Moushumi Chatterjee and Amitabh Bachchan remain iconic names in the history of Hindi cinema, having delivered memorable performances together in films such as Benaam (1974), Manzil (1979) and Do Ladke Dono Kadke (1978). Yet, behind the curtain of their successful on-screen pairing lies a lesser-known story of professional fallout, which the veteran actress recently opened up about.
In an interview, Moushumi Chatterjee shared that she was once unexpectedly dropped from a film starring Amitabh Bachchan—Barsaat Ki Ek Raat, directed by Shakti Samanta. Recalling the moment, she said, “It was filmmaker Shakti Samanta’s film Barsaat Ki Ek Raat. This one day, Shakti uncle called me and asked, ‘Did you have any fight with Amitabh Bachchan?’ I told him, ‘Uncle, I am not so close to anyone that they would fight with me. I am very cordial and nice, and I get that feedback also.’”
She went on to explain how Shakti Samanta informed her that several leading men in the industry, including Bachchan, reportedly expressed concerns about not having the right “tuning” with her. “He said, ‘That is the problem. Most of the heroes say, ‘Moushumi ko kyu liya uske sath humara tuning sahi nahi hai.’ He then asked me, ‘Do you understand what do they mean by tuning?’ I said, ‘Maybe, now I understand. Maybe more than friendship. But I am not here to make friends. I am here to work.’”
Following this conversation, Moushumi Chatterjee was officially removed from the film. However, the filmmaker reassured her that it wasn’t personal. “So Shakti uncle removed me from this film. I told him, ‘I will return you the signing amount’, he said, ‘No, keep it with you, I will make my next film with you.’ So I did Anand Ashram. I understood that he couldn’t spoil his relationship with the number one star.”
Despite this incident, time appeared to smooth over the rift. Years later, Moushumi and Amitabh shared the screen once again in Shoojit Sircar’s Piku, where she had a brief yet noticeable role. Her admiration for her co-star was clear: “Amitabh Bachchan is really amazing. When I worked with him in Piku, he was so punctual. The younger generation needs to learn from him.”
Though not as frequently paired as some of Bachchan’s other co-stars, the chemistry between Moushumi Chatterjee and the megastar left a lasting impression. Their collaborations, albeit limited, remain highlights of a golden cinematic era—both for their artistry and the intriguing stories that unfolded beyond the camera.
