The rise and the ban
Amitabh Bachchan, celebrated as the ‘Megastar of the Century’ for his unmatched acting skills and commanding voice, once faced a shocking setback, a 15-year-long media ban. Despite being one of India’s most adored stars, the film press refused to cover his work or publish his photos during the peak of his stardom.
The reason behind the boycott
The rift began during the Emergency period in 1975, when some film journalists believed Bachchan had supported the press censorship imposed by the government. Due to his close ties with then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, many assumed he had a role in restricting media freedom. As a result, several publications collectively decided to boycott him.
Amitabh’s perspective
In a throwback interview with Lehren Retro, Big B revealed that the accusations deeply hurt him but chose to retaliate silently. He explained that journalists would omit his name even when he starred in films, writing about the cast while deliberately excluding him. Feeling misunderstood, he decided to distance himself completely from the media.
His retaliation against the media
In response to the boycott, Big B imposed his own ban, refusing interviews and not allowing journalists on his film sets for almost 15 years. He said, “If the press had the freedom to ban me, I should also have the freedom to ban them.” This self-imposed silence became one of the longest standoffs between a Bollywood star and the Indian media.
End of the ban and his return
The extensive silence finally came to an end when Amitabh Bachchan went into politics in 1984. He stood for election from Allahabad, required the media to relate to the electorate and therefore reopened the communication channels. After being an MP for three years, he quit in 1987 and took up the films again, and regained his legendary status. He is still one of the richest and most esteemed actors in India, having an estimated wealth of ₹1,630 crore, according to the Hurun India Rich List 2025.
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