With great responsibility comes great expectations. And this seems very relevant as we talk to Abhishek Bachchan about his most recent release Dhoom 3 . Being associated with the franchise for nine years has been no surprise for his fans and audience — known for his commitment, sincerity and dedication, Abhishek has essayed the role with conviction. While Dhoom re-wrote what to expect from cinema, Dhoom 2 recorded highest box-office collections way back in 2006. Dhoom 3 is just unstoppable in terms of expectations. Abhishek Bachchan shares his views on the Dhoom franchise, on being a public figure and an actor’s life. Excerpts from an interview.
While Dhoom was a runaway success Dhoom 2 did not seem to yield similar results. What are your expectations from Dhoom 3 ?
Dhoom definitely created an uproar. However, Dhoom 2 fared way better in terms of box-office collections and popularity; Rs. 95 crore eight years ago was something phenomenal. With Dhoom 3 , our expectations have soared higher. There is a certain amount of elbow room, and it’s a comfort with the audience we have managed to keep glued for years now.
Do you feel pressurised since you are associated with this franchise and the success of the film inadvertently rides on your shoulders?
With every film, every actor should feel the pressure. That’s what keeps us going and helps us perform better. We all want the film to do well. A film is similar to business and no one wants the film to not do well. Hence you give it your best. In all honesty, the pressure keeps me going and I do not mind walking that extra mile for a film’s success.
How do you choose your scripts? Does having a great family lineage influence your decisions?
I have never spoken about my scripts to anyone. Why should I? I need to be convinced about my script and I need to have a connect with the role I am doing. I have to work in the film, so the decision too needs to be mine. Also, every individual has his or her own perspective... it just helps to keep your own.
We hear your are turning to production yet again.
It will be my third film with Balki. I have already produced Paa and Bbuddah... Hoga Terra Baap . Working with Balki is like being on home turf, and being close friends just adds to it. The next movie will feature dad and Dhanush.
How important is it to diversify and tap into different genres today? Does ‘survival of the fittest’ hold true for you too?
It is the need of the day. Variety has to be part of what we do. There are so many options available today that you will be completely ignored if you keep serving the same stuff. The audience get bored too easily. They want more. Every actor has to reinvent in order to survive; they have to give it their best.
An actor’s life is considered an open book. How much of importance do you accord to keeping in touch with fans and be seen in public functions?
I completely agree that an actor’s life is an open book. However, having said that, I do believe that our best appears every week in the theatre. Great work will speak for itself. But today we know that the rest of the work is also prevalent, and keeping in touch with fans and attending public gatherings is equally important. I enjoy my time on Twitter, and it’s a great platform to connect with fans.
