After receiving an unfavorable review for Hum, Amitabh Bachchan personally invited film critic Komal Nahta to his house, questioning his assessment of the film
March 20, 2025: Amitabh Bachchan, often regarded as one of Indian cinema’s most respected actors, is known for his professional demeanor. However, a rare incident from the 1990s saw him personally confronting a film critic over an unfavorable review of his movie Hum (1991), which also starred Rajinikanth and Govinda.
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Film critic and trade analyst Komal Nahta recently recalled this episode during a conversation with ANI. According to Nahta, his review suggested that Hum might not perform well for exhibitors, which led to a surprising phone call from Bachchan himself.
The Call That Sparked a ‘Cold War’
Nahta, who was writing for The Trade Magazine run by his father, Ramraj Nahta, had left for an international trip after submitting the review. Upon his return, he received an unexpected invitation to Bachchan’s residence.
“Amitabh Bachchan called and invited my father and me to his home. He spoke politely but asked, ‘Ramraj ji, humse kya galti hui hai?’ (What mistake have I made?). My father responded, ‘Nothing,’ to which Bachchan asked, ‘Then why did you write this?’ My father defended the review, saying it was the truth, but Bachchan urged, ‘Give the film some time to breathe,’” Nahta recounted.
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The incident quickly made headlines, with several magazines dubbing it the “Nahta-Bachchan war.” Reports even mentioned banners across Bombay highlighting the dispute.
A Gracious Resolution
The tension lasted for a while, with Nahta and Bachchan avoiding each other. However, things changed when Bachchan won the National Film Award for Agneepath.
“He was gracious enough to call me and say, ‘Komal, I have won this award. We are having a party. Please come.’ I congratulated him, and just like that, everything was forgotten,” Nahta shared.
This episode serves as a testament to Bachchan’s deep involvement in his films and his ability to resolve conflicts with grace.
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Amitabh Bachchan, Hum Movie, Bollywood, Film Review, Komal Nahta, Bollywood News, Box Office, Movie Controversy, Indian Cinema, Rajinikanth, Govinda, Agneepath, National Film Award, Behind The Scenes, Film Industry