Kamal Ghorui
While many recognise Abhishek Banerjee for his role as Jana in the horror-comedy ‘Stree’, the actor has also built a strong reputation as a casting director. Banerjee has been getting a lot of love for some of his recent performances like ‘Stolen’, ‘Stree 2’ and more. As he celebrates his birthday today, on May 4, in a recent interview, he opened up about his journey and experiences in the industry.When asked if he ever feels starstruck despite being part of the industry, Abhishek instantly named Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. “That film is not out yet, but when I met Mr Bachchan, I was in awe. I was shivering on set, was having goosebumps. To be working with somebody I’ve admired and followed all my life, that was very special for me,” he shared in an interview with Screen.Recalling their first meeting, Abhishek said he instinctively bent down to touch Bachchan’s feet, but the veteran actor quickly stopped him. “I went for his feet, naturally. But, he got very upset with me. He immediately said, ‘What are you doing?’ Why are you doing this? I was so confused because Indian families teach this only, touching feet of the elders.” Later, after speaking with the film’s director Ribhu Dasgupta, Abhishek understood the reason behind Bachchan’s reaction. “But then I later realised and spoke to the film’s director Ribhu Dasgupta. He told me that Amitabh sir doesn’t like this because he feels that the minute you do that, you are not a co-actor. You are already putting him on a pedestal. And he is such a professional man, that he wants to see everyone as an equal, so that you don’t underperform. That is so cool.”He added that Bachchan prefers to be seen as a colleague rather than someone to be revered on set. “I realised that he doesn’t want to be seen as an old man. He wants to be like a co-actor, a co-worker. That’s the kind of professionalism. There is no ego in that man, but there is more professionalism than any actor I have worked with. I am including all the younger ones, nobody in this industry is as professional as Amitabh Bachchan.”Abhishek also spoke about meeting Shah Rukh Khan, an experience that left a lasting impression on him. “Nobody in this industry is as cool as SRK. When I met him, I kept telling myself that I should really do something in life so that I can chill with this person. You want to spend time with some people and not just work, and that is the kind of man he is. He is so witty, knowledgeable, and has so much energy in life. He is just unbelievable,” he said.
