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Is Abhishek's career in trouble?

CRITICS SAY, 'Abhishek better sit up and smell the coffee before it is too late!' Getting a hit film attached to his name proved to be a daunting task for Abhishek. Only after a series of flops did the actor manage to give blockbusters such as Yuva, Dhoom, Dus...

Bluffmaster and Bunty Aur Babli. One would have thought that Abhishek would have learned the ways of industry during his struggling day and with success the actor would have only humbled himself. But success bought to the fore a different person all together.

This new Jr. Bachchan appears to be a replica of senior Bachchan in his heydays. Curt and crisp with the Press, reserved with the industry and only sticks to his own clique. Such arrogance? Or just shy?

But as it is rightly said, strange are the ways of Bollywood. After a series of hits, Abhishek's career is once again in a tight spot today with all his big films such as Umrao Jaan and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom being criticised and box-office duds.

Here's analyzing what's going wrong with Abhishek's career.

Grow up AB's baby

If your parents are in the same profession as you are then comparisons are inevitable. Abhishek Bachchan's case wasn't any different, right from his debut film the actor had to bear the brunt of critics who expected him to perform like his dad.

Like in his initial days Amitabh had to struggle with his unconventional looks, Abhishek too had to compete with the likes of Hrithik, Fardeen and John, all conventionally good looking.

At that point of time, Abhishek seemed to be following his dad's footsteps literally. During his initial days one would see Abhishek in films like Tera Jadoo Chal Gaya, Run and Shararat emulating dad Amitabh's dance steps and every mannerism.

It took a Mani Ratnam with Yuva to discover the actor in Abhishek. With this film Abhishek seemed to have finally found his mark. Like his father, who after giving several flops hit the box-office with Zanjeer and assumed the angry young man image, Abhishek too took on the role of a modern day rebel in Yuva. The film may not have been a box-office hit but the critics had noticed Abhishek.

He then followed it up with hit films such as Dhoom, Dus, Sarkar, Bluffmaster and Bunty Aur Babli. Everyone said that AB's baby had finally grown up and found his own footing in the industry.

Everything was fine until, Abhishek's mega films such as Umrao Jaan and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom flopped whereas the much talked about Guru received mixed reviews. To make matters worse, Hrithik Roshan stole the thunder from Abhishek in Yashraj's Dhoom 2. Whilst in Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, dad Amitabh walked away with all the accolades.

This seems to have prompted Big B to now appear in every film of Abhishek? Or else what was he doing in Jhoom Barabar Jhoom? Industry is also buzzing with rumours that Big B is pressurising producers to sign on Abhishek. Apparently he's telling filmmakers that he will only do films which have Abhishek as the leading man.

We do understand that Bollywood is a competitive industry and pa dearest is worried about his son's career but then unlike other star dads such as Feroz Khan, Sanjay Khan and Hrithik Roshan why can't Amitabh let Abhishek plan his own career and take his own decisions? The industry is not comfortable with AB's pressures. Looks like even at 31 Abhishek is a daddy's boy.

Making enemies

Everyone knows that money and hit films are important but it's also the number of friends you have that really matters in Bollywood. After going to town telling the world that his wedding would be a small, intimate family affair, Abhishek's high-profile wedding didn't go down well with most of the Bollywood junta who were left out by the Bachchans.

Even close family friends such as Rajesh Khanna, Dilip Kumar, Raj Babbar, Shatrughan Sinha, the Roshans, all the Khans and even Abhishek's closest friends Esha Deol and Zayed Khan weren't invited. In fact, when Amitabh sent sweets to Rajesh Khanna and Shatrughan Sinha post the marriage, both the actors returned the sweets taking it as an insult to be an afterthought.

Abhishek, who was once known for his humour and witty remarks, seems to have become unpopular with the Indian Press who have accused him of acting high handed with his rude and caustic replies.

When asked about all the hype surrounding his wedding, Abhishek disinterestedly replied, "Was it the most happening thing in town? I don't know I was very busy then getting married. I couldn't be looking at what was happening in the big wide world. I was with my family. We were part of something that was very private, precious and personal," When asked why his wedding was so secretly guarded? The actor replied, "We weren't being secretive, we were just keeping it private. I think we had the right to do it. People I guess have forgotten that I have an ailing grandmother in the hospital!" (With all this festivity and tamasha going on?).

How private, when the wedding had an extensive procession with him riding on an elephant in the middle of a public road in Juhu?

Apparently, these days the actor replies only in monosyllables when asked about anything, sample this. When asked about life after marriage, the actor's reply was "Give me some time!"

However, when in it came to interacting with the foreign Press at the recently concluded IIFA awards in the UK and earlier at Cannes, Abhishek was at his humourous best cracking jokes and reciting funny anecdotes, the actor even gave out details of his grand wedding to the CNN television crew. How come he never smiles for us in India, asked a disgruntled photographer.

Trophy husband

Being married to a wife who's much more popular and senior in the industry has its side-effects as well. Apart from having a career in Bollywood, Ash is a popular international name what with her appearances at the Oprah Winfrey show and her Hollywood films such as Provoked and The Last Legion.

While Mrs. Bachchan senior had quit films after marriage, Ash seems to be ambitious and career-oriented. Now AB wants to include her as a package deal in their forthcoming films. Thus making other actors wary of signing on as they feel that the Bachchans will definitely get more footage.

Call it the perks of being married to a powerful and famous woman, Abhishek too walked the red carpet at the Cannes film festival this time and hobnobbed with international stars. But sadly for the couple, while they posed for pictures, the foreign Press didn't seem to be much interested in them.

Very soon, Ash will also be shooting Sarkar Raj a sequel to Ram Gopal Varma's Sarkar along with husband Abhishek and father Amitabh. Apparently RGV wasn't too convinced with Ash's acting skills but it was Amitabh who convinced him to sign on Ash.

The Bachchans seem to be busy building the Bachchan brand, no wonder wherever Abhishek goes you have either Aishwarya or Amitabh providing back up.