By Rajesh V. Gaur & Suneel V. Gaur
Abhishek Bachchan, who made his debut with J. P. Dutta’s 'Refugee' (2000), celebrates his birthday on February 5. Despite the fact that the number of his unsuccessful films far outweigh the successful ones, he finally proved his mettle with his first commercial hit, 'Dhoom' (2004). The following year, Abhishek churned out three hits, 'Bunty Aur Babli', 'Sarkar' and 'Dus'. 'Kabhi Alvidaa Na Kehna' (2006) became the highest grossing film that year, while 'Dhoom 2' (2006) did fairly well at the box-office. Although 'Jhoom Barabar Jhoom' didn't do well, 'Guru' (2007), got him accolades.
In 2008, 'Dostana' did well at the box-office and in 2009, 'Paa' – produced by his production company, AB Corp. Ltd. – fared well too. His flop films in 2010 failed to attract audiences, pushing him into near oblivion.
It was four years after 'Dostana' that Abhishek enjoyed a money spinner called 'Bol Bachchan'. While his big budget films like 'Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Se' and 'Raavan' were expected to place him in the big league, they took him further away from stardom.
However, Abhishek is in no hurry to blow away the hard earned success of 'Dhoom 3' by signing films in a hurry. This is why the only film which he is currently working on is 'Happy New Year'.
Though one may feel that the industry has not given him his due, Abhishek says that people have been kind to him. "I think I have been given too much due. People consider me a much better actor than actually I am...I have a lot more to do. They are too kind to me," says the modest actor.
After more than a decade in the business he still considers himself “work in progress.” Abhishek admits, that to many in the audience, his best may not be good enough, and is willing to spend sleepless nights to change that view.
“So far, people have been supportive,” he says. For that, he thanks his stars, both the ones in the sky and the ones at home.