When India’s Greatest Superstar Faced Financial Ruin
The late 1980s and the entire 1990s marked an exceptionally turbulent period for **Amitabh Bachchan**, a phase that threatened to eclipse the illustrious career of Bollywood’s undisputed megastar. After a brief, ill-fated foray into politics in the 1980s, which saw him embroiled in the infamous **Bofors scandal** and subsequently resign in 1987, Bachchan’s public image and personal finances plummeted to unprecedented lows. It was a time when the man who had once commanded an empire found himself grappling with overwhelming debt, a situation few could have imagined for the legendary actor.
A Banker’s Insight: Aanjjan Srivastav’s Unforgettable Encounters
Amidst this profound crisis, actor **Aanjjan Srivastav**, then working as a banker, played a crucial, often unseen, role. Srivastav, who facilitated several loans to Bachchan’s ambitious venture, **Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Ltd. (ABCL)**, has recently shared poignant anecdotes, offering a rare glimpse into the sheer magnitude of Bachchan’s financial struggle and his unwavering integrity. He recalls a man humbled by circumstances but resolute in his commitment to honor every single penny he owed.
The Promise of Repayment: A Star’s Vow
Srivastav recounted an instance where his bank’s chairman sought an appointment with Bachchan, who was considering changing his banking affiliation. The superstar, ever gracious, invited the chairman to his residence. However, as the shadow of the Bofors controversy deepened, the bank grew anxious, demanding repayment. It fell upon Aanjjan Srivastav to convey this difficult message to the embattled star.
Meeting Bachchan on the sets of his film at **Kamalistan Studios**, Srivastav witnessed a scene that etched itself into his memory. With folded hands, a gesture of profound humility, Bachchan uttered a promise that echoed his character: “Main aapke ek ek payi vapis kar dunga (I will return every penny I owe you).” Srivastav attests to Bachchan’s word, affirming, “And he did. He is a man of his word.”
Jaya Bachchan’s Unwavering Support and Guarantee
The financial pressure intensified, leading the bank’s head office to request a guarantor for the loans. In a testament to their enduring partnership and mutual trust, the bank specifically asked for **Jaya Bachchan** to stand as guarantor. Aanjjan Srivastav, once again, played the intermediary, facilitating the process. “The head office said that they want Jaya’s guarantee and she also signed,” he confirmed, highlighting Jaya Bachchan’s quiet yet powerful support during her husband’s darkest hours.
Exposing the ABCL Debacle’s Internal Challenges
Beyond merely facilitating loans and repayments, Srivastav offered a unique perspective on the internal workings of **ABCL**. During a separate conversation, he revealed his conviction that Bachchan was being misled by his own financial team. When the bank considered initiating legal action over the ABCL’s accumulating debt, Srivastav intervened, halting their plans.
“When we met him, he immediately got up with folded hands,” Srivastav recalled. “He said that ‘I will return your money as soon as possible’. I told him ‘We have not come for that. We have come because of your accountant’s mistake. You return the money when you can and we trust you that you will give and your intention is right. But in this kind of banking, don’t do transactions with other banks.’” This direct counsel, borne of respect and trust, saved Bachchan from further legal entanglement.
The Road to Redemption and a Legendary Comeback
Srivastav’s observation proved prescient: “When ABCL account was there, he (Amitabh) was trapped in it. We used to go to his office from the bank to take statements and people were bluffing him badly. This is what my manager and I realised.” Despite the internal chaos and the immense external pressure, Bachchan’s spirit remained unbroken.
The early 2000s marked a dramatic turnaround for **Amitabh Bachchan**. His career reignited with remarkable force, fueled by hit films and his monumental success as the host of “Kaun Banega Crorepati.” True to his word, the superstar systematically paid back every single creditor, emerging from the financial abyss not just intact, but with his reputation for integrity stronger than ever. It stands as a testament to his resilience, character, and the unbreakable bond of trust he forged, even in the darkest of times.
