By Arpana, IANS

After standing on the threshold of stardom for so long, Abhishek Bachchan finally arrives with "Guru" by wowing critics and audiences with his performance. The film is also a testimony to his hard work and strong will.

That he is superstar Amitabh's son had always put him at a serious disadvantage but with "Guru" he comes out of his father's shadow and carves his own niche. Many feel that he has outdone his father with his stupendous performance in "Guru".

The film, apparently inspired by the life and time of industrialist Dhirubhai Ambani, has Abhishek in the title role and he inhabits his character Gurukant Desai's world completely while performing and looks relaxed in each and every frame of the film.

The actor, who previously appeared in hits like "Bunty Aur Babli", "Bluffmaster" and "Sarkar", has surely risen above staunch criticism and unfounded comparisons.

When Mani Ratnam was asked about Abhishek's performance in the film, he said: "Abhishek is okay in 'Guru'." But the fact of the matter is that the actor is far better than just being okay.

May be Ratnam wanted people to come and decide for themselves and the verdict is out - critics, who had earlier described him wooden, are going ga ga over his performance and putting him in the leagues of big stars.

However, Ratnam also added: "You don't make an actor. An actor is there ... you just have to give him the opportunity and chance to show his skill. Abhishek always had the capability."

And Abhishek lives up to the expectations but he is not too carried away by adulations and appreciations.

Because, in spite of being Amitabh's son, Abhishek had to face the grind since he set foot in filmdom with "Refugee" to reach where he is today.

After giving a string of flops and enduring unbridled criticism, Abhishek was disheartened and started doubting himself. He thanks Ratnam for giving a push to his languishing career.

"When you are being criticised, you take it seriously and try to improve your bad points as I did, but when you fail again, it is certainly disheartening," said Abhishek.

But then he pulled up his socks and worked on all aspects of his personality - voice, dialect, dance, appearance and wardrobe - in order to further his skills and his acting ability.

The first sign of improvement was witnessed in Ratnam's "Yuva", where he bowled over everyone as a rustic and intense Lallan Singh.

"I will always respect Mani for having confidence in me - which I didn't have in myself at that time," added Abhishek.

Later on, in films like "Dus" and "Bluffmaster" he showed marked improvement in his mannerisms, body language, facial expressions, looks and, last but not the least, wardrobe and fans were stumped.

They started liking him so much that bestowed him with titles like youth icon and sexiest Asian male.

But Abhishek shrugs it off saying: "I am an actor and I should concentrate on my acting. I should understand that people are bestowing me with these honours because of my work."

Acting is an art and the improvement and honing of this craft is an ongoing process because there is always room for growth and the young actor is fully aware of it.

Right now he is devoted to Shaad Ali's "Jhoom Barabar Jhoom" and Goldie Behl's "Drona"