Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Amitabh Bachchan Recalls Rejections and Scolding Early in Career
Amitabh Bachchan talked about the difficult beginning of his acting career.
Some directors told him that he could not act and was too tall.
They even told him to go back home.
When he found work, directors continued correcting his dialogue and performance.
Bachchan said these lessons helped him improve slowly.
He also remembered arriving late to a film set once.
The director had already stopped the day's shooting and asked him to leave.
He shared these memories during Kaun Banega Crorepati 18 while speaking with athletes.
Amitabh Bachchan said directors repeatedly criticized his acting and told him he was too tall.
He recalled being advised to go back home during his early struggles in the film industry.
After finding work, directors instructed him on how to stand and deliver dialogue.
Bachchan described one occasion when a director ended shooting and sent him away for arriving late.
He shared the memories while hosting Kaun Banega Crorepati 18 with Commonwealth Games medalists.
- Who
- Amitabh Bachchan, speaking with Commonwealth Games 2026 medalists Jhandu Kumar, Sharmila Dhankar, Asmita Dey and Lovlina Borgohain.
- What
- Bachchan recalled being rejected, criticized and scolded by directors early in his film career.
- When
- During Monday's episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 18.
- Where
- On the Kaun Banega Crorepati 18 set.
- Why
- Asmita Dey asked whether directors scolded him, comparing their discipline with athletes being corrected by coaches.
- Program
- Kaun Banega Crorepati 18
- Speaker
- Amitabh Bachchan
- Early criticism
- Directors said he lacked acting skills and was too tall.
- Advice he received
- He was told to go back home.
- Late arrival incident
- A director packed up shooting and asked him to leave after he arrived late.
- Guests
- Jhandu Kumar, Sharmila Dhankar, Asmita Dey and Lovlina Borgohain
- Trigger for discussion
- Asmita Dey asked Bachchan about directors scolding him.