It seems Abhishek can’t put a foot wrong these days. Cover stories, rising fan hysteria and overall goodwill seem to be following him around. How does he cope with it? “You just have to enjoy it. It’s not going to last so you can’t let it get to you. At the end of the day you have to be yourself and do what you have to do, be thankful for the good things and try not to upset people.” Among the headlines associated with him, are various link-ups. So what is the truth? Is he engaged to Rani, seeing Dipannita or being courted by Ash? “By now I’m the most married and divorced man around,” he replies rolling his eyes. “I could give Elizabeth Taylor a run for her money. Little do people know how boring I am – I go to work and come home and sleep. I am currently too busy working but it is flattering that people find me eligible and worthy.”

Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan’s son, Abhishek has a daunting legacy to follow up. He’s already had over 24 releases but only a handful of hits. Yet top film-makers like Ram Gopal Varma, Aditya Chopra and Karan Johar want to cast him. He’s the latest heartthrob and, as heir to the Bachchan surname, Bollywood’s most eligible bachelor. So how much of a burden is the name? “I will always be my father’s son, but my surname was handed down by my grandfather. I hold and guard it very carefully and will continue to do so.”

His 24 films have been Abhishek’s main learning ground. He repeatedly watches each of them to study his mistakes and performance.