The story of Amitabh Bachchan's legendary career is filled with monumental successes, but one chapter stands out for its sheer test of character: the financial collapse of his ambitious venture, Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited (ABCL). While the mid-90s bankruptcy and debts exceeding Rs 90 crore marked a devastating low, it also revealed the unyielding integrity of Bollywood's 'Shahenshah'. Renowned screenwriter and director Rumy Jafry, a close associate, has now shed new light on how Bachchan single-handedly shouldered the massive burden, refusing to seek a single rupee from others.
The ABCL Dream and Its Downfall
In a recent candid conversation on 'Journey Unscripted with Chanda Kochhar', Rumy Jafry recalled the inception of ABCL. He described it as a pioneering corporate production house, a novel concept in the film industry at the time. "It was the first time I was seeing a conference room and production professionals in suits," Jafry shared, highlighting the professional setup Bachchan aimed to create. The megastar had invested his entire life's savings into the company, handing it over to the then-CEO, Sanjiv Gupta. The initial slate included signing filmmakers like Sachin Pilgaonkar and Joy Augustine, with Jafry himself onboard as a writer.
However, the venture soon spiraled into a financial abyss. Jafry opined that not having the right team was a significant factor in ABCL's downfall. The company faced a catastrophic crisis, accumulating debts that would cripple any individual. Yet, amidst this turmoil, Bachchan's conduct became a lesson in dignity.
A Solitary Fight: Clearing Debts with Dignity
Contrary to any speculation, Rumy Jafry stated with absolute conviction that Amitabh Bachchan did not accept financial help from anyone during the ABCL fiasco. "I can say this with complete confidence that Amit ji did not take financial help from anyone," Jafry asserted. Instead, the actor embarked on a grueling period of relentless work to honor every obligation.
His salvation came from two primary sources: the unprecedented success of the television game show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC)' and a steady stream of film projects. Jafry emphasized that Bachchan, a "khuddar (self-respecting) man," used his own hard-earned income to pay off the colossal debt. This act of personally repaying every rupee from the company's collapse solidified his reputation for unparalleled professionalism and ethics in an industry often mired in controversy.
The Unmatched Discipline of a Legend
Beyond the financial saga, Jafry also highlighted a fundamental trait he learned from Bachchan: impeccable punctuality. He credited the superstar for his own sense of discipline. Recalling an incident during the shoot of one of his directorial ventures featuring Bachchan, Jafry illustrated this with a humorous anecdote. Bachchan's schedule was famously precise: "I will arrive at 10 am and will leave at 6 pm." So reliable was his timing that the crew could set their watches by his movements.
Jafry narrated how, after a couple of days where shoots overran till 6:30 PM, he approached Bachchan on the third day. He mentioned a newspaper article praising the actor for being punctually present at three different events across Mumbai in a single day. Bachchan's witty reply encapsulated his ethos: "I reach everywhere on time as I leave on time." This simple yet powerful principle, observed firsthand, left a lasting impression on Jafry and countless others who have worked with the icon.
The story of ABCL is not just a tale of corporate failure; it is a testament to Amitabh Bachchan's extraordinary resilience. From the ashes of a Rs 90 crore financial disaster, he rebuilt his standing not through shortcuts or favors, but through old-fashioned hard work and an unwavering commitment to his principles. As Rumy Jafry's account confirms, the true measure of the legend was defined not during his peak superstardom, but in his dignified response to his deepest crisis.
