Mom calls Aaradhya 'Strawberry': Abhishek

It is a sultry evening when HitList catches up with Abhishek Bachchan inside his vanity van, parked at Bandra's Mehboob Studios. Chatting over a hot cup of coffee, Junior B opens up about his closest friends and daughter Aaradhya.

There is a misconception that you are playing a double role in your next film...

I wouldn't call it a double role. Generally, we refer to a double role as two separate characters. Here I play two different roles by the same character. It is something that I have done before in Bluff Master and even in Bunty Aur Babli. I am excited as it is a great role and gives me an opportunity to work with one of my favorite person Ajay. It was a no-brainer for me as it is an exciting script and I was happy to be a part of the whole set up.
You worked in Rohit Shetty's first film and now he is one of the biggest directors of the country. What difference did you find in him?

Not much difference. I won't say that he has not grown as a director as of course he has. I saw a huge increase in his confidence but he is still as humble, as hardworking and as sincere as he was in 'Zameen'. I think Rohit is among the hardest working people that I have met in the film industry. Rohit has not been lucky with his success but he has worked hard and one has to work with him to understand why he is so successful.

Not many people are aware that Ajay and you are among the best of friends in the industry?

We are in touch on a daily basis. Our house is separated by one boundary wall and I can climb my boundary wall and land up in his house. I have known Ajay before I became an actor and I credit him a lot for what I have achieved and known in the film industry. Inheritably, we both are extremely private in nature and that's why you won't see us photographed. We meet quietly and when he is on a drive with his family in the evening with his kids, he will drop by and we will play with his kids. It is a very informal family like relationship.

Fatherhood seems to have changed you...

You have one more reason to rush back home now. I have been a family-oriented person and both my parents and my wife also are. I think this is a wonderful phase and it's a blessing. I can't thank everyone enough for all the good wishes, blessings and prayers. I want to use your platform to thank everyone for all the kind words. Everyone has been so sweet and loving.

We believe that you all call her Strawberry...

Yes, my mother calls her that.

How is your father's health now?

He is fine and he is much better now. He is raring to go and KBC starts shooting soon and we are all looking forward to it.

What happened to his vacation?

We Bachchans are not very good at taking vacations. We believe in only working. (Winks)

How did you all finalise the name Aaradhya?

It is just one of the names that we had among many others. And everybody liked it, so yeah, we all collectively decided to keep it.