Amitabh Bachchan’s ‘Yudh of coincidences’ with Anil Kapoor

After a long pause post Kaun Banega Crorepati, Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan has made a grand comeback on the small screen with Anurag Kashyap’s Yudh. The actor plays a full-fledged role in the show which also stars noted Bollywood actress Sarika, Kay Kay Menon and Nawazuddin Siddiqui in prominent roles. With such big names sharing screen space on the idiot box for the first time, Yudh is much on the lines of Anil Kapoor’s critically acclaimed TV show 24. Interestingly, Amitabh Bachchan and Anil Kapoor have a lot more in common than just their ‘A’ factor.
By Ruchi Kaushal

Anil Kapoor made his big TV debut with the Indian remake of the show 24. The thriller was one of the most expensive shows ever seen on television. Anil shared screen space with the super-glamourous Mandira Bedi and Tisca Chopra in 24 whereas Amitabh Bachchan is seen in the company of Sarika, Kay Kay Menon and Nawazuddin Siddiqui in Yudh. While 24 was an action-thriller with Anil Kapoor steeping into the shoes of Jack Bauer from the original series, Big B too plays a serious minded person in the suspense thriller.

Amitabh Bachchan and Anil Kapoor have also faced comparisons with Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal due to their reel avatars. Senior Bachchan was compared to anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare for his role in the Prakash Jha film Satyagraha. Similarly, former Delhi chief minister and anti-corruption activist Arvind Kejriwal was called the Nayak much on the lines of Anil Kapoor’s role in the film Nayak. Not only this, Anil Kapoor was even replaced by Kejriwal on the Nayak poster.

Amitabh Bachchan may have been the best Kaun Banega Crorepati host but Anil Kapoor has also acquired this feat. Brush up your memories because Kapoor was seen as the quiz show host in the Oscar winning Hollywood movie Slumdog Millionaire. Anil stepped into Big B’s chair to turn a show host though only for the film. However, his intense looks in the film were far more frightening from Amitabh Bachchan who makes his guests’ dreams come true in the best way possible.

Both Amitabha Bachchan and Anil Kapoor have not just ruled Bollywood but have also had their share of fame in Hollywood. Anil Kapoor played the quiz host in the Oscar winning film Slumdog Millionaire and also turned villain in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. On the other hand, Amitabh Bachchan shared screen space with Leonardo DiCaprio and many others in the Hollywood film The Great Gatsby and also walked the Cannes red carpet at the film’s screening.

Anil Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan have made age just a number and are in no mood to slow down on the career front. While Bachchan has three Bollywood stars at home - Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan, Anil Kapoor is the proud father of Bollywood A-lister and fashionista Sonam Kapoor. The senior actors do not feel the need to step down for their successors and have many more films lined up for release. Besides Anil Kapoor’s Welcome Back, No Entry Mein Entry and Dil Dhadakne Do, Amitabh Bachchan’s Shamitabh too will hit the theatres soon.