Is superstar Amitabh Bachchan ready for this role?
It's an unusual request -- he has been asked to get on television and issue an appeal to the abductors of three Indian truck drivers in Iraq.
The Kuwaiti negotiator Sheikh Hisham Al-Dulaimi chose Bachchan, Asha Parekh and Dharmendra for this unusual task. The reason why the three were picked is clear -- they enjoy an iconic status in Iraq, where Bollywood is just as popular as it is in India.
Will the three respond to this call to duty? Will the government request them to help save the lives of their fellow countrymen? Will their appeal succeed in ending the hostage drama?
Subhash K Jha spoke to Bachchan to get the answers:
There are conflicting reports in one interview you're quoted as saying you'll have nothing to do with this situation...
[Interrupts] I never said that. I never can say that. I love my country and if I am asked to help in any crisis, I 'd willingly come forward. But there has been no request from any official quarter.
The hostage crisis is a grave political issue. I don't understand its nitty-gritty. It's being managed by the government. Even now it seems quite improbable to me that such a request [asking for my intervention] should come. All I've heard so far is only from the media.
As a responsible citizen of India, if I'm asked to intervene I'd happily do so. I'd even give my life for my country. But I don't want to do anything that could jeopardise the whole procedure.
Why should that happen?
No, my intervention could be misconstrued since I am not really aware of all the issues involved in the crisis. The government is doing its job well. For me to get into the situation could be detrimental to the negotiations. Let there be an official request and I'll immediately do it.
It seems a huge responsibility for any individual to actually have the power to defuse such a huge crisis.
That's why I think it's a little improbable that my intervention would be asked for. However, even if there's an iota of truth to it, I'm willing to do anything for my country.
You and Asha Parekh have been mentioned?
Yes, obviously because we've been around much longer and our films have been seen for a large number of years. So I suppose that makes an impact.
Yes, but there are actors who have been around longer than you. Surely, this is about stardom and not longevity.
Fair enough, if you say so. If my word counts, then I am willing to make any number of appeals. I'll do anything that I am required to do. But first there has to an official request from the government. So far, only the media has communicated with me. There were five vans of TV crews parked outside my house on Sunday.
What would you say to the terrorists on television?
Since I've never done this before, I don't know what the procedure is. Whatever it is, I'm ready to abide by it. But someone should tell me what to do na? Yeh koi gulli-danda to hai nahin. This is a very serious matter and requires very responsible conduct. Nothing is more valuable than the good of the country.
What message do you have for the hostages?
It's a very ugly situation, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I can't comment on the situation because I'm not equipped for it. On a humanitarian level, I wish our people who have been taken hostage will be freed. They should be allowed to go home to their anxious families.
And how wonderful if your words facilitated this resolution...
If my word helps, I'd consider it a privilege. Either the prime minister or the minister of external affairs should make an official request for my intervention. The request should be official.