Abhishek Bachchan, a scion of Bollywood royalty, has often found himself in the shadow of his illustrious family. As the son of legendary actors Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan and the husband of global icon Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, comparisons are inevitable. But how does the actor handle this scrutiny?
In a candid interview with CNBC-TV18, Abhishek shared his perspective. “It’s never going to get easy. But after 25 years of being asked the same question, I have become immune to it,” he said. “If you are comparing me to my father, you are comparing me to the best. If you are comparing me to the best, somewhere I believe that maybe I am worthy of being considered among these great names. I look at it like that.”
Despite the constant comparisons, Abhishek expressed pride in his family’s achievements. “My parents are my parents, my family is my family, my wife is my wife, and I am immensely proud of them and their achievements and what they continue to do,” he added.
Inspired by Amitabh Bachchan’s Work Ethic
Abhishek highlighted the profound influence his father, Amitabh Bachchan, had on his life and career. Sharing his admiration for his father’s work ethic, Abhishek said, “We are sitting here in a wonderful AC room in Mumbai, doing this interview, having a nice cup of coffee, and that 82-year-old (Amitabh Bachchan) is shooting for KBC from 7 in the morning. He’s leading by example. I want to be like that.”
Abhishek revealed his dream of inspiring his daughter, Aaradhya Bachchan, in a similar way. “When I go to bed at night, all I think is that when I am 82, I want my daughter to be able to say, ‘Hey, my dad’s 82 and he’s still at it.’”
Carrying Forward the Bachchan Legacy
Reflecting on his family’s role in shaping his journey, Abhishek acknowledged the significance of the Bachchan name. “I am what I am today because of my family. I do what I do for my family—past, present, and future. Their opinion matters the most to me,” he said.
He also expressed deep gratitude for the legacy passed down by his grandfather. “I’m immensely proud of my name, which was given to me by my grandfather. But I’m prouder of the surname he bestowed and blessed us with. I will work and do whatever I have to ensure the continuance of the love that we get because of my grandfather.”
Abhishek hopes that his daughter Aaradhya and future generations will cherish and honour the family’s values and legacy.