'Amitabh Bachchan became sir ji,' says Kader Khan in an old clip now gone viral, reflecting on how his friendship with the actor ended due to formality: 'It hurt me deeply'

Kader Khan known for a long list of movies like 'Muqaddar Ka Sikandar', 'Raja Babu', among many others, wasn't just an incredible actor, he was also a successful screenwriter. Thus, he's penned some popular movies like 'Benaam', 'Amar Akbar Anthony', 'Naseeb' among others. Clearly, he shared a great association with Amitabh Bachchan after writing for so many of his movies and sharing screenspace with him.

Now An old video of the late actor has resurfaced on social media, offering a heartfelt glimpse into how his friendship Big B changed ver the years, particularly after Bachchan’s entry into politics. Speaking on the television program Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya (Samay TV), Khan reflected on how relationships forged on film sets often evolve—or fade—as people take on new roles in life. The interview, originally shared by The Indian Express, captures Khan’s candid recollections of his long-standing camaraderie with Bachchan and the eventual distance that grew between them.


Under the mentorship of Dilip Kumar, Kader Khan rose to prominence as both an actor and a screenwriter, collaborating with Bachchan on some of their classics. Khan said their friendship blossomed through the 1970s, but things began to shift once Bachchan was elected as a Member of Parliament.

In the early days, Khan recalled, he would casually call him “Amit”, a reflection of the warmth and equality they shared. But, as he recounted, the dynamic changed once politics entered the picture. “Did you meet sir?” a producer once asked him, referring to Bachchan. The word ‘sir’ startled Khan. “Who, sir?” he replied. When the producer gestured toward Bachchan, Khan remembered responding, “Why would I call him sir? I have always addressed him as Amit.”

According to Khan, that moment was the beginning of the end. “After that incident, our paths diverged. He became ‘Sir ji’, and I remained ‘Kader ji’. My heart did not allow me to suddenly start calling a friend ‘sir’. That man simply began avoiding me because I wouldn’t use that title,” he said.

Khan admitted the change hurt him deeply. “It hurt me deeply because I had even left other film projects just because he wanted me to work on his. His changed behaviour did not sit well with me, and our bond ended there,” he recalled.

Their professional journey spanned nearly two decades, from 'Benaam' in 1974 to 'Hum' in 1991—but as Khan poignantly noted, a connection that once thrived on mutual respect and sincerity could not survive when reduced to formality.