"I feel strange sometimes to work with young actors," says Amitabh Bachchan, who celebrated his 69th birthday on Tuesday.
"I am old compared to today's generation of actors. When I go to the sets, I find mostly youngsters in the 25-30 age group while I am entering my 70th year," Bachchan told reporters outside his Juhu residence.
Bachchan, who greeted fans outside his home, said, "Sometimes I feel strange at the sets because there is a gap of 30-40 years (between him and the other artistes). But I like their enthusiasm. Our Hindi film industry is progressing. The artistes today are very talented. I hope I will continue to learn from them."
In a career spanning over four decades, Bachchan has done genre defining roles like the angry young man in 'Zanjeer', 'Deewar', 'Agneepath', the small time thief of 'Sholay', the ageing teacher in 'Black', the 13-year-old child suffering from progeria in 'Paa' and an idealist professor in 'Aarakshan'.
He continues to be one of the most bankable stars at the box office and on the small screen, hosting the fifth season of 'Kaun Banega Crorepati'.
The mega star credits his popularity to his fans and well wishers. "I find myself lucky to get work in this age. I hope that I get to work with good people," he said.
Asked whether he is satisfied with all the accolades thathave come his way, Bachchan said, "It would be wrong to say that I have everything. But I am satisfied with what I have. I wish the welfare of my family, fans and colleagues."
Bachchan said his birthday would be a quiet affair with wife Jaya and family. His son Abhishek, who is shooting in Jaipur, will join the actor for the day and then it is back to work.
Earlier, the actor, a regular blogger, mused about his birth, life and career with his online fans.
"One of the best ways to bring in birthdays is to be working at what you need to be working on. I work because I need to," Bachchan wrote.
Bachchan is busy shooting for Ram Gopal Varma's 'Department'.
The actor returned home at midnight after shooting for the diwali episodes of KBC and said he could just make it home in time for the clock to strike 12 and for the family to wish him. "The greatest joys of life are in the simple wishes," he said.
Immediately afterwards, he settled to interact with fans on his blog.
"It is past midnight! It is my birthday today! It is year gone by! It is stepping into the 70th year for me! Thank you! Have just been released from the clutches of work from KBC. And here to thank you all for the love and affection you shower!!"
Bachchan recalled that he was born in a small private maternity outfit run by a missionary Dr Brar, in the most-crowded market area of Allahabad.
"I was brought home by my parents in the best possible transport machinery that they could afford – a tonga! Wrapped in a 'gudari', I still refer to many that I am a 'gudari ka lal' – a human that is affiliated with the cheapest form of clothing. I loved being in
that form and still love it," he said.