Key Points:
- Abhishek Bachchan won his first Filmfare Best Actor award after 25 years for ‘I Want to Talk’ at the 70th Filmfare Awards 2025
- A film journalist accused him on social media of buying the award and using aggressive PR tactics
- The actor firmly denied the allegations, calling his success based on “hard work, blood, sweat, and tears.”
- ‘I Want to Talk’ is based on a true story about cancer survivor Arjun Sen, directed by Shoojit Sircar
- Fans and industry members praised Abhishek’s dignified response to the controversy
Mumbai: Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan recently achieved a major career milestone by winning his first Filmfare Best Actor award at the 70th Filmfare Awards 2025 for his critically acclaimed performance in ‘I Want to Talk’. The emotional win, which came after 25 years in the film industry, was shared with Kartik Aaryan, who won as a co-winner for his role in ‘Chandu Champion’. However, what should have been a moment of pure celebration quickly turned into a heated social media controversy.
The Explosive Allegations
The controversy erupted when Navneet Mundhra, a trade analyst and journalist, took to X (formerly Twitter) and posted sharp criticism of Abhishek’s win. Mundhra wrote, “As much as he’s an affable guy, I hate to say that professionally #AbhishekBachchan is the prime example of how buying awards and aggressive PR pushes can keep you relevant… even if you don’t have a single SOLO blockbuster in your career”. The user further claimed that ‘I Want to Talk’ was “a film which no one saw apart from a few PAID reviewers,” questioning how Abhishek deserved the recognition.
The post went viral on social media, with Mundhra adding, “There are far better actors than him who deserve more recognition, work, appreciation & awards…. but alas! They don’t have PR smarts & money”. This sparked widespread debate about the credibility of film awards and the role of public relations in the entertainment industry.
Abhishek’s Dignified Comeback
Rather than ignoring the allegations, Abhishek Bachchan chose to respond directly to the criticism with a measured yet powerful statement. Quoting the controversial post, the actor wrote: “Just to set the record straight. Never has any award been bought or aggressive PR been done by me. Just hard work, blood, sweat and tears. But, doubt you’ll believe anything I say or write”.
The actor continued his response with determination: “So… best way to shut you up is by working even harder so that you don’t ever doubt any achievement that will happen in the future, again. I will prove you wrong! With all due respect and ‘affability'”. The final word cleverly referenced the troll’s own description of Abhishek as an “affable guy,” turning the criticism on its head.
Understanding ‘I Want to Talk’
Contrary to the troll’s claims, ‘I Want to Talk’ has garnered significant critical acclaim for both its storytelling and Abhishek’s transformative performance. Directed by renowned filmmaker Shoojit Sircar and written by Ritesh Shah, the 2024 film is based on the real-life memoir ‘Raising a Father’ by Arjun Sen. The story follows Arjun Sen, a USA-based marketing professional and single father who is diagnosed with laryngeal cancer and given just 100 days to live.
The film chronicles Sen’s incredible journey through over 20 surgeries spanning multiple organs while struggling to maintain a relationship with his daughter Reya during her formative years. Critics have particularly praised Abhishek’s willingness to shed vanity for the role, displaying physical scars and emotional vulnerability that mark a departure from typical Bollywood performances. Reviews described his acting as “impeccable” and called it his “career-best performance,” noting how he captured the character’s pain, patience, and dark humor with remarkable tenderness.
Public Support Floods In
Abhishek’s response resonated strongly with fans and industry observers who flooded social media with supportive messages. Many praised his graceful handling of the situation while standing firm on his principles and work ethic. Comments like “This is the true decency of the Bachchan family” trended across platforms, with users appreciating how the actor maintained composure while defending his integrity.
During his emotional acceptance speech at the awards ceremony, Abhishek had dedicated the honor to his wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and daughter Aaradhya, reflecting on how meaningful it was to receive recognition after a quarter-century in the industry. He also shared advice for young actors: “This is what 25 years of hard work and self-belief look like. So keep believing in yourself and keep working hard”.
A Career-Defining Moment
The 70th Filmfare Awards marked a significant turning point in Abhishek’s career, representing not just recognition for one performance but validation of his consistent dedication to the craft. ‘I Want to Talk,’ though not a commercial blockbuster, demonstrated the actor’s willingness to take artistic risks and embrace challenging, unconventional roles that require complete transformation. The controversy, while initially overshadowing his achievement, ultimately reinforced public support for an actor who has long worked in the shadows of Bollywood’s more commercially successful stars.
