Amitabh Bachchan has spent decades working in the film industry, often balancing demanding schedules with his responsibilities as a father. In an old interview with Lehren TV, the actor spoke about a regret from his years of raising his children, Shweta Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan: not being present for as much of their childhood as he would have liked. When the interviewer asked whether he regretted not being around enough for his family while his children were growing up, Amitabh agreed that it was a valid concern. He explained how the demands of his work sometimes meant leaving home before his children woke up and returning long after they had gone to sleep.“Yes, of course, that’s a very valid question. When we work the way we have been working… Sometimes it happens that we have to go to work at 6 in the morning. The kids are sleeping then. And when we come back from work at 1 or 2 in the night, they are still sleeping,” he said. He went on to explain what those schedules meant for his relationship with his children. “So, a very important part of their life is over in front of us. And we were not a part of it.”
5 Oct 2026 | 12:06
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For Amitabh, the regret was not simply about the time spent away from home. It was also about the everyday moments of his children’s lives that he could not be present for while working.
Amitabh Bachchan on making up for lost time with his children
An old picture of the Bachchan family.
Looking back on those years, the actor said he now tries to spend as much time as possible with his children. He explained that having more time today has allowed him to approach the relationship differently, not just as their father but also as their friend. “And maybe that’s why when I have so much time today, I try to spend as much time as I can with them. As a father, as a father, as a friend,” he said. Amitabh also spoke about how his relationship with Abhishek has evolved as his son has grown older. He described a stage in their lives when the differences between father and son begin to feel less pronounced, and friendship becomes a bigger part of the relationship. “Now my sons are of my age and are wearing my clothes and shoes,” he said.He then referred to a saying about sons growing up and wearing their fathers’ shoes. “And it is said that when a son starts wearing his father’s shoes, then it is not a father-son relationship, but a relationship of a friend.” For Amitabh, this idea reflected the bond he shares with Abhishek. “So, I would like to believe that Abhishek is my friend,” he said.The actor even looked around for his son during the interview, adding, “And he should be here somewhere. I don’t know if he is here or not. If he is here, please stand up. No, he is not here.”
“I hope that I am able to make up for that”
Amitabh acknowledged that the time he missed while his children were growing up remains a significant memory for him.
Despite the closeness he described, Amitabh acknowledged that the time he missed while his children were growing up remains a significant memory for him. He called it a particularly meaningful moment in his life, while also admitting that he wished he had been able to share more of that period with them. “So, that was a very good moment of my life, which I believe I have missed. And I hope that I am able to, in this rush of life, be able to make up for that,” he said. His words captured a tension familiar to parents with demanding jobs: the need to fulfil professional responsibilities while wanting to be present for their children’s everyday experiences.
A practical parenting lesson: Make small moments count
Parents with demanding work schedules may not always be able to attend every school event or spend long hours with their children. But they can create small, predictable moments of connection that children can look forward to. For instance, a parent who leaves home early could set aside 10 minutes for a conversation before bedtime, while someone who returns late could make breakfast together a regular weekend ritual.The important part is to make these moments personal and consistent. Instead of asking only, “How was your day?”, parents can ask about one specific thing their child enjoyed, found difficult or wants to talk about. This gives children an opportunity to share details that might otherwise get lost in a busy routine. Time together does not always have to be long; it needs to give children a chance to feel heard and included in a parent’s life.