Amitabh Bachchan's Scathing Critique of Abhishek on 'Sarkar' Set: 'He Destroyed Me'

Abhishek Bachchan Recalls Being "Destroyed" by Amitabh's Critique During 'Sarkar' Filming

Imagine your first major film scene is opposite Amitabh Bachchan, who also happens to be your father. That was the reality for Abhishek Bachchan during the filming of Sarkar, a moment he describes as unforgettable.

[Image of Abhishek and Amitabh Bachchan in Sarkar. Alt: Abhishek Bachchan receives a stern look from Amitabh Bachchan in Sarkar.]

Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter India, Abhishek Bachchan recounted his anxiety on the Sarkar set. His nervousness led to a fumbled performance. The situation escalated when Amitabh Bachchan summoned him to his car, resulting in a memorable father-son lecture on professional conduct.

"The first time we shot together was for Sarkar," Abhishek remembered. "Ramu [Ram Gopal Varma] said we’d do a few test shoots before I left to film Bunty Aur Babli. This was September 2004. On the very first day, I was panicking, drenched in sweat. He calls me, ‘Shankar,’ and all I had to do was turn around and say, ‘Ji?’ But I was petrified—I was literally shaking. He has that effect.”

After the shoot, Abhishek attempted to avoid his father by hiding in his vanity van, anticipating Amitabh would leave first.

However, Amitabh approached the van and asked Abhishek to join him for the ride home.

"The entire ride was silent. He just kept staring straight ahead," Abhishek said. Upon arriving at their home, the staff respectfully withdrew, leaving father and son alone in the car. "Amitabh then turned to me slowly and deliberately. ‘Isiliye maine itne saal mehnat karke tumhe padhaya likhaya? Dialogue bolna aata nahi hai tumhe?’ (Is this why I worked so hard and educated you all these years? You can’t even deliver a line properly.) I felt like I had committed a crime. The way he looked at me—he just destroyed me.”

Sarkar, released in 2005, is a political crime thriller directed by Ram Gopal Varma. Amitabh Bachchan starred in the lead role, with Abhishek Bachchan alongside him. The cast included Kay Kay Menon, Katrina Kaif, Tanishaa, Supriya Pathak, Kota Srinivasa Rao, and Anupam Kher.

Sarkar is considered an adaptation of The Godfather, marking the beginning of a trilogy, followed by Sarkar Raj (2008) and Sarkar 3 (2017). The film garnered recognition both nationally and internationally, premiering at the New York Asian Film Festival and being archived in the American Academy of Motion Pictures library.