Did Amitabh Bachchan ever feel like he had lost his career during his struggling days?

 In 1990s, many of his films had underperformed at the box-office. After the big hit of the film Shehanshah in 1988, the films like Ganga Jamuna Saraswati, Toofan, Jadugar, Agneepath, Krodh and Ajooba failed at the box office.

At one point he lost his hopes and was stating before every new release as, 'Yeh film to flop hogi' (This film will be a flop). He felt as if he had lost his career and he decided to quit acting. At that time he took a break for some period.

During the beginning years of his career around 11 of his films had flopped in a row, at that time Amitabh Bachchan had decided to quit the industry forever.

The film Zanjeer, released in 1973, had become his breakthrough film. Even many leading actresses rejected to work with Amitabh in the film Zanjeer because of his flop career. Finally Jaya Bachchan accepted to act in the film opposite Amitabh and the film brought him wide popularity with the role of Inspector Vijay Khanna.

After Zanjeer many of his films were superhit and he became a superstar with the films Deewaar, Don, Amar Akbar Anthony, Shakti and many more.

In his filmy career of more than 5 decades he starred in more than 200 films. Saat Hindustani was his debut film released in 1969. In his long career he struggled a lot for 2 times to keep up his career.

In his second innings, film Mohabbatein in 2000 gave him a good break, after that he never turned back. Since 2000 he is continuously acting in leading character roles. Some of his best performances in character roles are Black, Satyagraha, Piku, Pink, Paa and 102 Not Out.

He is now 82 years old but his passion towards acting is as it is, there is no limitation for that. Amitabh Bachchan has starred in over 200 films in over 5 decades of his filmy career. In 2003 Time magazine called him the 'Star of the Millenium'. The list of his accolades is very big, a few important awards of Bachchan are, 6 National Film Awards, 16 Filmfare Awards, Dada Saheb Phalke Award, he is the receipient of Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan.

In the recent film Kalki, his character was widely appreciated. Recently Amithabh Bachchan made his Tamil debut with the film Vettaiyan which was released on 10th October 2024 in which he did the role of Justice Dr. Satyadev Brahmadutt Pande, National Human Rights Commission of India.

Amitabh Bachchan completed the shooting for his upcoming films Section 84 and Be Happy which are scheduled to release in 2025.

Was the rivarly between Amitabh Bachchan and Rajesh Khanna in the 70s real or media created?

 It was a real rivalry, but one-sided. Amitabh Bachchan became successful, while Rajesh Khanna, or “Kaka,” was overwhelmed by jealousy. Kaka let his insecurities grow, and in the end, his own weaknesses contributed to his decline. It’s a classic example of “Your loss is my gain.”

Before 1973, the film industry was mostly about charming, romantic heroes like Rajesh Khanna, who fit that soft, loving image. That was his strength. It was Salim-Javed collaboration that popularized the action genre. In fact, the movie Zanjeer was rejected because the producer said, “He doesn’t smile, and he doesn’t hold the girl’s hand,” referring to Amitabh Bachchan’s character, who became “Angry Young Man. ” Ironically, Amitabh was rejected early on because of his looks, height, and deep voice. But those qualities later became his signature style, helping him become a legend.

Amitabh, Salim Khan, and Javed Akhtar all shared a common story—they struggled for years before finding success. Amitabh came to Bombay in his 20s, but only made it big in his 30s. Salim and Javed also worked as supporting actors before becoming a duo. Rajesh Khanna’s quick rise to fame shows how success brings ego. Sharmila Tagore says only two heroes arrived on time: Shashi Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan. Big B was calm, collected, and punctual, and he worked well with directors. Kaka, on the other hand, threw tantrums, arrived late on set, and slowly lost the trust of top directors. Big B’s fame as the Angry Young Man grew, but the romantic hero’s popularity started to fade because audiences found action scenes more exciting. Kaka became so jealous of Big B’s success that he would often make fun of him being punctual, and speak ill of him.

By the 90s, both men were at the same stage: declining careers, failed politics, failed business, and bankruptcy. But what made Amitabh come back from all that failure? He brushed aside his ego. He felt hurt that people had turned to Govinda, who became a rage in the 90s. Yet, he accepted work opposite Govinda, believing that this was part of his bad time and it was a fleeting moment. For a superstar to request work when producers had once queued just to meet him, it's humiliating, and Amitabh was aware of that. He started over again like a newcomer, accepting his age, and proved everyone wrong with Mohabbatein and joining the tv world with KBC. Kaka, however, refused to accept being a part of multi-starrer films. He wanted to be the hero. As he grew older, arrogance and alcoholism took over, and his acting skills faded. While Amitabh made a true comeback, Kaka’s decline worsened. Things got so bad that he even considered joining Bigg Boss because of money. Later, Akshay Kumar paid off his debts, showing how far he had fallen.

