On Father’s Day - Abhishek Bachchan writes in his own words… his love and admiration for his father.
I’ve grown up watching only dad’s films. And they affected me greatly, not just as a son — but also a viewer. I used to react to him personally on screen; I would cry if he died in any film, and I disliked him getting beaten up by anybody. He’s been the only actor in the world who has evoked that kind of response from me. An actor’s ultimate aim is to get his audience to feel for him, to believe in him, and to support him. And dad has that connect with his audience, he interacts with every viewer on a one-to-one basis. And it’s reached a point where the audience reacts to him personally, like I do. If they disagree with any of his films, or his performance, the criticism is not that he is terrible at his job, but that this role is not working for him, and they don’t want to see him in that. He’s been my greatest hero, really, but what is fascinating is that in real life, he is far bigger and greater as a father, husband, son and brother than he is in all his characters put together and multiplied by 100!
It’s tough to compare him as a father, because there is no yardstick of measure. But for me, as a boy growing up, he was as all fathers are and should be. He was never strict, never shouted or raised his hand even once. His word was final, however, and it was respected. Yet, he would explain the logic behind his decisions and why he wanted me to do anything in a particular way. His approach was always that of a friend. He made me feel like his confidante. I remember when I was five and he was travelling for long spells on a shoot, he would write to me and say, ‘Son, you are now the man of the house!’ And that would make me feel like a man, like I had to guard the fort, protect my mother and sister. When I do become a father myself, I will try to be with my kid exactly like dad was with me. Dad and I have maintained that relationship of being friends. My grandfather, Dr Harivanshrai Bachchan, used to tell dad, “When your son starts wearing your shoes, he stops being your son and becomes your friend.” I stepped into dad’s shoes when I was 12. We have the same interests, we enjoy watching sporting events, going to the movies, eating out, going for a drive… in fact, dad and I are never happier than when spending time together doing the things we like doing. But as his co-star in films, I was and still do get terrified facing the camera with him. That’s because as my father, I know he will comment, guide and correct me. And I don’t want to do anything wrong. I want to prove, as his son, that I’m capable. At the same time, I don’t want to disrespect the huge institution that is in front of me. Most actors doing a scene with him, I believe, tend to forget they are in front of the camera and only see Amitabh Bachchan. That’s our hurdle! You expect to see a legend, your childhood idol, the greatest actor in the world… but dad disarms you with his humility. He’s so real on the sets, so jovial, cool, that he diffuses the atmosphere. He has a great connect with everybody. Fifteen minutes of interaction, and every costar, spot boy, lightman, sound engineer starts thinking Amitabh Bachchan’s their best friend. That they are on back-slapping terms with him and can go out for dinner at night together. That’s what he’s all about. A fantastic actor and co-star, my best friend, and best of all… my father!
Abhishek Bachchan
BT