Abhishek on ‘Drona’ and why he will always remain in awe of father Amitabh Bachchan...

Ram Gopal Varma once said that you were better than your dad in ‘Sarkar’.

Ramu saying so has got to be the biggest joke of the century. Initially, the quality of dad’s work was very daunting. But now it’s just inspiring to wake up every morning and see what he’s doing, and say, ‘Wow!’ I’m tired of sending dad messages and gifts to show my appreciation. He’s getting better with every performance. I continue to be in awe. I don’t think I will ever get over that.

Do you feel he needs to slow down now?

I feel his capacity for work is far beyond the normal. That’s what makes him happy. And I like to see him happy.

Describe your rapport with him.

I’d say our relationship is very similar to our bond in ‘Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna’. Karan has known me since childhood. He has spent loads of time with me and dad. He has incorporated a lot of that in the film. But no, I don’t call dad ‘dude’ in real life. That’s Karan’s cute little innovation.

Didn’t the Sexy Sam role go a bit too far?

It was just a character that he was playing! What I loved about the relationship between Sam and Rishi was the role reversal. It’s the dad who seems to be the womaniser.

The son isn’t upset about it because the father has always been very open about his feelings. Dad’s character redeems himself in the party sequence when he confesses his loneliness.

What excited you about Goldie Behl’s ‘Drona’?

You mean besides the F-X effects? My mother (Jaya Bachchan is part of the cast) plays my mother in the film. Actually, we have done the Bengali film ‘Desh’ together earlier. I spoke a bit of Bengali in it too. My decision to do Goldie’s second film (the first one was ‘Bas Itna Sa Khwab Hai’) isn’t an emotional one. I enjoyed his second script. He’s a very capable director. Goldie is family. We have changed a lot since ‘Bas Itna…’. This will show in ‘Drona’. We’ve finished shooting 60 per cent of it.

How does it feel to be considered a lucky mascot.

Lucky mascot? Wasn’t I the guy who couldn’t get even one straight hit? But I don’t allow these dips and rises to colour my intrinsic worth. I know what I’m worth. I know how far I’ve to go as an actor.

You’ve become a favourite pin-up boy.

How do I explain it? Aditya Chopra once told me, ‘Very seldom does the audience decide to like someone’. So I am just thankful and will work extra hard.