Amitabh Bachchan is one of the biggest names in Indian cinema, who ruled the 1970s and 80s with his powerful performances and larger-than-life presence. Even after several decades, his star power remains undeniable, with people across the country recognising him just as they did when he first started in the film industry. Having delivered countless hits like Sholay, Zanjeer, and Deewar, Amitabh became a household name. However, in an old interview, the veteran actor shared some surprising insights about stardom and failure, mentioning how actors like Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Salman Khan are now considered bigger stars than him.
In a conversation with film critic Anupama Chopra, Amitabh spoke about how he handles setbacks in his career. The Kalki 2898 AD actor candidly asked if he knew how to comfort himself during failure and said, "I don't. You just keep moving on. Hopefully, somebody will come to you and want to make a film with you. I think there are ups and downs in everyone's lives. It would be impossible to believe that none of us have had failure in our lives and that all of us have had continued success all our lives."
One of the most surprising revelations from the interview was Amitabh Bachchan's comments on his level of fame. Despite being a legendary figure, he explained that he no longer draws the same attention in public as he did during his peak in the 70s and 80s. He shared, "Maybe in the 70s or 80s, I could walk into a restaurant and have several people looking at me but I walk in now and hardly anyone looks at me. But if two seconds later you have an Aamir, a Shah Rukh or a Salman walking in, the place would go crazy. That's a gauge of your standing. It's also a gauge of what they are but it's inadvertently a gauge of where you are standing now."
When asked how he comes to terms with the decline in attention, Amitabh light-heartedly responded, "How do you make peace? Just go, order your food and eat. Khaana khaane aaye hain, khaana khaayenge. Aur kya hai? We have come to eat; we will eat. What else?)"
Despite these past interviews, Amitabh Bachchan continues to remain a significant force in Indian cinema and in the entertainment news world. His recent performance in Kalki 2898 AD, where he portrayed Ashwatthama, received high praise from viewers. The film, directed by Nag Ashwin, also starred Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, and Kamal Haasan. The megastar is also back to hosting Kaun Banega Crorepati 16. It's the 15th time Big B is hosting the game reality show.
