Amitabh Bachchan’s 1988 film Shahenshah is one of his most iconic roles but the film almost didn’t see the light of day. Before production began, Amitabh faced a major health crisis, being diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, a rare autoimmune disease that causes muscle weakness. This health issue came after his near-fatal injury during a fight scene in Coolie (1983), raising concerns about whether he would be able to continue working in films.
As a result, Amitabh had to step away from Shahenshah, leaving director Tinnu Anand in a difficult position. During a recent conversation, Tinnu Anand revealed how the project nearly collapsed due to mounting financial pressure. “Shahenshah was cancelled after thousands and lakhs of rupees had already been spent on the unit, on air tickets, and everything,” Tinnu shared. Creditors began demanding their money back, and for Anand, repaying the sum seemed impossible.
With Amitabh Bachchan temporarily stepping away from the project, the team scrambled to find a suitable replacement. According to Tinnu Anand, they briefly considered other actors, including Jackie Shroff and Jeetendra, for the lead role. Jackie Shroff was excited about the possibility and even signed several films amidst the buzz of potentially replacing Bachchan. “Jackie was the first to agree. He enjoyed the attention he was receiving about possibly replacing Amitabh in Shahenshah,” Tinnu revealed.
Jeetendra, however, was more hesitant. Tinnu shared that Jeetendra turned down the role, saying, “I don’t think I can fit into Amitabh’s shoes,” recognizing the unique impact Amitabh had on the film’s vision.
Despite exploring other options, Tinnu Anand ultimately realized that no one could replace Amitabh Bachchan in Shahenshah. The film was put on hold, which led to a financially difficult period for Anand. “I experienced one year of poverty,” he shared, as the production remained stalled and the creditors continued to demand repayment.
Eventually, Amitabh Bachchan recovered and returned to the project, allowing Shahenshah to move forward. The film, featuring Bachchan in a dual role as a corrupt cop by day and a vigilante by night, became a massive hit. It remains one of Bachchan’s most memorable performances, with fans still quoting his famous dialogue, “Rishtey mein toh hum tumhare baap lagte hain, naam hai Shahenshah.”
Shahenshah is now celebrated not only for its gripping plot but also for Bachchan’s larger-than-life portrayal, which cemented his status as one of Bollywood’s greatest actors.
