In a stunning revelation that underscores his legendary status, megastar Amitabh Bachchan's extraordinary dedication during the making of the film 'Chehre' has come to light. Writer-director Rumy Jafry recently shared incredible anecdotes, painting a picture of a star who braved deadly temperatures of -70 degrees Celsius, personally covered all his travel expenses, and even refused to take any payment for his work.
The Unprecedented Fee Waiver That Shocked the Makers
Rumy Jafry, who has collaborated with Amitabh Bachchan on four films, recalled the nerve-wracking moment when he and producer Anand Pandit went to discuss the actor's remuneration for 'Chehre'. To their utter shock, Bachchan pre-empted the conversation by announcing he would not charge a single rupee for the project. "He said, 'I don't want the burden of my fees on this film'," Jafry recounted, visibly emotional even in the retelling. Despite persistent insistence from the producer for months, the veteran actor stood firm on his decision.
The meeting, which the director had worried would be awkward, was instead warmed by Big B's famous hospitality, featuring a traditional Indian breakfast of dal moth, samosa, and kachori at his home.
Defying Warnings and Hitler's History: The Poland Ordeal
The shoot schedule required filming in Poland during the harsh month of December. Jafry received a cautionary call from the late actor Rishi Kapoor, who famously warned him against taking Bachchan to Poland in winter. Kapoor quipped, "Do you have anything against him? You don't know how cold it gets. Even Hitler lost the battle in Poland in winters."
Ignoring the warning was one thing, but the reality on ground was another. Upon arrival, the crew was greeted with a brutal -70 degrees Celsius. While the production team created heated huts and everyone bundled up, Bachchan, then around 78-79 years old, had to shoot in the costume from his previous scene, offering no protection from the extreme cold.
Professionalism Beyond Measure: The Personal Expenses
Perhaps the most telling act of commitment was Bachchan handling all his logistical costs personally. He arrived on set via a chartered flight and returned by one, paying for both the aircraft and his hotel stay with his own credit card, expressly forbidding the producer from covering any of it.
Lauding this unparalleled dedication, Rumy Jafry stated, "No one is more disciplined, committed, and dedicated an actor in this industry than Amitabh Bachchan, and there never will be. He respects directors and writers a lot, never questions them, and never interferes." This story from the sets of 'Chehre' adds another formidable chapter to the enduring legacy of Indian cinema's greatest icon, defining professionalism in its purest form.
