At 72, dad still works like a child: Abhishek Bachchan

Remembering an incident when Amitabh had to dub for Agnipath in a single day, he says, “I still remember dad had to re-dub the whole film in one day as the film was to release on this day. I had accompanied dad and I experienced his toughest dubbing day. But dad finished the dubbing of each scene effortlessly and completed the full dubbing in merely seven-eight hours. I was too small then to learn much but I loved to watch him dub and also to watch him shoot on the sets.”

All praises for his father, he adds, “Not only is he passionate about his craft, but he is always ready to give his best. He works very hard. Also, has no ego at all. I am surprised to note his zeal for acting even today, which is wonderful.

“Even at 72, dad still works like a child, whenever he has to go on a shoot he rehearses his dialogues thoroughly, over and over again, he does it through the night. He loves his profession.

“Actors like Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan are not complacent at all. These successful actors of our times, even after having attained success, are always ready to oblige the directors and their co-actors by giving their best. We may say ‘theek hai, they are lucky enough to attain success’. But they always want to give their best in front of the camera,” says the actor.

Not only a great actor, junior Bachchan has also come a long way to become a great businessman.

“I think I am a very good businessman. And I feel we need to be realistic in filmmaking. At the end of the day, business needs to be kept very simple. Do not make it complicated. We have just finished the principle photography of our next film Shamitabh. Balki and I have co-produced the movie.

“I took immense care when I made Paa. Balki and I had many sessions discussing all the nuances of filmmaking. We made the film in Rs 16 crore to17 crore and I got an offer to sell it for Rs 60 crore, which I did. I also made a lot of money for Buddha Hoga Tera Baap. I had made it in Rs 10.5 crore and sold the satellite rights for Rs 14 crore.

“Each story has a market and a budget. If you make it in that budget you will make profits. Films never fail, your budget fails,” says Abhishek.

Making films with his father, how does he manage Big B’s finances? “Dad’s finance equation is simple, there is no financial equation. We are one family, sab kuch dono ka hi hai, hum ek hi chat ke neeche rehtey hein. There is no question of any financial equation at all.”

At this point, our interview is interrupted as Abhishek gets a call from his wife, Aishwarya. “These journalists are asking when will you make a comeback?” he asks her. And then tells us with a smile, “She’s sitting in front of a camera.”

On spending time with daughter Aradhya, he says, “Aradhya and I love spending time together and she enjoys every bit. She, however, is too small now to express much.”