Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai

Mumbai, Jun 15: Yesteryear Bollywood actress Mumtaz, in a candid conversation, reminisced about her first and only collaboration with megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1973 film Bandhe Haath. While many view Bachchan as a self-made icon who rose from humble beginnings, Mumtaz offered a different perspective.

Speaking to Radio Nasha, the veteran actress revealed that she didn’t quite see the struggle in Big B’s early journey. “I had to leave school in the fourth grade and began working as an extra in films at age seven. We earned Rs 500 per role, out of which Rs 100 went to the person who got us the job. The rest I handed to my mother,” she said.

She then contrasted her story with Bachchan’s, stating, “Amitabh ji was very educated and came from a well-off family. His father was a renowned figure, and they lived comfortably in a bungalow. So, I never understood why he even needed to become an actor.”

Their film Bandhe Haath, though not a major box office hit, holds a fond memory for Mumtaz. “He had a certain class and was a gentleman. I truly wish I had done more films with him,” she expressed.

Interestingly, the same year saw Bachchan’s meteoric rise with Zanjeer, marking the beginning of an era that would redefine Hindi cinema. Though Bandhe Haath didn’t achieve that level of success, it remains a rare cinematic moment where two legends shared the screen—just once.