Nostalgia! Amitabh Bachchan Shares Memories Of His Colleagues (Part I)

Waheeda Rehman

Dilip Saab and Waheeda Rehman have always been Amitabh Bachchan’s idols even before he worked in the entertainment industry. 

The actor still cannot believe in his luck when having the time working with Waheedaji in the movie Reshma Aur Shera (1971). In the perception of Amitabh Bachchan, Waheeda Rehman can be considered to be ideal for any Indian women, and there are qualities which were much the same as Amitabh Bachchan's beliefs in Waheeda's personal demeanour.

Additionally, he described Waheeda as a modest, reserved individual, quiet person. During the film was shooting, she was described as a picture of grace. The movie crew had stayed in the Rajasthan's deserts for a long time, and the actor shared that he was treated like a family member by Waheeda and her sister. He shared that their endear and kindness helped him forget the feeling of a newcomer.

In an interview, Big’ B shared the moment that he cannot forget when the film crew was in the Jaisalmer Palace to shoot the scene that animals were sacrificed for the movie Reshma Aur Shera. In that scene, horrible bali (animal sacrifice), which was actually occurred in real life in Dusshera festival, was happened and Rehman played as part of a crowd; she accidentally fainted and collapsed. Some crew, including Sunil Dutt Saab and Big’ B, rushed to help her; she was lifted to brought out of the crowd, returned makeshift hotel on a jeep to be revived. Even the actor felt so bad when his idol being like that, a part of him was so proud when having an opportunity to take care of her.

After Reshma Aur Shera, Amitabh Bachchan had chances to work with Waheeda Rehman in Kabhi Kabhie and Adalat. Waheeda Rehman also played as the mother of Big' B in several movies. She is not just a talented artist, Amitabh Bachchan stated that her encouragement and advice had supported him so much in developing his career.

Until now, Amitabh Bachchan still admires her and Waheeda Rehman spent her caring and openness for him whenever two actors meet each other. The actor expressed about the Waheeda Rehman's scene on the balcony with the appearance of Guru Dutt in the movie Pyaasa (1957); her acting was so mesmerising and ethereal.

Mehmood

Amitabh Bachchan had his first film in 1970, Saat Hindustani, and that was when he became friends with Annu (the brother of Mehmood Bhai). Their friendship has remained for over 40 years, and Big'B did not hesitate to share that he lived with Annu's family at Marine Drive when he had just started his career.

Amitabh Bachchan decided to live with Annu when they met issues in commuting and attending each other, and Annu initially suggested Amitabh Bachchan staying with his family. Amitabh Bachchan moved to the apartment where Annu and his extended family was living, its owner was Mehmood Bhai. However, since the time Big' B moved to, there was no moment made he feels that he was not a family member.

While Amitabh Bachchan had faced many rejections, he stated that Mehmood is the one who had positive visions for him. Despite the film market had severe criticism, Mehmood spent the critical role for Amitabh Bachchan in the movie Bombay To Goa. Like any actors in their early years, Big' B also had a tough time when being unemployed. Mehmood was his saviour when convincing the talented director, Pramod Chakravarty to put his faith in Big' B. Furthermore, he received Rs 5000 in advance and for some reasons, the movie was cancelled. That was such a morale booster that Mehmood Bhai brought to him.

For Amitabh Bachchan, Mehmood was not just a talented actor but also a kindhearted and generous person. He was like a big eagle using his wing to protect his family and take care of them. Besides, Amitabh Bachchan believes that at that time, heroes of the movies were the comedian and the sense of the comedy of Mehmood was unmatchable.

When Big' B gain his success, Mehmood was the one that felt most excited. Danger Diabolic! was the nickname that Mehmood coined for Amitabh. He did not find out any clue why Mehmood called him like that but he had never asked Mehmood. Mehmood had a chance to work with a legendary actor, Raj Kapoorji, and he received a sleeved pullover with half of it had a green colour. That was the most valuable possession of Mehmood. However, Big' B was the next owner of the pullover because Mehmood respectfully gave him after enjoying a performance of the actor. Amitabh Bachchan has kept the pullover until now.

(To be continued)