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'Why must I consider Hrithik a rival?'

It's time for the junior Bachchan to be in the spotlight." That was proud but nervous papa, Amitabh, as talked about his son, Abhishek, to the citizens of Lucknow. "Both Jaya and I are keeping our fingers crossed like any other parents."

Even though the function was in Amitabh's honour, the focus was firmly on Abhishek. Bollywood's living legend kept steering the conversation towards his son's debut film, Refugee, which is scheduled to release next month. "Today's star sons are really fortunate. They don't have to struggle to make their debut. But they must remember that, ultimately, talent alone will determine their fate," he told the massive gathering at Lucknow's amphitheatre in the historic Begum Hazrat Mahal Park.

A candid Amitabh made no bones about his concern for his son during the course of his two-day stay in the city, where he had come to receive the state-sponsored Awadh Samman, conferred annually for excellence in art and culture.

He had deliberately made it a point to bring along his son, who, it is hoped, will be an impressive heir to his illustrious father. Skillfully, the mega star brought Abhishek to the fore only on the following day, when he got him to address the media and also make a public appearance at the Ravindralaya auditorium. And, to make it clear that the son was not living under the father's protective shadow, Amitabh kept away from the show.

Of course, film-maker J P Dutta, whose last film was the superhit Border, was around to fill the blanks. And the glamour came from Abhishek's co-debutante Kareena, who appeared worried, nervous and rather tired.

Abhishek, on the other hand, was quite at ease with the media's onslaught. To a volley of questions on "the obvious threat from another film personality Rakesh Roshan's son, Hrithik, who has created quite a sensation as the latest heartthrob," Bachchan Jr replied, "Why must I consider Hrithik a professional rival? Of course, he is a talented actor."

To another expected question about receiving acting tips from his father, he replied, "No, I had J P Dutta to guide me and I have tried to be my natural self."

With a confidence that reminded one of Amitabh, Abhishek said he saw no reason to copy his father. But he did clarify it was natural that he would resemble his father.

Abhishek hoped he would not fail in the difficult task of living up to people's expectations of him as the son of a great father. "If I happen to act like him, then people might say I copy him. And if I do not perform like him, they could say I've failed to learn anything from him. Isn't it a very tricky situation?"

Dutta then took the floor. "If you look for Abhishek Bachchan on the screen, then I am sure you'll admire him."

He also explained why he chose to do Refugee after Border. "Well, Refugee begins where Border had concluded," he said. He pointed out how the refugee problem had not ended with Partition or even with the subsequent wars with Pakistan. "Refugee deals with contemporary realities and with the problems of those who continue to migrate on both sides in the hope that the grass is greener on the other side."