In the annals of Indian cinema, there are pivotal moments where an actor's career. Teetered on the brink of collapse, only to be dramatically resurrected by a single film. Such is the incredible story of an actor who, after facing a string. Of continuous failures, had decided to bid farewell to the world of acting. He was on the verge of packing his bags and returning. To his hometown when an unexpected opportunity landed in his lap. This opportunity came in the form of a film that not only revitalized his career but also catapulted him to become one of Hindi cinema's biggest stars. That film was 'Zanjeer', which bestowed upon a struggling actor the title of 'Angry Young Man' and immortalized him in the hearts of millions.
Amitabh Bachchan's Fortunes Turn
'Zanjeer', released in the 1970s, gave Amitabh Bachchan a new identity in Hindi cinema. In this film, he played the lead hero, and it was from this role that he became known as the 'Angry Young Man'. This character resonated deeply with the audience of that era, playing a crucial role in establishing Amitabh Bachchan as a major star. The film's story was jointly penned by the iconic duo Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, who crafted a screenplay that brought a fresh perspective to the cinematic landscape of the time. However, it's a lesser-known fact that Amitabh Bachchan wasn't the first choice for the makers of this film. When 'Zanjeer', directed by Prakash Mehra, was offered to Amitabh Bachchan, he had already delivered a series of flop films and was contemplating leaving the industry altogether.
On the Brink of Quitting the Industry
Amitabh Bachchan made his acting debut in 1969 with 'Saat Hindustani'. Following his debut, he delivered 11 consecutive flop films, which led to him losing out on many projects and casting a shadow of doubt over his career. Disheartened by the continuous failures and lack of work, Amitabh Bachchan had made up his mind to return to Allahabad (now known as Prayagraj). He was preparing to pack his bags and leave Mumbai when the offer for 'Zanjeer' came his way. Regarding Amitabh Bachchan's casting in this film, Javed Akhtar and Salim Khan had to go against the wishes of the makers, who initially preferred a more established star, while javed Akhtar himself revealed this, stating that he and Salim Khan believed in Amitabh's talent and deemed him suitable for the role.
Five Big Stars Rejected the Film
It's surprising to learn that a blockbuster film like 'Zanjeer' was rejected by five major stars of that era before it reached Amitabh Bachchan. The makers had approached stalwarts like Dharmendra, Rajesh Khanna, Raaj Kumar, Dilip Kumar, and Dev Anand for this film. All these stars declined the offer for various reasons, while dharmendra reportedly turned down the film on the advice of a cousin sister, while other stars like Rajesh Khanna, Raaj Kumar, Dilip Kumar, and Dev Anand found some flaw or inadequacy in the character of Vijay. Perhaps they didn't foresee the depth of the character or the potential of the film, and thus, all of them rejected the opportunity. It was only after these big names turned it down that the film finally landed with Amitabh Bachchan.
Salim-Javed's Faith and the Film's Success
When the Salim-Javed duo approached Amitabh Bachchan for this film, he was completely free, with no projects in hand, and at the lowest point of his career, while he immediately decided to meet Salim-Javed and agreed to do the film. It was a last ray of hope for him. 'Zanjeer' was released in 1973 and was an action film that garnered significant attention at the box office during those days. Made on a modest budget of just 90 lakh rupees, the film went on to collect. A spectacular 17 crore rupees at the box office, which was a massive success for its time. Upon the film's release, audiences flocked to cinemas, and in no time, Hindi cinema found its biggest star. 'Zanjeer' gave Amitabh Bachchan's career a new direction and cemented his status as a cult star forever, while the film not only bestowed upon him the title of 'Angry Young Man' but also secured his immortal place in the history of Indian cinema.