‘FAMILY COMES FIRST. ALWAYS’
He’s no longer just AB’s Baby! Chhota B has stepped out of the shadows of his famous dad and is no longer Mr Aishwarya Rai either!
FACT FILE
NAME: Abhishek Bachchan
BIRTHDAY: February 5, 1976 HEIGHT: 6’3” PAST GIRLFRIENDS: Engaged in 2002 to Karisma Kapoor but broke up in January 2003; allegedly dated model Dipannita Sharma in 2005-06 BIG HITS: Dhoom, Guru, Yuva, Sarkar, Bunty Aur Babli
There’s this credit card advertisement featuring A b h i s h e k Bachchan, where chhota B is mistaken for big B because of his obviously famous surname. As the ad fades out, he coos on the phone to his more famous dad: “It felt great!” Well, it sure would have. After all, who in tinsel town, or outside it, would not want to be Big B? When it comes to Bollywood, AB is not only the A to B but the A to Z of the city of dreams! ‘Superstar of the Millennium’, ‘Angry Young Man’, ‘God of the Masses’… There are many hats that Amitabh has worn and still wears. And clearly, when AB’s Baby made his debut with Refugee in 2000, he was bearing a burden. A burden of a legacy so rich, you’d think he’d carry its cross forever. But eight years hence, Abhishek stands tall and—surprise!—on his own two feet. He’s now the man any dad would be proud of. And Big B agrees.
Abhishek started out with an obvious advantage—of being a Bachchan.
And an equally obvious disadvantage—of being a Bachchan!
He managed to hang on even after delivering 17 flops.
Whether that was due to his last name or because the industry suspected he had talent, that’s open to interpretation. But for Abhishek ‘to B or not to B’ was never the question. He just is, and wears the fact proudly on his sleeve. “For me, family comes first always,” he tells us. “Even before fame and fortune. And after family, nothing else matters!” Touché!
That the family is close knit is evident enough. They take midnight walks to Siddhivinayak Temple, visit numerous mandirs, converge on Cannes… The Bachchans are all about loving your family! And why not? Grandpa Harivanshrai was one of the finest Hindi poets. Granny Teji was a well-connected activist, a personal friend of the Gandhis. Dad is the biggest superstar to have rocked Bollywood. Mom Jaya is the serious actor turned firebrand politician who’s actually concerned about issues. Sister Shveta is happily married into the successful Escorts family. Wifey Aishwarya is the most beautiful woman in the world. With a family like that, you really can’t complain. “I’m grateful to my dadaji for giving me this surname” And he’s surely living up to it. For all those who thought the younger Bachchan would never be able to step out of the shadows of his cult dad… Well, finally, Abhishek Bachchan is having the last laugh!
Eight years in the industry now. Let’s take stock…
As an actor, I’ve grown a lot; if I didn’t, it would definitely be creative suicide! As a person, I guess, life teaches you
through its own course. It’s not about not making mistakes, but about learning from them and never repeating them.
Mistakes? Please elaborate
Well, I haven’t really made many mistakes or what I’d term as mistakes. I’ve had a string of 17 flops but what I learnt from them is amazing. Mistakes like wrong career choices help you evaluate yourself. The biggest lesson I’ve learnt is not to repeat them. The ups and downs are endless; what I can do is not to let them dictate my life. It’s not about falling down. It’s about getting up, learning and moving on…
So, who do you blame for the flops?
I blame myself, completely, for my flops. I’ve seen all the people involved doing their best and putting in their best efforts, so I think I let them down somewhere.
You’re being modest…
(smiles) I’m not modest, just a real person. Seriously!
On to you career report card. Have you managed to achieve all you wanted to?
Goals keep shifting and newer challenges crop up. I still haven’t done a film where I’m completely satisfied with myself as an actor. But then, I guess, actor can never really be content. It’s a challenge where you want to prove yourself everyday. Like I said, make mistakes and learn from them.
Did being a Bachchan make things easier or tougher for you?
Being a Bachchan isn’t a burden. It would be wrong to say that. I feel privileged and honoured to be born into this family. As for disadvantages, there are none. I am what I am because of my family and lineage, so there are only advantages associated. For me, family comes even before fame and money.
And after that…
It doesn’t matter!
Do you think you’d have done better sans the Bachchan tag and subsequent expectations?
No! I would not have enjoyed even one per cent of my success. And I owe a lot to my grandfather for everything. I thank him for giving me this surname!
