The prodigal son

And his secret of success – his father’s words of wisdom that he inculcated.Born in the politically and academically important town of Allahabad in 1942, Amitabh talked about what he regarded as the most formative years of his life, spent at the boarding school Sherwood, Nainital, where he was sent for higher studies by his father, then a professor of English in Allahabad University. Without the protective cloak of parents over him there helped him learn about independence, self reliance and responsibility.

This was also where his love for acting was fuelled, with Amitabh walking off with the Best Actor’s Trophy the second year he was there. While he lost out on the award in the third year when he came down with German Measles just two days before the performance, Bachchan regards it as a valuable learning experience. “ Utterly shattered I was sitting in the school hospital when my father, who had come for the play, explained to me that whenever things do not happen according to one’s will in life, it simply means they are happening according to God’s will who would never wish ill for his children. This truth has been my guiding light till today.”

Returning to the thrust of the lecture – unemployment and resultant frustrations amongst the youth – Amitabh touched many a chord when he talked about college days and the subsequent search for a job.“College was in Delhi. I took B.Sc thinking that perhaps I had the making of a great scientist in me. An impression that was dispelled in the very first lecture I attended! The following three years were tortuous. Even more tortuous was to have a degree in hand and no job. Frustration seeped in as I made the rounds of various offices only to be disappointed.”

Touching about his well known rejection by the All India Radio for the post of a news reader, “I was told my voice was unsuitable,” he related yet another episode when despair got the better of him. “One day in anger, I lashed out at my parents holding them responsible for my situation since they had brought me into the world. My father was silent but a week later wrote a poem in which he quoted me, adding that perhaps I should try and ask my kids if they want to be born before I bring them into the world!”

Finally the original angry young man landed a job with a Calcutta firm at a salary of Rs 450 per month. Three years down the line however Bachchan realised that his real calling in life lay in films and despite rejection from a talent search contest organised by Filmfare and Madhuri magazines, he packed his bags and returned to Allahabad. “Seeing my passion for films, Babuji encouraged me to pursue my dream. With a portfolio and my driving license in hand, I found myself knocking at the doors of producers in Mumbai.

“There were disappointments galore. There were places from where I was rejected outright. The first few films flopped. I persevered and worked harder on my performance. Every rejection made my resolve to work stronger. And finally I tasted success.” He was further vindicated when Tarachand Bharjatya, who had rejected him from the doorstep because of his height, ultimately came to his house one day and offered him the lead for Saudagar!

As the evening unfolded so did the usually restrained actor as he held forth on his much speculated and misinterpreted closeness to the Nehru-Gandhi family.“Many people have the opinion that I have capitalised on our closeness to the Nehru family. Some even alleged that when I came to Mumbai I went around studios with a letter of recommendation from Indira Gandhi! I only want to say that even if I had a recommendation from God it would be of no use in this industry where the only thing that matters is talent and hard work. Also, when Jawaharlal Nehru was the Prime Minister (P.M.), my father was working at the Allahabad University on a salary of Rs. 500 a month. When Indira Gandhi became the P.M. I was earning Rs 450 a month in Calcutta. And by the time Rajiv Gandhi became the P.M. I was already established as an actor. So what connections has one used?”

Bachchan laments that the price he has had to pay for his stardom includes losing out on family life due to work. “When my children were small I would leave the house when they would be sleeping and return after they had gone to bed. I lost out on their growing years."

Finally exhorting the youngsters to hold on to their josh in life he called for perseverance, hard work, self respect and single minded dedication to reach their goals in life. “Also never become complacent. I still don’t feel I have a firm foothold in the industry. After all I don’t know how Bade Miyan Chhote Miyan will fare…” he grinned in the end. Guess even superstars are human, after all.