Rejected by Radio, Faced Death on Set, Yet Became Bollywood’s Shahenshah
From early career setbacks and a near-fatal film accident to political controversy and a remarkable return to television, Bollywood Megastar Amitabh Bachchan’s journey was anything but ordinary.
Before becoming one of Indian cinema’s most recognized faces, Amitabh Bachchan struggled to find his place in the industry. His voice was considered unsuitable for radio, his appearance did not fit the conventional image of a Bollywood hero, and several of his early films failed to make an impact. Years later, while shooting for a film, he came dangerously close to losing his life.
His career would also take him into politics, expose him to controversy and eventually bring him back to the spotlight in an entirely different role. Yet, through these setbacks, Bachchan continued to reinvent himself. More than five decades after making his film debut, he remains one of the most enduring figures in Indian entertainment.
Born on October 11, 1942, in Allahabad, now known as Prayagraj, Bachchan turns 84 this year. The son of renowned Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Teji Bachchan, he was originally named Amitabh Srivastava. He later adopted his mother’s surname, Bachchan, following his father’s advice.
The name would eventually become synonymous with a remarkable chapter in Indian cinema.
Rejected by Radio, He Found His Voice in Cinema
Bachchan’s journey into the entertainment industry did not begin with a film role. In the early stages of his career, he auditioned for All India Radio but failed to secure a position.
The rejection did not end his ambitions. He later moved to Kolkata, where he worked for a British trading company, Bird & Company, before pursuing opportunities in films.
His first contribution to cinema came in 1969, when he worked as a narrator in Mrinal Sen’s National Award-winning film Bhuvan Shome. The same year, he made his acting debut in Saat Hindustani.
There was an irony in the way his career unfolded. The deep, distinctive voice that had failed to win him a place at the radio station would eventually become one of his greatest assets. Alongside his acting, Bachchan established himself as a memorable narrator, lending his voice to films and other projects.
His early rejection became a small but telling part of a much larger story: the story of an actor who would eventually turn his perceived weaknesses into strengths.
A String of Failures Before Zanjeer
Success did not come overnight. During the early years of his acting career, Bachchan appeared in several films that failed to meet expectations. His height, voice and unconventional screen presence made him different from the romantic heroes who dominated Hindi cinema at the time.
Reports have often described the period between 1969 and 1973 as a particularly difficult phase, with claims that as many as 12 of his films failed before his breakthrough.
That breakthrough came with Zanjeer in 1973. Directed by Prakash Mehra, the film cast Bachchan as Vijay Khanna, a police officer whose anger and determination set him apart from the more familiar heroes of the era.
The film changed the course of his career. Bachchan’s portrayal of a troubled, uncompromising man struck a chord with audiences, helping establish the image of the “Angry Young Man” that would become central to his stardom.
He followed it with a series of successful films, including Deewaar, Sholay, Don, Trishul and Amar Akbar Anthony. His characters often reflected the frustrations and aspirations of ordinary Indians, particularly those who felt powerless in the face of social and institutional injustice.
Bachchan was no longer struggling to fit into the industry. He was helping redefine what a leading man could be.
The Accident on the Sets of Coolie
In 1982, Bachchan’s life took a frightening turn while he was shooting for Coolie, directed by Manmohan Desai.
During the filming of a fight sequence in Bengaluru, Bachchan was seriously injured while performing a scene with co-actor Puneet Issar. The sequence required him to jump onto a table, but a mistimed movement caused him to strike the edge of the table, sustaining a severe abdominal injury.
The accident soon became a matter of national concern. Bachchan was rushed for medical treatment and later treated at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital. He underwent multiple operations, and doctors fought to save his life.
News of his condition spread across India, leaving millions of fans anxiously waiting for updates. For an actor who had built his career playing characters capable of surviving extraordinary odds, the struggle was now painfully real.
The incident also changed the film itself. According to accounts of the production, Bachchan’s character, Iqbal, was originally supposed to die at the end. Following the accident, the filmmakers changed the ending, allowing the character to survive.
Released in 1983, Coolie became a major commercial success. But for audiences, the film would always carry the memory of the accident that nearly cost its leading actor his life.
The consequences extended beyond the film. Bachchan later spoke about contracting hepatitis B through contaminated blood received during transfusions following the accident. He disclosed that the infection had caused substantial damage to his liver.
His recovery became one of the defining episodes of his life, reinforcing the image of a star who had survived a crisis that could have ended both his career and his life.
