Abhishek Bachchan has spoken candidly about his marriage to Aishwarya Rai, addressing long-running speculation surrounding their relationship and reflecting on nearly two decades of partnership. In a recent conversation with comedian Lilly Singh, the actor shared insights into his marriage, family life and approach to parenting, while also dismissing narratives that have followed the couple online for years.

For a long time, the pair have been the subject of persistent rumours about separation and divorce, despite making regular public appearances together. Bachchan said much of the chatter stemmed from outdated ideas about gender roles and perceptions of success within a marriage.

It was always about a partnership

Discussing comparisons around who is “more successful” in a relationship, Bachchan pointed out that he grew up in a home where such hierarchies simply did not exist. “When my parents got married, my mother was a bigger star than my father was. So, it wasn’t an unnatural thing,” he said.

He explained that his bond with Aishwarya Rai goes back to the early years of his career, recalling that they worked together on his second film, ‘Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke’ (2000). “It was always about a partnership. I have known Aishwarya from the start of my career. And the second film, I made, was with her,” he said. The two were not romantically involved at the time. “We weren’t in a relationship together (then). We were just buddies. We were always friends.”

Bachchan added that their relationship maintained this spirit of equality from the beginning. “Through our courtship, our engagement, and our marriage, it was always about partnership. There was no discussion like, ‘I will bring the food, and you take care of the house’. It flows very naturally. For me, I think it comes from severe ego.”

Clarifying what he meant by “ego”, Bachchan said it was not rooted in insecurity. Instead, it reflected his belief that both partners should be free to pursue their own ambitions without feeling the need to hold back. “I say ego because I am not the kind of person who believes somebody else has to give up or stop running for me to win that race,” he said.

He noted that neither he nor Rai subscribe to traditional expectations about masculinity. “I don't want to be in a partnership or marriage where my wife has to stop doing something because I have to feel manly about myself. And thankfully, my wife is not someone who thinks like that either.”

The actor also mentioned that his father, Amitabh Bachchan, did not play a role in launching his career, underscoring that he has always believed in earning his own place. While Amitabh Bachchan did not initially “make a film” for him, he later produced Paa (2009), in which the two starred together.

Approach to parenting

Bachchan also reflected on raising their daughter, Aaradhya Bachchan, and the dynamics of parenting within their household. “As parents, fathers are lousy teachers,” he said. “I think fathers are lousy teachers because our emotions get in the way and we don't have that sensitivity chip that women do.”

He described men as “action-oriented”, adding, “We have become far more sensitive, it's a great thing.” According to him, both he and Rai believe in teaching through example. “You set an example by doing. In my home, both of us try to be the best example for Aaradhya. Instead of telling them (children) this is right, or this is wrong, show them what to do by being that,” he said.

The actor joked about not needing to instruct their daughter in self-defence. “In that sense, it has never been like I have to teach her self-defence. If you have seen my wife, she can take care of herself.”

Sharing his broader view on raising children, he added, “When parents lead their lives with morals and values, children see that and emulate them. That's how parents equip their kids.”

A marriage built on equality

Bachchan concluded by stressing that there are no competing roles in their home. “So, there is no competition at home (about) who has to be the man, who has to be the woman,” he said.

Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai married on 20 April 2007, and will mark 19 years of marriage this year, a partnership the actor says continues to be defined by mutual respect, independence and equality.