“Amitabh Bachchan Changed After Success; Rajesh Khanna Was Egoistic”: Moushumi Chatterjee Opens Up

Veteran actress Moushumi Chatterjee reflects on her experiences with Amitabh Bachchan and Rajesh Khanna, sharing candid insights into their personalities on and off-screen.

December 24, 2024: Veteran Bollywood actress Moushumi Chatterjee, known for her frank opinions, recently shared her experiences of working with two of Indian cinema’s biggest legends — Amitabh Bachchan and Rajesh Khanna. In a candid conversation with Anandabazar Patrika, Moushumi shed light on their contrasting personalities and how stardom influenced their behaviour.

On Amitabh Bachchan:

Moushumi described Amitabh Bachchan as a highly dedicated and hardworking individual who transformed into a superstar through relentless effort. However, she hinted that success altered his demeanor.

“Amitabh Bachchan struggled a lot and became big after a lot of hard work. But I won’t say he became big for the better. When you receive so much, you behave very differently. You won’t even think about helping others.”

She recalled how Bachchan would often isolate himself on film sets.

“His brother Ajitabh would arrange a car to pick him up from the sets. He would sit quietly, have lunch with the hairdresser, and keep to himself.”

On Rajesh Khanna:

Talking about Rajesh Khanna, Moushumi described him as an egoist but added that it stemmed from his unmatched stardom and success during his prime.

“During our time, one hero who was an egoist was Rajesh Khanna. And rightfully so. He delivered so many iconic hits and was adored by millions.”

Despite his ego, Moushumi acknowledged his immense contribution to cinema and his magnetic on-screen presence.

Subtle Jibe at Jaya Bachchan:

Earlier this year, Moushumi also took a light-hearted jibe at Jaya Bachchan at an event. While interacting with photographers, she said:

“I am a much better person than Jaya Bachchan. If you photographers weren’t here, what would happen to us?”

The comment appeared to reference Jaya Bachchan’s often stern interactions with paparazzi.

Collaborations with Legends:

Moushumi Chatterjee worked with Amitabh Bachchan in several memorable films, including Roti Kapada Aur Makaan, Benaam, Manzil, and Hum Kaun Hai?. She also shared screen space with Rajesh Khanna in movies like Anurag and Prem Bandhan.

Her reflections offer a rare glimpse into the golden era of Bollywood, where larger-than-life stars navigated the pressures of fame and success while leaving an indelible mark on Indian cinema.

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Tags: Amitabh Bachchan, Moushumi Chatterjee, Rajesh Khanna, Bollywood Legends, Bollywood Stories, Bollywood Behind The Scenes, Bollywood Gossip, Bollywood Candid Interview, 70s Bollywood.