Distributors Mocked Amitabh Bachchan As A 'Tall, Stupid Hero'. Then Came 'Zanjeer'...

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Last Updated:May 27, 2025, 14:36 IST

Zanjeer (1973) marked Amitabh Bachchan’s breakthrough aft earlier flops. Initially rejected by stars, the movie became a blockbuster and launched his legendary career

Prakash Mehra aboriginal recalled however the archetypal dilatory effect to 'Zanjeer' caused Amitabh Bachchan to autumn sick with a 104-degree fever. (News18)

“Sher jab ek kadam peeche hatt jaata hai, toh samjho ki woh chhalang maarne waala hai (When the lion takes a measurement back, cognize that it’s astir to pounce)". This iconic enactment from the 1973 movie Zanjeer symbolises the assurance and resoluteness of Inspector Vijay Khanna, played by Amitabh Bachchan. Yet, erstwhile the movie was released, Amitabh Bachchan’s assurance was astatine a debased ebb aft a bid of flops, and helium had adjacent contemplated quitting acting.

New to the manufacture and hopeless for a breakthrough, Amitabh Bachchan recovered a turning constituent with Zanjeer, released connected May 11, 1973. Supported by manager Prakash Mehra, this movie marked the commencement of Amitabh Bachchan’s legendary career. Before this, helium had appeared successful 12 films, with lone 2 insignificant hits, Anand (1971) and Bombay to Goa (1972).

The Casting Story Behind ‘Zanjeer’

Originally, the movie was offered to stars Dharmendra, Dev Anand, and Rajkumar. Director Prakash Mehra revealed that Dharmendra had purchased the communicative from Salim-Javed and aboriginal exchanged Zanjeer for different project, Samadhi (1972).

Dharmendra declined Zanjeer owed to household commitments; Dev Anand wanted originative power that Mehra couldn’t accept, and Rajkumar requested to sprout successful South India, which was refused.

After these 3 rejections, connected the proposal of histrion Pran, Mehra formed Amitabh Bachchan. Mumtaz declined the pistillate lead, which was past accepted by Jaya Bhaduri.

Initial Struggles And Surprising Success

Distributors doubted Amitabh Bachchan’s prospects, mocking him arsenic a “tall anserine hero". The aboriginal days were discouraging, and Amitabh Bachchan was disheartened to the constituent of tears. The movie faced stiff contention from Bobby (1973) but yet triumphed contempt having lone 3 songs, a rarity astatine the time.

Prakash Mehra aboriginal recalled however the archetypal dilatory effect caused Amitabh Bachchan to autumn sick with a 104-degree fever. The breakthrough came erstwhile Zanjeer began drafting ample crowds, confirming Amitabh Bachchan’s emergence to stardom.

Box Office Triumph

Made connected a fund of astir Rs 90 lakh, Zanjeer grossed Rs 17.46 crore, becoming a blockbuster. Amitabh Bachchan was nominated for the Filmfare Best Actor grant for his role, losing retired to Rishi Kapoor for Bobby.

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News movies Distributors Mocked Amitabh Bachchan As A 'Tall, Stupid Hero'. Then Came 'Zanjeer'...