When Big B snapped at Abhishek Banerjee for touching his feet

Abhishek Banerjee has always aspired to make a name in showbiz, and with his stints in Stree 2, Vedaa, and Stolen, among others, he has achieved it. He completed his education at Kirori Mal College in Delhi and always admired Amitabh Bachchan’s journey. When he sat down to chat on mid-day’s podcast series The Bombay Film Story, he expressed his admiration for him and recalled shooting a tough scene in Section 84.

Abhishek Banerjee on asking Amitabh Bachchan for work

When asked if he has ever asked the actor for work, he revealed, “I don’t think anybody would do that. That’s a dignity players maintain. That you really don’t enter someone’s space. There should be some dignity.”

The actor further admitted that he can be a shameless fanboy of Amitabh Bachchan. He said, “I am very shameless when it comes to Mr. Bachchan. I think the only man I can fanboy. I have just grown up watching his films. I am sure he has affected many young boys. I don’t think Mr. Bachchan knows how big he is.”

Talking about his experience of shooting with him, the Stree 2 actor shared, “For me it was like a full circle. I was like, okay, my journey is of that kid dreaming big and, you know, finally achieving something in Bombay. That circle was complete. And from there I feel my actor’s journey has really begun. And if you notice, Stree 2, Vedaa and Stolen happened after that. I shot Section 84 with Amitabh Bachchan a long time back. That film is not out yet.”

Abhishek further admitted, “I used to always mimic Mr. Bachchan, also try to act like him.” When asked if he had to take out the actor’s hangover in order to be a decent enough actor, he said, “Yes, even till date I keep fighting that.”

Abhishek Banerjee on his first meeting with Amitabh Bachchan

Recalling his first meeting with him, the actor shared, “So I was warned that he doesn’t like a lot of flattery (chaplusi). He’s tired of it. I was like, what do I do to show respect? So I went and touched his feet. And he immediately snapped at me, after which I apologised. Then I was like, this is not a good start. Then Ribhu told him that I am from Kirori Mal College, after which he was like a college senior to me.”

On a parting note, he revealed how tough it was to shoot an intense scene with him. He shared, “But one incident I will never forget is when I had a scene with him and I am playing a lawyer in the film, and he is in the witness box. He rehearsed the scene with me and then he was like, ‘Abhishek, I am going to look into your eyes now. I am going to make eye contact.’ So I was like, what’s the big deal with it? A co-actor will make eye contact. When the take started, he looked at me and with those glassy eyes he just continued staring at me. I was delivering my lines, but it was difficult to focus.”