Veteran actor Ranjeet has offered a rare and personal glimpse into the formative years of megastar Amitabh Bachchan, highlighting the unwavering discipline and family values that became the bedrock of his legendary career. In a recent interview, Ranjeet recounted shared experiences from their early film together and a later iconic comedy scene, painting a picture of Bachchan's professionalism long before superstardom.
Shared Tent and a Glimpse of Routine
Ranjeet took a trip down memory lane to the sets of the 1971 film 'Reshma Aur Shera'. This was only Amitabh Bachchan's second cinematic venture after his debut in 'Saat Hindustani'. The two actors, along with two others, shared a tent during the outdoor shoot, allowing Ranjeet an up-close view of the young Bachchan's personal habits.
"He used to write something every night and recite prayers in the morning," Ranjeet recalled. His curiosity piqued, Ranjeet eventually asked Bachchan about his nightly ritual. The answer was a profound insight into the actor's character. "One day, I asked him what he writes at night," Ranjeet shared. "He told me, 'I write letters to my parents every day and read the Gita in the morning.' That was his daily routine." This simple yet powerful habit underscored a deep-rooted commitment to family and spiritual grounding even before fame found him.
The Meticulous Craft Behind the Comic Genius
The conversation then fast-forwarded to the peak of their careers, specifically to the shooting of the 1982 blockbuster 'Namak Halaal'. Ranjeet and the host discussed the film's iconic scene where Bachchan's character, in a job interview, famously fumbles with English, delivering the hilarious line: ‘Bhairon becomes Baron and Baron becomes Bhairon because their minds are very narrow…’
While the scene appears effortlessly funny on screen, Ranjeet revealed it was born from intense preparation and a refusal to compromise. He described the obsessive involvement actors had in that era. He even noted a continuity quirk from the shoot: "I was wearing a wig in that scene... when the second shot was completed, there's no wig, I only wore it while entering."
A Lesson in Work Ethic and Perfection
What happened next, according to Ranjeet, perfectly encapsulated Bachchan's legendary work ethic. After beginning the shoot, Bachchan went to his makeup room. Shortly after, the crew was informed that the shoot had been packed up for the day. "He actually said that he will memorise this properly and do it tomorrow," Ranjeet explained.
Bachchan returned the next day fully prepared. "He came the next day and the first shot was okay, there was no cut. This is the kind of work that used to happen," Ranjeet stated, emphasizing the dedication to delivering a flawless performance, even if it meant delaying production.
Over the decades, Ranjeet and Amitabh Bachchan have shared the screen in several popular films, including 'Muqaddar Ka Sikandar', 'Laawaris', 'Suhaag', and 'Yaarana'. These recollections from a colleague provide invaluable insight into the quiet discipline, familial devotion, and relentless pursuit of perfection that helped shape one of Indian cinema's most enduring and respected icons.
