The trappings ofcinema
On the eve of his 45th birthday, Abhishek Bachchan holds forth on decisions well-made, celebdom and the reality of glamour
To paraphrase Rudyard Kipling, Abhishek Bachchan says one has to try to “treat success and failure, both these impostors, the same.” Abhishek has just completed 20 years in the Hindi film industry and will be celebrating his 45th birthday on February 5. His traverse has encompassed good times – Bunty Aur Babli (2005), Guru (2007), Dostana (2008), Bol Bachchan (2012) – as well as arid stretches of hurdles and hurt. But the actor’s continued relevance and nose-to-the-grindstone work ethic indicates he comprehends the essence of Kipling’s quote.
Now the warmth of the spotlight may be back on Abhishek with Anurag Basu’s well-received web film, Ludo (2020). “Makes an impact”, “A telling performance”, “A fine job” are some of the critical comments the actor received. In the past, however, critics have often taken him to the cleaners. But Abhishek remains equable all through. Does his mean that his combination of sheer grit and sardonic humour has made him wellnigh imperturbable? Or does he just mask his emotions well?
“CRITICISM HURTS. IT CHIPS AT YOUR SELFCONFIDENCE AND SELFRESPECT BECAUSE YOU’RE FAILING ON A PUBLIC STAGE” —ABHISHEK BACHCHAN
“Dad makes me feel comfortable, but halfway through the shot, I realise that’s ‘the’ Amitabh Bachchan and I go, ‘Arrey baap re.’ I have been lucky because the best has been in front of me, and it’s mesmerising and intimidating at the same time. On the sets of Sarkar (2005), he was my co-star. Driving back home, he was my father, saying things like: “Iss liye main e itni mehnat karke tumhe padhaya, likhaya ki tum aisa kaam karo (I worked hard to educate you so you would work like this).” (chuckles)”
Dad on set: