Amitabh Bachchan, a.k.a. the “Shahenshah” of Bollywood, is perhaps the biggest legend of the Indian film industry. Nevertheless, the he faced a rocky path to the top from the moment he started. His electrifying persona when the camera was on him is very obvious, but for him, life did not always seem so breezy, and matters were not always the same.
Thus, we will focus on some of the Unknown Facts About Amitabh Bachchan initial career, including the struggles, failures and the moments of success he had to face until he becomes the legendary star he is today.
Amitabh Bachchan Early Life and Career Struggles
Amitabh, who once dreamt of joining the Indian Air Force and becoming an engineer, faced different directions in his life and could not do what he wanted to.
- Before Bollywood: Amitabh Bachchan worked as a Kolkata based executive and his monthly salary was a mere ₹400.
- Rejections in Bollywood: His deep baritone voice, which we all know, was initially a reason for rejections by the film industry.
- First Break: He got a break in Bollywood and acted as a narrator for the film Bhuvan Shome (1969).
Anyhow, Amitabh Bachchan ultimately handled these difficulty times with courage and never gave up, which was a very inspirational story for the rest of his life in Bollywood.
Amitabh Bachchan First Films and Initial Failures
One of Amitabh’s first acting projects was his role in the film Saat Hindustani (1969), but the movie flopped.
He starred in several films that failed at the box office, including:
- Anand (1971) – Got good critics but it was Rajesh Khanna who stole the show.
- Parwana (1971) – He did the negative character but didn’t win much appreciation.
- Ek Nazar (1972) & Sanjog (1972) – It was a hard time for Bachchan to create the impact.
Not many people actually knew him, and so, not many people would have believed his career would last long. But his perseverance paid off later on.
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This Amazing Movie Changed Amitabh Bachchan Life
- Zanjeer was a game-changer in 1973 for him.
- It marked his entry into the Hindi movie industry with the character of the “Angry Young Man”.
- Cinematic legends, such as Raj Kumar and Dev Anand, rejected the part because they thought it was not right for them.
- After the success of Zanjeer, Amitabh went on to become a household name.
His career path took a whole new route starting at that point.
Unknown Facts About The Early Life of Amitabh Bachchan
Surprise! Here are some lesser-known events in his early life and career:
- No for All India Radio: The voice which is now the most famous, was “rejected” by AIR because it was “too heavy.”
- Had a Name Other Than Amitabh: In the early phase, his father, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, planned to give him the name “Inquilab” (meaning revolution).
- Engagement Before Jaya Ji: Some sources have hinted previously that in 1969, he was engaged to the air hostess of British Airways, Maya.
Amitabh Bachchan, a name recognized for decades, began his career facing many challenges but persevered and triumphed despite setbacks. His journey of self-evolution is a reflection of the drive and commitment that he showed in the Indian film industry. He was born from getting rejections to achieving success as a superstar and he has not been forgotten as an exemplary of artists worldwide.
