While dad Amitabh Bachchan has been ‘blogging’ his views and opinions, son Abhishek Bachchan has been missing from action for a while now. Apart from making a few cursory appearances with wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, the Jr B has been keeping a low profile for a while now. “I’ve been busy working,” explains Abhishek.

Now, with his film Sarkar Raj about to release, Abhishek is out of exile. While his performance in the original Sarkar as Shankar Nagre was appreciated, the sequel is believed to be more challenging as it apparently rides on his shoulders. “I don’t think Sarkar Raj focuses on me. Sarkar was about a son taking over the day-to-day running from the father. Sarkar Raj is about how Shankar Nagre takes over the decision making for the family and lets the father do what he likes,” he explains.

Real vs reel
The relationship between Subhash (Big B) and son Shankar in the film has an underlying conflict. Has that ever happened with him in real life? “Dad and I have the same comfortable relationship that the duo has.

That’s not a conflict. Shankar has different ideas of how things should be done, which are not fully approved by his father. In our case too, I was educated abroad. So I came with my own perspective about go ing about our professions, which dad might not have approved of. But such conflicts are normal.”  He nevertheless adds, “While Subhash and Shankar are very formal with each other, dad and I share a casual relationship. I’ve always maintained that he’s been my best friend and still is. He is the first one I tell everything to.”

Change vs growth
While many claim that Abhishek has changed—from being exuberant to being aloof and diplomatic, he denies it. “If people think I’ve changed, I view it as a good thing. One needs to grow. If you say that I have changed because of circumstance, that’s not true. I’m still the same person within.” Tell him that most of his forthcoming films are either with his dad or wife and he defends, “That’s not true. I have Dilli 6, Drona and Dostana—all without them.” Remind him of Talisman (Vidhu Vinod Chopra) and Pa (Balki) with his dad and Abhishek says, “These are still not on paper.  Yes, my next, Mani Rathnam’s movie, will have Ash.”

Love forever
Talking about Ash has anything changed one year after marriage? Smiling shyly he says, “Nothing really. It’s like we’ve just been married. I admire the way she has fit into our family. She has been wonderful. I just hope the euphoria never dies. Right now as I look at it, it won’t. We are happy, very happy with each other.”

Abhishek reveals that he simply loves the kori gassi (chicken curry, a Bunt delicacy) that his mother-in-law makes. “She keeps feeding me that. I admire the Bunt community, which Ash belongs to. In spite of all that she has achieved, she’s so grounded-thanks to her family and the community. I went to a Bunt function last year and was surprised to see how they still adhere to traditions,” he ends.