Abhishek an 'unnecessary victim' of nepotism: Big B

Bollywood veteran defends son on social media

Amitabh Bachchan, a stalwart of Indian cinema, has consistently stood by his son, Abhishek Bachchan, in the face of ongoing debates surrounding nepotism in Bollywood. Recently, the veteran actor took to social media to express his unwavering support for Abhishek, highlighting his son's dedication and talent in the film industry by responding to a post on X (formerly Twitter) that declared Abhishek was an "unnecessary victim" of nepotism.

The post read, "Abhishek Bachchan unnecessarily became the victim of 'nepotism' negativity, but the number of good films in his filmography is very high." Agreeing with this sentiment, Amitabh replied, "I feel the same... and not just because I am his father."

In another instance, a fan shared a video of Abhishek at the HT India's Most Stylish Awards, praising his demeanour. Bollywood Big B reacted with admiration, writing, "Superior Abhishek, stunning Abhishek. The walk, the grace, the style, and no fuss. Just a normal being, away from the unnecessary display of excitement or attention-seeking."

Abhishek, with a career spanning over two decades, with films such as Guru and Yuva under his belt, has addressed the challenges and expectations of being Amitabh's son on several occasions. In a conversation with Times of India, the Dasvi star was asked if he faced injustice in the industry by virtue of being Amitabh's son, to which he replied, "I'm not accusing anyone but the media has just found this one word (nepotism) that they can throw around. Let's not go by perceptions, go by numbers. They never lie." In the same conversation, Abhishek addressed comparisons with his father, viewing them as a form of appreciation and motivation to better himself. In a different vein, in a 2020 interview with Hindustan Times, he acknowledged the industry's demands and expressed pride in his lineage, stating, "I'm the son of my father, I'm a colleague of a legend."

In recent developments, the father-son duo has continued to make headlines. Abhishek is set to star in the upcoming film Be Happy, directed by Remo D'Souza, which is scheduled to premiere on Amazon Prime Video next week. Amitabh expressed his excitement for the project, sharing the trailer on his social media and commenting, "Abhishek, you are extraordinary. How you adapt and change with each film character is an art, which is incredible. Love you, Bhaiyu."

The public and industry peers have shown support for Abhishek amidst the nepotism debate. Fans have praised his humility and talent, with many acknowledging his efforts to carve out his own identity despite being the son of Bollywood's biggest star. Some have called him a "genuine professional and not a nepo kid," highlighting his ability to stand apart from his lineage.

Similarly, the Guru star's colleagues have also lauded his performances. His role in I Want To Talk received critical acclaim, with industry insiders praising his ability to immerse himself in complex characters. Amitabh himself shared his thoughts on his blog, writing, "Some films invite you to be entertained, some films invite you to be the film. I Want To Talk does just that - it invites you to be the film. Abhishek, you are not Abhishek; you are Arjun Sen of the film. Let them say what they say."

Amitabh and Abhishek's relationship, both personal and professional, has played out in the public eye for decades. Their first on-screen collaboration came in 2001 with Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, though they did not share screen space. It wasn't until 2005's Bunty Aur Babli that the father-son duo were seen together, followed by films like Sarkar (2005), Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006), Guru (2007), and Paa (2009), where Abhishek played Amitabh's father in a role reversal that was widely appreciated. Their performances together have reflected their deep-rooted camaraderie, a dynamic that extends beyond the silver screen.