Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai are among the Bollywood couples who have faced intense online speculation about their relationship. For years, rumours were rife about their separation and divorce, despite their continued public appearances together.
In his latest interview with Lilly Singh, Abhishek Bachchan opened up about his relationship with Aishwarya Rai, his family, and parenting. He talked about how they have been bringing up their daughter, Aaradhya Bachchan.
Abhishek Bachchan Credits His “Severe Ego” Behind His Partnership With Aishwarya Rai
For years, internet users have trolled Abhishek and Aishwarya’s relationship. Touching upon the subject of “who is more successful” and traditional gender roles in a marriage, he said, “When my parents got married, my mother was a bigger star than my father was. So, it wasn’t an unnatural thing.
“It was always about a partnership. I have known Aishwarya from the start of my career. And the second film, I made, was with her,” he added.
He also highlighted that Aishwarya is the only actress with whom he has starred in multiple films. In fact, his second movie, Dhai Akshar Prem Ke (2000), was with her. “We weren’t in a relationship together (then). We were just buddies. We were always friends,” he admitted.
“Through our courtship, our engagement, and our marriage, it was always about partnership. There was no discussion like, ‘I will bring the food, and you take care of the house’. It flows very naturally. For me, I think it comes from severe ego,” the actor said.
When Abhishek spoke about ego, it was not in a negative context. He said that he does not believe someone has to pull back for him to win a race, adding that his father, Amitabh Bachchan, did not launch him or make a film for him, but later produced one of his films, Paa (2009).
“I say ego because I am not the kind of person who believes somebody else has to give up or stop running for me to win that race. And that is my mental structure. I don’t want to be in a partnership or marriage where my wife has to stop doing something because I have to feel manly about myself. And thankfully, my wife is not someone who thinks like that either,” he added.
Abhishek Bachchan Says, “Fathers Are Lousy Teachers”
Abhishek Bachchan not only opened up about his relationship with Aishwarya Rai, but he also talked about how they both have been bringing up their daughter, Aaradhya Bachchan. “As parents, fathers are lousy teachers,” he said, “I think fathers are lousy teachers because our emotions get in the way and we don’t have that sensitivity chip that women do.”
“Men are wired to display what they want. We are action-oriented. We have become far more sensitive, it’s a great thing,” he shared, and added that most men have the instinct to lead by action.
“You set an example by doing. In my home, both of us (Abhishek and Aishwarya) try to be the best example for Aaradhya. Instead of telling them (children) this is right, or this is wrong, show them what to do by being that,” he added.
“In that sense, it has never been like I have to teach her self-defence. If you have seen my wife, she can take care of herself,” he quipped.
Sharing parenting advice, he added that when parents lead their lives with morals and values, children see that and emulate them. That’s how parents equip their kids. “So, there is no competition at home (about) who has to be the man, who has to be the woman,” he concluded.
Abhishek and Aishwarya were married on April 20, 2007. This year, they will complete 19 years of marriage.
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