The Big Comeback
From the depths of gloom, a rebirth is scripted that can rival any fantasy. As a quiz host’s smile lights up the small screen, the films see a full renascence
1 OFFBEAT
Amitabh with son Abhishek in a still from Paa (2009)
2 CLASS ACT
Amitabh and Rani Mukerji in a still from Black (2005)
3 SECOND COMING
On the sets of Kaun Banega Crorepati in 2000
4 FAMILY PORTRAIT
The Bachchans with Amar Singh at the India Today Conclave 2007
2000
Debt-ridden and with his acting career flagging, Bachchan approaches Juhu neighbour Yash Chopra for work. A part in his son Aditya Chopra’s Mohabbatein ensues. There’s no looking back.
July 2, 2000
The first episode of Star TV’s quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati airs. Viewership breaks the circuit barrier. Besides a brief run by SRK in season three, Bachchan as KBC host is still going strong in 2022.
2001
ABCL reinvents itself as AB Corp.
2003
Pairs with old co-star Hema Malini for family tearjerker Baghban. As his career looks up, in 2004, Jaya Bachchan takes a dig at the Gandhis, saying those who brought her husband into politics deserted him in times of crisis. Rahul Gandhi defends his family. Amitabh responds with “Woh raja hai, hum runk hain”.
2005
The films begin to flower again. Earns praise for Sarkar; wins his second National Award for best actor for Black, his only collaboration with Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Also, shakes a leg with son Abhishek and daughter-in-law-to-be Aishwarya Rai in the hit ‘Kajra Re’ (Bunty aur Babli).
2007
A long-standing collaboration begins with filmmaker R. Balki with the release of Cheeni Kum. Nishabd sees him in a quaint, affecting pairing with Jiah Khan.
April 17, 2008
Starts a blog sharing anecdotes from his personal and professional life. Has rarely missed an entry since then.
2009
Wins his third National Award for Balki’s Paa, co-starring Abhishek.
2010
Becomes brand ambassador for Gujarat, a move that angers his former party Congress, who see it as him endorsing then CM Narendra Modi.
2013
Makes his Hollywood debut in Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation of The Great Gatsby.
2015
Yet another National Award, this time for essaying an eccentric septuagenarian battling constipation in Shoojit Sircar’s Piku. Fully re-established as a viable, if old, protagonist.