Today is the birthday of the superstar Amitabh Bachchan, who is best known as the ‘Superstar Of The Millennium’. It’s a given that, he has fans, followers and ‘worshippers’ across the globe. Amongst the zillion plus fans, we came across one particular fan named ‘Moses Sapir’ from Israel and for whom the day starts and ends with Amitabh Bachchan. His claims himself to be Amitabh Bachchan’s biggest fan, which we decided to find out why.
Mid-Day Online caught up with him for an exclusive interview with Moses Sapir, wherein he revealed that, he doesn’t know even a word of Hindi, but has learnt Hindi listening to all of Big B’s dialogues!
Sir, can you please tell our readers about your professional background?
I am an Ex-Army officer Commander. Presently, I am working as a ‘Content Manager’ with an Israeli TV channel.
When was your first tryst with Bollywood and with Amitabh Bachchan?
My father and mother came to Israel from Georgia in the seventies. The first film that I saw was Ammar Akbar Anthony. Ever since then, I only know that Amitabh Bachchan means Bollywood and vice versa.
You are definitely one of the die-hard fans of Amitabh. Is he, in any way, inspired you?
Of course yes. Everyone knows that Amit ji is very professional in whatever he does. I have learnt that professionalism from him. Additionally, I also aspire to be as punctual like Amit ji is.
Have you met Amitabh Bachchan in person?
How can I forget the day and date! I had Amitabh ji on 20 May 2005, in Kamalistan Studios (Mumbai), when I had come to India.
How did the meeting happen?
It happened through a friend of mine. Guess what! This gentleman was a journalist from Mid-Day, who actually helped me in getting me introduced to my idol- Amitabh ji.
How did Amitabh Bachchan react seeing your craze for him?
Oh! He was extremely kind to me. The moment we met, he hugged me. Let me also tell you that Amitabh ji is a great listener. He spoke to me at length. As a goodwill gesture, he showed me the songs of his films ‘Sarkar’ and ‘Bunty Aur Babli’ even before the films’s release!
And then you both have became online friends and have been keeping in touch since then, right?
Actually, it was a gradual process. When my son Amit was born, Amitabh Bachchan’s assistant called me from the office called me to wish me. Occasionally, Amitabh ji used to send me gifts like DVDs, CDs etc… There was also a book by Bhawana Somaiya called ‘Bacchanalia’, which he sent me. I have preserved everything that Amitabh ji has sent to me so far.
Did you ever express your desire to act alongside him?
I feel everyone in the world always nurtures a heartfelt desire to work alongside Amitabh ji. I am no different. I too want to share screen with Amit ji. But, I have never expressed this desire. Maine itna himmat nahi kiya (smiles)
Is it true that you learnt your Hindi PURELY by listening to the dialogues from Amitabh Bachchan’s films?
Totally! I am Jewish and was born in Israel, where they don’t speak Hindi. I have seen most of Amitabh Bachchan`s films more than 200 times! Even though films like ‘Silsila’, ‘Main Azaad Hoon’, ‘Kabhie Kabhie’, ‘Do Anjaane’ were a bit tough for me to understand, watching these films repeatedly, made me become extremely fond of these films.
Is there any crazy thing/s that you have done for your idol Amitabh Bachchan?
I never did anything that is ‘paagalpanti’. I have all of Amitabh ji’s films in LPs, books, DVDs, BluRays, audio cassettes and video cassettes. They all are totally ORIGINAL! None of them is a copy. It was extremely tough to get such stuff in Israel. So, whenever anyone went to India, I used to pay them money and request them to get me these stuffs.
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Can you describe Amitabh Bachchan in one line?
‘Best actor and best human being in the world’.
Which is your all-time favourite Amitabh Bachchan film?
It’s a very tough question. If we speak about masala films, then, its ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’. And, if we speak about serious films, it has to be ‘Deewar’.
And, which is your all-time favourite Amitabh Bachchan dialogue?
Its again a tough question. It’s a tie between Shahenshah’s ‘Rishtey mein toh hum tumhaare baap lagte hain’ and ‘Deewar’s “Jao jaake pehle us aadmi ka sign lekar aao, jisne mere haath par yeh likh diya”.
How are Amitabh Bachchan’s films received in Israel?
Mark my words, Amitabh Bachchan is the most favourite actor from India in the whole of Israel. He ranks from 1 to 10 himself! Rest of the actors, follow only after that!
Are Amitabh Bachchan’s film release celebrated like a festival in Israel?
Last Saturday, when Amitabh ji’s ‘Goodbye’ was released in Israel, its nothing short of a celebration. Ditto for all his other films.
How does it feel to get shout-outs from the man Amitabh himself on social media?
It really makes me feel so proud. Tell me who won’t feel proud when a legend like Amit ji calls out your name on social media.
How do your friends react seeing your proximity to Amitabh Bachchan?
They are extremely happy and also proud of me. My friends sometimes call me ‘Amitabh Bachchan’! (smiles). They say that, if someone has to compliment me, all that one needs to do is tell something about Amitabh Bachchan in front of me. (laughs)
Besides the vast collection of videos, CDs, DVDs of Amitabh Bachchan’s films, what else you collect about him?
All the books and even LPs which are extremely rare to get anywhere in the world.
You have named your son as ‘Amit’, after Amitabh Bachchan? Is Big B aware of it?
Yes, he is. He has met both my kids- Amit and Agam (which means ‘shore’ in Hebrew). My third and the youngest child is Roy. He is merely 5 years old and is a huge Amitabh Bachchan fan himself!
Since today is Amitabh Bachchan’s birthday, what is it that you want to wish him?
I just want him to keep hosting KBC and doing more films, till eternity. I want him to be healthy and make everyone happy with his performances. The best part about him is that, despite his busy schedules, he still takes time to reply to his fans and well-wishers. Happy Birthday Amitabh ji.
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