During a challenging phase in his career, Amitabh Bachchan joined forces with director Mukul Anand for Dharma Productions’ Agneepath. Although the film failed to make an impact at the box office upon its release, it went on to achieve cult status over the years. Director Vikram Bhatt, who worked as an associate director on the film, recently opened up about some memorable moments from the making of Agneepath and his experience working with Bachchan. He also recalled a humorous incident when Amitabh jokingly “fired” him during the film’s trial screening.
In an interview, Vikram Bhatt shared a behind-the-scenes anecdote about a particular fight sequence where Amitabh’s character was repeatedly punching a man who was already dead. The actors standing beside him were meant to intervene, but an unexpected turn of events caught everyone off guard. “There were three cameras rolling simultaneously, and back then, they were really loud. Amit ji was so engrossed in the scene that he accidentally abused on camera. Mukul okayed the shot,” Vikram recalled. The unexpected moment left even the actors around Bachchan visibly stunned.
Despite his reputation for being composed and well-spoken, Amitabh momentarily lost himself in the intensity of the scene. Vikram, concerned about the slip, approached Mukul Anand, who assured him that they could dub over the line later. However, during the trial screening, which was an elaborate process at the time, Amitabh reminded Vikram to ensure the scene was altered before his family attended the screening. “Amit ji called me and said, ‘My family is coming, so you remove the part where I have abused.’ But amidst all the work, I completely forgot,” Vikram admitted with a laugh.
As the scene played out on the big screen, Vikram suddenly realized his mistake. Just then, Amitabh’s booming voice filled the room: “Vicky, you are fired!” Though it was said in jest, Vikram immediately apologized. Bachchan, ever the professional, took it sportingly and reassured him with a simple, “It’s okay.”
Years later, Vikram Bhatt had the opportunity to direct Amitabh Bachchan in the 2004 thriller Aetbaar. Reflecting on the experience, he marveled at how effortless it was to work with the legendary actor. “Working with Amit ji is like sitting in an automatic car—you don’t have to do anything. He is so perfect. He comes, stands on his mark, has learned his dialogues, and is pitch perfect,” he said.
Aetbaar, which also featured John Abraham and Bipasha Basu, was a psychological thriller and remains notable as the only Bollywood film produced by Ratan Tata’s company. The film showcased Bachchan’s versatility, reaffirming why he continues to be one of the most revered actors in Indian cinema.
