I'm happiest father alive after Abhishek's 'Guru': Amitabh
Subhash K. Jha - 1/18/2007
You finally saw "Guru". What are your comments on the film?
Yes, I saw "Guru" and I've asked to see it again and I shall want to see it a 100 times over. It is fantastic. It is Mani's best. And I speak as a viewer, not as a father. Abhishek is phenomenal. I have held myself back on many an occasion from commenting on my son's work, but this time I shall not. To hell with niceties and restraint. Abhishek is incredible!
I have been choked with emotion ever since I emerged from the theatre and still am. This is a role of a lifetime for him and he has given a performance of a lifetime. It's a role any actor worth his salt would die for and it's a performance that any actor worth his salt will envy. This is the truth, because it comes from within. For someone so young in age and in profession, to have performed the way he has is a revelation.
It is the culmination of the strife of Abhishek to prove himself in the face of continuing odds and innuendos. And it is ironic, so ironic, that this is what the film "Guru" is all about. The determination, the will and the strength of a common man to succeed in the face of unending obstacles and his unfaltering courage of conviction to come out victorious.
I've never heard you like this before.
My father wrote in his biography: "When a father loses to his son, it is his greatest victory." I've lost to my son and I'm the happiest father alive. Abhishek is my son.
As for working with Mani, I called him and told him: "Now that you have made my son's life, could you make mine as well, please?"