Zanjeer transformed Amitabh Bachchan’s life
The 1973 Prakash Mehra directorial action drama Zanjeer transformed the life of Amitabh Bachchan. The film broke the flop jinx of Amitabh Bachchan and turned out to be a blockbuster in India and Soviet Union.
Unquestionably, the living legend, Amitabh Bachchan has inspired actors for generations. His value for time and it’s a fact that disciplined lifestyle made him active in films for over five decades. Despite leading more than 150 films, and featuring in over 200 films across Hindi, Bengali, Punjabi, Bhojpuri, Kannada, Malayalam, and English languages, the actor possesses the same enthusiasm and energy.
The 1942 Allahabad(Prayagraj) born to the eminent Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan and his wife, the social activist Teji Bachchan, Amitabh embarked on his film career in 1969 as a voice narrator in Mrinal Sen’s film Bhuvan Shome. His first acting role was as one of the seven protagonists in Khwaja Ahmad Abbas’ film Saat Hindustani (1969).
After Saat Hindustani, the actor was seen in the Hrishikesh Mukherji directorial blockbuster Anand, opposite super star Rajesh Khanna. While Rajesh took won praises and accolades, Amitabh earned his first Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. Amitabh also played the villain in Naveen Nischol-starrer Parwana, but sadly the movie failed at the box office.
In the early 70s, Amitabh starred in several unsuccessful films, including Pyar Ki Kahani, Reshma Aur Shera, Sanjog, Bansi Birju, Ek Nazar, Raaste Kaa Patthar, and Gehri Chaal. In these years, only Anand and Bombay To Goa were successful, but Rajesh Khanna and Mahmood took away the appreciation in their respective films. Amitabh was disappointed with his career until this movie changed his fate forever.
But, it was Zanjeer a revenge drama that proved to become the breakthrough film for Amitabh. The 1973 released film ended the dry-run of Bachchan’s career, and and began the shift in Hindi cinema to violent films. The movie was a superhit in India and the Soviet Union. Reportedly, the film grossed Rs 17 crores worldwide, and when adjusted for inflation, its worldwide gross is equivalent to Rs 564 crore in 2016.
For the unversed, Amitabh Bachchan was not the first choice for Zanjeer
Reportedly the project was announced with Dharmendra and Mumtaz, but the former action star kept pushing the project ahead.
Thus, Prakash Mehra and Dharmendra decided to part ways amicably, and the director started approaching other stars. Another news report stated that superstars Dev Anand, Raaj Kumar, and even Dilip Kumar were offered the film, but they all rejected the film. Finally, Salim Khan, from the iconic writer duo, Salim-Javed, suggested Amitabh’s name after getting impressed by his act in Bombay To Goa. But if it is to be believed it was Pran who put in a big word about Amitabh to Prakash Mehra.
After Amitabh was finalised, Mumtaz quit Zanjeer, choosing marriage over career. Jaya Bahduri (now Bachchan) was working with Prakash Mehra on another project, and when the director narrated her the role, the actress agreed to the film for the sake of Amitabh.
When Zanjeer was in production, Amitabh was called a failed newcomer, and Pran, who was playing the supporting role of Pathaan in the film, was a bigger star among the cast, and took more money than him.
News Edit K.V.Raman
