Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan has come to the defense of his son, Abhishek Bachchan, amidst ongoing discussions about nepotism in the film industry.
The veteran actor took to social media to praise Abhishek’s talent and versatility, agreeing that his son has been unfairly targeted by the negativity surrounding nepotism.
On Tuesday, Amitabh Bachchan reshared a post from a Bollywood news portal, which highlighted how Abhishek has become a “victim of nepotism negativity” while also celebrating his impressive filmography. Amitabh added his own thoughts, stating, “I feel the same… and not just because I am his father.”
This isn’t the first time Amitabh has publicly lauded his son’s work. Ahead of the release of Abhishek’s upcoming film Be Happy, which also stars Nora Fatehi, the iconic actor expressed admiration for his son’s growth as an artist. “Abhishek, you are extraordinary. How you adapt and change with each film character is an art, which is incredible… love you Bhaiyu,” he wrote in another post.
Amitabh also shared a fan’s post praising Abhishek’s red-carpet presence, describing his son’s style as “superior.” He remarked, “Stunning… Abhishek… the walk, the grace, and… THE STYLE… and no fuss, just a normal being… away from the unnecessary display of excitement or attention-seeking.”
The nepotism debate in Bollywood has been a hot topic, especially given the industry’s tendency to favor star kids over newcomers. Recently, the casting of Khushi Kapoor, daughter of the late Sridevi, and Ibrahim Ali Khan, son of Saif Ali Khan, in Netflix’s Nadaaniyan faced criticism, particularly after Kapoor’s lackluster performances in The Archies and Loveyapa.
Similarly, Suhana Khan, daughter of Shah Rukh Khan, has also been scrutinized regarding her debut in The Archies, with many questioning whether her success was due to her father’s influence.
Abhishek made his Bollywood debut in 2000 with Refugee, starring alongside Kareena Kapoor. He initially enjoyed success with hits like Dhoom, Bunty Aur Babli, and Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna.
However, after 2010, he faced a series of setbacks with films like Raavan, Game, and Players failing to resonate with audiences. This led to criticism regarding his continued opportunities in an industry where many aspiring actors struggle to get noticed.
Despite the challenges, Abhishek has made a notable comeback with critically acclaimed films such as Ludo, Breathe: Into the Shadows, The Big Bull, and Bob Biswas.
His upcoming film, Be Happy, explores a touching father-daughter relationship and will reunite him with his Ludo co-star Inayat Verma. Additionally, Abhishek is set to return to the popular Housefull franchise for its fifth installment.
