Amitabh Bachchan Recalls Rajesh Khanna’s Stardom: ‘Women Took Dirt From His Car Tyres As Blessing’

In a recent episode of 'Kaun Banega Crorepati', Amitabh Bachchan recalled the pivotal moment in his career when he was offered the role in 'Zanjeer', the film that helped him rise as a superstar.

Amitabh Bachchan recalled the pivotal moment in his career when he was offered the role in 'Zanjeer'.

Source : IMDb

In a recent episode of 'Kaun Banega Crorepati', Amitabh Bachchan recalled the pivotal moment in his career when he was offered the role in 'Zanjeer', the film that helped him rise as a superstar. The actor opened up about his early struggles in the film industry discussing how he had considered giving up acting altogether before fate stepped in, leading him to the iconic film written by Salim-Javed. 

While Zanjeer was the breakthrough that redefined his career, Bachchan had a much harder start. Recalling his initial years, he said, "I had worked in two or three films, but they didn’t succeed, which left me discouraged. Before moving to Mumbai, I worked in Kolkata, earning just 400-500 rupees a month. But when I arrived in Mumbai, I was determined to make it work. I thought, if I didn’t find work in films, I would drive a taxi. I even got my driving license in preparation." 

Amitabh Bachchan on Rajesh Khanna's stardom

The actor further shared how the superstar of the time, Rajesh Khanna, was the first choice for the role in Zanjeer, but it was Salim-Javed who believed in Bachchan's potential. He recalled, “Eventually, I found work, and Abbas saab gave me my first break. Zanjeer was written by Salim-Javed, and it was a turning point in my career. At the time, Rajesh Khanna was the biggest superstar in India. Kya aura tha, kya following thi…His presence was so powerful that when he arrived, women would take the dirt from his car’s tyres and apply it to their foreheads as a blessing. I was a nobody, but then Salim-Javed came to meet me and offered me the story. I didn’t expect to get the role, but I did, and that’s how I got Zanjeer.” 

How Bachchan got the role in Zanjeer

Bachchan also shared how a seemingly minor scene from his earlier film Bombay to Goa played a role in him landing Zanjeer. “Javed Saab told me that in one of my films, Bombay to Goa, there’s a scene where I’m sitting in a restaurant when Shatrughan Sinha slaps me. The scene was supposed to lead to a fight, but when I stood up, I was still chewing the sandwich I had been eating. That moment made Javed saab believe I could handle the role in Zanjeer.” 

He also recalled a memorable moment from the set of Zanjeer, describing his first day of shooting when he had to deliver a line to the legendary actor Pran. Feeling nervous about speaking the dialogue, Bachchan said, "On my first day at work and I had to say a dialogue to Pran sir, a man of extraordinary talent. I was initially hesitant to say these lines to him but he was extremely supportive and asked me to go ahead with it."