Shamitabh, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Dhanush and debutante Akshara Haasan, is an unconventional story of two egotistic individuals, who are at their most powerful when together.

More importantly, director R Balki says that the film is also a celebration of Big B's deep baritone. Ironically, the voice that is admired by the nation today did not find takers in the early years. Turns out, when Bachchan had arrived in Mumbai in the 1960s, he had auditioned as a newsreader at All India Radio (AIR). Surprisingly, he was turned down. Of course, Big B was roped in soon for Khwaja Ahmad Abbas' Saat Hindustani. The superstar went on to win a National Award for his performance and the rest is history.

Now, 46 years later, Shamitabh puts the focus on the much loved voice of Hindi cinema's biggest icon. Naturally, the movie has generated interest amongst the audience. Says Balki, “I think Amitji's parents and some supernatural power need to be thanked for giving us a voice that has not only become the voice of Hindi cinema, but has almost become the voice of the Hindi language. Our national language sounds like the language of the gods when he speaks it. I think nowhere in the world has a voice dominated a visual medium like it has in India. My film is a small ode to his baritone.“

Shamitabh, produced by Eros International and Hope Productions, releases February 6.