In a recent interview on the Galatta Plus roundtable featuring Hindi actors, Abhishek Bachchan, a renowned Bollywood actor, shed light on the early days of his career in the Hindi film industry. He shared his journey of how he bagged his first role and the challenges he faced along the way. In addition, Abhishek opened up about the tough financial times his family had endured, which led him to return to India from college in the United States to support his father, Amitabh Bachchan. From not having the money to buy appropriate clothes for the star-studded Filmfare Awards ceremony to establishing himself as one of the most able actors in the industry, Abhishek has truly come a long way.
Coming Back to India and Starting from Scratch
Abhishek Bachchan revealed that during his father’s financially difficult period, he made the tough decision to come back to India from college. He wanted to be by his father’s side and support him in any way possible. Without any hesitation, he took up the role of a production assistant and assistant director, working behind the scenes to learn and grow in the industry. This is how he started his journey in Bollywood.
The Filmfare Awards and a Turning Point in His Life
During the interview, Abhishek Bachchan reminisced about attending the Filmfare Awards early in his career. He spoke about how these awards held immense significance for actors in that era. It was a prestigious event where the entire industry would come together, irrespective of nominations, to celebrate the art of cinema. However, Abhishek faced a dilemma regarding his attire for the awards, considering their financial constraints.
The Sherwani that Changed His Destiny
Abhishek Bachchan shared an inspiring anecdote about his resourcefulness in handling the lack of formal attire for the Filmfare Awards. Realizing that he couldn’t afford to buy new clothes, he decided to wear the sherwani that was made for his sister’s wedding a couple of years earlier. Little did he know that this decision would change the course of his career.
Meeting JP Dutta and His First Feature Film
Two days after the awards function, filmmaker JP Dutta, who won the Best Director Filmfare Award for his movie “Border,” reached out to Abhishek Bachchan for a meeting. Dutta had taken notice of Abhishek’s presence at the awards and was keen to discuss a potential collaboration. This meeting eventually led to Abhishek bagging his first feature film, “Refugee,” where he shared the screen with actress Kareena Kapoor.
Abhishek Bachchan’s Journey Continues
Since his debut in the film “Refugee,” Abhishek Bachchan has gone on to establish himself as a talented actor in the Hindi film industry. Initially, he had to struggle a lot as his films were not turning that successful. Despite being Amitabh Bachchan’s son, critics had given negative feedback about his acting skills in his early phase as an actor. But Abhishek worked hard and honed his craft so much that he started catching attention as an actor. With time he has proved himself as one of the most capable actors in Bollywood. His dedication, perseverance, and the ability to turn challenges into opportunities have been instrumental in shaping his successful career. Most recently, he was seen in R Balki’s sports drama “Ghoomer,” alongside Saiyami Kher in the lead role.
In conclusion, Abhishek Bachchan’s story is a testament to the fact that success often comes after facing hardships and struggles. His early foray into the Hindi film industry was not smooth sailing, but he persevered and emerged as a respected actor. Abhishek’s willingness to share his experiences and his journey from being a production assistant to becoming a prominent Bollywood actor is truly inspiring. It serves as a reminder that hard work, determination, and a positive mindset can help us overcome any obstacles on the path to success.
