No paternity leave for Abhishek

Mumbai: Apart from his next release in January, there's a lot more happening in Abhishek Bachchan's life right now.

The actor's looking forward to fatherhood but admits he does not have the liberty to take time off.

Excerpts from a Q and A with the papa-to-be.

As the due date nears, you must be getting increasingly asked about the baby and fatherhood?

Actually, I've been so busy shooting Bol Bachchan that I haven't really thought about it. Parenthood is something that's going to happen naturally, so there's no point stressing over it.

But you must have begun thinking of baby names and started shopping?

Thinking about names is an ongoing process. We don't know whether it's going to be a boy or a girl, but suggestions are more than welcome. We haven't started shopping yet.

Reportedly, you're taking paternity leave and have got your work schedule adjusted to be able to remain in town till some time after the birth.

That the media has already decided for me. I don't have the liberty to take time off. Of course I'll be around as and when the baby is born, but otherwise, I'm going to be working.

So will Abhishek make a strict daddy or a pampering papa?

I think I'll be okay; not very strict nor will I allow the kid to get out of hand.

I'll ensure that my children are down to earth. Aishwarya also believes in the same. We'll bring our kids up to be good human beings and that's what my parents also taught me.

Your next film, Players, releases in the first week of January, earlier considered an unfavourable week to release. Earlier this year, your Dum Maaro Dum came to cinemas in the middle of the Indian Premiere League.

Almost every month, we see old myths broken. While those might have held true years ago, the audience's perception has also changed.

As a kid, I heard that monsoon was not a good time to release movies. Race released in the middle of IPL and became a runway hit.

Films like Kaho Na... Pyaar Hai, Rang De Basanti, and No One Killed Jessica released in January and did well at the box-office.

So many films released and broke records, which is proof that the audience is going to the theaters in large numbers.

Do you feel the Bachchan surname brings greater pressure?

It's strange I'm always asked about pressure considering that I'm doing the most number of movies. I do films as per my convictions.

People were looking forward to seeing you and Aishwarya on screen again in Rajkumar Santoshi's Ladies And Gentleman. Has the idea been shelved and will it be made with another leading lady? Or will it mark Aishwarya's comeback after the baby?

Rajji wanted to make it with Aishwarya and me. But after her pregnancy, he decided to put the film on hold and said that he will make it only when Ash is ready to work again.

Until then, Rajji and I have discussed four-five ideas.