Abhishek Bachchan is no stranger to carrying expectations. As the son of Bollywood icons Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan, his entry into the film industry was always going to attract attention. But in a candid conversation with Nayandeep Rakshit, Abhishek revealed that the journey to his debut was anything but smooth. Despite his surname, or perhaps because of it, several top directors refused to launch him not out of disrespect, but because they feared the immense responsibility of introducing the son of Indian cinema’s biggest legend.
At just 21, Abhishek was filled with ambition and youthful excitement. He was ready to step in front of the camera, eager to make his mark. But reality hit hard. He recounted multiple meetings with filmmakers who politely declined. Their reason, while never said with malice, carried weight. As Abhishek recalls, “They didn’t want the responsibility of launching Amitabh Bachchan’s son.” It wasn’t rejection in the conventional sense it was the shadow of greatness looming large over an aspiring actor trying to find his own light.
It wasn’t until the year 2000 that JP Dutta took that leap of faith and cast him in Refugee. The film also marked the debut of Kareena Kapoor Khan, another star kid with a legacy to live up to. For Abhishek, Refugee wasn’t just his launch, it was his introduction to the reality of the industry one that balances reverence with risk.
Looking back, he now understands the caution filmmakers felt. “When I started working and saw firsthand what my father meant to the film industry, I said, I get it,” he shared.
The respect and reverence for Amitabh Bachchan were so profound that directors were hesitant to shoulder the pressure that came with launching his heir. Abhishek admits he was too young then to understand, and the rejections left him disappointed. But over time, maturity brought clarity.
His story is not just about being the son of a superstar. It is about resilience, the long road to acceptance, and learning to carry a legacy with grace rather than entitlement. While many assume privilege guarantees opportunity, Abhishek’s reflections remind us that fame also comes with its own set of obstacles. Rejection, self doubt, and delayed beginnings are chapters in almost every actor’s journey even for someone with the most iconic last name in Indian cinema.
As he now promotes his new film Kaalidhar Laapata, there’s a quiet strength in his words. Abhishek Bachchan has earned every step, not just as Amitabh Bachchan’s son, but as an actor who refused to let early rejection define his path.
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