Amitabh Bachchan in a still from Saat Hindustani.
Almost half a century ago, on February 15, 1969, a young actor-in-the-making signed a tryst with destiny. Amitabh Bachchan, then 26, had chucked up a corporate job in Kolkata and moved to Mumbai with stars in his eyes. On February 15, 46 years ago, he signed his first film -
Saat Hindustani.
Yesterday, Mr Bachchan tweeted:
Saat Hindustani, and stardom, was hard for Mr Bachchan to come by. He had already been rejected by All India Radio for a job reading the news and failed to place in a talent hunt contest organised by Filmfare. Bollywood lore has it that a letter of recommendation from Indira Gandhi, his mother Teji Bachchan's friend, finally nudged him into the cast of
Saat Hindustani.
The patriotic
Saat Hindustani, directed by Khwaja Ahmed Abbas and co-starring Utpal Dutt and A K Hangal, won a National Award but for the young Amitabh Bachchan, it opened few doors. He won hearts and a Filmfare award for a supporting role in 1971's
Anand but it wasn't till 1973's
Zanjeer - four years and 13 films later - that he finally took his place in the sun. (Also Read:
Amitabh Bachchan Celebrates India's Win, Considers More Commentary)
46 years later, Amitabh Bachchan had a second tryst with destiny of sorts, debuting as a cricket commentator at the India-Pakistan World Cup match yesterday. (Also Read:
At India vs Pakistan, Amitabh Bachchan's Voice. Twitter Pronounces a Verdict)