Anjan Shrivastav fondly recalls how Amitabh Bachchan went bankrupt before becoming a crorepati on Kaun Banega Crorepati. With folded hands, Amitabhji said, “I will return your money as soon as possible.”
In the 90s, Anjan Shrivastav and Amitabh Bachchan shared a strong bond in the world of showbiz. Their professional and personal bond started during the days of the Shahenshah when Anjan introduced Amitabh to his bank and helped him open a bank account there. They were together during Amitabh’s toughest times, though things changed after Kaun Banega Crorepati, and their relationship suffered. Anjan shared the following incident:
I went to the sets of Toofan to check on Amitji’s well-being. He was going through a tough time, facing a lot of opposition in Kolkata. Posters were being torn, and Amitji was deeply upset. I went there and asked, ‘Bhaisahab, kaise hain?’ (Brother, how are you?) and he replied, ‘Theek hoon’ (I’m fine) with just that much.”
Amitji was in distress, and there was no one to check on him. We know that writers from Allahabad had started criticizing him, and his father’s friends were speaking ill of him without knowing the full story. He was sad and going through a rough patch. That’s when his accident happened, and I was regularly present for him during that time. For me, Amitji was a good human being.
He got stuck due to a wrong bank statement from ABCIL (Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited). When there was an ABCIL account, Amitji got entangled in it. We used to go to the bank to get his statement, and people were trying to fool him badly. I and my manager realized this. I asked my managers not to file a case against him as he was innocent and had been trapped in this matter.
Amitji quickly folded his hands and said, “I’ll return your money at the earliest.” I responded, “That’s not why we’re here.” We have come because of the mistake of your accountant. When you can, you will return the money, and we trust that you will, and your intention is correct. But don’t indulge in dealings like this with other banks.” I returned to the bank and advised not to file any case. Slowly, he returned all the money.
Amitabh Bachchan went bankrupt. His company ABCIL suffered significant losses, which he couldn’t bear. However, he returned after Kaun Banega Crorepati. I was most surprised by the fact that he cut off all ties with his old friends. After joining KBC, he had changed as a person.
There was a rift in Amitji and my relationship after KBC. Initially, Jaya ji used to call me and invite me to celebrate Holi with her family, but gradually, the invitations and contact disappeared completely. It didn’t affect my career directly, but there was surely a loss. Somewhere, it was the fault of some friends from the theater, who instigated Amitji against me.”