Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth will be seen sharing the screen after a gap of 33 years in the Tamil action thriller Vettaiyan. They first worked together in Hum (1991). At Vettaiyan’s recent audio launch, Rajinikanth showered Big B with praises, recounting the megastar’s incredible journey of resilience. Rajini recalled how Amitabh accumulating a lot of debt and endured grueling 18-hour workdays to pay it off.

The Jailer actor also shared a poignant memory of Amitabh leaving everything behind to live in solitude at the peak of his career. However, that phase was brief. Amitabh returned, launching his own company, Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited (ABCL). Unfortunately, ABCL failed, plunging Big B into bankruptcy.

Rajini recalled the difficult times when Big B had to sell off properties in Mumbai, including his beloved Juhu house, and how some in the Bombay film industry celebrated his downfall.

The tide finally turned when Amitabh approached Yash Chopra, asking for work. Yash gave him a chance to star in Mohabbatein, marking the beginning of Big B’s second innings. “One day, he walked to Yash Chopra’s house wearing a monkey cap because he no longer had a driver as he couldn’t pay them. He asked Yash for work. Yash immediately brought a signed cheque and gave him, but Amitji declined saying he will take it only if he is given work. And thus he received Mohabbatein. Soon, he also got KBC,” he recalled.

Commending Big B’s work ethic since that period, Rajinikanth said, “He did anything and everything. He did all kinds of ads. People in Bombay industry again laughed seeing this. For three years, despite having many health issues, he worked for 18 hours a day and cleared all his dues. Not just that he bought back the old house, he bought a total of three houses in that same lane. That’s Amitabh Bachchan! He is 82 now and still works for 10 hours a day.”

On the professional front, Amitabh recently starred in the blockbuster Kalki 2898 AD, which grossed Rs 1,042 crore worldwide. Big B will next be seen in Vettaiyan, directed by T.J. Gnanavel and produced by Subaskaran’s Lyca Productions. Currently, he is also hosting the 16th season of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC).

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