‘I’ve reworked my attitude towards my parents’

He has had two back-to-back hits — Dhoom 3 and Happy New Year. Now, as Abhishek Bachchan looks forward to the release of his next, All Is Well, he hopes it completes his hat-trick of successes. A family man through and through, Abhishek doesn’t believe in overloading himself with projects. Having ventured into production and now sports as well, he has his hands full. Nonetheless, he ensures his time with his family, especially his daughter Aaradhya, is not compromised. In a freewheeling chat, AB talks about his work, his family and more.

Bonding with the parents: Abhi reveals that in the 15 years of his career in the film industry, he has realised that there is a lot more that he needs to do for his parents. “When my mom is not in town, she checks on me, Pa, Aaradhya and Aishwarya from time to time. Just the other day, my mother was in Delhi for the Parliament session, when I received a call from her. She was about to enter the meeting and assuming that it would be a long meeting, she called me to check if I was home and had eaten my lunch.

She hung up after I assured her we were all good. It was only later that I realised that how as a mother she fulfills all her duties, but how many times do we call to check if our parents are okay and if they have had their meals. It was during the making of All Is Well that I understood why parents get all worked up when we come home late from a party, their incessant phone calls to check on what time we’d return home and our guilt on realising that they’ve been up all night out of sheer worry.

Rishi a better reel father: A lot of people have asked me why wasn’t my father roped in to play the key role in All Is Well. I tell them that Rishi (Kapoor) uncle was just perfect for my father’s role in the film. I don’t think that the character would’ve suited Pa (Amitabh Bachchan). Unfortunately, this film took three years to complete.

But, I’m told all good things in life are worth the wait. After Bol Bachchan and Happy New Year, this film is closest to my heart. I want to make good cinema. Having produced Paa (the film), I would want to work on a subject that is as innovative as that. Umesh Shukla and I have spoken about a film that will feature my father and Paresh Rawal. But I’d rather not talk about it now as we’re in the process of scripting it. I’ll be able to give out details only after we’ve locked in the script.     

Being the youngest producer at 20: It’s great that actors are turning producers. I became a producer of sorts when we launched our production house, which was called ABCL then. Working on Major Saab was a learning experience as a 20-year-old. I went out of my way to play multiple roles behind the camera. I think I was more like a production boy than a producer. I had to run around on the sets to make ends meet. From getting the actors out of their make up van to arranging tea and coffee for them, I was made to do everything.

I wasn’t treated as the spoilt son of Mr Amitabh Bachchan. I did my bit of struggling and learning before I faced the camera for Refugee. It was much later that I acted in and produced Paa. Of course, I want to make more films. But honestly, I find it extremely challenging to produce a film in which I am acting too. It’s a constant conflict between the actor who wants to improvise in every scene and the producer who wants to wind up the schedule at the earliest to save costs.

A choc-a-bloc calendar: I hope All Is Well completes the hat-trick of successes after Dhoom 3 and Happy New Year. I’ve been extremely lucky to have been a part of good films that went on to become blockbusters. Now, I’ve consciously decided to work on fewer films. I like to concentrate on the films that I’m committed to. Juggling between multiple films isn’t my style. I already have Pro Kabbadi League that is currently taking up most of my time. I’m promoting All Is Well now and later this year, I have Hera Pheri 3 and Housefull 3.

Staying fit for the job: “I’ve lost 10 kilos. My weight loss has got nothing to do with any film. It was an individual choice. I just wanted to get back to my original shape. Since I played an alcoholic in Happy New Year, I had to have a puffy face. But it was during the shooting of the latter half of the film that I decided to knock off the excess weight. I think by eating right and working out you can achieve the frame or the body you want. I’m not aiming at six-pack abs. Look at my father. He is so fit and has set an example for many.

Family time: “As much as we would’ve loved to, we haven’t had proper family vacation in years. It’s very difficult to work out dates for four extremely busy people in the family, and now five, because Aaradhya is equally busy,” Abhishek says with a smile. “But, we do make it a point to spend time together. Since we live together it’s not difficult for us to have some family time during meals. Now that I’m a parent myself, I have analysed and reworked my attitude and responsibilities towards my parents.”