Abhishek Bachchan recently reflected on the early days of his career, recounting a time when he felt largely ignored by the public. Before achieving widespread recognition, the actor experienced moments where he felt invisible, a stark contrast to the star status he expected.
Bachchan, who debuted in 2000 with "Refugee," initially garnered admiration, but a series of unsuccessful films followed. This period was marked by public indifference, with the actor recalling instances where he would enter a room and "nobody even turns and looks at you". He confessed to feeling the sting of walking into a hotel lobby and not being recognized or approached for autographs, a humbling experience for someone who anticipated a different reception.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Bachchan described actors as "very fragile people" who seek validation and fear being unrecognized. He emphasized the importance of experiencing both success and failure, as it provides perspective and teaches one to value recognition. He believes that experiencing indifference fueled his determination to work harder and avoid returning to that low point.
Bachchan noted a turning point in his career with the success of "Dhoom" in 2004. He recalled how the public's perception changed dramatically after the film's release. Suddenly, walking into the Marriott lobby would bring the place to a standstill, a stark contrast to his earlier experiences. This shift underscored the fickle nature of fame and the importance of perseverance. He also shared advice he received from Hrithik Roshan after the success of Dhoom.
In a recent interview with ETimes, discussing his 25 years in the film industry, Bachchan addressed the rise of negativity and misinformation. He acknowledged that while such things didn't use to affect him, he now finds it upsetting because he has a family. He noted that clarifying misinformation is often futile, as negative news tends to be more appealing to the public. He stressed that those who spread negativity must live with their own conscience.
Bachchan also spoke about the issue of trolling, recounting an incident where his friend Sikandar Kher responded to a troll by posting his address and daring the person to say their comment to his face. Bachchan asserted that he respects those who have the courage to express their opinions directly, rather than hiding behind anonymity online. He argued that it's easy to attack someone from behind a computer screen, but such actions can be hurtful, regardless of how thick-skinned the person may seem.
Bachchan's journey highlights the importance of resilience in the face of adversity and the need to value both success and failure. He also touched upon how he was once 'slapped' by a lady in the theatre who didn't like one of his movies and told him to quit acting because he was embarrassing his father's name. His experiences underscore the fragile nature of an actor's ego and the impact of public perception on their sense of self. Furthermore, his recent comments on misinformation and trolling shed light on the challenges of navigating the digital age, where negativity can easily spread and impact personal lives.
