Abhishek Bachchan: I don’t think Anurag Kashyap liked my work in ‘Yuva’

Abhishek Bachchan, who was missing in action for the last two years is back. And he couldn’t have asked for a better director than Anurag Kashyap for his re-entry on the silver screen. But, before he said yes to the movie, Abhishek had to think twice before saying yes to a collaboration with the director.

In an interview with DNA, Anurag said, “In January this year (smiles). I had started listening to scripts since the last year-and-a-half. Aanand (L Rai) spoke to me and told me he had this script and wanted me to hear it. I’ve known him and have immense respect for him as a filmmaker. He sent across Kanika (Dhillon), the film’s writer, who narrated it to me and I liked it. I had one or two notes which she sweetly agreed to try and incorporate. There were a couple of more meetings in which we just discussed the script. At the end of it, I told Aanand that I liked the story but I asked him who’s directing the film. Then, he said Anurag will be helming the movie. I was like Anurag who? He told me, it’s Anurag Kashyap. After 15 seconds, I just said it’s great.”

When asked about whether all was not well between him and Anurag, he added, “That’s history now. I first worked with Anurag in Mani Ratnam’s ‘Yuva'(2004); he had written it. I don’t think he liked my work in the film (laughs). And it’s only fair because we had spent a lot of time doing readings for the film. So somewhere, maybe he felt a little disappointed when he watched the movie. But we never spoke about it. Now, we’ve put all that behind us.”

In the same interview, Abhishek also said that he was open to doing more ensemble film where he may not necessarily be the lead actor. “I loved being part of films like ‘Bol Bachchan’, ‘Housefull 2’ and ‘Happy New Year’; they’re still being spoken about. But I understand when people ask me why I’m taking up these supporting roles. I never understood that back then but now, I know to interpret it differently. I think my audience wants more from me. Does that mean I’m going to stop acting in ensemble films? No, not at all, because I enjoy it,” he said.

Also read: Abhishek Bachchan Wraps Up ‘Manmarziyaan’!