Tinnu Anand recalls his ‘dirty job' offering Rs 5,000 to Amitabh Bachchan for his first film ‘Saat Hindustani’

In Bollywood, only a select few have successfully earned admiration both as actors and directors, and Tinnu Anand is one of them. He is widely recognized for his diverse acting roles in movies such as 'Ghajini' starring Aamir Khan, 'Ghatak' with Sunny Deol, 'Merry Christmas' featuring Katrina Kaif, and the ensemble film 'Lajja'. Besides acting, Tinnu made a mark behind the camera by directing iconic Amitabh Bachchan films like '' and 'Shahenshah'.

Family Opposition and Passion for Filmmaking

Though Inder Raj Anand was a prominent writer in the film world, he opposed his son Tinnu Anand’s desire to join the industry. Driven by his passion for filmmaking and a strong ambition to direct, Tinnu challenged his father’s wishes. Distressed by this, Inder Raj Anand decided to enroll him at the Satyajit Ray School, hoping to divert his path.

Choosing Satyajit Ray Over Raj Kapoor and Fellini

In an interview with Rediff, Tinnu shared the reasons behind his decision to train under Satyajit Ray. He explained that although he had the opportunity to work with Raj Kapoor, who was a family friend and had collaborated with his father on several scripts, he felt that connection was too close for comfort. Another option was the renowned Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini, which appealed to him because it offered a chance to go to Italy. However, Fellini insisted that Tinnu learn Italian first, a commitment of six months that he wasn’t willing to make. Consequently, he chose to study with Ray instead.

The ‘Dirty Job’: Offering Rs 5,000 to Amitabh Bachchan

During the same conversation, Tinnu shared how he was tasked with the “dirty job” of offering Amitabh a fee of Rs 5,000 for his role in Khwaja Ahmad Abbas’ film 'Saat Hindustani'. He explained that actress Neena Singh had recommended Amitabh for the part, but Abbas insisted that Amitabh cover his own expenses to come to Mumbai for auditions. This marked the beginning of Amitabh’s journey to the city of dreams. Reflecting on the moment, Tinnu recalled, “I was the one who took him to Abbas Saab’s office. In the evening, I was given the dirty job of offering Amitabh Rs 5,000 for the entire film, whether it took one year or five to make."

Career Growth and On-Set Challenges

Following his role in 'Saat Hindustani', Tinnu acted in several films before making a name for himself as a director with movies such as 'Kaalia' and 'Shahenshah'. During the production of his third collaboration with Bachchan, 'Shanakht', Tinnu faced a tense confrontation with Madhuri Dixit when she declined to perform a daring scene opposite Bachchan.

Personal Life

On the personal front, Tinnu is married to Shahnaz, who is the daughter of the well-known veteran actor Agha.