'A dynamic talent... now lost... just like that...'

'My main concern was to hold my friend's son in an embrace and transfer strength to him in his young world.'
Amitabh Bachchan speaks to Subhash K Jha about the death of a dear colleague and the year that went by.

A colleague, co-star and one of our finest actors Om Puri passed away suddenly. Your thoughts on him.​

Life's suddenness astounds us all.

He was a friend, an affable loving colleague, a dynamic talent... now lost... just like that... in a whisper that invaded our modern communication system.

I went to his cremation.

At the crematorium, the flashes of the night cameras, blinding the path to the bereaved family were in existence too of their profession -- that is their most important chore for the day.

At that moment, my main concern was to hold my friend's son in an embrace and transfer strength to him in his young world.

• Prayers for Omji

What can be said to an 18 year old who has lost his father?

'Be strong' is all I could muster.

What else could I say? What else can anyone say?

They that have lost personally and in relation shall bear the end.

With greater sorrow, I stood in silence, head to the ground, the other condoling visitors standing too.

2016 was the year of PINK, Wazir and Te3n. How do you view the year and the acting opportunities it offered you?

All the films you mention were challenging and gave me opportunity to play different roles.

It's a norm now with me and my select offerings from prospective producers.

Looking back, do you see PINK as one of the most influential films you've done? Or perhaps THE most influential film of your career?

I would like to believe that every film that I did had an influence -- good or bad was for the audiences to decide.

PINK was, yes, topical and the most impressive in its issue and left the nation with its most dynamic tag line: 'No means No.'

Its critical and commercial success lent credence to what the story had set out to do, and I am proud to have been a small part of it.

It was gratifying to be able to put across, in a most succinct manner, the turmoil and trauma that women in our country are subjected to and to have subtly brought to the foreground, thoughts and beliefs that were most probably discussed behind closed doors.

• 'My life is just as ordinary as yours'

While a film like PINK addresses sexual violation, an incident as shameful as the molestation during New Year's Eve comes along to remind us of how dangerous the world has become for women.
What is the solution to the rapid rise in sexual attacks?
And what role can cinema play in creating awareness of this problem?

They should all take examples from PINK and repeatedly view it.

PINK is the answer.

Demonetisation has eaten into middle class purchasing power. Footfalls at movie theatres are seriously affected.
Given the bleak scenario, do filmmakers need to pull up their socks and should stars reduce their remuneration?

Dangal is going to be perhaps the biggest box office success in the times that you mention.

The intent of your question has been defeated by the commercial performance of the film.