EXCLUSIVE: Abhishek Bachchan: I was aware of the fact that Anurag Kashyap did not like my work in some films

When an actor is coming back on the big screen after a hiatus, it's something which makes fans and movie lovers instantly happy. So, when the news came out that Abhishek Bachchan is all set to be back with a bang in an Anurag Kashyap movie, it instantly intrigued us. What surprised us more was the fact that this Anurag Kashyap directorial is not a dark and edgy film, but a love triangle. When you have Anurag directing a romantic film and Abhishek playing the lead, it definitely becomes a deadly combination.

Recently, Pinkvilla met Abhishek for an EXCLUSIVE tête-à-tête and the actor looked excited and energetic for his much-awaited Take-Two. The talented actor spoke about how he landed in the world of Manmarziyaan and the film was indeed an amazing choice after a sabbatical for two years. In the film, Abhishek will be sharing screen space for the first time with Taapsee Pannu and Vicky Kaushal, and Junior Bachchan called their talent effortless.

Excerpts from the interview...

You recently said Manmarziyaan wasn't a planned move and it fell on your lap. Could you elaborate on the same?

In January this year, Aanand L Rai called me and said, 'Would you like to hear a script?' I said, 'I have been reading scripts, so yes'. He sent Kanika Dhillon to me who is the writer of the film. We had several meetings and we were discussing how it is and whether we should do it or not. That's when I asked Aanand, 'This is very nice but who is directing this film? Is it going to him, Kanika or what?' That's when Aanand said Anurag is going to direct and the minute he said that I said 'Yes!' because I was very interested to see Anurag's take on this film, this love story would be. So I obviously said yes, before I met him. Then I met him and I was so happy because his perspective on this was so nice and I enjoyed it. In January we were meeting and by February we were already shooting.

There were reports that a few years back, you and Anurag had a fight. So how did you both break the ice?

We never had a fight. But I think Anurag didn't like some of the work I did and he was asked about it, he said he didn't like it. That was it! It's not something that we even brought up, I was aware of the fact that he did not like my work in some of my films. But that's ok, right? Everybody doesn't need to like your films. It was never something that crossed my mind when Aanand told me Anurag is directing the film. In fact, I was very excited to work with him. I think he is a wonderful director and he would take out good work from me. I was keen to work for him. I think everybody's grown up since then. It was never an issue!

Are you happy with your Take Two shaping up with Manmarziyaan?

I am very happy with the film. I hope the audience will be happy with it.

Were you restless in these two years staying away from the movie sets?

I always miss the sets but I wasn't restless. When I took the break, I had already decided why do I need to take it. That was the first step of the plan. Whatever I need to feel, I was feeling it before already. So, that's how everything got unfolded. In these years I have been very busy with my sports and my other businesses setting those up. 

Talking about Manmarziyaan, how was your working experience with Taapsee and Vicky?

Oh, it was great and it's my first film with both of them. It was so refreshing and I have been saying it all day that what I love about both of them is they are so effortless in what they are doing. They just do it so easily and it's really no big deal for them. They just do a difficult scene in one take and they just walk away like yeah it's fine. And I was like wow, how did you guys do that? They are so effortless and casual about their talent, I love it and it's so nice.

Amitabh Bachchan always says that he gets to learn from the juniors. Did you also learn from them?

Absolutely! Many a time, I wasn't shooting and I would just go and sit and watch them, see what they are doing and also all the other actors. 

Do you have pre-release jitters and what do you do about it?

Yes and nothing can distract from it. You know that there's going to be one month of sleepless nights and constantly thinking, 'My God! Is everything going to be okay?' I just love the atmosphere around the release, the buzz and everybody's in the same boat and not knowing where to turn, it's great. That's the way it should be!

After Manmarziyaan, you will be reuniting with your Mrs (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan), after about a decade and you will be seeing her every day on sets as well. How excited are you?

I see her every day at home but yeah I am excited. Gulab Jamun is a very sweet script which Sarvesh Mewara has written and he is going to be directing it. It's the film we both liked very much and we both really want to do. When we will be doing it, we haven't decided. 

Will you be signing any other film before that?

There are already some films I have lined up. It is a busy year ahead, thankfully.

It's been 18 years since you have been a part of this industry. How will you describe your journey?

Fun! I enjoyed it, I really love being an actor, I love making films and being a part of the industry, it's my family.