When Amitabh Bachchan was left heartbroken by son Abhishek's cold reply

While he may be his son’s number one champion on social media, Amitabh Bachchan does not hold back from speaking frankly about his performances in private. In a candid interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Abhishek Bachchan revealed he was intimidated while shooting his first-ever scene with his legendary father for Ram Gopal Varma’s gangster drama ‘ Sarkar’.

After the shot was completed and they reached home, Big B didn’t refrain from terming Abhishek’s performance as less than satisfactory. “When we reached home and the staff got out, he turned towards me and said (in that baritone), 'I have made you study and work hard all these years...' and my jaw dropped, as he continued, '.. and you don't know how to say your dialogues.' He just destroyed me,” revealed the ‘Guru’ actor.

Abhishek also admitted that this was far from the only time the veteran actor had called out his performance. Although his performance as Lallan Singh, a small-time crook, in Mani Ratnam’s ‘Yuva’ received rave reviews, his father told him it was not as “effortless” as it could have been.

He also shared a funny anecdote where his father was taken aback by him replying to heartfelt praise with a simple emoji. He revealed Big B got very emotional after seeing the trailer of his latest film, ' Kaalidhar Laapata,' and his powerhouse performance as a middle-aged man suffering from amnesia and sent him a sweet message. However, he got a bit upset at his son's seemingly underwhelming reply.

"My response was a folded hands emoji! When I got home at night, dad was like, 'Yaar, I wrote you a very emotional message, and you sent me only an emoji?!' But I was like, whatever I write will sound fake..." recalled the 'Bunty Aur Babli' star.

Abhishek said that his father never raised his voice or hit him. The actor said that whenever he was disappointed, he would utter his name in a disapproving tone, and that had him dissolve into a mess. “My father has never raised his voice or hand at me, ever. He didn't need to. It is just one call, going 'Abhishek...' and that's it. You are finished. He has that effect. But what he does now, I thank him for it, and I hope I can continue making him proud," he said.

In terms of upcoming projects, Abhishek Bachchan is all set to lead a heartfelt, character-driven film titled Kaalidhar Laapata. The story, layered with emotional depth and subtle humor, is directed by acclaimed Tamil filmmaker Madhumita. Known for her ability to explore human relationships with warmth and sincerity, Madhumita crafts a tale centered on Kaalidhar—a man in his midlife, grappling with episodes of memory decline and deep emotional neglect.

The plot takes a poignant turn when Kaalidhar accidentally hears a conversation that shakes him to the core: his own family members are conspiring to abandon him during a spiritual pilgrimage. Instead of confronting them, he quietly makes the decision to leave them behind and set out on his own. This moment marks the beginning of a life-changing adventure.

As Kaalidhar wanders through unfamiliar places, he crosses paths with Ballu—an energetic and street-smart orphan, just eight years old. Despite the gap in their ages and life experiences, the two forge an unexpected companionship. Their connection grows stronger as they embark together on a cross-country journey, traveling through various corners of India.

Kaalidhar, inspired by this newfound friendship, begins ticking off wishes from a personal bucket list—dreams and experiences he had long put on hold. As they move from one destination to another, the road trip becomes more than just travel. It turns into a deeply emotional exploration of love, connection, and healing. Through Ballu’s innocent wisdom and unfiltered perspective on life, Kaalidhar slowly rediscovers happiness, self-worth, and the value of being seen and accepted.

With a blend of humor, sorrow, and heartfelt moments, Kaalidhar Laapata promises to deliver a touching narrative that resonates with viewers of all generations. It celebrates not just the bond between two strangers, but also the courage it takes to embrace life anew, even when all seems lost.

The film is scheduled for its premiere on the digital streaming platform ZEE5, with a release date set for July 4.