Mumbai: Veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan has revisited the hardships of his formative years in the film industry, saying he endured frequent scoldings and was once told to leave a shoot because he was "too tall".
Recollection on national quiz show
The actor narrated the anecdote during a special episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 18 that featured Commonwealth Games 2026 gold medallists Lovlina Borgohain, Jhandu Kumar, Sharmila Dhankar and Asmita Dey, NDTV reported. In response to a question about whether he had ever been reprimanded on sets — similar to how athletes are sometimes scolded during training — Bachchan described the criticism he faced early in his career and how corrective feedback played a role in his development as an actor.
"Humko badi daant padti hain, shuru-shuru mein toh bahut padi thi. 'Tumko kuch aata nahi hai, acting-wacting, tum bahut lambe ho, jaake ghar jaao.'"
Bachchan went on to say that when he eventually secured work, directors often pointed him to a specific mark and criticised the delivery of his lines, prompting repeated corrections that he says helped him improve his craft.
Late arrival, lost opportunity
He also shared another early-career incident in which he arrived late to a shoot. At the time he did not own a car and had travelled with someone else; the director, according to the actor's account, had already wrapped the shooting and asked him to leave. Bachchan recounted the episode as part of a wider reflection on discipline, punctuality and the harsh feedback newcomers often face on sets.
Why the anecdote matters
The remarks underline a recurring theme in accounts of many film careers: that initial rejection, criticism and corrective direction are common experiences for aspirants. For audiences, the revelation offers a reminder that even artists who become household names have histories of struggle and repeated learning.
On the work front, the actor’s upcoming project remains high-profile. Bachchan is slated to appear in Kalki 2 alongside Prabhas, with the film expected to reach theatres in December 2027, NDTV reported.
- Programme: Kaun Banega Crorepati 18 special episode
- Guests: Commonwealth Games 2026 gold medallists — Lovlina Borgohain, Jhandu Kumar, Sharmila Dhankar, Asmita Dey
- Upcoming film: Kalki 2 with Prabhas, expected December 2027
| Guest | Designation on show |
|---|---|
| Lovlina Borgohain | Commonwealth Games 2026 gold medallist |
| Jhandu Kumar | Commonwealth Games 2026 gold medallist |
| Sharmila Dhankar | Commonwealth Games 2026 gold medallist |
| Asmita Dey | Commonwealth Games 2026 gold medallist |
Bachchan’s account offers a candid portrait of the formative pressures on actors in the Hindi film industry and the persistence required to surmount them. He framed the strict rebukes as part of the learning process: repeated correction, he implied, was instrumental to refining his performance.
While the anecdote about being dismissed for his height may read as brusque, it is consistent with public recollections by many performers who describe a culture that can be quick to critique physical attributes, line delivery and punctuality. By sharing the episode on a national platform, Bachchan highlighted both the personal cost of such criticism and the career resilience that followed.
As audiences look ahead to his next big-screen appearance, the story also serves as a reminder that the journey to stardom is rarely linear and that enduring critique — when coupled with perseverance — can precede long-term success.
Reporting for the entertainment desk.
