The grey of his salt-and-pepper beard shows up in his cinematic characterizations as AB trades his patriarch act (Mohabbatein, Ek Rishta, K3G) for a new, morally ambiguous, screen avatar. Following his tryst with evil in Rahul Mehra’s Aks, Bachchan plays a slew of negative roles in the coming days. Vipul Shah’s Aankhen has him as an aged bank manager who masterminds a major bank robbery assisted by three blind men (played by Akshay Kumar, Arjun Rampal and Paresh Rawal); Sanjay Gupta’s slick flick Kaante, shot entirely in Los Angeles with an all-American technical crew, is another heist thriller featuring Bachchan along with Sanjay Dutt, Sunil Shetty, Mahesh Manjrekar, Kumar Gaurav and Lucky Ali; finally, Mahesh Manjrekar’s Kutumb features AB as an underworld don modeled on Godfather’s Don Corleone. Weary of labels, the superstar insists that these films do not indicate a conscious image makeover. However, the shift to grey roles may be part of a well-planned career strategy to galvanize his popularity post-KBC. Will the great gambler pull off another winner? As Aankhen hits the screen, it’seyes, eyes AB once again!

Your Career Is Entering A New Phase With Aankhen – A “Dangerously Exciting” Phase, Shall We Say?
(Laughs) you could say that. Aankhen is a wonderful story. It’s different. And yes, it’s dangerous! It’s the uniqueness of the story and the film and the makers that attracted me to it. I am really looking forward to its release. It will be very interesting to see how the people react to it.

From Being Bollywood’s Favorite Patriarch to Playing Roles With Shades Of Grey, How Do You See Your Future As A Baddie?
I don’t see it as a turning point. It’s just that I am at the phase where I have a lot more freedom to do new kinds of roles. At my age, I can’t romance young girls anymore. Take away the onus of being the film’s leading man and one is no longer a victim of the trappings that come along with it. Since I am just another character in the film, I have a lot more leeway to experiment. I can accept roles that needn’t necessarily follow a given path.

  That May Be True As An artiste, But You Are A Living Legend, A National Hero. People Are Not Used To Seeing Their Favorite Actor Masterminding A Heist On The Screen. Do You See the Move As A Professional Gamble?
Yes, that is a very valid point. We’ll have to wait for the result of the films to see whether the audience accepts me in such roles. If We have already had a prelude to your baddie act with Aks.
Yes, the film was not successful, which is a pointer. It would be tough to say why it was not successful. Perhaps it was the negativity of the film, or the story concept. One doesn’t know for sure. So I’ll have to keep trying till I know what the people wanted reject me, I will have to shift away from such films.

The Film Bombed, But It Fetched You Critical Acclaim And A Slew Of Awards. Personally, Do You Feel It Was A Step In The Right Direction?
Yes, that was the compensation. One is happy with the critical acclaim and sad that it did not get commercial acceptance. But let’s say in the years to come, if other such possibilities came my way, I would not shy away from them just because it did not work the previous time. I would try to rectify a few things here and there and balance things off. But I still would want to do challenging and exciting roles that arouse curiosity, really because they have a different format, I would not shy away from it.

Aankhen Has A Fair Dose Of Situational Comedy, One Hears.
The humor in the film mostly centers on Paresh Rawal who has done a marvelous job. He is an extremely talented person; give him anything and he emerges a winner. My role is more sober.

Aks Had Some Mind-Blowing Stunts By You And Manoj. Aankhen, Is Being Positioned As A Fast-Paced Thriller. Do You Get To Do Any Action In This Film?
Yes, there is one scene. I would say it’s adequate. It’s not over the top. At this age, I do not really enjoy action that much. My body does not allow it any longer. But the mind is still young. I would love to jump in mid-air, do a couple of somersaults, fire guns and break glasses. But when you actually get down to it, your body fails. That’s frustrating. But yes, I would still give it a shot.

You Have Been Part Of Several Multi-Starrers, Be It Mohabbattein, Ek Rishta, K3G And Now Aankhen. What Is The Interaction Like With The Younger Artistes?
I don’t think there is any need for anyone to behave oddly. We’re all colleagues, all professionals. I would like to believe that on my sets I behave as a friend to them. I’ve never considered myself to be superior or larger than them. They are equally big, if not bigger. We’re a team working together on a project.

Did You Decide To Do This Film Instinctively?
Yes. Gaurang Doshi, the film’s producer, gave me just one line and I accepted it. I think the USP of Aankhen is the script. It’s a story that, perhaps, has not been attempted before. It’s been handled and managed very well by Vipul Shah. I also give credit to Akshay Kumar, Arjun Rampal and Paresh for doing the film because they all play blind men in it. It’s a very brave decision for an actor to make in today’s commercial times.

What Does Your Heart Desire Now?
I hope I can go on doing good work so that the world continues to look at me kindly. I hope I do not disappoint my well wishers. I also wish I could spend some time learning a musical instrument, but I think it is too late for that.