Abhishek Bachchan has recently addressed the public perception of his father, Amitabh Bachchan, expressing his views on why the legendary actor's paternal affection is sometimes met with scrutiny. In a recent interaction, Abhishek questioned why his father isn't "allowed to be human" when it comes to expressing pride and support for his son's work.

Abhishek emphasized that while the world sees Amitabh Bachchan as a cinematic icon, he also is a father, family man, and grandfather. He highlighted the tendency to overlook this multifaceted nature of his father, ascribing a sense of restriction to him that doesn't allow for normal parental emotions. "For some reason we think, 'Oh no, he's not allowed to be that or be human', but he is,” Abhishek stated. He further added that his father is entitled to feel the way all parents feel.

The discussion arose amidst ongoing commentary around nepotism and its impact on Abhishek's career, with many questioning whether his opportunities were a result of his family name. Amitabh Bachchan has often defended Abhishek against such claims, praising his talent and contributions to Bollywood. In March 2025, the senior Bachchan responded to a social media post that claimed Abhishek had unfairly become a victim of negativity related to nepotism, despite having a strong filmography. Amitabh echoed the sentiment, stating, "I feel the same... and not just because I am his father".

Abhishek, who debuted in Bollywood with Refugee in 2000, has delivered notable performances in films like Yuva, Guru, and Bunty Aur Babli. Despite these successes, he has faced constant comparisons to his parents, Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan. In recent years, he has also appeared in critically acclaimed projects such as Breathe: Into the Shadows and I Want to Talk.

Abhishek acknowledged that constant criticism does make a person cynical, but he doesn't let it make him bitter. He is gearing up for his next appearance in King, alongside Shah Rukh Khan, Suhana Khan, and Deepika Padukone, and also has Raja Shivaji in the pipeline.

In July 2025, Abhishek described his relationship with his father as one where Amitabh is both his greatest supporter and toughest critic. He shared that his father's social media praise is especially meaningful because it comes from someone who hasn't hesitated to point out his flaws in private. Abhishek also recounted a touching moment when his father's emotional text after watching the trailer of Kaalidhar Laapata moved him to tears.