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The Bachchan household has always been more than a dynasty of cinema. It is also a story of sacrifice, values and witty anecdotes. On one hand, Amitabh Bachchan has openly credited his wife Jaya Bachchan for giving up a flourishing career to raise their children. On the other, Abhishek Bachchan, with his trademark humour, revealed why he never goes shopping with his mother.
Amitabh’s Heartfelt Acknowledgment
In the 1970s and ’80s, Amitabh was consumed by relentless work, often away from home for long stretches. During this period, Jaya Bachchan, one of the most acclaimed actresses of her time with films like Guddi, Abhimaan, Koshish and Mili, made the difficult choice to step back from stardom after her marriage in 1973.
At the peak of her career, Jaya was known for her luminous on-screen presence and natural acting style. She could effortlessly hold her own opposite stalwarts like Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar and her husband, Amitabh Bachchan. But with the birth of her daughter Shweta in 1974 and son Abhishek in 1976, she gradually retreated from the spotlight. Her rare appearances- most notably in Yash Chopra’s Silsila (1981)- only underlined her absence from mainstream cinema.
Veteran journalist Pooja Samant recalled on the Hindi Rush podcast how Amitabh once expressed his gratitude for Jaya’s sacrifice. She remembered him openly acknowledging her role in his success: “I am grateful- to my parents, of course, because it’s because of them that I’ve reached where I am today. But I am also grateful to Jaya. When I was working day and night, she gave up her career and raised both our children so well. She instilled strong values in them.”
For a woman who could have gone on to deliver many more classics, stepping away at her peak was a sacrifice few in Bollywood would have made.
Abhishek’s Light-Hearted Confession
While Amitabh’s words reflect deep gratitude, Abhishek Bachchan adds humour to the family narrative. Known for his subtle yet stylish appearance, the actor was recently asked in an interview to choose between his parents for two situations: dining and shopping. His answer instantly grabbed attention.
Abhishek admitted that he prefers to go shopping with his father, while he chooses food with his mother. The reason behind this division was hilarious.
“I was traumatically dressed by my mother until the age of 12. So, I never go shopping with her,” he joked, recalling an embarrassing childhood memory that left the audience laughing.
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Adding a lighter note, he explained why he chooses his mother for meals. He said, “I prefer that she is Bengali. So, Bengalis make the best food, right?” With this remark, Abhishek blended warmth with humour, showing how love and laughter remain at the core of the Bachchan family’s story.
