weekend

In today’s hatke topic, I am writing about a person who being an actor in Bollywood went from rags to riches phase in his career twice. First time when he started his career and slowly achieved super stardom and then one day he became sick of his movies and stardom and took a break of three years. Then after 3 years  of remaining away from silver screen, he wanted to return and film makers welcomed him but his age factor was going against him as he was 53 years old in 1995. This man you all know him as AMITABH BACHCHAN, the greatest super star of Bollywood. He could not act as romantic hero or angry young man, his earlier image. He started his production company Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Ltd(ABCL) and went into film production,TV serial production, production of music videos and organizing special events. In fact first time Miss World Event was held in Bangalore, the event was handled by ABCL. But  with their fingers in every pie, ABCL could not handle all the works efficiently and company was heading for bankruptcy by year 1999, and till that time(after 1995) what ever films he had acted could not create the magic , which his earlier films used to do. It so happened that the star/actor who was ruling bollywood a decade back was now left with no work and with debts of multi crores. All his properties were mortgaged to banks and he had nothing.

It has been said in Bollywood circles,  that in 1999 he approached his good friend Yash Chopra (Producer & Director) and requested him to give him some work.  Yash Chopra’s son Aditya was planning for movie called Mohabattein and there was one role  in that film which was still not assigned to any actor, which fitted Amitabh’s personality and stature.

Same time there was one more development  happening in TV Industry, Star Network had started their Hindi Channel Star Plus in competition with Zee TV, Sony TV, but their Hindi channel was not doing well. They had acquired the rights of Game Show “ Who Wants to be Millionaire” and wanted to start the Hindi version of the same game show to be known as “ Kaun Banega Crorepati”. They were looking for the host of the show, they wanted this show  to become father of all shows and they wanted host to be very big name as compared to the existing anchor or game show hosts who were ruling at that time, and they were ready to spend any amount to make this show as number one prime time show. The Star Network zeroed on Amitabh Bachchan to host the show, and what you say rest is history. The show, when went on air in 2000, took nation by storm and Amitabh’s command over Hindi/English language, and his aura was high light of the show. Viewer had not seen any thing like this before on TV. He hosted 8 seasons of that show till 2017. He is ready to host the next season in 2018. It is rumored that Star TV paid him Rs 10 Lakhs per episode in the first season, and with the income from this show he was able to clear his debts. Presently for the same show, it is rumoured that he is charging Rs 3 Cr per episode.

The film Mohabatein also released in year 2000, and Amitabh’s role and acting was very much appreciated. Then his destiny took a u turn and he started getting more movies as lead artist or one of the main artist. In year 2001, his two movies were released-Aks and Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham and in both the movies his performances were very much appreciated. Now there was no looking back  for Amitabh Bachchan, as director started creating roles  to suit his age, no doubt he was always a great performer.

In 2002,  five movies in which he acted were released and two movies Aankhen & Kaante stood out for his performance. Then in 2003, he acted in a movie called Baghbaan, it seems that role was only meant for him and he lived that role so beautifully that  public & critic both liked his performance.

Other noted films he acted in this decade were: Khakee(2004), Dev (2004), Black(2005), Bunty Aur Babli(2005), Sarkar (2005), Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (2006), Baabul(2006) Cheeni Kum (2007), Sarkar Raj (2008) and Paa( 2009). He gave stand out performances in two films Black & Paa.

In the next decade he continued with acting and host of KBC. His notable performances were Aarakshan(2011), Satyagrah (2013), Shamitabh (2015), Piku (2015), Wazir (2016), Pink ( 2016) and 102 Not out (2018).

In the 2^nd innings , he has won 2 Filmfare best actor awards for his roles in  Black and Paa and one supporting actor award for Mohabbatein (2000). He has also won national award for best actor in Black . Govt of India bestowed on him Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan during this period.

He proved that if you are talented  and are given right kind of characters to play, then age is no factor. If you have seen Paa,  with right kind of make up how he could act as 12 year old , and won appreciation from every one.

He has not slowed down, he is acting presently also at the age of 76. He is one of the biggest celebrity in the country and overseas. He is also endorsing multiple products.

On Indian Silver Screen, there will not be any one to match his achievements in the years to come.

So what you say my friends.

Waiting for your views/feed backs/comments.