From Actor to Producer
In the 1992 after Khuda Gawah, Amitabh Bachchan took a self-imposed retirement from Bollywood due to lack of good scripts and competent roles. During this period many producers tried to entice him with whopping remuneration to make a comeback but Bachchan declined. Finally, in 1996, Bachchan made a comeback with his ambitious Film Production Company Amitabh Bachchan Corp. Ltd (ABCL).
ABCL functioned on the lines of a Corporate Company. Bachchan hired MBAs in marketing as business management executives and paid exorbitant salaries. He spent lavishly on his films. But alas, all his films failed miserably like Tere Mere Sapne, Saat Rang Ke Sapne, Mrityudata, Major Saab, Bbuddah… Hoga Terra Baap etc. and he went into heavy debts.
Amitabh Bachchan: From Actor to Acclaimed Producer
Like Amitabh Bachchan, other actors too turned become producer but failed to succeed. For instance Suniel Shetty. His film production house Popcorn Entertainment gave a string of flop films like Khel (2003), Rakht (2004), Bhagam Bhag (2006), Mission Istaanbul (2008), EMI (2008) and Loot (2011). Similarly, Saif Ali Khan‘s Illuminati Films has maximum flop like Agent Vinod (2009), Cocktail (2012), Go Goa Gone (2013), Happy Ending (2014). In fact, even Shahrukh Khan and Juhi Chawla joined venture Dreamz Unlimited had to shut after producing 3 flop movies- Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, Asoka and Chalte Chalte.
Komal Nahta, trade analyst informs, “Film producing is not just investing money but it requires a deep-rooted sense to produce a film that is a success at box office and for this, the producers need to have a sense about the pulse of the audience, the mode of the market and to top it all the kind of story that would hit a bull’s eye! Alas, most film actors who turn producers lack these qualities and end up producing flop films and sometimes ruin their career!”
The Producer’s Lens: Amitabh Bachchan’s Production Journey
True, a look down history reveals how some actors ruined their successful careers as actors in the lure of becoming a producer. One such actor of the golden era was Bharat Bhushan, the famous actor of ’50s and ’60s who gave hit films like Baiju Bawra, Basant Bahar, Barsaat Ki Raat, Mirza Ghalib, Phagun, Ghungaht, etc.
In the mid ’60s when he was ruling as a star he produced a film Dooj Ka Chand (1964). The film had top stars like Raaj Kumar, Ashok Kumar, and Bharat Bhushan, The film was directed by great director Nitin Bose and had music by legend music director Roshan but despite a big-budget film, the movie was a box of failure!! The massive loss of money brought a rich Bharat Bhushan into severe debt and he was financially ruined and became bankrupt! In his last days, he used to live in a 10×10 house in a Mumbai slum and traveled by bus hunting character roles to make a living!!
Amitabh Bachchan: Pioneering Actor & Visionary Producer
Similarly, actor Bhagwan who made money with his first production Albela lost everything with his other films like Albela, Jhamela, etc the sequels he made of Albela but all were flops and Bhagwan had to survive by acting minor roles in films. Thus except a handful, a majority of actors have failed as producers. However, what is interesting is that many flop actors who took to film production as directors cum producers turned succeeded!!
Read – Flop Actors Who Took To Film Production As Directors Turned Succeeded!! Part – 4
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