Insight of the week - Battles in Big B’s life (Mental health and well being special)

 

As we are celebrating the mental health and awareness month in October , this week again, I would like to share an Inspirational Story of Amitabh Bachchan (The legendary Bollywood actor and super star) as he celebrated his 80^th birthday last week on 11^th October.

 

Change is the nature of life, but challenge is the aim of life. So always challenge the changes , not change the challenges …………… Amitabh Bachchan

 

Before a young, tall and skinny man became the superstar of the millennium, Amitabh Bachchan went through a lot of challenges physically as well as financially which can break anyone into pieces. Story of Amitabh Bachchan from no-one to the biggest hero of Bollywood is very inspiring for everyone who is struggling and want to achieve something great in life.

 

While shooting for "Kaun Banega Crorepati" as its host, Amitabh was left speechless on the sets of the show when he was reminded about "Saat Hindustani" -- the film that launched him as a Bollywood actor on November 7, 1969.

"I was working in Kolkata when I happened to see an advertisement on a newspaper which stated that the winner of the contest would get an opportunity to work with renowned producers from the industry. I felt it was a good opportunity and I applied for the same. However, I didn't receive any correspondence from them," recalled Big B.

"One day while chatting with my father, I mentioned about this opportunity and how I failed.

He said to me - 'Beta ,agar kisi ghar ke andar ghusna ho, aur darwaza ho bandh, toh deewar phand kar andar jaana chahiye!" he added.

 

Amitabh Bachchan who is known for his long height and heavy voice faced several rejections because of these two qualities, in the beginning of his career. Moviemakers were rejecting him because of his height, as tall actors were not accepted during that time and he was also rejected by AIR (All India Radio) because of his heavy voice when he auditioned for a radio jockey.

 

After many months of efforts, he was completely broken and decided to quit, but right after this, he got his first-ever break in Bollywood from the movie Saat Hindustani for which he also won a national award for supporting role. After the success of this movie, he still struggled again for getting any other break but nothing happened for good 2 years and 2 years later Zanjeer happened , which changed his life completely and he did not look back.

 

As he was climbing the ladders of success steadily, Big B met an accident on the sets of Coolie where everyone thought that this might be the end of Amitabh Bachchan.  Entire nation prayed for him for his life and recovery from the fatal accident on the sets of coolie.

He survived and recovered after many treatments and a lot of care before making a come back and gave many hit films and continued his film career.

 

Then came another huge downfall in his life, in the year 2000 when his movies flopped one after other and he faced another major financial crisis in his life where he lost almost everything he had. His own ABCL corporation went through huge losses and he faced bankruptcy.

 

In such circumstances and after so many downfalls, anyone can lose strength to move on but he came back and made a fresh start through “Kaun Banega Crorepati?” television show.

On his decision for KBC his wife Jaya Bachchan doubted the transition of a silver screen mega star heading to make a TV show.

To which he exclaimed “beggars can’t be choosers”,

“I have stopped getting work from films. My situation is not good. I can’t let go of this opportunity to work again”

 

& rest is history as you all know !

 

Last week Big B celebrated his 80^th Birthday. A man who’s seen phenomenal success and also fought near-death situation, near-bankruptcy , no success in politics and tremendous credibility loss (Bofors) but came back stronger each time and every time.. maintained his dignity and poise and above all, still as excited about his craft as he was on day 1.

 

Amitabh Bacchan has been an iconic figure for the Indian film industry, and for five decades has not only ruled at the box-office, but also over millions of hearts. 

 

Take Away -  Amitabh Bachchan is a prime example of someone being pegged back repeatedly in life, personal and professional, and yet he fought back each time every time. He is a perfect role model to extrapolate the learnings from our experience and wear the same attitude to fight adversities in our own lives.

 

Believe in your self and your dreams

When the star was rejected for films and by the All India Radio, he could have the failure to affect his life. But he didn’t. He kept his dreams unaffected by the failures. Simply, chant the mantra ‘you can and you will’.

 

Don’t fear failures and face the situation

There was a time , when had he lost everything, he had. But that did not stop him, and he made his second innings with ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ and transitioned from Big screen to small screen immediately.

 

Embrace your struggles

During his struggling days in wait of that big break ,he had spent many nights on the beach at Marine Drive. Back then, he was chasing his dreams and was ready to do any role to make an entry in films.

 

Work hard and be disciplined

Even at the age of 80 years, Big B is ready to work for 16 – 17 hours a day. He believes one does not get money easily. Work is worship.

 

Value time

After being a superstar today, he still believes that he is just like any other actor. So, no special facility should be aided to him. Even now, he is at the perfect time on the sets and very sincere towards his work.

 

Don’t be afraid of experimenting

When film offers stopped coming, he experimented with Television. His experimentation with roles during his second innings , like a special child in ‘Paa’ won him many awards.

 

Tough time don’t last, Tough people do ! Take care.