Mumbai, Jul 18 (PTI): Megastar Amitabh Bachchan says times have changed a lot in Bollywood as today's actors have to prove themselves in their first film itself, which was not the case when he entered the industry.
The legendary actor, who made his acting debut with 'Saat Hindustani' in 1969, said he considers himself lucky to have entered the industry then as Bollywood has become very competitive over the years.
"Today, times are tough for actors as they have to prove themselves with their first film. In our times we had several chances to prove ourselves as we had several films where we had a chance to enhance our acting. I feel I was lucky," Bachchan told reporters here this evening.
At the same, the 70-year-old film icon expressed wish to work with the current crop of talented actors.
Asked which heroine he would prefer to work with if he had made his debut in the current era, Bachchan, on a lighter note, said "I don't know if they would take me as a lead."
Bachchan has never been to any acting school and he feels sad about it. "I was not fortunate to have got a chance to go to acting school like Shatrughan Sinha, Jaya (both passed out from Pune-based FTII). I was not aware if there was any acting school."
"If I had the opportunity then I would have got myself trained, improve my craft. I still look forward for this opportunity," he added.
Earlier, the megastar received Whistling Woods Maestro Award from veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai. Over 200 students were felicitated for completing their education from Whistling Woods, a film institute founded by Ghai, and Big B handed over the degrees to them.
Speaking about his student days, Bachchan said "I topped in science and math...I decided to become a scientist but the one hour lecture on the first day in college made me realise that this is not meant for me. Now I am here...I don't know if I have done the right thing or not."
On the occasion, flute maestro Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia and santoor maestro Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma were also honoured with Whistling Woods Awards.