When Amitabh Bachchan Was Dropped Midway From Duniya Ka Mela

Amitabh Bachchan, the angry young man of Bollywood faced struggles in the initial phases of his film career industry. He was seen as a failed newcomer who had twelve flops and only two successes at the age of 30 years. Before being discovered by the screenwriter duo Salim-Javed for the film Zanjeer, the actor was taunted and ignored by several makers. He was also questioned about his height and voice. Recently, actress Aruna Irani revealed that Amitabh Bachchan was thrown out of a film after shooting it halfway. The makers said that the distributor refused to buy the film in the name of Amitabh. The film was titled Duniya Ka Mela. It was directed by Kundan Kumar and starred Sanjay Khan and Rekha in the lead roles.

Aruna Irani, who has appeared in blockbusters like Pet Pyaar Aur Paap and Beta revealed in a reality show that Amitabh Bachchan was the first choice of the makers for the film Duniya Ka Mela. He also completed a few scenes of the film. Aruna Irani said that she was shooting a film with Mehmood. The actor Amitabh Bachchan reached the studio and went inside the room with Mehmood where filmmaker Kundam Kumar was also present. According to Aruna Irani, Amitabh Bachchan was disappointed and sad after he exited from the room. The actress further said that Amitabh Bachchan had shot five scenes of the film by that time before being removed from the film. Not only this, the makers also asked the actor to write a letter himself saying that he was leaving the film of his own free will.

Kundan Kumar was bent on directing the film with Rekha and Amitabh Bachchan in the lead roles. Distributors advised Kundan Kumar against what they saw as a foolhardy move. But Kundan stuck to his guns. As per the report of Bollywood Hungama, the director shot a romantic duet, Yeh Chehra Yeh Zulfen Jadu, composed by the hit-makers Laxmikant-Pyarelal. It was filmed on Rekha and the almost-newcomer Amitabh Bachchan. It was when the distributors threatened to back out of the project. They advised Kundan Kumar to get rid of the semi-newcomer and replace him with someone more viewer-friendly.

Amitabh Bachchan later shared his experience of this incident and said that he holds absolutely no grudges as he was grappling with flops and Sanjay Khan was a big star at that time.