During the 1970s, Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan emerged as two of the most influential figures in the Hindi film industry. Their careers, marked by extraordinary achievements, diverged in notable ways yet intersected dramatically in the film Anand, which left a lasting impact on Bollywood. Despite their on-screen successes, Khanna and Bachchan shared a relationship that was both complex and competitive.
The 'Deewar' Controversy
In an old interview, Rajesh Khanna once recounted a significant episode involving Amitabh Bachchan and the iconic film Deewar. Khanna revealed that he was sidelined for the film, which played a pivotal role in launching Bachchan as Bollywood’s 'angry young man.' According to Khanna, the screenwriters Salim-Javed were instrumental in this decision. They insisted on casting Bachchan, despite filmmaker Yash Chopra's preference for Khanna. Khanna acknowledged this, saying:
“Salim-Javed and I had differences. They refused to give the script to Yash Chopra because they wanted only Bachchan. So, although Yashji wanted me for Deewar, he had no choice. And, I guess overall, he must have felt that maybe Amitabh fitted the bill better.”
A Praise for Talent
Following the release of Deewar, Khanna had the opportunity to view some of the film's footage. He was impressed by Bachchan's performance and recognized his immense talent. Reflecting on their earlier collaborations, Anand and Namak Haram, Khanna remarked:
“Later, I saw just two reels of Deewar, and honestly, I said, waah kya baat hai, Honest to God. Talent was always there whether I worked with him in Anand or Namak Haram – I mean handi mein se agar chawal ka ek daana nikalo to pata lag jaata hai ki kya hai, but talent needs the right break.”
A Sense of Jealousy
Khanna admitted to feeling envious of Bachchan's success, particularly after Deewar. Despite their shared experiences and mistakes in their careers, Bachchan’s triumphs often stirred mixed emotions in Khanna. He shared:
“After Deewar, I always envied him. The only thing is, I smiled each time he slipped because he made the same mistakes that I once made.”
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The Fallout Over Namak Haram
The professional relationship between Khanna and Bachchan became strained following their collaboration on Namak Haram. Khanna was reportedly dissatisfied with the film’s original ending, where Bachchan’s character was intended to die. Pressured by Khanna, filmmaker Hrishikesh Mukherjee altered the script to have Khanna’s character die instead. Despite this change, Bachchan’s role received more acclaim, which displeased Khanna. This dissatisfaction led him to vow never to work with Bachchan again.
