Amitabh Bachchan has dismissed his Hollywood debut in Baz Luhrmann's 'The Great Gatsby' as a mere friendly appearance. The 68-year-old has been friends with Luhrmann since the director met him last year during his India visit and Bachchan has not taken any remuneration for his brief role of Meyer Wolfsheim, a shady business.
“My participation in Baz Luhrmann's film 'The Great Gatsby' is a mere one scene appearance as a friendly gesture. 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. 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 wrote on his blog.
The movie which is an adaptation of F Scott Fitzgerald's classic, stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Gatsby, Carey Mulligan, Daisy Buchanan and 'Spiderman' famed Toby Maguire. Bachchan will play Meyer Wolfsheim, who helps DiCaprio's character make money when he first comes to New York after the First World War.
“I have gone down to Sydney and had a preliminary reading of the script with the entire cast and done hair make-up costume rehearsals. It has been a wonderful experience to be a part of their system and to observe with what detail and diligence they work,” he added. Luhrmann is a big fan of Bollywood and Bachchan and says his fascination for Hindi cinema began when he saw 'Sholay'.