As a film enthusiast who has witnessed the highs and lows of Bollywood, I cannot help but admire the resilience and grit displayed by Tinnu Anand during the production of Shahenshah. The tale of this iconic movie is not just about Amitabh Bachchan’s portrayal of a powerful ruler on-screen but also about Tinnu’s determination and perseverance off-screen.
Amitabh Bachchan’s movie Shahenshah is well-known as one of his classic productions! But, just before filming was about to begin, the actor faced a major health emergency. Director Tinnu Anand disclosed that production was delayed for an entire year due to this, causing him significant financial hardship. He admitted, “I went through a period of poverty,” and had to take on ad work to make ends meet.
In a conversation with Radio Nasha, Tinnu Anand, who is both a director and producer, revealed some behind-the-scenes difficulties during the making of Shahenshah. Amitabh Bachchan, the star actor, encountered serious health problems when he suffered an accident on set while filming Coolie. This was followed by a diagnosis of myasthenia gravis, a rare autoimmune disorder that weakens muscles. With the start of Shahenshah’s shooting only days away, this diagnosis forced Big B to withdraw from the project, leading to significant financial hardships for production.
The director clarified that the production of Shahenshah had been halted following significant funds being expended on crew wages, airfare, and various other costs. This decision sparked creditors to demand reimbursement, putting him in a tight spot as repaying such a large amount was beyond his means. To navigate this predicament, he started looking for an alternative cast, with Jackie Shroff and Jeetendra being potential candidates for Amitabh Bachchan’s role in Shahenshah.
Tinnu Anand disclosed that Jackie was eager to take on the role and stated, “We needed Shahenshah, and it took a whole year for us to make it. Jackie was the one who agreed first. He appreciated the excitement surrounding the possibility of him replacing Amitabh Bachchan in Shahenshah. This sparked him to sign three or four additional films.” Additionally, Tinnu mentioned that Jeetendra expressed doubts, saying, “Jeetendra, however, felt uncertain about stepping into Amitabh’s footsteps.
Even though Tinnu explored other options, it became clear to him that no actor could embody the spirit of Shahenshah as perfectly as Amitabh Bachchan. This realization led to a delay in the project, causing Tinnu substantial financial difficulties. He admitted, “I endured a year of hardship,” and was forced to take on work for advertisements just to survive. It was Ajitabh Bachchan (Bunty), Amitabh’s brother, who offered comfort, assuring Tinnu that once Amitabh had completed his two pending projects and regained his health, he would rejoin Shahenshah.
1988 saw the release of the hit movie “Shahenshah”, directed by Tinnu Anand, which became one of Amitabh Bachchan’s most successful films. To this day, he is fondly known as ‘Bollywood’s King’. In the movie, Amitabh played two roles: a corrupt cop during the day and a vigilante seeking justice at night. The cast included Meenakshi Seshadri, Pran, Amrish Puri, Prem Chopra, and Sharat Saxena. Interestingly, Jaya Bachchan wrote the story, giving the film an extra layer of significance.
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2024-10-14 07:37