{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Amitabh Bachchan Recalls Early Rejections: Directors Told Me I Do Not Know Acting and Should Go Home",
  "summary": "On the sets of Kaun Banega Crorepati 18, Amitabh Bachchan opened up about his early struggles in the film industry, recounting how he faced severe criticism, was once ousted from a project for arriving late, and started his career as a voice-over artist.",
  "content": "Achieving legendary status in the entertainment industry is no small feat, and Amitabh Bachchan's journey to the top was filled with formidable hurdles. Long before he became a household name, the veteran actor had to endure relentless rejection and harsh criticism during his formative years. He shared these lesser-known anecdotes while hosting the popular quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati 18. During an interaction with Commonwealth Games 2026 gold medalist Lovlina Borgohain, Jaswant Kumar, Sharmila Dhankhar, and Asmita Dey, the megastar looked back at the arduous phase that preceded his stardom.\n\nThe conversation took an insightful turn when Asmita Dey drew a parallel between sports and cinema, asking whether actors, much like athletes facing a coach's wrath for mistakes on the field, ever get scolded by directors on film sets. Answering this, Amitabh Bachchan detailed the heavy criticism that came his way when he was desperately trying to find a foothold in the movies. He noted that people openly doubted his capabilities back then, often dismissing him by pointing out his towering height, telling him bluntly that he had zero acting skills and should pack his bags to go back home.\n\nThe road remained rocky even after he managed to secure minor opportunities. Recalling another bitter incident from his past, the actor spoke about the strict discipline of the early days. While professionals always try to be punctual, he admitted that there was an occasion when he arrived late to a location. At that point in time, he did not own a car and had borrowed someone else's vehicle to commute. To his dismay, the director was standing right outside the premises, and the moment he stepped out, he was fired from the film on the spot.\n\nLong before attaining superstardom, Amitabh Bachchan's association with cinema began behind the microphone rather than in front of the camera, spanning more than five decades of contribution to the arts. His very first breakthrough in the industry came in 1969 as a voice-over artist when he lent his trademark baritone to Mrinal Sen's low-budget film Bhuvan Shome, a pioneering project that went on to become a major landmark in the parallel cinema movement of India.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. On which show did Amitabh Bachchan share his early struggle stories?\nAmitabh Bachchan shared his early struggles on the sets of the quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati 18.\n\n2. What kind of criticism did Amitabh Bachchan face during his early days?\nHe was frequently told that he was too tall, lacked acting skills, and should simply go back home.\n\n3. Why was Amitabh Bachchan once fired from a film project?\nHe was ousted from a film because he arrived late to the shooting location on that particular day.\n\n4. What was Amitabh Bachchan's very first professional role in cinema?\nHis earliest industry work was in 1969 as a voice-over artist for the film Bhuvan Shome.\n\nInspiration & Lessons\nKey Lessons from Amitabh Bachchan's Journey:\n\n• Never Let Rejection Stop You: Push forward through initial failures and closed doors without losing hope.\n• Use Criticism as Fuel: Turn harsh words and doubts from others into motivation to hone your craft.\n• Maintain Professionalism: Punctuality and discipline on work sets are critical for long-term survival.\n• Start Wherever Possible: Success does not require a grand launch; taking up smaller roles like voice-overs can pave the way.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/entertainment/amitabh-bachchan-recalls-early-rejections-directors-told-me-i-do-not-know-acting-and-should-go-home-17983",
  "category": "Entertainment",
  "publishedAt": "2026-08-18",
  "tags": [
    "Amitabh Bachchan",
    "Kaun Banega Crorepati 18",
    "Bollywood Struggles",
    "Lovlina Borgohain",
    "Mrinal Sen",
    "Bhuvan Shome"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}