Catching up with Pa`s fame? No way, says Abhishek Bachchan

New Delhi: Abhishek Bachchan may have followed his father on TV by hosting a show but the star does not think that he will ever be able to match Big B."It is not possible to surpass Mr Bachchan and I am saying this as an actor not as a son. There is nobody who could have, who can or who will ever be able to surpass him in any field of life," the junior Bachchan told reporters.

Abhishek is hosting a game show `Idea National Bingo Night` on Colors and his first guest on the programme was Amitabh Bachchan, who had previously hosted reality show `Bigg Boss` on the same channel. Junior Bachchan raced ahead of Big B in ratings on the opening night of the `Bingo` but said the show garnered a TRP of 5.1 because his father appeared on the first episode. "Bingo made the opening record because my father came on the first show," he said. The `Guru` actor, who has often been compared to his legendary father in acting, has no problem being in the shadow of Amitabh. "It is not new. They have always compared me to my father. I have no problem because I am being compared to the best. If they compare me to the best it means that they feel that somewhere I am worthy of being in the same sentence as my father." Abhishek had drawn some negative comments on Twitter for praising Big B. Abhishek wrote on his Twitter page, "We don`t deserve a talent like Mr Amitabh Bachchan! Don`t think we can make movies to fit his talent!" The comment did not go well with some of his fans, who said it was "really lame to praise your own family" but the junior Bachchan reiterates his comment. "Is it a crime in India to praise one`s parents? Only 14 people disagreed with but there were 19 thousands who agreed. But the media picked up the negative comments. I will say it again that Amitabh bachchan is the greatest actor that we have and the greatest actor that we will ever have. "If I think my father is fantastic I am going to say it and I don`t think anyone can stop me from saying it. I don`t take it seriously. I have drawn flak for my movies also but that has not stopped me from making them," he said. Abhishek, who is busy shooting back to back movies, said he decided to host the show because it gave him a chance to connect with the audience. "I wanted to do something on the television which would be interactive. And here I don`t need to act, I get the chance to be myself," Abhishek said. Incidentally, Amitabh had advised the actor to do the same. "The only tip my father gave me was `be youself, have fun and be nice to your contestants`," the actor said. When asked whether his father`s stint as `Bigg Boss` host inspired the actor to join small screen, he said, "We both signed on Bigg Boss and Bingo at the same time. We actually signed the contract on the same day but Colors did not want them to clash."Abhishek, who has invited his industry friends like Shah Rukh Khan, Arshad Warsi, Sonali Bendre, Farhan Akhtar and Kirron Kher on the show, makes sure that the contestants are comfortable playing the game. "I talk to my contestants before I start the shoot. I sit with them and ask them what they are not comfortable talking about. I can`t mug lines here because it is an interactive show. I feel like I am back at school," he said. The actor, however, does not believe that celebrity appearance can guarantee success. "It is the format of the show that matters. As a celebrity we can attract only eyeballs. A celebrity can guarantee an opening but after that the show has to speak for itself. I like to believe that with Bingo getting a great opening I have done my job," he added. When asked whether his wife Aishwarya Rai will also come on the show, the actor said, "You have to ask her." Abhishek is currently shooting `Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Se` and `Crooked`. He will next be seen in Mani Ratnam`s `Ravan` with Aishwarya. PTI