Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, launching Shadab Amjad Khan's book "Murder in Bollywood" on Tuesday, recalled his friendship with his late father, Amjad Khan, as he light-heartedly urged him to leave books and follow the family tradition of joining the film industry.
"Shadab, seeing you in this form is quite unbelievable for me. You were literally born in front of me... Amjad bhai and me were great friends and colleagues together in several films and we had a special relationship... my presence today is because of that relationship.
"I never knew you had this passion for writing and I'm really eager to look forward to reading your book. And I'm absolutely delighted to be part of the inauguration. I wish Shadab many more books. But I hope you will come away from books and join the wonderful tradition of your family of joining films," said Amitabh. Both Amjad and his father, Jayant, acted in films.
Thanking Amitabh, Shadab said: "I would like to thank Bachchan sahab for graciously agreeing to launch my book. Sir, very few people have old world grace, etiquette, manners, and class. And you are among the few."
Known to be brilliant with his language in both Hindi and English, Amitabh's letters of appreciation towards actors are treasured by them and his tweets and messages on social media are eagerly followed. But asked if he had any plans of turning into a writer, Amitabh said: "I'm not capable enough of writing a book."
About giving permission to write a book on his life, he said: "I'll tell them not to write a book on me as they won't find anything. Who am I to give permission... if you want to write then you can go ahead."