Amitabh Bachchan recalls early career struggles: ‘You don’t know anything, You’re too tall, go home’

Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan has reflected on the difficult beginnings of his acting career, recalling

Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan has reflected on the difficult beginnings of his acting career, recalling how he was repeatedly criticised for lacking experience and for being considered too tall for the roles he wanted to play. Speaking on a recent episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati the veteran actor shared memories of the challenges, mistakes and guidance that eventually helped him develop into one of Indian cinema’s most respected performers.

During the episode, Bachchan interacted with four Indian Commonwealth Games 2026 medallists — boxer Lovlina Borgohain, judoka Asmita Dey, para-powerlifter Jhandu Kumar and para-athlete Sharmila Dhankar. The discussion turned towards discipline and dealing with mistakes after Dey asked Bachchan whether actors are also criticised or reprimanded by directors when they fail to perform properly.

Bachchan responded with humour while remembering the harsh comments he received during his early days in the film industry. He said that some people questioned both his talent and his physical appearance, telling him that he did not know how to act and was too tall for the profession. Such comments were discouraging, but they became part of the learning process that gradually helped him improve.

The actor explained that even after he began receiving acting opportunities, he continued to face criticism, particularly over his dialogue delivery. He recalled being instructed to stand in a particular place and deliver his lines, only to be told that his way of speaking was not appropriate. Directors would then guide him on how to improve his performance. Bachchan said that, with time and repeated direction, he slowly learned and developed his acting skills.

He also remembered an embarrassing incident from the early stage of his career when he arrived late for a film shoot. At that time, Bachchan did not own a car and had borrowed someone else’s vehicle to travel to the set. However, by the time he arrived, the director was already waiting and had decided to cancel the day’s shooting. Bachchan recalled being told to leave the set.

According to Bachchan, experiences like these taught him important lessons about professionalism, discipline and the need to continuously improve. Rather than allowing criticism and setbacks to end his career, he used them as opportunities to learn.

Bachchan’s rise to stardom was far from immediate. In 1969, he first lent his voice to Mrinal Sen’s Bhuvan Shome before making his acting debut in Saat Hindustani. He also faced disappointment when his attempt to become a newsreader at All India Radio was unsuccessful.

His career changed dramatically with Zanjeer which established him as Hindi cinema’s iconic “angry young man.” He subsequently delivered memorable performances in films such as Deewaar Sholay, Don, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar Trishul Kaala Patthar and Agneepath.

Over more than five decades, Bachchan has built an extraordinary career across generations. His latest recollections highlight that his journey to becoming a Bollywood icon was shaped not only by success, but also by rejection, criticism, mistakes and the determination to keep learning.