When Amitabh Bachchan felt like a ‘Novice’ in front of a newbie director!

Millennium Star Amitabh Bachchan is a legend who needs no introduction. Over a glorious career spanning five decades, he has redefined Indian cinema with his unmatched versatility. Known for his compelling performances across genres and his iconic baritone voice, Big B has proven himself not only as an actor but also as a singer. Being an institution in himself, both aspiring and established actors look up to him for inspiration.

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Yet, despite all his accomplishments, Amitabh Bachchan recently admitted that he felt like a 'novice' in front of a newbie director!

A Veteran Humbled by a Newcomer

Having collaborated with countless renowned directors, Amitabh Bachchan has set benchmarks for punctuality, discipline, and dedication in the industry. With fans spanning continents, he remains one of the most respected figures in global cinema. However, there came a moment in his journey when a newcomer director made him feel like a ‘nausikhiya’ (novice).

Celebrations on Kaun Banega Crorepati 17

To celebrate Amitabh Bachchan's 83rd birthday, the makers of Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 17 planned a special episode. The show featured veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar and his son Farhan Akhtar as guests. In the promo of the episode, Big B was seen sharing light-hearted moments with the father-son duo while revealing some fun behind-the-scenes stories.

Amitabh Bachchan Recalls Working with Farhan Akhtar

The promo of the episode began with Big B cutting a giant cake with Javed and Farhan. Once seated, Farhan reminisced about working with Big B on Lakshya. This prompted the Kalki 2898 AD star to share an amusing memory from the shoot.

He recalled, “Raat ko yeh humare kamre mein aaye. Amitabh uncle, are you having some problem? Pehli baar laga ki main ek nausikhay hi hoon aur yeh ustaad hai betha hua jo keh raha hai dekho bete, hum tumko batate hain kaise acting karni chahiye." (He came to my room at night and said, ‘Amitabh uncle, are you having some problem?’ For the first time, I felt like I was the student and he was the master, saying, ‘Look, son, let me teach you how to act.’”)

The confession left Javed Akhtar in splits, making it one of the most memorable moments from the episode.

The Making of Lakshya and a Lasting Legacy

Released in 2004, Lakshya was directed by Farhan Akhtar and written by his father Javed Akhtar. The coming-of-age war drama starred Amitabh Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan, and Preity Zinta in pivotal roles. Although it didn’t fare well at the box office, the film went on to earn cult status over the years.

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The Gem Unearthed by Salim-Javed

Notably, it was none other than Javed Akhtar and Salim Khan, the celebrated writer duo, who recognized Amitabh’s potential early on and suggested his name for Zanjeer. The film became a massive hit, introducing Bollywood to its iconic ‘Angry Young Man’. From there, Amitabh Bachchan’s collaboration with Salim-Javed continued to shape his monumental career and define Hindi cinema’s golden era.