'I got work because I was Amitabh's son'

Abhishek Bachchan is not only a mama's and papa's obedient son and a wife's loving husband but also a director's actor. Known for his ability to fit a role like a glove in the hands of an able director, Abhishek is usually ready to do what it takes to slip into a character.

This is probably why he's shed as many as 15 kilos for his role in Mani Ratnam's "Raavan" . For some reason, Ratnam loves to send AB's baby up and down the calorie tower. If you remember, Abhishek was made to bloat for "Guru" to fill out the rather large frame of a Gujarati businessman. And now, he's had to cut the flab for his new role.

"Mani Ratnam is very particular about his characters. My character needs to be slim in the movie and I had to do what was required," says Abhishek nonchalantly. Not just his waist size, he's also cut his hair for the movie, sporting a cropped look that few have not noticed. "Many people liked it but many did say it's quite short," he smiles.

Not that B Junior cares. Just like he doesn't care about tongues wagging that he's the only odd one out in the Bachchan family, with wife Aishwarya Rai joining the list of Padmashris in the Bachchan household. Ma Jaya and pa Amitabh are known for their contribution to Indian cinema. Ask him about the Padmashri troika and he says, "There's hardly anyone around in the house these days. All are so busy working."

Abhishek too is nowadays. Unlike before when comparisons with pa Big B kept him out of the Bollywood rat race. The burden of the tag must have been hard to carry, huh? "I have never found it to be a problem. I am my father's son and I will remain that forever. In fact, it's a matter of pride for me that my father is Amitabh Bachchan."

But Abhishek is realist enough to accept that the Bachchan tag did hinder his growth in the initial years. He admits he did the rounds of many filmmakers' offices and found that most were apprehensive about launching Big B's son because they thought he couldn't live up to the expectations.

"Everyone said that the responsibility was too great. No one did want to risk that," is his candid confession. He's also honest enough to admit that even after '17 flops' he was still getting work because he was 'Amitabh's son'.

"I know people say I get work only because I am his son but that doesn't bother me. I have to take my family name forward and I am just starting on that path."

Despite the tall, good looks that Abhishek shares with his father, he feels he is more like his mom Jaya when it comes to attitude. "I am mercurial like her and my sister Shweta is calm and collected like my father," is his observation.

Much as he would like to, Abhishek doesn't think he can ever outshine his father or even be like him. In fact he believes no one can even come close.

"As for me, I will be happy to even be 50 per cent of what he is," he says modestly. Big B, on his part, feels his son's the greatest. The doting daddy was overwhelmed by Abhishek's performance in "Guru" and told him he was proud of him. "That was the best moment of my life, not just as a son but also as an actor."

He, however, isn't quite ready yet to give Amitabh the ultimate gift he's confessed to craving for – a grandchild. With Ash and he being married for a while now, isn't it time he grew his family? "I don't think these things should be planned. We are a young couple and there's much left for us to do when it comes to work. What has to happen will happen when it has to happen."

At the moment, it's "Delhi-6" taking up Abhishek's time. The promos are promising and Abhishek swears the film celebrates the 'common man'.

"Usually, Bollywood heroes are larger than life. But not Roshan Mehra (his character in "Delhi-6"). He's this guy trying to adjust to Delhi after studying abroad. I think he's a lot like me. I had to adjust to Mumbai after studying outside the city for 11 years," says the lanky actor.

"Delhi-6" is all about growing up in a different culture and then returning to roots. Talking about different, Abhi's been known to take up films that don't exactly fit the traditional Bollywood mould. So how does he choose them? "I'm not sure I am capable of deciding what works for me and what doesn't. I take up films that I find inspiring. That's all there is to it," he says.

Maybe, but there's so much more to Abhishek than the good old Bachchan tag he's been carrying around. Beyond the surname lies a talented man. And someday, the world will know and accept that. Here's looking at you, kid.