Amitabh Bachchan feels absolutely overwhelmed by the response "Black" has fetched.

"I haven't experienced anything like this in my entire career. It's almost as if I'm starting anew as an actor. The kind of words and praise I'm hearing for 'Black' has rejuvenated me," says Amitabh.

Enthuses Tamil superstar R. Madhavan: "He has made all of us actors in this country look so small! With this one performance in 'Black', Bachchan has made all of us look like 'bachchas' (kids).

"I've categorically stated on my website that 'Black' and Mr Bachchan have proved that what the rest of us are doing is nothing in comparison. I don't want to go back to my usual shooting after 'Black'!"

Amitabh smiles as I narrate Madhavan's words to him.

"The response has been so overwhelming, I can't even begin to express my joy. When Shah Rukh wrote and told me he just wanted to hold me and cry, I felt like weeping in joy.

"Or when Cathy Meade of BBC wrote a long and utterly insightful critique on the film.... She says she's determined to take the film to the Oscars. Though that wasn't the goal I had set for 'Black' - the film has surpassed all my expectations on every count - it seems the unanimous feeling that 'Black' should get an Oscar."

Meade has written: "Your performance can only be described as that of the magician, the alchemist that transforms everything he touches... What is most wonderful for me is that the role not only allows some truly magical expression of your artistry and creativity but also captures something onscreen that can only come from your own soul.

"Drawing on everything from your astonishing fire and passion to your wicked humour to your incomparable ability to inspire courage and love and devotion in others."

The Big B never seemed bigger - or more grateful.

"Such lavish and generous words of praise for 'Black'... they humble me beyond words! I've no way to express what I feel right now about the reactions to my performance. I've to admit that I gave all of myself to playing Devraj.

"But it's finally the magic of Sanjay Leela Bhansali that transforms the film and all the performances into something that has swayed audiences all over into a collective appreciation of cinema and life.

"I'm just one of the components in Sanjay's astonishing vision... I'm finished as an actor... unless Sanjay signs me again," sighs Amitabh.

While reports of the film's upswing at the box office continue to pour in, Amitabh Bachchan prepares to move to the next level.

"I don't know what that level is," he sighs. "But after 'Black' I'm hungering for the opportunity to go beyond."