Amitabh Bachchan's 83rd birthday sparks a nostalgic look back at his early career through the eyes of his closest friend, . The actor, also known as 'Bidoo' to Ali, shares sweet memories of their lifelong bond that began on the sets of their first film, . From struggling together in Mumbai, sharing a home and driving an empty-tank Jaguar, to taking wisdom from Bachchan's father, Harivanshrai Bachchan, this exclusive interview reveals the deep, unconditional friendship between them.
Do you remember the good times with Mr Bachchan whom you’ve known from the time he arrived in Mumbai?
All times are good times with my Bidoo!!!Our first film together, 'Saat Hindustani,' gave us an introduction to a lifelong friendship, in more ways than one. Amitabh’s first reel life name turned out to be Anwar. Apart from taking on my name in the film that won him his first National Award, we bonded amongst a group of seven and emerged as forever friends.
Do you remember anything particular about the shooting of 'Saat Hindustani?'
An interesting sequence in the film was one where all the Hindustanis climbed a mountain with the help of a rope, crossed a river and went up a cliff with each other’s help. Amitabh was required to be the last one to come up the cliff with my help, whilst depicting the emotion of uncertainty and doubt towards me as he slipped off a boulder. Of course I helped him up!…..and so we continued to pull each other out of challenging situations through life, unconditionally…
The two of you even shared a home together in your initial days of struggle?
Our decision to live together under the same roof to seek work together, was a truly enriching experience for both. Whether it was the paradox of driving down to producers’ offices in my Jaguar with petrol enough only for one way of the journey only to park the car by the roadside and return home by train, or working for small amounts of money to get a good breakthrough, each initiative was action in a positive direction.
What about the fun times?
Together, we sought life too!As young aspirants, long drives, discos, musical evenings with our degchis (utensils) as instruments and Dad (Harivanshrai Bachchan)’s melodious poetry…Jao Lao Piya Nadiya Se Son Machhri…there was never a dull moment in our lives!
You were close to Mr Bachchan’s Dad?
Our learnings from Amitabh’s Dadwa as we fondly addressed him, were life’s most precious lessons. One had to just observe Dadwa from a distance to understand volumes from even his silence. Whether it was his concept and deep understanding of Shunya, his undeterred discipline and resolve evident through his attitude and actions or life’s philosophical truths through his thought provoking prose and poetry, Dadwa was the ultimate university.
The two of you visited religious places together?
Our mandir-masjid visits…I believe one is closest to the Almighty in silent meditation that most achieve in total solitude, away from the ever pervading hustle and bustle of practical life. Amitabh and I seemed to achieve that through our numerous visits years together, to four specific places of worship in the wee hours of the morning on every release of a film.To be able to stand together, conversing with the highest power, our intent and energies totally in sync, truly the most divine experience of all.
You don’t meet any more?
Amitabh and I don’t need too many words to speak. Amitabh and I don’t need physical proximity to be close. Amitabh and I don’t need just good times to be friends.We transcended all that the minute we met.
Your birthday wish for your chaddi buddy?
My birthday wish for Amitabh…. “Rahe Humesha Jeevan Tera Khushiyon Se Bharpoor”… (hums from their movie Khud-Daar which Anwar Ali produced).
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