The internet was abuzz after the superstar put in a 14-project day and then hopped on his blog to let us know, in so many words, that ‘work is work’. You have to hand it to him for the stamina and the no-nonsense way he goes about his craft.
Why fans are talking about it
He put up a post with some behind-the-scenes photos at 3 am or so. The comments section was full of people in a mix of awe and concern, lauding his drive but also telling him to get some rest.
If you only read the headline, you’re missing half of it. The rest is in what he’s saying: keep in touch, keep at it, and don’t make excuses.
– An inspiration to some
– A few were quick to say he should be in bed
What he actually did in one day
Bachchan was blunt about it: 'Work is work .. work is work .. work is work .. !!! 12 short films today shot .. 2 still shoots done .. and now working on you.’ He considers the blog part of the job, a way of speaking to what he calls his extended family.
In a few short sentences, he made it clear that you have to stay in the loop with your audience. It wasn’t showing off; it was just how he does things.
Discipline over comfort
There is some hard work behind the scenes. He wrote of ‘studying assiduously, even after days of preparation before the day of work’ – the kind of routine that lets you go the distance.
And then he had to add: don’t let circumstances get in the way, ‘despite the air conditioned pyjamas’. In other words, you can be comfortable, but you have to be committed first.
Where you will see him next
Right now he is in the thick of the Kalki 2898 AD follow-up with Nag Ashwin. It’s an epic with Prabhas, Kamal Haasan, Deepika and Disha in the mix.
The original made well over 1,000 crore and his role as Ashwatthama was well received. They are in the middle of making the sequel, but there is no date on it yet.
You may have seen him in Vettaiyan, T. J. Gnanavel’s action piece. With Rajinikanth, Fahadh Faasil, Rana Daggubati and Manju Warrier in it, it was another strong entry in a year that has been anything but quiet for him.
Why this moment matters
There is more to this than a busy day. If you are a young actor and want to know how to last, here is your example: be prepared and be curious. No need for a long speech to prove it.
It changes the way we think about work when a public figure says 'work is work‘. It’s not for social media. His fans even got in on the spirit of it, with some looking forward to his next stint on Kaun Banega Crorepati. He is everywhere, from film to TV to online.
So, what do you make of it? Here is what we are left with:
– You can put in the hours, but you have to be ready for them
– Being in tune with your audience is part of the job
– 83 is just a number
Bachchan is already on to the next scene and the next post. We are left with a lesson from a man who still makes every day count: put in the work and be back at it in the morning.
