Amitabh Bachchan's heroine says he was no struggler, claims he had a 'nice life' before debut. 'They had a bungalow'
Amitabh Bachchan
's fame and dominance in the
Indian film industry
are well known, but even before his debut in cinema, he carried an unmistakable charisma. Born into a well-respected household, with his father, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, being one of the most celebrated poets in the country, Amitabh came from a background that already had prestige and prominence.
While many believed that he carved his path from modest beginnings—doing odd jobs like working as a radio presenter and spending nights on Marine Drive benches—some, including actress
Mumtaz
, have questioned this version of events.
In a recent conversation on
Radio Nasha
, Mumtaz offered her perspective on the notion of Bachchan's early hardships. She expressed skepticism regarding the widespread belief that the actor struggled before attaining stardom. From her point of view, he was never truly underprivileged. She emphasized that he was not only highly educated but also came from an affluent family that lived comfortably in a bungalow. According to her, such a background rarely aligns with the traditional idea of someone battling poverty to reach the top.
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Mumtaz contrasted her own early life with Bachchan's. She spoke about having to leave school after the fourth grade and taking up minor roles in films as a child just to support her family. Her earnings as a junior artist, meager as they were, had to be divided between an agent and her household. By comparison, she saw Bachchan as someone who had the luxury of choice—he did not have to act out of financial need but rather out of passion or ambition.
"I had to drop out of school in fourth grade, and I started working as an extra in films. I was 7 years old, and we used to get Rs 500 for a role, out of which Rs 100 I had to give to the person who got us the job, and the rest I used to give to my mother. On the other hand, Amitabh ji was a highly educated and classy person. His father was a known figure, and they had a bungalow and a nice life, so I don't understand why he needed to become an actor.' she explained.
Despite their differing paths, Mumtaz fondly recalled working with Bachchan in the 1973 film Bandhe Haath, directed by O.P. Goyle. She noted that although he didn't seem to need the profession, she admired his poise, intelligence, and refinement. She expressed genuine appreciation for the opportunity to share screen space with someone she regarded as a gentleman with a unique presence. Looking back, she wished she had more chances to work alongside him and learn from his approach.
The same year Bandhe Haath was released, Amitabh Bachchan's performance in
Zanjeer
skyrocketed him to nationwide fame, cementing his place in
Bollywood
's elite. He went on to deliver a string of box office hits, including Sholay, Deewaar, Amar Akbar Anthony, and Don. Mumtaz, meanwhile, stepped away from acting in 1977 after marrying businessman Mayur Madhvani. Though she returned briefly in the 1990s in Aandhiyan, her reappearance was short-lived, and she eventually exited the industry for good.
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