Carrying the legacy of Amitabh Bachchan hasn't always translated to easy opportunities for his son, Abhishek Bachchan. In an in-depth conversation with Nayandeep Rakshit, Abhishek opened up about the obstacles he faced at the beginning of his acting journey. Contrary to the popular belief that being born into a film dynasty brings instant fame, Abhishek revealed that filmmakers hesitated to sign him because they were reluctant to bear the responsibility of launching the iconic actor’s son.
At just 21 years old, filled with passion and the excitement of stepping into the film industry, Abhishek found himself receiving rejection after rejection. Though the refusals were delivered respectfully, the underlying sentiment was consistent—no one wanted the pressure of introducing Amitabh Bachchan’s heir to the silver screen. Despite public expectations and industry buzz around his debut, Abhishek found that the path to stardom was far from smooth.
“I didn’t understand then, but I understood when I signed Refugee. They were like, ‘We don’t want the responsibility of launching Amitabh Bachchan’s son.’ I didn’t get that, but when I started working and I started seeing firsthand what my father meant to the film industry—fellow actors, directors—I said, you know, I get it. He’s such an immense figure that people have so much love and respect for, and I think that’s amazing. I can understand why people said, ‘Don't put that on us," he stated.
JP Dutta’s Leap of Faith
It wasn't until the year 2000 that director JP Dutta offered Abhishek his break with the film Refugee. This movie also introduced Kareena Kapoor Khan, another star kid from a famous film family. While Refugee did not become a blockbuster, it had a strong opening and made a modest impact at the box office. Incidentally, the same year marked the debut of Hrithik Roshan in Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai, which went on to become a major commercial success—making comparisons inevitable.
Reflecting on those early rejections, Abhishek now views them with greater understanding. Back then, he couldn’t comprehend why people were hesitant. But once he began working within the industry and witnessing firsthand the reverence that actors and directors held for his father, it began to make sense. Amitabh Bachchan wasn’t just a superstar—he was a towering figure whose presence commanded immense respect. Many filmmakers felt the pressure of living up to that legacy and were understandably cautious about being held accountable for his son’s launch.
Gratitude to Aishwarya for Grounding Aaradhya
Switching gears from his professional struggles to his personal life, Abhishek spoke warmly about his daughter, Aaradhya. He shared that she neither owns a smartphone nor uses social media—something quite rare in today’s digital age. He attributed this grounded upbringing to his wife and former co-star, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
Abhishek praised Aishwarya for her dedication to parenting, emphasizing that she has been the primary caregiver, especially during his frequent absences due to work. According to him, Aishwarya has embraced motherhood wholeheartedly and selflessly, shouldering the greater part of the responsibilities. He acknowledged that while he tends to be focused on work and goals, Aishwarya’s unwavering commitment to their daughter’s well-being has been nothing short of inspiring.
Mothers: The Emotional Anchors
Abhishek went on to speak more broadly about the unique role of mothers in shaping children’s lives. He believes that most fathers, by nature or societal structure, tend to be action-oriented and career-focused. Mothers, on the other hand, often prioritize their children above all else. He suggested that this nurturing nature might be the reason most people instinctively turn to their mothers for comfort and support.
In Aaradhya’s case, he gave full credit to Aishwarya for raising her with such care and integrity. He called it a blessing to witness such devotion and expressed deep admiration for her ability to stay grounded and focused on their daughter.
A Career Milestone
Meanwhile, Abhishek Bachchan recently celebrated a significant milestone—completing 25 years in the Hindi film industry. Currently, he’s appearing in the film Kaalidhar Laapata, marking yet another chapter in a career that has been shaped by both privilege and perseverance.
At just 21 years old, filled with passion and the excitement of stepping into the film industry, Abhishek found himself receiving rejection after rejection. Though the refusals were delivered respectfully, the underlying sentiment was consistent—no one wanted the pressure of introducing Amitabh Bachchan’s heir to the silver screen. Despite public expectations and industry buzz around his debut, Abhishek found that the path to stardom was far from smooth.
“I didn’t understand then, but I understood when I signed Refugee. They were like, ‘We don’t want the responsibility of launching Amitabh Bachchan’s son.’ I didn’t get that, but when I started working and I started seeing firsthand what my father meant to the film industry—fellow actors, directors—I said, you know, I get it. He’s such an immense figure that people have so much love and respect for, and I think that’s amazing. I can understand why people said, ‘Don't put that on us," he stated.
JP Dutta’s Leap of Faith
It wasn't until the year 2000 that director JP Dutta offered Abhishek his break with the film Refugee. This movie also introduced Kareena Kapoor Khan, another star kid from a famous film family. While Refugee did not become a blockbuster, it had a strong opening and made a modest impact at the box office. Incidentally, the same year marked the debut of Hrithik Roshan in Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai, which went on to become a major commercial success—making comparisons inevitable.
Reflecting on those early rejections, Abhishek now views them with greater understanding. Back then, he couldn’t comprehend why people were hesitant. But once he began working within the industry and witnessing firsthand the reverence that actors and directors held for his father, it began to make sense. Amitabh Bachchan wasn’t just a superstar—he was a towering figure whose presence commanded immense respect. Many filmmakers felt the pressure of living up to that legacy and were understandably cautious about being held accountable for his son’s launch.
Gratitude to Aishwarya for Grounding Aaradhya
Switching gears from his professional struggles to his personal life, Abhishek spoke warmly about his daughter, Aaradhya. He shared that she neither owns a smartphone nor uses social media—something quite rare in today’s digital age. He attributed this grounded upbringing to his wife and former co-star, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
Abhishek praised Aishwarya for her dedication to parenting, emphasizing that she has been the primary caregiver, especially during his frequent absences due to work. According to him, Aishwarya has embraced motherhood wholeheartedly and selflessly, shouldering the greater part of the responsibilities. He acknowledged that while he tends to be focused on work and goals, Aishwarya’s unwavering commitment to their daughter’s well-being has been nothing short of inspiring.
Mothers: The Emotional Anchors
Abhishek went on to speak more broadly about the unique role of mothers in shaping children’s lives. He believes that most fathers, by nature or societal structure, tend to be action-oriented and career-focused. Mothers, on the other hand, often prioritize their children above all else. He suggested that this nurturing nature might be the reason most people instinctively turn to their mothers for comfort and support.
In Aaradhya’s case, he gave full credit to Aishwarya for raising her with such care and integrity. He called it a blessing to witness such devotion and expressed deep admiration for her ability to stay grounded and focused on their daughter.
A Career Milestone
Meanwhile, Abhishek Bachchan recently celebrated a significant milestone—completing 25 years in the Hindi film industry. Currently, he’s appearing in the film Kaalidhar Laapata, marking yet another chapter in a career that has been shaped by both privilege and perseverance.
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