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16 Black (2005): 18 Paa (2009):
In Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film, Bachchan
played a washed-out old alcoholic whose R Balki’s unusual film had Bachchan play
life gets a purpose when he is called upon a child afflicted by a rare genetic disease
to teach a blind-deaf-mute girl how to that causes abnormal ageing. In an inspired
communicate. Ayesha Kapoor and Rani piece of casting, Abhishek Bachchan and
Mukerji played the student, Michelle, Vidya Balan played his parents. Bachchan
at different ages, who blossoms under worked on his voice, mannerisms, body
the patience and care given to her by the language and interactions with other kids
teacher. Years later, when she is able to so well that it was hard to imagine that this
assimilate into society, he battles dementia. was a bass-voiced superstar in his sixties.
17 The Last Lear (2007): 19 Piku (2015):
In a career marked by a wide variety of
roles, in this English language film by a In Shoojit Sircar’s dramedy, Bachchan
Bengali auteur, Bachchan (who started played a 70-year-old hypochondriac
his acting career on the stage) got to play obsessed with his bowel movements.
a Shakespearean actor, Harry Mishra, As if this is not annoying enough for his
and put that rich, deep voice to good use. daughter, he gleefully announces to a
A filmmaker (Arjun Rampal) manages to potential suitor that she is not a virgin,
befriend the eccentric old actor, and get him hoping to nip the match in the bud, because
to trust him enough to do the first film of he does not want her to get married. He is
his career. The experience, which delights shamelessly self-centred and manipulative,
and exasperates Harry in equal measure, but also oddly endearing, because the actor
ends in disaster. portrayed him with a wicked glee.
SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #27 | SEPTEMBER 2021 13
