I’m humbled people still consider me an icon: Bachchan

NIDA DAR

KARACHI: Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, whose film career is into its fifth decade, said he draws inspiration from young actors, and is humbled that the younger generation of actors still considered him an icon.

The 69-year-old actor began his cinematic journey in 1969 with "Saat Hindustani" and rose to superstardom with "Zanjeer".

"I am very humbled that people still consider me as their icon. It is fantastic to see young boys and girls erupting out of nowhere, who may be professionally trained or not trained but are doing a fantastic job," Bachchan told the media.

With more than 180 films to his credit, the Big-B of Bollywood still continues to be active in his career, having inspired many over the years.

The veteran actor is about to debut in a Hollywood movie "The Great Gatsby", a 3-D film. It also stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan and Tobey Maguire.

He said that the audience now wants to see good cinema and are not ready to settle for just anything. He praised the younger lot of the film industry.

"They are far more superior to what we were when we started off. I am so lucky to be living in the same era as these actors whom I have met and even had the opportunity to work with some," he added.