Which veteran actor of yesteryears, apart from Amitabh Bachchan is actually doing very good in Bollywood these days?

 Rishi Kapoor.

He did not give any notable performances in his 30's apart from Bobby , Heena and Bol Radha Bol. He did not get much appreciation and he was playing more supporting roles. But i believe that he has evolved over the years.

These days he has got huge appreciation. I really loved his performance in Agneepath. He outclassed other actors in D-Day. He gave justice to his role in Aurangzeb. He gave memorable performance as Honest and innocent teacher in a movie Do Dooni Char.He was praised for giving delightful and charming performance in Suddh Deshi Romance.

His recent selected movies are:
Agneepath
Aurangzeb
D-day
Do Dooni Char
Suddh Deshi Romance
Fanaa
Chasme Baddoor

He is improving himself as an actor. He certainly has impressed people with his acting. He is doing well in recent times and hopefully will contribute in future.

What are some of the most significant turning points in Amitabh Bachchan's career that contributed to his enduring success?

 The major turning points of Amitabh Bachchan’s career were

1969- His debut with Saat Hindustani and his first National award

1971- His first commercial success with Anand and his first Filmfare Award

1973- Amitabh became a star after strings of flops, with Zanjeer

1975- Amitabh dethroned Rajesh Khanna as the top star with a glorious year- 2 major Blockbusters (Sholay and Deewar) and another cult classic hit (Chupke Chupke)

1977- First Filmfare of Amitabh as lead actor- Amitabh as a megastar with massive hits every year.

1982- Amitabh's tragic accident and post recovery starts doing one or two film a year.

1984- Amitabh takes a sabbatical from films to enter politics

1988- Amitabh's return to cinema and the beginning of his decline with massively hyped films that underperformed - Shahenshah, Ganga Jamuna Saraswati, Toofan and his outright disaster film Jadugar.

1990- Won National award for Best Actor for Agneepath but the film flopped- Aaj ka Arjun one of his last solo hit as lead actor (Hum still had Rajnikanth and Govinda)

1992- takes another sabbatical after Khuda Gawah- starts ABCL corporation to produce films and TV. Apart from a delayed film Insaniyat and guest appearances he doesn't appear in a lead role for years.

1997- Amitabh returns to films with Mrutyudata which is a disaster. ABCL fails badly and Amitabh is in massive debts.

2000- second innings of Amitabh Bachchan with Mohabbatein and Kaun Banega Crorepati

2005- Another National award for Amitabh for Black- also wins both Best Actor Popular and Critics award for Black at the age of 63

2009- Another National and Filmfare Award for Paa at the age of 67

2015- National award and Filmfare Critics Award for Piku

83 years old and still getting lead roles- unlike Rajnikanth does meaningful roles and one of the greatest superstars of all times

What are the dirty facts about Amitabh Bachchan?

 His eternal obsession to hide his relationship with Rekha and the other upcoming Bollywood actresses during the 1970s and 1980s.

To the extent of hiding the illegal love triangle between himself, his love interest Jaya, and his married wife Jaya Bachchan.

To the extent of even chastising once his beloved wife Jaya on a heated discussion of his relationship with Rekha who too was linked to other actors other than Amitabh at that time.

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Big B had asked Thappar to stay back for lunch, however according to the journalist, Bachchan's mood was upset after the interview and these questions. At the table, Jaya Bachchan asked Big B if he would eat rice as there was a delay in rotis. He got a little angry and said why is she offering him something which he doesn't eat.

She further told him, that while she is checking the status of the rotis, would he like to take some rice in the meantime. On hearing her, Big B lost his cool and said, "Stop it. Just stop it, I’ve said I don’t want rice and I’m happy to wait for the rotis. Can’t you understand that? What’s the matter with you? Why can’t you just listen to what I’m saying?”

To the extent of blackmailing the renowned film director Yash Chopra to not cast Rekha and Jaya together in a film.

When Yash Chopra Had Revealed Why He Was Scared To Film Jaya Bachchan And Rekha Together In Silsila

Back then, Yash Chopra had recalled when he had told Amitabh Bachchan that he wants to cast Jaya Bachchan and Rekha in 'Silsila' and how scared he was as ‘it was real life coming into reel life.’

https://www.bollywoodshaadis.com/articles/yash-chopra-revealed-he-was-scared-to-film-jaya-bachchan-and-rekha-in-silsila-20696

Back then, Yash Chopra had recalled when he had told Amitabh Bachchan that he wants to cast Jaya Bachchan and Rekha in 'Silsila' and how scared he was as 'it was real life coming into reel life.'

The honest director Yash Chopra revealed how horrible Amitabh was during his haydays and stardom era of 1970s and 1980s.

"It was Amitji who asked me if I was happy... content with the casting (Smita, Parveen and Amitabh) and do I feel it is the ideal casting. I told him I wanted to cast him, Jayaji and Rekha. He took a long pause and told me that he was fine with the decision but asked me to convince the two actresses. I was always on tenterhooks and scared because it was real life coming into reel life. I had told both (Jaya and Rekha) of them that koi gadbadi na ho."

To the extent of roasting the renowned vintage era Bollywood interviewer Karan Thapar in an interview when asked about his extra-maritial relationship with Rekha.

Karan Thapar recalls this horrible interview with Amitabh in 1982 :

I added: ‘So let me do to you what that interviewer did to Warren Beatty. There have been a lot of stories of your alleged love affairs with actresses. After your marriage, have you had an affair with any other woman?’ If he was stunned, leave aside upset, Amitabh did not show it. My eyes were on him as I spoke and he was looking back at me equally intently. But his face was unperturbed. I don’t even recall his expression changing.

To the extent of even hiding another extra-maritial affair with Parveen Babi.

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Big B responded, 'Never'. Karan further probed him and took names. He was asked about Parveen Babi, responding to which, he said, "No. I too have read such stories. They’re not true. But I can’t stop magazines writing this sort of stuff." Further Thappar asked, "What about Rekha?” Bachchan said, "Not even with her."

Image courtesy: Google

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.