Amitabh Bachchan opened his own production house which he named ABCL. However, this venture is associated with some bitter memories.
A famous song from an Amitabh Bachchan film goes, “Jo hai naam wala, wahi to badnaam hai.” There’s no doubt that Amitabh Bachchan’s acting skills have few rivals. Though he started his career with a series of flops, Bachchan has gone on to deliver several iconic films. But did you know which one is considered his worst? Scroll down to find more details.
The Journey of Amitabh Bachchan’s Career
Today, Amitabh Bachchan stands at the pinnacle of success, but he has seen his share of ups and downs throughout his career. From rising to stardom and then experiencing a sharp fall, Bachchan has witnessed it all. Looking back at his journey, he must find numerous successful films he’s proud of, but there are also some projects he probably wonders, “Why did I ever do that?” One such film is the notorious “Mrityudata,” which starred Dimple Kapadia as his wife and an actress 8 years younger than him in the role of his mother.
Amitabh Bachchan’s Memorable Yet Tough Moments
Amitabh has many memories from his life that he can’t forget. Whether it was the thought of returning home after a series of flop films or his career-changing turn in Deewar, he often reflects on these moments.
The Creation of ABCL and ‘Mrityudata’ Disaster
Amitabh Bachchan like many other stars, opened his own production house which he named ABCL. However, this venture is associated with some bitter memories, especially the 1997 release of Mrityudata. Directed by Mehul Kumar, who had previously helmed the hit film Tiranga, Mrityudata turned out to be not only the worst film of that year but also one of the lowest points in Bachchan’s career.
The Plot and Cast of Mrityudata
In Mrityudata, Amitabh Bachchan played the character of Dr. Ram Prasad Ghildal. The film also featured Dimple Kapadia, Karisma Kapoor, Arbaaz Ali Khan, Paresh Rawal, Ashish Vidyarthi, Tiku Talsania, Mushtaq Khan, and Pran in supporting roles. Amitabh’s comeback film after a five-year hiatus, Mrityudata aimed to restore his image and stardom, but it failed spectacularly.
Challenges with Casting and Reception
The film had a star-studded cast, including the legendary villain Pran, who starred alongside Amitabh for the last time after their iconic pairing in Zanjeer. The movie also featured Farida Jalal, who played Amitabh’s mother—despite being 8 years younger than him. This casting choice did not sit well with the audience.
At 2 hours and 37 minutes, the film was criticised for its length, and even Jaya Bachchan, his wife, couldn’t sit through it. During the screening, she walked out midway, expressing her displeasure. She reportedly called it “the worst film.”
The Financial Loss
Despite its high-budget production of Rs 13 crore, Mrityudata was a box-office disaster, earning only Rs 8 crores in India, failing to recover its production costs. In the end, Mrityudata remains a significant low point in Amitabh Bachchan’s illustrious career, a film he likely wishes to forget.