Dr Lakhvinder Singh
Amitabh Bachchan is one of the most loved and respected actors in India. People call him the “Shahenshah” (emperor) of Bollywood. But not many young people know that he once lost everything. He had no work, no money, and was almost forgotten. Yet, he made a big comeback – bigger than anyone had expected. This is not just the story of a film star. This is the story of hope, hard work, and never giving up, even when life becomes very hard.
Amitabh Bachchan started his acting career in the late 1960s. He had a deep voice, a tall body, and strong expressions. His first few films did not do well. But he didn’t stop trying. In 1973, the movie Zanjeer changed his life. People loved his angry young man role. After that, there was no looking back. In the 1970s and 1980s, he became the biggest film star in India. He gave hits like – Deewar, Sholay, Amar Akbar Anthony, Don, Trishul and many more. His acting, voice, and energy won the hearts of millions. He was labeled as angry young man who showed his frustration and rebellious attitude towards the corrupt and unjust systems of the society and the youth of the country could easily correlate themselves with the characters he played on the screen. Through these roles, he not only became a Bollywood star but also a beacon of strength, resilience and hope for the desperate youth of that time.
The Big Fall
Life of all of us is not always easy and Amitabh Bachchan too was not an exception. In the 1990s, he suffered a sudden downfall and the things started to go wrong with him. His films were not doing well. He was getting older, and new stars were becoming popular. At the same time, he started his own company, called Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Ltd (ABCL). This company was supposed to make films, manage artists, and hold big events. One of its biggest events was hosting the Miss World contest in India in 1996. The associated controversy and some bad financial decisions led to fiscal losses for the company. Soon, the ABCL went bankrupt and Amitabh Bachchan was left with huge debts. At one point of time, he had no new films, no income, and no way to pay back the money he owed. Creditors started calling him. Some even came to his house to ask for their money. He was in his late 50s at that time. Many people would have given up, but not Amitabh Bachchan!
The Game Changer – KBC
In the year 2000, Amitabh took a very bold step. He decided to host a television quiz show called Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC). At that time, television was seen as a “small screen,” and no top film stars would go there. People were surprised by his choice. Some even laughed at him. But he believed in the idea. And when the show started, it became a massive hit. Millions of Indians, from cities to villages, sat in front of their TVs every evening to watch him. His calm voice, respectful way of talking, and powerful screen presence made KBC one of the most loved shows on Indian television. It brought Amitabh Bachchan back into every Indian home.
Films, Ads, and a New Life
After the success of KBC, Amitabh Bachchan’s film career also started again. He was offered strong roles – not as a young hero now, but as a father, teacher, lawyer, or elder. Some of his best films from this second phase include: Mohabbatein (2000), Baghban (2003), Black (2005), Sarkar (2005), Paa (2009), Piku (2015), Pink (2016) and Badla (2019). He proved that age is just a number. His performances were powerful, emotional, and inspiring. He worked with young directors, learned new ways of acting, and kept himself updated. At the same time, big companies wanted him to advertise their products. Banks, tourism boards, food companies, jewelers, and many other brands made him their brand ambassador. People again started trusting his face and his deep voice became famous in ad campaigns too.
Even today, in his 80s, Amitabh Bachchan is active on social media. He writes a blog almost every day, shares updates on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), and stays in touch with fans. Young people admire him for being so modern and tech-friendly. He has also lent his voice to important public awareness campaigns – like saving the girl child, promoting COVID-19 safety, or supporting cleanliness drives. He truly became a part of every generation, from elders to school kids.
From Bankruptcy to Top Taxpayer
In the financial year 2024-25, Amitabh Bachchan paid ?120 crore as income tax, which made him the highest tax-paying celebrity in India. This means he earned nearly ?350 crore in a year! From being penniless and in debt in the 1990s, he became one of the richest and most respected public figures in the country. But what’s more important is not the money – it’s the respect he earned, and the message he gave: You can rise again!
What Can We Learn from Him?
The purpose of sharing Amitabh Bachchan’s story is not just to praise his otherwise unmatched acting skills. The aim is to learn a lesson for life from his story, and the lessons we can all learn:
* Never give up – even when the world thinks it’s over, you still can bounce back.
* Age doesn’t matter – you can succeed at any stage of life.
* Stay humble – he always remained respectful and down to earth.
* Work hard – success didn’t come easy. He worked day and night, even at 80.
* Keep learning – he adapted to change; from classic films to TV and now to modern day social media.
* Be strong in failure – He accepted his mistakes and came back wiser.
A message especially for youth and students
Life will test you; people may doubt you and you will also face failures and downfalls. But if you keep your mind strong, your heart pure, and your willpower strong – you can rise again. Amitabh Bachchan did not just play great roles on screen, he also lived the greatest role in real life – the role of a fighter and a winner. So, the next time life feels tough, just remember his journey. Take a deep breath, stand up, and keep moving. Because one failure cannot decide your whole life. And who knows? Maybe your comeback will also become a story worth telling.
(The author is an Assistant Professor of Botany)
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