Was There a Hidden Rivalry Between Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan Fueled by Jealousy?

During the 1970s, Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan emerged as two towering figures in the Hindi film industry, each reaching extraordinary heights of fame. Their careers, while diverging in fascinating ways, intersected dramatically in the film Anand, which made a monumental impact on Bollywood. Despite their on-screen success, Khanna and Bachchan shared a complex and sometimes competitive relationship.

The 'Deewar' Controversy

In an interview, Rajesh Khanna revealed a significant episode involving Amitabh Bachchan. Khanna spoke about being sidelined from the iconic film Deewar, which marked the beginning of Bachchan’s ascent as Bollywood’s 'angry young man.' According to Khanna, screenwriters Salim-Javed played a crucial role in this decision. They were adamant about casting Bachchan, which meant that despite filmmaker Yash Chopra's preference for Khanna, he had no choice but to go with Bachchan. Khanna acknowledged this by saying:

“Salim-Javed and I had differences. They refused to give the script to Yash Chopra because they wanted only Bachchan. So, although Yashji wanted me for Deewar, he had no choice. And, I guess overall, he must have felt that maybe Amitabh fitted the bill better.”

A Praise for Talent

After Deewar was released, Khanna had a chance to view some of the film's footage. He was impressed by Bachchan's performance, recognizing his immense talent. Reflecting on their earlier collaborations, Anand and Namak Haram, Khanna remarked:

“Later, I saw just two reels of Deewar, and honestly, I said, waah kya baat hai, Honest to God. Talent was always there whether I worked with him in Anand or Namak Haram – I mean handi mein se agar chawal ka ek daana nikalo to pata lag jaata hai ki kya hai, but talent needs the right break.”

A Sense of Jealousy

Khanna also admitted to feeling envious of Bachchan's success, especially after Deewar. Despite their shared experiences and mistakes in their careers, Bachchan’s triumphs often elicited mixed emotions in Khanna. He noted:

“After Deewar, I always envied him. The only thing is, I smiled each time he slipped because he made the same mistakes that I once made.”

The Fallout Over 'Namak Haram'

Their professional relationship became strained following their work on Namak Haram. Khanna was reportedly unhappy with the film’s original ending, where Bachchan’s character was supposed to die. Pressured by Khanna, filmmaker Hrishikesh Mukherjee altered the script to have Khanna’s character die instead. Despite this change, Bachchan’s role garnered more acclaim, which displeased Khanna. This dissatisfaction led him to vow never to work with Bachchan again.

- PTC PUNJABI