Bollywood's leading man thanks gods for cinema success

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

BANGKOK (AFP) — Indian cinema's most famous leading man, Amitabh Bachchan, is still mobbed by screaming fans wherever he goes at the age of 65 -- a graphic illustration of the enduring and deep appeal of Bollywood.

But in an award-winning acting career spanning four decades, the godfather of Indian film believes the adulation has little to do with his talent -- it is in the hands of the gods.

"It's somewhat unique. There are centres in my country that build temples in honour of their favourite stars and actually pay obeisance to them, which is not understandable by people in the West," he told AFP ahead of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards in Bangkok.

Bachchan believes the extraordinary level of hero-worship comes from Indian culture -- a...