Abhishek Bachchan

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Wikipedia

Early life

Abhishek Bachchan is the son of Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan and actress turned politician Jaya Bhaduri, his elder sister is Shweta Bachchan-Nanda (b. 1974). His grandfather, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, was a well-known poet of Urdu and Hindi literature. The original last name of Abhishek's parental family is Srivastav, Bachchan being the pen name used by his grandfather. However, when his father Amitabh entered films, he did so under his father's pen name. He is of Punjabi Sikh heritage from his grandmother Teji's side, while also of Bengali Kulin Brahmin descent from his mother Jaya Bhaduri's side.

Abhishek was dyslexic as a child which he overcame.[1] He attended Jamnabai Narsee School and Bombay Scottish School in Mumbai, Modern School in Vasant Vihar, New Delhi, and Aiglon College in Switzerland. He then went to the U.S. to complete his education at Boston University but then left the course mid-way to pursue his acting career when his father's company ABCL was facing trouble.

[edit] Career

Abhishek began his career with J.P. Dutta's moderately successful Refugee along with Kareena Kapoor in 2000.[2] In a span of four years, Bachchan went on to do many more movies, without any major box-office successes.

2004 was a good year for him. His performance in Mani Ratnam's Yuva, proved his mettle as an actor.[3] The same year, he starred in Dhoom which was his first major hit.[4] In 2005, he shot to fame with four consecutive hits: Bunty Aur Babli, Sarkar, Dus and Bluffmaster.[5] He won his second Filmfare Award in the Best Supporting Actor category for Sarkar. Bachchan also received his first Filmfare nomination in the Best Actor category.

His first 2006 release, the multi-starrer Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006) was one of the highest grossing films of the year.[6] He was also a part of Mani Ratnam's stage show, Netru, Indru, Naalai alongside many other co-stars. His second release Umrao Jaan failed to do well at the box office. His third release Dhoom 2, a sequel to his first hit Dhoom did very well at the box office.[7]

His first release in 2007 was Guru. He received much acclaim for his performance and the film emerged as his first solo hit.[8] In May 2007, he made a brief appearance in the multi-starrer Shootout at Lokhandwala which was successful.[9] His next release Jhoom Barabar Jhoom released in June 2007. The film failed to do well in India[10] but did better overseas especially in the U.K.[11] However while the film received mixed reviews, Bachchan received good reviews for his performance in the film.[12][13][14][15][16]

Abhishek Bachchan is also involved in the functional and administrative operations of his father's company (formerly known as ABCL, now re-christened as AB Corp. Ltd.). It is known that during the times wherein his father was facing his worst phase with their company ABCL, which was declared a failed company, is when Abhishek got hugely involved in its revival.

In Summer 2008, Abhishek Bachchan will join his father Amitabh Bachchan and other leading entertainers from Hindi cinema on the world-wide One Amazing Night Tour. The tour will reportedly cover numerous countries and continents over a two month period. Amitabh's company AB Corp Ltd. along with Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt. Ltd are putting the concert together.[17]

[edit] Personal life

Bachchan with wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan at the IIFA Awards (2007).

Bachchan with wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan at the IIFA Awards (2007).

Abhishek Bachchan was earlier engaged to Karisma Kapoor. The couple announced their engagement on Amitabh Bachchan's 60th birthday celebration in October 2002.[18] The engagement was called off in January 2003.[19] Gossip columnists have linked Abhishek to many industry figures, but he strongly denied most rumors of romance. In 2005, Abhishek dated Indian model, Dipannita Sharma.

After much speculation concerning their relationship, his engagement to Aishwarya Rai was announced on January 14, 2007. The announcement was later confirmed[20] by Amitabh Bachchan.

Abhishek married Aishwarya on April 20, 2007 according to traditional Hindu rites of the South Indian Bunt community, to which his wife belongs. Token North Indian and Bengali ceremonies were also performed. The wedding took place in a private ceremony at the Bachchan residence Prateeksha in Juhu, Mumbai. Though the wedding was a private affair intended for the Bachchan and Rai family and friends, the involvement of the media made it a national extravaganza.

Bachchan's paternal grandmother Teji Bachchan passed away on December 21, 2007.[21]