‘Amitabh Bachchan heard my insult and quietly walked away; I died a thousand deaths': Rohini Hattangadi recalls first-ever interaction

Indian Express

19-07-2025

Veteran actor Rohini Hattangadi, who was typecast as elderly women for most of her career, reflected on working with Amitabh Bachchan. She played the mother of Bachchan's characters in films such as Agneepath and Shahenshah; the latter was shot during troubling times for the superstar, after his unsuccessful stint in politics. In an interview, she recalled her first-ever interaction with the actor on set, and said that she inadvertently insulted him. Rohini said that she disliked the work he'd done after surviving a near-death accident on the film Coolie, and mistakenly let him know.
In an appearance on the Friday Talkies YouTube channel, she was asked about her equation with the legendary star, who happens to be older than her in real life. She said that she agreed to do Shahenshah, and was very nervous about meeting Amitabh finally. She arrived on set and waited anxiously with her co-star Supriya Pathak. Supriya had already worked with Amitabh for a few days, and had developed a rapport with him. While the two of them were waiting to be called on set for a shot, Amitabh walked into the room wearing an odd costume, and remarked to Supriya, 'Look how they've dressed me.'
Also read – How Amitabh Bachchan's reassurance gave 'ruined' Shahenshah director some hope while star recovered from life-threatening injury
Rohini said, 'I don't know what came over me, but without a beat, I said to him, 'After what you did in Laawaris, this is nothing'. I immediately bit my tongue. He didn't say anything, and walked away quietly. I looked at Supriya in shock. What had I done. I spent the next few minutes in terror. I kept running scenarios in my mind; how I'd respond if Mr Bachchan said something to me. I had different replies planned. I died a thousand deaths, waiting to come face to face with him.'
But, to her surprise, Amitabh didn't mention the awkward interaction at all, and continued working as if nothing had happened. 'After that, it was smooth sailing for me. That's what makes him a great star,' Rohini said. She admitted that she found his performance in the film Laawaris to be unworthy of his talent, and said that she felt the same about his post-accident films such as Inquilaab and Sharaabi. 'But he honoured his word to producers and directors, and fulfilled his commitment to them,' she said. Many of Amitabh's films were left in the lurch as he recovered from the injury he sustained on Coolie, and he made it a point to complete them when he got better.