‘Never Chased No1’: Abhishek Bachchan Picks Passion Over Position Amid Stardom Race

There is a version of Abhishek Bachchan that Bollywood never quite knew how to file away. Not the brooding romantic, not the chest-thumping alpha, but the guy in the room who made cool look effortless. In a candid conversation with Lilly Singh on her podcast Shame Less With Lilly Singh, the actor revisited the films that defined that quieter, sharper screen energy, Dhoom, Bluffmaster, Dus and what drew him to characters who got things done without needing to announce it.

When Lilly pointed out the distinct 'chill guy' thread running through his most beloved performances, Abhishek's answer cut straight to something the industry rarely admits out loud. "We forget as film actors, especially in our industry, an actor should have the liberty to choose work that attracts them. Not what is expected for them to be the number one actor. It is an art form. We forget that."

"And in essence, you do films that you're inspired by or drawn to. That connect with you. So I guess the answer to your question is the kind of person that I am, I think these subjects just kind of vibed with me, you know? I'm like, okay, I get this guy. I get this guy. I like what he's trying to do and say. I like what the director's trying to do. So I just kind of gravitated towards that," he further added.

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On the professional front, Abhishek Bachchan is gearing up for the release of Raja Shivaji. The actor is stepping into one of Indian history's most formidable legacies. The actor took to his social media to share the first look teaser of his upcoming film Raja Shivaji, in which he plays Sambhaji Shahaji Raje Bhosle, the fearless warrior.