A Life in Pictures: Abhishek Bachchan

Abhishek Bachchan, award-winning Indian actor and producer acclaimed for his work in Hindi films, shared how “any child growing up in the seventies wanted to be Mr Amitabh Bachchan…”

Bachchan, son of Indian film legends Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan, spoke with interviewer Francine Stock at a special BAFTA Life in Pictures event on 5 March 2010.

With his famous family watching in the audience, he talked about his father’s influence on his career.

“I thought every Dad could beat up 50 people and then dance and sing!”, he said.

“When you’re very small you want to be something new every day: a doctor, a racing car driver – and then you find a profession where you can be all that at once on a daily basis.”

Bachchan made his acting debut in JP Dutta’s Hindi romance Refugee in 2000. Then in 2004 he attracted critical acclaim for his performances in hit action film Dhoom and political drama Yuva.

His performance in Yuva won him his first Filmfare Award in the Best Supporting Actor category. An award he won the next two years running for Sarkat and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. Bachchan is married to fellow Indian film star Aishwarya Rai.

In the in-depth interview Bachchan discussed the growing worldwide popularity of Indian cinema, warning against changing Bollywood filmmaking to suit Western tastes. He also speaks about breaking into the industry – from his earliest childhood dreams to his personal struggle for success and growing status as a leading figure in Indian cinema.

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