Moushumi Chatterjee Calls Rajesh Khanna 'Anpadh Gunda'; Has 'Pity' For Amitabh Bachchan
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Moushumi Chatterjee compared Amitabh Bachchan and Rajesh Khanna to goons.
Moushumi Chatterjee and Amitabh Bachchan, two stalwarts of Hindi cinema, have shared screen space in several memorable films, especially during the 1970s and 1980s. Their most notable collaborations include Benaam (1974), Manzil (1979), and Do Ladke Dono Kadke (1978). In a recent interview with Filmfare, the veteran actress reflected on Amitabh Bachchan's success and how he has managed to stay grounded despite being a superstar. She compared him to Rajesh Khanna, whom he claims had an inflated ego after reaching stardom.
Moushumi said, 'Amitabh Bachchan is a very intelligent man. He always uses politically right words. I sometimes pity him because I think most of the time he is only performing because that is all that he knows. I might be wrong, but that's how I feel about him. It is because of his image. He has a huge image, which nobody else has managed to achieve."
Comparing Rajesh Khanna with Amitabh Bachchan, Moushumi said, 'Amitabh has managed to stay grounded despite immense success. Something that Rajesh Khanna failed at. He was blown up with his success. As the saying goes: 'Ek anpadh gunda aur ek padhe likhe gunde mein bahaut farq hota hai' (There is always a difference between a literate and illiterate goon). I have never seen Amitabh Bachchan with flatterers. However, Rajesh Khanna was always surrounded by these people. He needed that attention and pampering."
Moushumi Chatterjee and Rajesh Khanna shared a memorable on-screen chemistry in several Hindi films during the 1970s and 80s. Their collaborations were known for emotional depth and strong performances. Notable films include Roti (1974), a dramatic action-thriller, and Prem Bandhan (1979), which explored love and identity with powerful intensity. In Tyaag (1977), they portrayed complex characters caught in moral dilemmas. Their pairing resonated with audiences, blending Moushumi's charm with Rajesh Khanna's superstar aura. Though not a frequent duo, their films together remain well-regarded, adding to the golden era of Hindi cinema with compelling narratives and enduring screen presence.
Years later, Moushumi Chatterjee and Amitabh Bachchan reunited on screen when the actress had a brief role in Piku. She praised Amitabh Bachchan in a recent interview with Nayandeep Rakshit and said, 'Amitabh Bachchan is really amazing. When I worked with him in Piku, he was so punctual. The younger generation needs to learn from him."
While not as frequently cast as some of his other co-stars, Moushumi Chatterjee and Amitabh Bachchan's collaborations remain cherished in the annals of classic Hindi cinema for their nuanced storytelling and compelling performances.
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