A Brief Political Career and Controversy
By the 1980s, Bachchan’s fame extended well beyond cinema. His close friendship with Rajiv Gandhi brought him into the world of politics, and in 1984, he contested the Lok Sabha election from Allahabad as a Congress candidate.
He won the election, marking a new chapter in his public life. However, his political career was relatively short. He resigned as a member of parliament in 1987.
In the years that followed, his name became associated with the controversy surrounding the Bofors arms deal. His friendship with Gandhi brought additional attention to the allegations, placing him under public scrutiny.
The episode was a reminder that fame could offer influence but also expose a public figure to intense criticism. Bachchan eventually returned his focus to the entertainment industry, although the political chapter remained an important part of his public story.
From Professional Uncertainty to a Television Comeback
Bachchan’s career faced another major challenge towards the end of the 1990s. His film career had lost some of its earlier momentum, and he encountered serious financial difficulties.
At a time when his future in cinema seemed uncertain, television offered an unexpected opportunity.
In 2000, Bachchan became the host of Kaun Banega Crorepati, the Indian version of the internationally popular quiz show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? The decision was not without risk. At the time, some established film stars were reluctant to move to television, fearing that it could diminish their big-screen image.
Bachchan took the chance anyway.
His measured presentation, gentle humour and warm conversations with contestants helped the programme connect with viewers. Rather than appearing distant or untouchable, he presented himself as an engaging host who could listen, respond and share a moment with ordinary people.
The show introduced him to a new generation of viewers and gave his career fresh momentum. Television, once regarded by some film stars as a step down, became another platform on which he could demonstrate his appeal.
His success as a host also offered a lesson in longevity: a celebrated actor did not necessarily have to remain confined to the role that had first made him famous.
More Than an Action Hero
Bachchan’s longevity has depended in part on his willingness to move beyond the roles that established his stardom.
After becoming famous for playing intense, rebellious characters, he gradually explored more varied roles. Films such as Baghban, Black, Sarkar, Cheeni Kum, Paa and Piku revealed different dimensions of his acting.
These performances demonstrated that his screen presence was not limited to action, anger or confrontation. He could portray vulnerability, authority, humour and emotional complexity, adapting his performances to characters at different stages of life.
He also explored singing, lending his voice to songs including “Mere Angne Mein” from Laawaris and “Neela Aasman So Gaya” from Silsila. His voice, which had once been a reason for rejection, became a recognisable feature of his work across different forms of entertainment.
His achievements have earned him numerous honours, including four National Film Awards for Best Actor. He has also received the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan, among India’s highest civilian honours, as well as the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the country’s highest award in cinema.
The Feluda Role That Never Happened
Not every opportunity in Bachchan’s career came to fruition. One particularly interesting episode involved acclaimed filmmaker Satyajit Ray and the possibility of Bachchan playing the celebrated fictional detective Feluda.
In the mid-1980s, Ray planned a Hindi television adaptation of his Feluda story Jato Kando Kathmandute, under the title Kissa Kathmandu Ka. According to Ray’s son, Sandip Ray, the filmmaker wanted Bachchan to be part of the project, and discussions took place.
However, the production required a substantial time commitment, and Bachchan’s busy schedule made it difficult to coordinate the arrangements. The role eventually went to Shashi Kapoor.
Although the proposed collaboration never materialised, Bachchan had worked with Ray before. He provided the narration for Ray’s 1977 film Shatranj Ke Khilari, bringing his distinctive voice to the film.
The unfulfilled Feluda project remains an intriguing reminder of the many different directions his career might have taken.
A Career Built on Reinvention
Amitabh Bachchan’s story is not simply one of fame and success. It is a story of setbacks, difficult choices and repeated attempts to begin again.
He was rejected by a radio station before finding work in cinema. He struggled through early box-office failures before Zanjeer transformed his career. He survived a life-threatening accident during the making of Coolie, entered politics, faced controversy and later found renewed success on television.
At each stage, he had to adapt to circumstances that could easily have brought his career to a halt.
Today, Bachchan’s legacy rests on more than a collection of hit films or memorable characters. It reflects his ability to remain relevant across generations, shifting from action hero to character actor and from cinema star to television host.
His journey also challenges the idea that a career follows a straight path. For Bachchan, success has often come after disappointment, and reinvention has proved just as important as talent.
More than five decades after his film debut, he continues to command attention. His enduring appeal lies not only in the roles he has played, but also in the resilience that has allowed him to keep moving forward.