‘Dar tha aage kaam milega ki nahi’: Amitabh Bachchan reveals why he worked on 10-15 films at once in Bollywood’s busiest era

Amitabh Bachchan has offered fans a heartfelt glimpse into the realities of Bollywood’s golden era, revealing why he often worked on 10 to 15 films simultaneously. In a recent blog post, the veteran actor reflected on how filmmaking has transformed over the decades and why actors of his generation rarely had the opportunity to prepare extensively for their roles.

Sharing nostalgic memories, the 82-year-old superstar explained that the concept of “preparation” or character workshops, now considered an essential part of filmmaking, was almost unheard of when he entered the industry.

According to Amitabh, today’s actors invest significant time understanding their characters through script readings, look tests, workshops and detailed analysis before stepping onto the set. He praised the modern approach, calling it a thoughtful and valuable part of the creative process.

However, he pointed out that such preparation simply wasn’t practical during his early years in cinema. With actors often shooting for multiple films on the same day, there was hardly any time to mentally transition from one character to another.

Recalling those hectic schedules, Amitabh wrote that actors frequently worked on 10 to 15 projects simultaneously, sometimes shooting for two or three different films in a single day. Under such circumstances, preparing individually for each role was nearly impossible.

Instead, actors would arrive on the set and receive scene briefings directly from the director or assistant director before the cameras started rolling. They had to instantly adapt to different characters, emotions and storylines within hours.

Explaining what motivated actors to take on such demanding schedules, Amitabh shared an emotional reason that reflected the uncertainty of the film industry at the time.

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He recalled that there was always a lingering fear about whether more work would come in the future. Because of that insecurity, actors accepted every opportunity that came their way and sincerely tried to deliver their best, regardless of the workload. Often, they would only discover how their performances looked months later when the films finally reached theatres.

The actor’s candid reflection has struck a chord with fans, offering a rare insight into the challenges faced by Bollywood stars long before the era of structured workshops, digital monitoring and carefully planned production schedules.

Despite acknowledging the difficulties of his time, Amitabh expressed admiration for today’s generation of performers, appreciating the dedication and detailed preparation they bring to every project.

On the professional front, Amitabh Bachchan is set to return as Ashwatthama in the sequel to Kalki 2898 AD, directed by Nag Ashwin. The highly anticipated film will once again feature Prabhas and Kamal Haasan in pivotal roles.

The first installment of Kalki 2898 AD became one of Indian cinema’s biggest blockbusters after its 2024 release, crossing the ₹1,000 crore mark at the worldwide box office. Amitabh’s portrayal of the immortal warrior Ashwatthama was widely praised by critics and audiences alike, further adding to the excitement surrounding the sequel, whose release date is yet to be announced.