It’s a great lesson. Rajesh Khanna, who saw popularity that is still not matchable, let ego and pride blind him, and in the end, he was left with nothing. Meanwhile, Amitabh’s humility and resilience proved that being a true star isn’t just about fame but about rising again, no matter how hard life gets.

Did Amitabh Bachchan refuse to act with Kishore Kumar by saying that he is the only fool left to be ruined?

 The legendary singer Kishore Kumar after quitting the acting, once expressed his desire to act with the legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan.

Kishore Kumar expressed his wish with Amitabh Bachchan like this, “Amit, I didn't not talk with you at any time but I have one wish in my mind, I saw everyone while acting but whenever I saw while you are acting I feel like I should do one film with you. Though I quit acting, watching you, I get a desire of acting with you, will you do a film with me!”

Responding to this Amitabh Bachchan had said with full respect, with a folded hands, “ Dada, main hi ek bacha tha kya barbad hone ke liye" ( Dada, was I the only person remained to get ruined?).

With this statement, Kishore Kumar got surprised and asked Amitabh Bachchan, Arey tu kya bol raha hau? Barbaad matlab kya hai? (What are you saying? What is the meaning of ruined?).

Amitabh Bachchan clarified this by saying clearly in Hindi, “Dada, main aapke saat 100 janam tak kaam nahi kar sakta, …… (in English) Dada, I cannot work with you even if I take 100 births, the way you act while singing, I lose my breath just to give expressions regarding that, It's not possible for another actor to take birth like you. 500 Amitabh Bachchans are nothing before you, so I cannot work with you.”

Infact Amitabh Bachchan refused the offer given by Kishore Kumar out of respect not by ego. He always referred Kishore Kumar a genius. Once he said that, while speaking about Kishore Kumar, to speak about or to debate about Kishore Kumar it takes very long time because it has so much to talk about him so that time is very little to speak about him. Amitabh Bachchan said that in his personal view Kishore da had thought about playback singing lately, because, inside him, there was a director, he had art of an actor, in his experience there were more other artistic nature capabilities which were far beyond his singing abilities. Amitabh Bachchan also mentioned that, inside his (Kishore Kumar's) heart, a humanity was prevailing.

Though there was a good friendship between Kishore Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan, according to reports, once in 1980s there were disagreements and misunderstandings which took place between Kishore Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan when Bachchan refused to appear in a guest role in Kishore Kumar's productional film Mamta Ki Chhaon Mein, because in 1980s Amitabh Bachchan was a busy actor and due to his busy schedule he couldn't act. Thenceforth Kishore Kumar refused to record songs for Amitabh Bachchan for the films Naseeb, Coolie and Mard.

Kishore Kumar agreed to sing for Amitabh Bachchan for the films Mahaan, Shakti and Bemisal which were released in 1982 & 83 because Kishore Kumar had close bondage with the music director R. D. Burman who composed the music for these films.

Later Amitabh Bachchan realised his fault, he went to meet Kishore Kumar on his son Amit Kumar's birthday there the misunderstandings between them had got cleared.

Kishore Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan never acted together as co-stars. Their colloborations happened only in the songs, Kishore Kumar had sung numerous hit songs for Amitabh Bachchan and they remained as evergreen songs in the hearts of the people. Once Amitabh Bachchan said that singer's voice helped to preserve his presence in the hearts of the audience for a long period.

Kishore Kumar, as a playback singer, had recorded more than 130 songs for Amitabh Bachchan in various hit films like Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Abhiman, Don, Namak Halal, Yarana and the list is very long.

The makers of the film Don, in 1978, added the song ‘Khaike paan Banaraswala…’, sung by Kishore Kumar after a week the film got released. After adding the song with in a week the film became a major hit at the box-office. This song remained as an evergreen song, Kishore Kumar had won Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer.

Initially Kishore Kumar refused to sing Khaike paan Banaraswala… because he felt that the song is not like a typical Hindi song. Later he agreed to sing with the condition that, he sings only once if they didn't like it they would have to find another singer. The song has become an iconic song and it helped the film to become a block-buster.

In the later stage Kishore Kumar had sung for Amitabh Bachchan for the superhit film Sharabi in 1984 and then for Toofan which was released in 1989.

Kishore Kumar is among the greatest singers of the Indian cinema. He had the ability to change his voice to match it with hero's voice, so the listener was feeling like as if the hero himself was singing the song. His brother Ashok Kumar stated that Kishore Kumar as a singer was successful because his voice hits the mike, straight, at its most sensitive point.

