bollywood

Updated: Jul 27, 2016 17:27 IST

Abhishek Bachchan knows how rude and cruel Bollywood can be to anyone who has delivered a flop film. It doesn’t matter whose child you are -- if you deliver a flop, filmmakers stop taking your calls, he says.

Abhishek’s career graph since his debut with Refugee in 2000 shows high and low points. If his performance in films like Guru, Dhoom, Bunty Aur Babli, Dostana and Bol Bachchan has been applauded, he has also earned his share of criticism for some of his movie choices.

“I’ve completed 16 years in the industry and it has been a mix of highs and lows. There has been tremendous learning and I’m still hungry to do a lot more. It’s been a great journey and it makes me happy and proud that I’m a part of this industry,” Abhishek told IANS in an email interview arranged by Omega, the official timekeeper of Olympics. Abhishek is the brand ambassador for Omega.

Indian Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan gestures towards his team players during a charitable football match between Indian Bollywood actors and Indian Parliamentarians in New Delhi on July 24, 2016. (AFP)

“The low phase that I went through, I think, was necessary. It teaches you a lot. I believe there is no success without failure. It keeps you grounded and makes you appreciate things,” Abhishek said when asked about his time in the industry.

He admits a flop doesn’t leave one feeling good.

“If we give a flop film, people stop taking our calls; then it does not matter whose kid you are. It’s true that a flop is the worst feeling in the world and destroys you as a human being,” added the 40-year-old.

An ardent believer in the power of staying positive, Abhishek says, “If you want good things to happen in your life, you first have to believe good things are possible for yourself”.

“Every actor is very emotional and so am I. I feel it’s important to learn to see the brighter side of life, and possess a sense of humour for that. My sense of humour has saved me many times when I have felt low, the actor said.

This file photograph taken on May 27, 2008, shows Indian Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan (L) as he speaks with his son Abhishek Bachchan (C) and daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan (2R) as they walk barefoot on their way to pray at The Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai. (AFP)

“When you are low, you have to be very positive and think of the bright side. And I think I am a very positive person,” said the husband of internationally known star Aishwarya Rai, with whom he has a daughter, Aaradhya.

Read: We Bachchans don’t fight in public,says Abhishek on ‘scuffle’ with Aishwarya

Abhishek says he is not even affected by trolls on social media, which have often hit out at him for his movie choices.

“If you are present on a social platform, you are available to everything on it and that’s fair. It’s all in jest and for fun. I just feel that once in a while, it’s nice to give back to them some of their own medicine. And it’s fun, he said.

Noted classical vocalist Kaushiki Chakraborty takes selfie with owner of Jaipur Pink Pathers Abhishek Bachchan. (PTI)

However, he said, he stops interactive when trolls cross a line. “The minute they stop being witty about it and start getting abusive, there’s no more fun and you stop. That’s it, but I enjoy it,” he added.

Interestingly, the social media has emerged as a platform where actors whole-heartedly appreciate the work of their colleagues -- this, despite the competition in the film industry.

Read: What makes Aishwarya and Abhishek Bachchan a successful couple

“Definitely! There is no harm in appreciating good work. I believe in supporting and encouraging my peers. I think tinselville is going past the clichéd catfights and is coming together in support of each other on all platforms,” he said.

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