Legendary Bollywood director duo Abbas-Mustan built their empire from the ground up, overcoming extreme poverty and family betrayal to become masters of the thriller genre.
A Childhood of Hardship
Before they directed blockbusters, Abbas and Mustan faced immense struggles. Their father, a carpenter, was swindled by his own brother, plunging the family into destitution. Overnight, they went from a stable joint family to living hand-to-mouth, often affording only one meal a day.
Their parents made immense sacrifices, often foregoing food themselves to ensure their children ate. This period taught the brothers invaluable lessons about resilience, clean intentions, and the importance of unity.
Early Steps into the Film World
To support their family, both brothers dropped out of school. Abbas, who left in 9th standard, started as an apprentice in film studios, earning a meager Rs 2 a day. He later worked as an editor under one of their maternal uncles, who was already in the film industry.
Mustan also left school, taking a job at a clothing store for Rs 125 a month. Their brother, Hussain, joined a wood furnishing store, earning Rs 75. Together, they contributed around Rs 250 monthly to their household.
Struggles and Breakthrough
Before their big break, Abbas-Mustan endured three years of persistent struggle in Mumbai. They recounted how many stars would avoid them or make them wait endlessly for meetings, with only Raj Babbar extending a courtesy. They initially got their start directing Gujarati films.
Their fortunes dramatically changed with the 1993 hit, Baazigar, starring Shah Rukh Khan. Despite its success, the brothers were still living in their humble, one-room chawl near Mohammed Ali Road. Shah Rukh Khan himself was surprised when he visited them at 4 AM, right after winning his first Filmfare award for Baazigar, to find Mustan sleeping on the balcony due to lack of space.
From Chawl to Cinematic Success
Shah Rukh Khan’s visit highlighted their modest living. The directors recalled him looking down from their balcony to see a crowd of 2,000 fans waving, a testament to Baazigar’s massive popularity. It was only after this success that they finally moved into an apartment in Lokhandwala.
Despite their fame and wealth, Abbas and Mustan remain grounded. They still own their childhood chawl home and visit it regularly to remember their roots. Their filmography boasts numerous hits including Khiladi, Soldier, Tarzan: The Wonder Car, Race, and Race 2, cementing their legacy as iconic Bollywood filmmakers.
- Abbas-Mustan survived on extremely low daily earnings after their father was cheated by an uncle.
- They dropped out of school early to contribute financially to their struggling family.
- They lived in a small chawl even after directing the hit film Baazigar.
- Shah Rukh Khan visited their humble home at 4 AM after winning his first Filmfare award.
- They credit their parents’ teachings on humility, hard work, and unity for their success.
Their journey stands as a powerful example of perseverance and integrity in the face of adversity, proving that dedication can lead to extraordinary achievements.