Son of the greatest superstar of this millennium… Married to the most beautiful woman in the world… Doesn’t all this overwhelm you?
Not at all! I never think like that. For me, it’s a matter of honour to have a father who has such a great fan following and to have a wife whom the audience loves and respects so much. My mantra in life is very simple: Be real and true to yourself. That’s what my parents have taught me and that’s what I believe in. It’s very easy to get distracted but that’s when one should know how to stay grounded.
But you must have had a privileged childhood…
My parents always treated me like a normal kid, not like a superstar’s son, be it at home or in school. I was always treated like a member of a middle class family. But then, I like to think that my whole childhood was special.
You’ve seen some tough times as a family—your dad’s illness, your films flopping, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena targeting you… How do you deal with the pressures?
My father has always told me that everyday is a struggle. That’s what I believe in and that’s what helps me to be prepared, always. There have been many trying times like when my dad fell ill and when my career wasn’t shaping up well but what keeps me going on at such times is my family. They give me the support.
B Quick
Do you believe in GOD?
Yes.
Family or fame or fortune?
Family.
And then?
Nothing else matters.
Best days of your life?
Right now. Everyday is a wonderful day. It’s about living in the present and trying to make the next day better.
Your weakness?
I’d like to believe I have none. But being a human being, I must be having them. But if think of them, then it would be like accepting the fact that I’m weak!
Your strengths?
My family.
When you are angry, you…?
Don’t do much. But then again, I hardly get angry.
Your sex appeal?
You tell me!
Fave Amitabh flick?
All of them.
One thing you can’t do without?
My family!
Are you a better brother, son or husband?
It’s about doing justice to all roles. I endeavour to be the best at all!
Things you learnt from your father?
Everything.
What typifies you?
My spirit. As an actor, you’ve got to be enthusiastic.
Your favourite role?
All of them!
Be it Shararator Yuvaor Guru?
Yes!
Comparisons to Hrithik and SRK?
Hrithik is a very, very dear friend. He’s someone I’ve grown up with while Shahrukh is a senior person, someone whom I respect.
Planning to host a TV show?
Nobody has asked me and I’m extremely committed to my work right now.
How was Cannes?
Oh, wonderful! (pauses)
That’s it?
Yes… (laughs)
ASH YOU LIKE IT
A gift Ash has given you?
She married me!
Life with Ash is…
Just great. I’m married to the lady I love. I wish for many more years of togetherness.
Ash’s best feature?
Her heart.
One change you’d like in Ash?
Nothing.
Changes that Ash has brought in you?
All the good changes!
Ash’s best role?
Guru
How different are you and your father in Sarkar Raj as compared to Sarkar?
In Sarkar Raj, pa has an added slouch, as he’s aged since Sarkar. We see the passage of time in his performance as well as mine. My character handles more responsibility. Earlier, he was eager to prove himself; now, he’s successful and confident.
You’ve put on weight for the role…
Yup! Shankar Nagre is healthier now, as a well-settled man. Even my clothes have changed, from casuals to formal suits.
You aren’t new to sequels!
Yes, I’ve also done Dhoom 2. But, with Dhoom 2, Aditya Chopra wanted to expand the brand so the sequel had to be bigger and better. In this movie we had to be true to the original characters, who moved in specific directions from the first part to the second. There is a lot of intensity in the presentation.
But this time, you take centre stage?
I disagree. Sarkar is Subhash Nagre, which is dad’s character. Now Shankar runs the family business but his father is still the head of the family. So we’re in it together.
But you and Ash are not a couple?
In fact, there’s no relationship between Ash and me. Does it matter? Once the lights go down in the theatre, the audience becomes one with the characters. If they don’t, it’s my failing as an actor. Whether we’re a couple in the film is of no consequence. And we haven’t tried to hide the fact. No point lying to the audience!
But what about the strong media-created image of you as a couple?
I’m convinced that the audience isn’t going to consider that. Pa and I do play father and son but we weren’t related at all in Bunty Aur Babli. He was hunting me throughout the film yet it was a resounding success!
How have you evolved as an actor?
My character has evolved and—without sounding arrogant—I’d like to say that I think I’ve evolved as an actor. I’m still learning though. Look at my father at 65. He continues to evolve. Compared to him, I have a long way to go. I’d like to believe I’m evolving.
TOI