Once famous playback singer Asha Bonsle said that it's impossible for anyone to take Kishore Kumar's place and he has been a true gem to the music industry.

Many singers of the later stage have been greatly inspired and influenced by Kishore Kumar.

Amitabh Bachchan called Kishore Kumar a multi-talented genius who shall remain a phenomenal star.

Unfortunately Kishore Kumar had passed away in 1987 at the age of 58 years due to heart attack and his productional film Mann Ki Chhaon Mein was released by his son Amit Kumar in 1989, two years after Kishore Kumar's demise.

In 2012 Kishore Kumar's unreleased song , 'Tum hi to woh ho…'’ from the shelved film Khel Tamasha was sold for Rs 15.6 lakh at the Osian’s Cinefan Auction in New Delhi, the highest price bid for any Indian singers. This song was recorded just 3 days before the unexpected demise of Kishore Kumar.

Why didn't Amitabh Bachchan marry Rekha?

 Because, he was married to Jaya and was the father of her kids - Shweta and Abhishek.

Rekha, Amitabh and Jaya in “Silsila”

Amitabh and Jaya’s marriage was not an arranged marriage. Amitabh and Jaya were in love since the time Amitabh saw Jaya on the set of film “Guddi”.

Amitabh at that time was a struggling actor trying to make his mark in the film industry while Jaya was an established star.

No one including Amitabh knew about the future of his movie carrier. Most of the people had written him off as his films flopped one after the other - almost a dozen films performed poorly at the box office before he could find success with iconic “Zanjeer”.

During his struggle phase, Jaya was a huge support for Amitabh. She adored him and loved him. During shooting of the film “Bawarchi”, Rajesh Khanna, who was reining superstar at that time asked his co-star, Jaya Bhaduri - why is she wasting time on a person like Amitabh who seems to have no future in the film industry?

To which Jaya replied angrily - One day, Amitabh will be much more successful and bigger star than you.

Jaya’s words were so prophetic. Amitabh rose in stardom while Rajesh Khanna became a flop star in late 70s.

In Zanjeer (1973), when no established actress was willing to work with Amitabh considering that he was a newcomer, Jaya agreed to work as heroine of Amitabh in the movie. The point is Jaya has done a lot for Amitabh. She is not just a wife but a friend and a support system as well.

Year 1975 brought enormous success to Amitabh as his two movies Sholay and Deewar became box office blockbusters and went on to achieve legendary status in future.

Amitabh had arrived; there was no one who could challenge Amitabh in second half of the seventies.

This was the time when Amitabh met Rekha on the set of movie “Do Anjaane” (1976).

It was mutual love and they started meeting each other in private. This has been confirmed by many of Rekha’s co-stars and directors.

Actor Ranjeet said that Rekha wanted her evenings free while shooting a movie with him as she wanted to spend evening time with Amitabh.

Director Yash Chopra also confirmed in an interview that Amitabh and Rekha were in a relationship before “Silsila”

Rekha herself admitted her love for Amitabh in numerous interviews.

Though Amitabh never accepted the relationship publicly as he was married to Jaya all this while.

Rekha said that he did what he had to do to protect his image and his family.

Also, Amitabh owes a lot to Jaya as she was the one who believed in him in his early years when everyone else was sceptical of Amitabh’s acting prowess.

If we closely observe Amitabh, he has been a very cautious and risk averse person in his entire life. He doesn't go to the extremes. He has this inclination for stability, status quo and settlement.

When Amitabh was threatened by Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray for his alleged involvement in Bofors scam, he went to Matoshree (Thakeray’s abode) for Thackeray’s blessings.

Bal Thackeray and Amitabh Bachchan

When Jaya Bachchan said - Gandhi family betrayed us, Amitabh immediately issued a statement that Gandhis are kings and Bachchans are subjects, how can they be friends.

Amitabh doesn't like confrontation; he always goes for the compromise and tries to resolve the matter then and there itself.

With Rekha, he again chose the same path - path of stability, status quo and continuity of his marriage with Jaya.

He is not a person who will go to extreme length for his political ideology or for his love for that matter.

He will always take a U-turn if going becomes tough.

Same thing he did in politics. The moment his name cropped up in Bofors scandal and he was subjected to media scrutiny, he decided to withdraw from politics for ever. He didn't fight it out while being there in the political system. He chose to exit while his best friend Rajiv Gandhi was the prime minister at that time.

Rajiv Gandhi and Amitabh

With Rekha, he went ahead as he loved her but he didn't want to divorce Jaya and make their children’s life difficult. He wanted to come across as a family man who respected his parents, loved his kids and got along with his wife.

Given the situation and his mental makeup, eventually he didn't marry Rekha.