In a stunning revelation, veteran filmmaker Suneel Darshan has shared a poignant chapter from Amitabh Bachchan's career, detailing how the megastar personally reached out for work during one of the most challenging phases of his life. This period was marked by the collapse of his company, Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Ltd (ABCL), and a staggering debt burden.
The Financial Crisis That Led to a Personal Call
The late 1990s were a time of severe professional and financial turmoil for Amitabh Bachchan. His ambitious production venture, ABCL, had gone bankrupt, leaving him with debts reportedly exceeding Rs 90 crore. With the industry largely writing him off, the future of the legendary actor looked bleak. It was in this context of uncertainty that Bachchan began proactively contacting filmmakers.
Suneel Darshan, who was casting for his 2001 film Ek Rishta, was considering actors like Anupam Kher for the pivotal role of Akshay Kumar's father. He had not initially thought of Bachchan. However, the director received an unexpected call while driving. "I picked up and realised it was Amit Ji's voice. I thought somebody was joking with me," Darshan recounted in an interview with Bollywood Thikana. After quickly parking his car, he confirmed it was indeed Bachchan on the line.
"He said, 'Main Amitabh bol raha hoon,' and discussed the probability of working on this film," Darshan said, adding that he immediately agreed and requested a meeting. This call led to Bachchan's casting in a film that would provide crucial support during his financial crunch and also mark his first on-screen collaboration with Akshay Kumar.
Unwavering Dedication: Shooting Double Shifts
Despite the immense personal pressure, Bachchan's professionalism was unwavering. Darshan highlighted the actor's legendary discipline and commitment. A unique challenge arose when co-star Juhi Chawla became pregnant. The team faced a choice: postpone the shoot by a year or prepone it by four months to work around her pregnancy.
Bachchan, who had his dates locked for Karan Johar's Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, provided a remarkable solution. He suggested working grueling double shifts. "He said he was shooting for that film from 9 to 6, so he suggested he would come to our set by 7 pm and work till 2 am with us," Darshan explained. The superstar, then 58 years old, maintained this punishing schedule every day without complaint.
"He was so cooperative... I didn't have an iota of a problem with him," the director stated, praising the human being behind the superstar icon.
The Emotional Context and Lasting Legacy
The film Ek Rishta, which released in 2001, carried emotional weight for its lead actor as well. Akshay Kumar had lost his father just two months before the release of his previous film, Janwar. Darshan believes that the trauma of seeing his father unwell seeped into Akshay's heartfelt performance in the father-son drama.
This episode underscores a remarkable resilience in Amitabh Bachchan's career. From the depths of financial despair, he engineered one of Indian cinema's greatest comebacks. His television debut as host of Kaun Banega Crorepati redefined his stardom, while films like Mohabbatein reaffirmed his box-office power. The story of Ek Rishta remains a testament to his work ethic and determination during a defining crisis.
Amitabh Bachchan and Akshay Kumar would later reunite for Vipul Amrutlal Shah's 2005 film, Waqt, further cementing their on-screen rapport that began during this difficult period.
