In a recent interview, Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan opened up about the challenges he faced while trying to break into the film industry in the early 2000s. Despite being the son of legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek revealed that he faced numerous rejections from filmmakers who respectfully declined to launch him as an actor.
Amidst the excitement and speculation surrounding his entry into Bollywood, Abhishek found himself grappling with a lack of interest from directors. He shared, “There was a lot of chatter, excitement about me joining (the film industry). Not because of me, but because of the kid I was. But contrary to that, people were not interested in working with me.”
Abhishek’s breakthrough eventually came through an unexpected turn of events. He and ad filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra were working on a period film titled “Samjhauta Express,” but they struggled to find any actor for the project. When they pitched the script to Amitabh Bachchan, he dismissed it as “bakwas” (meaning rubbish). However, this setback led to a chance encounter at the Filmfare Awards, where filmmaker JP Dutta noticed Abhishek. Although the initial collaboration on a Mughal descendant’s story did not materialize, it paved the way for Abhishek’s debut in the 2000 film “Refugee,” alongside Kareena Kapoor.
Abhishek also revealed an interesting anecdote about the aftermath of his father’s criticism of the “Samjhauta Express” script. Rakeysh, determined to prove himself, went on to write the script for “Aks” after downing a bottle of alcohol. “Aks” became Rakeysh’s directorial debut and featured none other than Amitabh Bachchan himself.
Abhishek’s journey from facing rejection to eventually finding success serves as an inspiring tale of resilience in the competitive world of Bollywood. His perseverance, coupled with the fortuitous encounter with JP Dutta, ultimately marked the beginning of a successful acting career that has seen Abhishek establish himself as a versatile and accomplished performer in the Indian film industry.
