Amitabh Bachchan is not only a megastar but also an icon, a living legend. One of the few artists who dominated the big screen and TV screen alike with aplomb and charisma. Did you know that this megastar was broke and bankrupt after a spectacular film career?
After working in Bollywood for 3 decades and giving the industry mega hits like Zanjeer, Sholay, Deewaar, and Don, among many others, he decided to launch his own company, ABCL, in 1996. Due to some failed projects, the company went bust and filed for bankruptcy. Amitabh owed people money and had no films or other means of income. Around this time, the satellite TV market in India was just taking off and channels like Star TV were trying new international formats. They decided to launch Kaun Banega Crorepati, the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, and chose Amitabh as the host. This was unchartered territory, as big Bollywood stars did not feature in TV projects. A first for the industry.
The show aired in July 2000, and Amitabh Bachchan has never looked back since. He was the perfect host who owned his audience every night with his unique brand of humor, emotions, family drama, knowledge, poetry, and witty one-liners. When the audience saw this megastar in their sitting rooms, laughing and conversing with them every night, they couldn’t get enough! Heart-wrenching stories and soul-stirring conversations left audiences mesmerized and glued to their screens. It was the complete entertainment package. It’s been 20 years since its launch, but it’s still going strong. The show is inextricably linked with its host, Amitabh Bachchan.
Amitabh Bachchan is the perfect example of how one can triumph over adversity through sheer hard work and discipline. A stellar role model for today’s youth. This is one (almost) rags-to-riches story you can’t forget.
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