Amitabh Bachchan: 'Politics? No Thanks!'

Mumbai, Nov 25 (IANS) Superstar Amitabh Bachchan has denied he is returning to politics, saying he doesn't understand politics and "there's absolutely no question" of his getting into it "in any capacity".

Says Bachchan: "I'm not into politics at all of any kind. There's absolutely no question of my going into politics. I've repeatedly said I don't understand politics, nor do I have any wish to get into it in any capacity.

"Let me say once and for all I'm not going to get into it. I don't make any political statements. Nor am I on any political platform. I'm not qualified to understand or participate in any of our politics," Bachchan told IANS.

But what about Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh's statement to the effect that the Big B might be asked to stand for elections?

"Ask him why he said so. Why are you asking me?" reasons Big B calmly.

Bachchan, who was an MP for a brief period in the eighties when Rajiv Gandhi was prime minister, admits that perhaps his close association with politicians, who are his friends, often leads to the belief that he is going the political way.

"I agree I've many friends who are heavily into politics and affiliated to many different parties. But I do not follow any of their political ideology. You are also my friend. Does it mean I might take to journalism? Or would it be right to presume that you'd become an actor just because you know me so well?"

The actor was busy shooting a music video for his forthcoming release "Baabul".

"The video is woven around my song 'Kehta hai babul'. I think they'll use my song only in the credit titles and the end titles... or maybe a portion in the background."

About the controversy surrounding Abhishek getting the Yash Bharti award in Lucknow that evoked criticism and protests, Bachchan responds: "There should be debate and questioning in any free society. We're a democratic country and everyone is entitled to an opinion."