“Amitabh Bachchan Was Reduced To A Stunt Man… Directors Tried To Exploit His Image:” Hrishikesh Mukherjee [Throwback]

Superstar Amitabh Bachchan and legendary filmmaker Hrishikesh Mukherjee have given us several gems. The two had collaborated on nearly 10 films which are still remembered today. The filmmaker’s authentic and simple story-telling produced many cults. However, the director was upset with other directors for exploiting Bachchan’s image. Scroll down to know more.

Big B and Mukherjee gave some of the cult films like Anand, Abhimaan, Chupke Chupke, Namak Haraam and many more. These films are widely remembered even today for Bachchan’s versatility. The films made him a household name in the country.

Late filmmaker Hrishikesh Mukherjee was upset with other directors that Amitabh Bachchan was being used for his “angry young man” image. He claimed that Big B was reduced to a stunt man. During a conversation with Filmfare in 1988, the filmmaker said, “Other directors tried to exploit his image. They reduced him to a stunt man. Some people said I made a blunder by making him sing classical songs in Alaap when he was busy holding guns and booze bottles in other films. Unfortunately, Alaap didn’t do well. It was released during the emergency when I was very depressed. I thought it was the end of my life.”