When Abhishek Bachchan shares the screen with a child co-star, something magical happens; the actor sheds his brooding image and lets pure chemistry take the spotlight. Most of his critically acclaimed roles, like the protagonist in Mani Ratnam's Guru and Yuva have had him all serious, even introspective, letting the female leads take on the job of adding a bit of ease to the scene. And while you can say that the aforementioned films had a more grounded plot, demanding that kind of acting treatment, it is also visible in some of the biggest masala films that Abhishek Bachchan has done.
Think Dhoom series, where his no-nonsense ACP Jai Dixit pairs very well with Uday Chopra's comic relief of a character Ali. And while we love that for him, it'd be a shame if it got limited to that. The underrated actor's lighter side, if and when it comes out, is a visual treat. Easygoing, comfortable, and casually gets you to smile. For very long, it is a side of his personality we've only witnessed in interviews, barring one Dostana maybe.
But in recent years, as the actor has opted for diverse non-stereotypical hero roles, one trend is hard to miss; his camaraderie with child actors. They say, your co-actor can make or break your performance, and with Abhishek Bachchan and his child co-actors, it is a delight to watch the energy bounce off each other. Case in point? His latest release Kaalidhar Laapata.
In the middle of action thrillers and romcoms with massive budgets, with its warm storytelling and heartfelt characters, this OTT release has been winning over people everywhere. In his portrayal of Kaalidhar, a man battling memory loss, betrayal by his family, and a collapsing sense of identity, Abhishek Bachchan is restrained yet incredibly moving.
The screen is lit up with his unconventional connection with Ballu, who is portrayed by the innately talented eight-year-old Daivik Baghela. Selected from among more than 700 actors, Daivik's spontaneity and grounded charisma immediately enhance Abhishek's nuanced emotional rhythm. Their friendship is sweet without being corny, as the little orphan's witty antics and observation gently nudge Kaalidhar in the direction to rediscover happiness and kinship.
The relationship between the two becomes the film's emotional core, spanning dusty back roads and humble village locales. Daivik is effortless and steals the spotlight according to many critics, and Abhishek's chemistry with him produces some of the most sincere, poignant scenes in the film. In order to create a real-life connection that reflects their on-screen chemistry, Abhishek even gave Daivik backstage coaching in script reading and natural screen acting. The end result is an improbable duo whose straightforward dialogue, mutual humour, and emotional openness serve as a welcome reminder that relationships frequently blossom in the most unlikely of settings.
Abhishek Bachchan’s recent work
Redefining himself as a fearless performer, Abhishek Bachchan has taken on a variety of challenging parts that defy the conventions of typical Bollywood heroes. He has consistently selected characters with psychological complexity and emotional depth, from the dual-personality serial killer in Breathe: Into the Shadows (2022) to the morally dubious ex-con in Ludo (2020).
He explored the lives of a heartless contract murderer with unexpected warmth in Bob Biswas (2021). His desire to tackle discomfort and complexity is quite visible in every performance, painting him as an artist who prioritises character development and daring narrative over box office security. Safe to say that in the past few years, he has gravitated towards parts that stretch his emotional boundaries and question social conventions in recent years. In Dasvi (2022), he played an uneducated politician, choosing to combine humorous weight with social significance.
His portrayal as a gruff, grieving cricket coach coaching a crippled prodigy in Balki’s Ghoomer (2023) struck a balance between real human emotion and sporting drama. His portrayal of a cancer-stricken advertising executive in I Want to Talk (2024) was a reflective, mature, and heartfelt performance. And critics as well as audiences, both agree that his most recent films focus more on genuine creativity, emotional honesty, and creative risk than it does on star image.
While he has done a bunch of films with child actors, one could say that the most interesting project, and one that pushed the envelope of his acting was the 2009 release starring him and Vidya Balan, Paa.
Paa
Paa flips the script, quite literally. Abhishek Bachchan, in a bold turn, plays Amol Arte, a young politician who learns that Amitabh Bachchan’s Auro, a 12‑year‑old boy with progeria, is actually his son. Amol and Auro form a bond in spite of Auro's unique disease and the media frenzy it causes, makes the characters explore issues of identity, father love, and repentance. Just for context, in case you haven’t seen this amazing piece of cinema, you absolutely must, and secondly, progeria is a rare genetic disorder that causes accelerated ageing in children. This means that while Auro was Amol’s son, he looked like he was way older.
Abhishek's subtle performance balanced Amitabh's moving performance; the film felt grounded by the emotional weight of their bond, with heartwarming moments as the father and son transcend decades of feeling in brief scenes.
Ludo
Then came the Anurag Basu directorial Ludo, in 2020. Basu to begin with, is a director who knows how to tug at the strings of your heart, and matched with the strong cast, this was a winner. Abhishek plays Bittu, a former criminal who becomes entangled in a convoluted crime-comedy group that weaves together several plotlines in the film.
One of these cycles has a heartwarming subplot about a young girl named Mini (played by child actress Inayat Verma), whose need for attention sneaks into Bittu's world. Abhishek's ability to switch between edgy and sympathetic is demonstrated by his chemistry with the child, which adds surprising warmth to a daring, funny story.
Their fleeting but impactful exchanges added a genuine empathy to the film's colourful tapestry, highlighting Abhishek's ability to strike a balance between heart and attitude in the offbeat Netflix film.
Be Happy
Abhishek plays Shiv, a protective single parent, in Prime Video's Be Happy. Inayat Verma, his co-star from Ludo, plays Dhara, an enthusiastic child dancer from Ooty. As Shiv gradually changes from suspicious to supportive, and Dhara pursues her dream of reality-show dancing success, the plot traces their journey to Mumbai.
While every moment shines thanks to Inayat's composure and command of the camera, it is Abhishek’s quiet and nuanced depiction of pride, love, and loss that builds a solid foundation for the scenes. The film's core is formed by their fun, protective, and emotionally resonant friendship, demonstrating once more how well Abhishek performs when he is on screen with younger co-stars.