in Munich and works in the communication services. The organization has branches all over the world. They’re looking at opening a branch in Mumbai now that Roya is shifting to the city,’ said Adnan who wants his wife to continue working after marriage.

‘Isn’t it enough sacrifice that she’s leaving her family behind to join me in Mumbai? I don’t want her to give up her career,’ he said.