He is a living legend.

You cannot say that he has become big with Kaun Banega Crorepati. Because he was never small.

He was larger than life on the big screen. He is larger than life on the small screen.

I had seen 25 years ago what the janata is saying about him today.

I remember I was to make Zanjeer and had thought of casting Dharmendra. But it didn't work out.

Pran Saab told us to check out this new boy in Bombay To Goa, which had just released then. Salim, Javed and I went to see Amitabh. We clicked.

Zanjeer happened. The rest is history.

Let me also point out that that 'angry young man' persona did not continue in my next film. I never exploited his image. I tried to give him a new image in each film.

After Zanjeer, I made a frothy comedy: Hera Pheri. Then followed Lawaaris, Namak Halal, Muqaddar Ka Sikander. All so different from each other.

AMITABH's most outstanding quality is his sincerity and his commitment to his work. From the very beginning, he has been a thorough professional. That is why he has lasted so long.

I remember while we were shooting for Zanjeer, we had to shoot a fight scene on a bridge in the night. Amit hurt his head and was knocked uncoscious for a few minutes.

When he came to, he shook himself and said, "Let's continue."

He did not realise how much he had hurt himself. Nor did he mention it. After the shot was canned, I ran my hand over his head and found a huge lump. He had hurt himself badly.

I said, "We'll cancel the shooting for the next few days till you're better."

He refused and continued shooting.

His commitment is unmatched. How many actors would do that? He also never interfered where the casting or his costars were concerned, always leaving it to me.

I remember if I gave him a free hand to perform a scene, he would call me, and offer a variety of choices as to how he should enact them. Then we would discuss and finalise one.

TODAY, he is the darling of the masses. Even as an anchor of a show, he is not just asking questions and getting answers. He is performing. Just watch him minutely -- how he pauses, how subtly he gives a hint to the contestant.

For him, it is not merely a show where he's loyal to the channel. He is also helping the contestants win some amount of money, however small or big. He gives himself so completely even to this show.

That is the secret of his longevity -- his sincerity that keeps him above everybody else.

Prakash Mehra spoke to Lata Khubchandani