I Want To Talk poster / Instagram

Abhishek Bachchan's I Want To Talk is still making the buzz in the film circuits. Despite being a passive film, without much buzz and publicity, it ended up touching hearts. One look at the slow, slightly overweight Arjun and you know that Abhishek has aced the role. "Seeing him acclimatize to the surroundings of Arjun, was understanding the actor that Abhishek is,..." Shoojit Sircar applauded Abhishek's quiet brilliance in the film, as did the critics and to think his last film Ghoomer too was warmly received throughout the country and abroad. It sure does look like Bachchan Jr has set out to enjoy this phase of his career.

The Debut

Abhishek Bachchan didn't begin his career in the cozy way most star kids begin today. Of course, being Amitabh Bachchan's son was always his ticket, which allowed him access where many would not have been allowed. But he didn't straight move into his privileged life. In fact, few know but Abhishek sold Life Insurance Policies too at one point. All this just to get a taste of what real life is all about. His first job in the industry was scourging shooting locales for films like Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya and so on... Ultimately, he debuted with Refugee. Despite the hopes and hype, Abhishek didn't see much success till he created Dhoom!

The Diagnoses

Speaking about Dhoom, do you remember Aamir Khan's dialogue from Taare Zameen Par? "Bachpan mein isse bhi padhne likhne mein takleef hoti thi, lekin abh dekho kya Dhoom macha raha hai." Aamir sought Abhishek's permission before using his example to teach people about dyslexia, simply because he wanted his audience to know that if handled with care, this disability can be conquered. It is a fact that Abhishek was diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of 9, thanks to his parents and proper guidance, Abhishek overcame this learning disability and went on to complete his higher studies in Boston University. But doing Bachelors in Business Management was not meant to be, Abhishek returned to Mumbai, without a degree but new aspirations that of becoming an actor.

The Drama

But movies and success didn't come easy to the Bachchan scion, something Abhishek himself doesn't ever forget. It was on his theatre visits, when a female 
fan was rather agitated upon seeing his film Shararat, she actually walked up to him and slapped him across his face. She was so upset that he would be a part of a film that totally ruined the legacy he was born with. Telling him in as many words that he was ruining his father's well-earned repute. Abhishek was obviously shaken up with that experience and for a while he almost lost the focus and his own belief in himself. However, years down the line, he once again came to the same theatre, with thousands of people gathered to see his film Bol Bachchan. Clicking a picture of the mayhem with pride he sent it to his dad, coming a full circle from where he had once been slapped.

The Triumph

Success came in leaps and bounds. In fact, Abhishek Bachchan has something in common with Dilip Kumar himself. Dilip Kumar - the man who inspired Amitabh Bachchan to become an actor, the man whose acting and films are a part of the acting syllabus in FTII and only Abhishek Bachchan has come close to breaking Dilip Kumar's record. There has been no other actor other than the two of them to have received 3 consecutive Filmfare Awards. While Dilip Kumar got it for Azaad (1956), Devdas (1957) and Naya Daur (1958); Abhishek Bachchan received the Filmfare Award for Yuva (2004), Sarkar (2005) and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006).

The Relentless

Abhishek Bachchan has always had his movies viewed under a microscope, but few know that he is his greatest critic. He till date, watches his films with a pen and pad, jotting all the points where he felt he could have done better. A film every week is a part of his 'become a better actor' exercise, something he swears to be with every film.

The Rapper

Today Honey Singh and Badshah might be extremely popular, but way back in 2005 when Bluffmaster released, it was Abhishek Bachchan's rapping in 'Right here right now... that broke the records. Abhishek didn't stop at that, his international collaboration with Nelly and Raghav called "Until the sun comes up..." set the charts on fire, the proceeds from this alliance went for the education of children in Africa.

The Two-timer

Abhishek, like his father, has a quirky habit of wearing two watches, when asked why... he simply counters 'Why not?' According to the Dasvi actor, his fascination for watches started when he became the brand ambassador of Omega watches. However his favourite from the collection are only three, the one he wore on the premiere of his first film, the one he wore on his wedding day and of course, the one he was wearing when his daughter was born.

The Husband

There have been so many rumours surrounding the Bachchans that the truth often gets blurred, while Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has been plagued with gossip mongers writing off their marriage and even setting a date for their divorce, complete with blaming Nimrat Kaur for it, the couple quietly left the madding crowd for a retreat with their beloved daughter. That is how Abhishek has always been as a husband, letting his actions speak louder than words. While he calls Ash his calming factor, he has evidently been her strength too - completing the yin and yang perfectly.

The Dad

Abhishek doesn't believe in being the authoritarian in his daughter's life. In fact, he is someone who loves to experience life with Aaradhya. In fact, when his daughter was little and getting her ears pierced as is tradition, Abhishek too got his ears pierced, he wanted to feel his daughter's pain and be one with her, every moment since.

The Inspiration

For many, Abhishek's resilience and grit are inspiring, but for his dad - it is his dancing that is inspiring. The actor recently shared that during the making of the song 'Khai ke paan Banaras wala...' Amitabh needed to look innocent and gullible while dancing vigorously, the only inspiration he could find was in his 2 years old son Abhishek, whose wide eyes and awkward dancing inspired the choreography of the hit number.