Aanjjan Srivastava recalls the financial crisis of ABCL; says, “Amitabh Bachchan folded hands and said ‘I will return your money as soon as possible’”

Wagle Ki Duniya actor Aanjjan Srivastava recalled what transpired during the bad phase of Amitabh Bachchan’s career in the 80s and 90s.

By Bollywood Hungama News Network -

July 6, 2023 - 2:12 PM IST

Aanjjan Srivastava, who has been a popular television and film personality, recently opened up about his bond with Bollywood’s megastar Amitabh Bachchan. Srivastava, who has completed several decades in the industry, has seen the many phases of the superstar, including his rise, fall, and later the road to superstardom. In a recent interview, he recalled the 80s and the 90s when Amitabh Bachchan was going through a low phase in his life.

Aanjjan Srivastava recalls the financial crisis of ABCL; says, “Amitabh Bachchan folded hands and said ‘I will return your money as soon as possible’”

Readers may be aware that in the 1980s, during the renowned Bofors Scandal, Amitabh Bachchan’s name was dragged in it and for a long period of time, his reputation had taken a hit along with the news also having a severe impact on his career. Recalling those days when Bachchan was shooting for the film Toofan, Aanjjan Srivastava told in an interview with Rajshri Unplugged, “I went to Filmistan on the sets of Toofan to find out how he is. During those days, in Kolkata, there was a huge protest happening against Amit ji. Posters were being torn and here Amit ji was also like this (enacts being disheartened). I went there and asked him, ‘Bhaisahab kaise hai?’ (Brother, how are you?) and he said “Theek hun” (I am fine) and that’s all.”

The actor also revealed how Bachchan’s acquaintances and even his father’s friends were talking bad about him for being involved in the scandal. Later, his name was acquitted, and the actor was given a clean chit after it was proved that he wasn’t involved in any of the wrongdoings.

In the same interview, Srivastava, who has also been a banker, recalled the days when Amitabh’s company ABCL corporation was involved in a massive financial crisis and was on the verge of bankruptcy owing to its immense debts. Srivastava had once met Bachchan during the phase when he went to meet the superstar as a banker and remembered how the megastar had to fold his hands and assure him about payback. “When we met him, he immediately got up with folded hands. He said, ‘I will return your money as soon as possible’. I told him ‘We have not come for that. We have come because of your accountant’s mistake. You return the money when you can, and we trust you that you will give, and your intention is right. But in this kind of banking, don’t do transactions with other banks.’ I came back to the bank and told them to not file any suit. Slowly he returned all the money,” he reminisced.

Furthermore, he continued, “When ABCL account was there, he (Amitabh) was trapped in it. We used to go to his office from the bank to take statements and people were bluffing him badly. This is what my manager and I realised.”

For the unversed, Amitabh Bachchan rose from that phase after the stupendous success of Kaun Banega Crorepati aka KBC as well as a few films which restored his superstardom.

Also Read: Amitabh Bachchan meets adoring fans outside Jalsa, expresses gratitude; says, “Every Sunday since 1982”