Actor waived fee for first Hollywood role
BOLLYWOOD superstar Amitabh Bachchan has revealed he has refused payment for his first Hollywood role.
The actor is part of Australian director Baz Luhrmaan’s big screen adaptation of the F Scott Fitzgerald novel ‘The Great Gatsby’.
The film, which features Hollywood stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire, has already begun shooting in Australia.
Bachchan will play the character Meyer Wolfsheim with the actor confirming in his blog that he will only feature in a “mere one scene.”
Writing on his blog, the actor revealed how his involvement in the film came about.
“Baz Luhrmann during his private visit to India last year, had dropped by my office to meet me and presented me with some paintings of a prominent painter that was accompanying him,” Bachchan wrote.
“He called last month and wondered if I would do this small role in his film and I agreed. It is a gesture. I have refused any remuneration on this too.”
Bachchan said he had met up with the cast during a visit to Sydney for a preliminary reading of the script.
“It has been a wonderful experience to be a part of their system and to observe with what detail and diligence they work.”
Bachchan added he was unsure whether his part in the film would “open up flood gates” for other Bollywood actors to cross into Hollywood.
“I would imagine if and when there is a need in their stories for someone from India to be tapped they shall do so,” he said.
