Amitabh Bachchan, you might have expected — but not Abhishek; yet, here is Bachchan Jr all set to be the first actor from Bollywood to address the prestigious Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania on the intricacies and workings of our film industry.

This is part of the 13th Wharton India Economic Forum to be held in Philadelphia on March 21. The forum will be driven by business leaders, politicians and experts from across the world who will come together to share their outlook and vision on the ‘Road Ahead for India’, this year’s title theme. Apart from Abhishek, former sportsmen Sunil Gavaskar, Geet Sethi and Vijay Amritraj, Sabeer Bhatia, film director Rohan Sippy and Rahul Gandhi are expected to share their vision for a new India.

Abhishek, who will be addressing the students and staff of the posh business school, is not only confident about facing his learned gathering in the US, he is also writing his speech entirely on his own. A friend of the young actor revealed, “It’s a big honour, considering Bollywood is still in its infancy and considering actors all over the world have been labeled intellectually challenged from the 19th century onwards.” Abhishek rushed to Malaysia for one day’s shooting of Paa, returned to Mumbai, and is spending all his free time polishing up his speech. “He’s taking his role as a spokesperson at the international forum very seriously,” added his friend. Young Bachchan, refusing to be disturbed from preparing his speech, just said, “It’s a big honour to represent our film industry.”