Today’s weekend blog is on Bollywood.
There are many Bollywood actors who one day suddenly announce that they are quitting acting in films. Some of them stick to their decision and never return on the silver screen, but there are few after announcing their retirement they come back and start acting after a few years. Recently, Vikrant Massey has been grabbing headlines with his sudden decision to retire from films. He penned a note on his social media account saying “ Coming 2025, we will meet each other for one last time”. He will retire after his next film, which will be released in the year 2025.
Here are some other instances of Bollywood actors prematurely bidding adieu to Bollywood.
1 Vinod Khanna
Once considered only threat to Amitabh Bachchan’s superstardom, he quit acting at the peak of his career and devoted himself to spiritual Guru Bhagwan Shri Rajneesh, better known as Osho, by residing at his ashram in America. It sent shock waves across the film industry as well his fans and family. A little less than decade later, he returned and reclaimed his popularity in an action-packed avatar.
2 Parveen Babi
Bollywood could never understand her bohemian spirit and adventurous impulses. Often, she’d jet set out of the country in pursuit of love and liberation, seeking spiritual mentor UC Krishnamurthy’s guidance, leaving her thriving career high and dry. Like Vinod Khanna, sometime in 1980s, she went AWOL. While everybody speculated the reason for absence, she emerged from her self-imposed exile and stories of her mental health issues, looking nothing like her former self.
3 Zaira Wasim
One of the brightest child actors on the Hindi film scene, Zaira catapulted to instant fame with her impressive acting in Dangal, Secret Superstar and The Sky is Pink, only to announce in 2019 that she is done being an actress, as it does not bode well with here religious beliefs.
4 Vyjayanthimala
As Bollywood’s reigning dancing queen for more than 15 years, a 33 years old Vyjayanthimala put her heart and soul to play the royal dancer-turned –passionate patriot in and as Amrapali (1966). The film did not fare well and broke her heart, and after completing her assignment she resolved to stay away from the limelight ever since. But she continued with Bharat Natyam dance routine, and gave many stage performances.
5 Sadhana
Just three years before her death she said “ I do not hanker for spotlight, I want my fans to remember me as Sadhana of Love in Simla, Mere Mehboob, Who Kaun Thi and Arzoo. Known for her angelic face and adorable fringe, she developed eye problem and thyroid issue, which prompted her to take retirement from films. If she wanted she could have continued as character artiste, but as said earlier she wanted her fan to remember her for her films as leading lady. Afterwards the retirement, she hardly appeared in public life, except few years before her death she appeared for some award function to receive Lifetime Achievement Award.
6 Nargis
In the earlier days many film actresses would quit acting once they tied the knot to focus on a happily married life. Despite her legendary status, Nargis was not lured by the temptation of stardom. Post her marriage to her Mother India co-star Sunil Dutt, the actress found her attention divided between raising three children and philanthropic causes. Yes, after marriage she completed her brother’s film ‘Raat Aur Din’ whose production was delayed.
7 Mumtaz
From her humble beginning as teenager side actress, to comedian side kick, to supporting actress, to top heroine, she had won hearts and acclaim in a decade. But she dumped it all while at the peak of her career to marry businessman Mayur Wadhwani. After 15 years, she would be tempted to face the cameras again for David Dhawan’s 1990 disaster film Aandhiyan only to vow never to work again.
8 Kumar Gaurav
One of the most promising star kids to be launched by their super successful fathers, his short-lived status as Bollywood heartthrob continues to be stuff of legendary tales. Son of Rajendra Kumar turned into an overnight star with blockbuster romance ‘Love Story’. But series of poorly picked scripts proved to be the reasons for his career’s premature demise and later bye bye to films. Barring a one-off appearance in Sanjay Gupta’s ensemble crime caper, ‘Kaante’, he preferred to focus on his non-filmi business.
9 Amitabh Bachchan
Work and Big B go hand in hand. At 82 he is, inarguably, the most active actor-celebrity around. Except there was brief time I his career when he retired from acting following back-to-back debacle of Toofan, Jaadugar and some other films. He did not act for five years, the man was back on his feet and has not looked back since. His second innings have been more fruitful than his first.
10 Raj Kiran
He started his acting career in late 1970s, and had acted as supporting actor in films like Karz, Basera, Arth, Justice Chaudhary, Teri Meherbaniyan, Arjun, Hatya, Karz Chukana Hai, and many more. Suddenly in late 1990s he went missing. In 2011, actor Rishi Kapoor stated that as per Raj Kiran’s brother he in mental asylum in Atlanta (USA), but his daughter released a statement that he is still missing.
Waiting for your feedback on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
6th December 2024