Abhishek Bachchan Following in His Father's Footsteps

BOLLYWOOD AbhishekAbhishek BachchanBachchan FFoolllloowwiinngg iinn hhiiss ffaatthheerr’’ss ffoooottsstteeppss he name Abhishek Bachchan has been a reason for end- movies, without any major box-office successes. A list of his early less speculation. Initially, it was: Will he or won’t he fol- films include ‘Tera Jadoo Chal Gaya’ (2000), ‘Dhai Akshar Prem Ke’ low in his father’s footsteps? Ever since he returned from (2000), ‘Bas Itna Sa Khwab Hai’ (2001), ‘Shararat’ (2001), ‘Desh’ his studies abroad and was spotted at functions towering (2002), ‘Kuch Naa Kaho’ (2003) and ‘Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost.’ over his mother and standing almost shoulder-to-shoul- During that period, he struggled for a blockbuster which could prove derTT with his larger-than-life father, Bollywood legend Amitabh his talent. But that proved elusive, though he got meaty roles in Bachchan, he has had movie moghuls flocking to him. ‘L.O.C Kargil’ (2003) and in ‘Zameen’ (2003), a movie dealing with Later, when he made his debut and suffered a string of failures, the terrorism, in which he enacted the role of a police officer. speculation was: Was he fated to wilt in his father’s shadow? However, in 2004, his performance in Mani Ratnam’s ‘Yuva’ proved But the 6’1 feet tall Abhishek finally came good with a string of suc- his mettle as an actor. The film earned him the Filmfare Best cesses. And today, the speculation about him centres on his profes- Supporting Actor Award and every other supporting actor award at sional moves. The latest has it that he may play the role of a real-life major film award functions. In the same year, he starred in ‘Dhoom’, inspired police officer in a forthcoming film titled ‘Shootout At produced by Yash Raj Films, a thriller that became a huge success. Lokhandwala’, which is to be directed by Apoorva Lakhia, who direct- In 2005, he shot to fame with four consecutive hits —’Bunty Aur ed the junior Bachchan in Babli’, ‘Sarkar’, ‘Dus’ and ‘Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost.’ ‘Bluffmaster’, Born on February 5, 1976, to He won his second Filmfare Amitabh and former Award in the Best Supporting Bollywood actress Jaya Actor category for ‘Sarkar’ in Bhaduri, Abhishek schooled in 2005, Star Screen Best Switzerland and went on to Comedian Award for ‘Bunty study business in the United Aur Babli’ and Zee Cine Best States. That was when Actor in Supporting role for thoughts of becoming an actor ‘Sarkar.’ began to swirl in his mind. Abhishek’s forthcoming Soon he had decided on acting films are ‘Kabhi Alvida Naa and gave up business school, a Kehna,’ ‘Dhoom 2’ and decision his father supported. ‘Umrao Jaan.’ Abhishek made a strong Judging by the trends that debut in J.P. Dutta’s ‘Refugee’ dominate the film industry, alongside Kareena Kapoor in Abhishek is likely to pull it off 2000. Though the movie was in these films, too. If he does, not considered a success, he he would have taken yet was liked both by audiences another step towards emerg- and critics. ing as the rightful heir to the In a span of five years, awesome legacy of his par- Abhishek went on to do many Abhishek Bachchan in a still from ‘Sarkar’ and, top, from ‘Bluffmaster’ ents. ■ I N D I A R E V I E W J U N E 2 0 0 6 6.

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