In the spotlight: Candid images from Abhishek Bachchan's biography

In his new pictorial biography on Abhishek Bachchan, photographer Pradeep Chandra captures an underdog who knows his strengths

When Pradeep Chandra pitched the idea of a pictorial book to Abhishek Bachchan at the Jalsa office, his first reaction was, “Why me?” And this is a question that is often posed to Chandra, who has also paid photographic tribute to Amitabh Bachchan and MF Hussain in the past.

Abhishek and Shweta share an endearing moment with their father. “I would call her Shwetdi because Shweta didi was too cumbersome. Now everyone, including our parents, call her Shwetdi,” says Abhishek in the biography.

“Why not Abhishek?” he feels. “He defines sophistication, success, style and makes us realise how wrong our notions about celebrities and actors are.”

Abhishek and Shweta with their mother, Jaya Bachchan. “Ma was the more forceful disciplinarian of the two,” he says, but also confesses to being a mama’s boy.

According to Chandra, being a photographer and writer has provided him with opportuties to see celebrities as individuals.

Abhishek revisits his alma mater, Jamnabai Narsee School in Juhu. Passionate about sports, Bachchan had once discussed with Rohan Sippy the possibility of making a movie about a bunch of slum children who want to play basketball. He admits being keen on it even now.

“Abhishek is an interesting subject because he displays a plethora of emotions without hesitation,” he adds in the intro to his book.

Abhishek with filmmaker JP Dutta who launched him in his war drama, Refugee, in 2000. The film also marked the debut of star kid, Kareena Kapoor.

Here are some candid pictures from his book, Abhishek Bachchan: Style and Substance published by Niyogi Books.

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