Abhishek Bachchan gets candid about fame, pressure, marriage: “My Wife Doesn’t Need to Stop for Me

In a candid conversation with Lilly Singh, Abhishek Bachchan opened up about growing up in the shadow of one of Indian cinema’s most towering figures his father, Amitabh Bachchan. Known globally as the “angry young man” of Bollywood, Amitabh’s legacy has long cast both admiration and expectation over Abhishek’s life and career. But rather than viewing it as a burden, Abhishek shares his opinions. 

Speaking with Lilly Singh, Abhishek addressed a question that has followed him for decades: does he feel pressure to live up to his father’s legacy not just as an actor, but as a man?

“Always. Even right now,” he admitted, acknowledging that comparisons are constant and, in many ways, inevitable. Yet, what stands out is not the presence of pressure but his relationship with it. “It genuinely doesn’t get to me,” he said. “If you’re comparing me to Amitabh Bachchan… you’re comparing me to the best. That means you think I’m worthy of being in that ballpark. I’ll take that.”

This mindset reflects a deeper philosophy one that reframes societal expectations as validation rather than limitation. For Abhishek, being mentioned in the same breath as his father is not a shadow to escape, but a legacy to honor.

Abhishek Bachchan about 'Pressure...handling as a man'

Being the son of a cultural icon comes with a unique upbringing one that blends privilege with scrutiny. While Abhishek has often spoken about his admiration for his father, this conversation sheds light on a more nuanced reality: the silent pressures of identity.

Instead of rebelling against expectations, he chose to reinterpret them. “Every human being lives with pressure,” he noted. “It’s how you interpret that pressure that helps you deal with it.”

This perspective likely stems from observing not just his father’s towering presence, but also the balance within his family. His marriage to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, now over 18 years strong, and his role as a father have further shaped his understanding of responsibility and identity.

One of the most compelling moments in the conversation came when Abhishek challenged the way society frames pressure especially along gender lines.

“Yes, I feel pressure as a man to do what is expected of me by society,” he said. “Why is that a bad thing?”

He pointed out a double standard that often goes unquestioned: while men are frequently asked about the burden of being providers or “alpha,” women are rarely asked if they feel pressure to fulfill traditional roles like caregiving.

“I’ve seen the way my wife takes care of my daughter,” he shared. “Why do we not ask women the same thing? Why is it just expected?”

Becoming His Own Man

Perhaps the most striking takeaway is that Abhishek doesn’t define his individuality by distancing himself from his father but by embracing the comparison without letting it define him.

There’s no single moment, he suggests, where he “became his own man.” Instead, it’s an ongoing process one shaped by self-awareness, acceptance, and a quiet confidence in his own journey.

Abhishek Bachchan offered a refreshingly honest take on what has sustained his 18-year marriage with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

"Through our courtship, our engagement, and our marriage, it was always about partnership. There was no discussion like, 'I will bring the food, and you take care of the house'. It flows very naturally. For me, I think it comes from severe ego," the actor said. 

In essence, the reason I say ego is I've never been the kind of person to believe that somebody else has to give up or stop running for me to win that race. that is is is my mental structure. And so I don't want to be in a partnership in a marriage where my wife has to stop doing something because I need to feel more of a man about myself. And thankfully my wife is not somebody who thinks like that either. In fact I strongly believe that as parents I believe fathers are lousy teachers" added Abhishek Bachchan. 

Credits: Lilly Singh