Abhishek Banerjee Recalls Why Amitabh Bachchan Stopped Him from Touching His Feet
Bollywood actor Abhishek Banerjee recently shared an unforgettable moment from his first meeting with megastar Amitabh Bachchan, revealing why a traditional gesture of respect left him both confused and surprised.
Banerjee, best known for his role in Stree, worked with Bachchan in the upcoming film Section 84. Recalling their first interaction on set, the actor described being overwhelmed with emotion, admitting he had goosebumps and was visibly nervous in the presence of the legendary star.
A gesture that didn’t go as expected
Like many in Indian culture, Banerjee instinctively bent down to touch Bachchan’s feet as a mark of respect. However, the gesture did not go down as he had anticipated.
“I went for his feet, naturally. But he got very upset with me. He immediately said, ‘What are you doing? Why are you doing this?’” Banerjee recalled.
The reaction left him puzzled, as touching the feet of elders is widely regarded as a sign of respect in Indian families.
The reason behind Bachchan’s reaction
The confusion was later cleared up by Section 84 director Ribhu Dasgupta, who explained Bachchan’s perspective.
According to Banerjee, Bachchan prefers not to be placed on a pedestal, especially in a professional environment. The veteran actor believes that such gestures create a hierarchy that can affect the dynamic between co-actors.
“He feels that the minute you do that, you are not a co-actor. You are already putting him on a pedestal,” Banerjee explained.
A lesson in professionalism
Banerjee went on to praise Bachchan’s work ethic, calling him one of the most professional actors he has ever worked with. He emphasized that Bachchan treats everyone on set as equals, which helps maintain a healthy creative environment and allows actors to perform without pressure.
“He doesn’t want to be seen as an old man. He wants to be like a co-actor, a co-worker. There is no ego in that man—only professionalism,” Banerjee added.
Upcoming projects
Section 84, directed by Ribhu Dasgupta, also stars Nimrat Kaur and Diana Penty, and has completed shooting, though its release date is yet to be announced.
Meanwhile, Amitabh Bachchan is currently working on the sequel to Kalki 2898 AD, directed by Nag Ashwin, where he will reprise his role as Ashwatthama alongside stars like Prabhas and Kamal Haasan.
On the other hand, Abhishek Banerjee was recently seen in Toaster and is gearing up for Mirzapur: The Movie, directed by Gurmmeet Singh, which features Ali Fazal, Pankaj Tripathi, and others. The film is slated for a theatrical release on September 4, 2026.
Through this candid anecdote, Banerjee offered a glimpse into Amitabh Bachchan’s grounded personality—one that values equality and professionalism over hierarchy, even in an industry often defined by stardom.
