Veteran actress, Moushumi Chatterjee was a popular face in Bengali and Hindi cinema during the 1970s, having worked with some of cinema’s most legendary personalities, including ‘Mahanayak’ Uttam Kumar, Basu Chatterjee, Manoj Kumar, Rajesh Khanna, and Amitabh Bachchan. The 76-year-old actress has shared screen space with Big B in multiple iconic films which are now considered among the classics of Indian cinema. Recently, the actress opened up about Amitabh Bachchan’s journey from a struggling actor to a cinematic legend. His success seemed to have changed him, but it’s possibly not for the better.
Recently, in between her shoots for her upcoming Bengali film, Aari, Moushumi Chatterjee sat for a candid chat with Anandabazar Patrika, offering glimpses into her life. Moushumi opened up about Bachchan’s journey from a struggling actor to a cinematic legend and how his success seemed to have changed him. Reflecting on their early days in the industry, Moushumi shared how Bachchan’s rise to superstardom was a result of relentless hard work and determination. She recalled:
“Amitabh Bachchan struggled a lot and became big after a lot of hard work. But I won’t say if he became big for the better. When you receive so much, you behave very differently. You won’t even think about helping others.”
At one point during the conversation, Moushumi reflected on the early days in the industry when Amitabh was yet to become the great superstar that he actually is today. Moushumi shared how back in the day, Amitabh preferred eating lunch with his hairdresser on set, despite his reserved personality. His brother, Ajitabh Bachchan, would even arrange a car to ensure the actor’s transportation to and from shoots. The actress shared:
“His (Amitabh’s) brother Ajitabh used to arrange for a car which would pick up Bachchan from the sets. He used to be a very quiet person, sit alone, and have lunch with the hairdresser.”
Moushumi and Amitabh worked together in several timeless classics, such as Benaam (1974), Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974), and Manzil (1979). Decades later, the duo came back together on the sets of Shoojit Sircar’s 2015 film, Piku. The movie stars Deepika Padukone as ‘Piku Banerjee’, a headstrong and career-oriented woman balancing her work, relationship and responsibilities for her hypochondriac father. Moushumi played Amitabh’s sister-in-law, whereas the latter played the role of ‘Bhaskor Banerjee’, a man particularly obsessed with his bowel movements amid other health concerns.
Reflecting on her experience working with Amitabh Bachchan after so many years, Moushumi told Hindustan Times how she admired his discipline and punctuality even at 72 years old, which resembled the energy of a newcomer. She remarked:
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“Even at 72 (back in 2015), Amit is like a newcomer. If you ask him to get ready at 6 am, he will be ready. He is so punctual and disciplined.”
Moushumi Chatterjee, born Indira Chattopadhyay, is a renowned Indian actress particularly known for her 70s hits in Hindi and Bengali cinema. Starting her career with the Bengali film, Balika Badhu alongside Uttam Kumar, Moushumi became one of the highest-paid actresses in Bollywood through her successful acting career in films such as Roti Kapda Aur Makaan, Manzil and Benaam.
What are your thoughts on Mousumi Chatterjee's revelations about Amitabh Bachchan?
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