India's richest actor, once gave tough competition to Raj Kapoor, went bankrupt, Amitabh Bachchan spotted him ‘alone' at…, feared he would…, name was…

India.com

17-05-2025

India's richest actor, once gave tough competition to Raj Kapoor, went bankrupt, Amitabh Bachchan spotted him 'alone' at..., feared he would..., name was...
In 1950s, Bharat Bhushan was considered one of the finest actors of Indian cinema. He was a romantic heartthrob, who captivated his female fan following with undeniable charm and good looks. He has been a part of over 30 films and has given some extraordinary performances in movies like Baiju Bawra (1952), Anand Math (1952), Mirza Ghalib (1954) and Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh (1960), among others.
During 1950s, Indian cinema was largely ruled by Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand and Dilip Kumar, but yet Bhushan made his mark and carved out a special place in audiences hearts.
Born in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, in 1920, his father was a lawyer, and Bhushan was expected too, to take up the same profession. However, after completing his studies, he shifted Mumbai to pursue acting. He made his debut with Chitralekha in 1941. Following that, he struggled for commercial successes, until Baiju Bawra happened in 1952 opposite Meena Kumari. Following that, he acted in hit movies like Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1954) and Barsaat ki Raat (1960) and became popular for portraying out-of-luck poets and musicians in his films.
Success in Bharat Bhushan's life failed to sustain after he ventured into production. Along with his brother, he bankrolled the film Dooj ka Chand and met with massive monetary losses. To make ends meet, he was forced to take up minor roles. When that wasn't enough, he sold most of his properties and started living life of a recluse. One of the most prominent and richest stars of his time, he was reduced to the status of junior artist with movies like Humshakal and Pyar ka Devta.
The superstar spot was then occupied by upcoming actors like Amitabh Bachchan, who once Bharat Bhushan claimed as his own. Big B recalled the time when he saw the yesteryear star standing at a bus stop, completely unnoticed and alone. In his blog, he wrote that he saw him standing in a queue to catch a bus. 'One morning for work I saw Bharat Bhushan, the great romantic heart throb of the 50's, hero of some of the most successful musicals of the times, standing in a queue at a bus stop! An ordinary citizen. Part of the crowd. Alone, unnoticed. No one recognizing him. No one knowing who he was.' Amitabh wrote.
He continued, 'I wanted to stop and ask him into the car to drop him to his destination, but I could not muster enough courage. I feared I would embarrass him. And I drove on. But that visual has remained with me and will remain with me forever. It could happen to anyone. To any one of us.' Bharat Bhushan's forgotten and impoverished stated made Big B realise that how easily success and fame can slipper away.