Amitabh Bachchan touches Kalki 2898 AD producer's feet, gifts first day first show ticket to Kamal Haasan

C Aswani Dutt, Amitabh Bachchan and Kamal Haasan at the event (Photo: Yogen Shah)

The respect and admiration every person associated with the film Kalki 2898 AD has for each other was palpable at an event held in Mumbai on Wednesday. Stars from the film - Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Prabhas and Kamal Haasan - attended the event. The actors, all superstars in their own rights, spoke fondly about each other and acknowledged what a rare opportunity it is to be part of such a film.

The producer of the Kalki 2898 AD and the owner of Vyjayanthi Movies, C Aswani Dutt, was also in the audience. When he was called on stage, Bachchan could not stop himself from praising Dutt. "He was the simplest man on set, and always concerned about the actors. If he thought that a stunt was too hard, he would say, no, don't make him do that. Nobody thinks like this,' Bachchan said.

Bachchan praised Vyjayanthi Movies and C Aswani Dutt as a producer, thanked them for the opportunity and humbly touched Aswani Dutt's feet on stage. Dutt, visibly surprised, reciprocated the gesture with equal respect. This moment of mutual admiration and humility touched everyone at the event.

Bachchan also jested about touching someone else's feet. Rana Daggubati, Prabhas' co-star from Baahubali, was the emcee for the event. He probed Prabhas about the rare opportunity of working with legends like Amitabh Bachchan and Kamal Haasan in a film. He asked, "What is it like working with... what do you do on set?" As Prabhas started to answer, Big B quipped, "We touch each other's feet. He never allows me to do that though... Prabhas, be honest now."

Rana came to a tongue-tied Prabas' rescue, "You're ragging him sir, I can see that, pulling his leg. My friend is an introvert. He is all-powerful in the movies but he is quite an introvert in real life."

Bachchan wasn't ready to relent, "But what's wrong with touching his feet?" The audience broke into peals of laughter.

The first-day first show ticket of Kalki 2898 AD was gifted to Amitabh Bachchan, who then handed it over to another thespian - Kamal Haasan. Moved by the gesture, Haasan said, "I wish someone had given me a ticket to first-day first show of Sholay. I had to wait for three weeks before I could watch that film. I never thought I'd be here, receiving this from Mr Amitabh Bachchan. I was a film technician, now I am an actor. Nothing has changed."