Amitabh Bachchan is the number one role model in India - ahead of Mahatma Gandhi, Bill Gates, Sachin Tendulkar and Shah Rukh Khan!

So says a survey conducted by Indicus Analytics, ranking Bachchan above all the other celebrities who figure in the Top 10 list of role models, including A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Dhirubhai Ambani.

So who are the role models of the role model himself? "Obviously my parents, my father. I haven't gone beyond that in search of a role model. On a professional level I have admired Dilip Kumar and Waheedaji (Waheeda Rehman)," Bachchan says.

Bachchan, who is "flattered" by the result, finds the survey very interesting.

"I don't know what the criteria for the poll was. There are people from various fields like business, sports and entertainment. That shows how much the profile of the average role model has changed over the years. Mahatma Gandhi and Bill Gates are featured in the same list.

"So the least we can say that the survey is democratic. At the end of the day these are evaluations that are imposed on some people through polls. Some wise people have elected me the country's biggest role model. I respect their opinion. Titles such like this are flattering. But one shouldn't get carried away," he says.

People might say that Bachchan is aging, but the man himself does not consider the age factor very important.

"Why do we keep harping on the age factor?" exclaims the super-actor a tad impatiently.

"I don't think my age has anything to do with the love that I get from my countrymen. One works hard to achieve and sustain a certain position. How people react to you and the place they accord you in their minds and hearts is entirely a matter of destiny."

With position comes responsibility, and that's what the super-star is feeling right now.

"I'm grateful for the way fans continue to support me. And of course it puts a responsibility on me. I believe every celebrity has a responsibility towards society. It's up to us to decide how we use that status.

"A public entity has to be aware of his duties and obligations. I can't set guidelines for others. But yes, I do have my own dos and don'ts. And I hope I don't do anything that's indecorous. But you never know. I may make a mistake very soon."