Abhishek Bachchan on Being a Father: ‘I’ll Do Everything It Takes to Be There for Aaradhya’
Actor Abhishek Bachchan recently reflected on the promises fathers make to their daughters and shared how his relationship with his daughter, Aaradhya Bachchan, aligns with the themes of his upcoming film, I Want to Talk. In a conversation with the film’s director, Shoojit Sircar, Abhishek opened up about his thoughts on fatherhood, his bond with Aaradhya, and how personal experiences influence his choice of films.
Promises That Resonate
Abhishek revealed that I Want to Talk had not directly influenced his personal life, though it echoed sentiments that are central to his role as a father. “The impressions my films have on my personal life happen before the film. I don’t remember any film of mine, or any character that I’ve played, influencing my private life. Once I’m on the film, it’s about being as truthful to the character as possible,” he explained.
The actor added, “For me, the self-reflection starts, and I’ve only realised it through I Want to Talk, before the film. I’ve realised now, in my second innings, a large part of me doing the kind of cinema that I choose to do is reflective of the state of mind that I’m in at that point.”
A Father’s Promise
In the film, Abhishek plays Arjun, a man given just 100 days to live following a terminal cancer diagnosis. The story revolves around Arjun’s promise to his daughter to be present at her wedding, a commitment that becomes his motivation to keep going. Speaking about this, Abhishek shared, “The fact that Arjun is given 100 days to live, coupled with what his daughter told him, ‘Will you dance at my wedding?’… For any father, giving your daughter away is one of the high points of your life. It’s something that you look forward to, you plan for, whatever your relationship with your child is.”
He continued, “His motivation to be there for his kid, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes because of a promise he made, is something that resonated with me. That’s one of the reasons I chose this role. My daughter is still much younger than the character’s daughter, but the emotion of ‘I need to do whatever it takes to be there for my daughter’ is one of the main reasons for deciding to do this film.”
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Personal Reflections
Director Shoojit Sircar also spoke about how making the film had deepened his understanding of the bond he shares with his daughter. He asked Abhishek if the experience had a similar impact on him. While Abhishek maintained that his personal life shapes his film choices rather than the other way around, he acknowledged the universal emotions shared by fathers.
Abhishek’s daughter, Aaradhya, who recently celebrated her 13th birthday, remains a significant influence on his life. Born in 2011, four years after Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan tied the knot, Aaradhya is often a subject of pride and joy for the actor.
Looking Ahead
I Want to Talk explores themes of love, life, and legacy through the lens of a father-daughter relationship. The film, inspired by real-life events, is set to release in cinemas on Friday. For Abhishek, whose career has spanned a diverse array of roles, the film represents a deeply personal narrative about commitment, perseverance, and the lengths a father will go to for his child.
As Abhishek balances his professional and personal life, his reflections on fatherhood highlight the universal joys and responsibilities that come with being a parent, resonating with audiences beyond the silver screen.
