Shatrughan Sinha: Have nothing against Amitabh Bachchan, hold him in high esteem

Shatrughan Sinha. Picture Courtesy: Yogen Shah

Shatrughan Sinha is known to be an actor with a commanding aura and a magnetic baritone, and delivering hits like Kalicharan, Naseeb, Shaan, and Vishwanath. He has also acted in blockbusters like Kaala Patthar and Dostana.

In an interview with The Times of India recently, he opened up on his equation with Amitabh Bachchan and the late Rajesh Khanna, how Khanna was upset with him, and being offered Sholay and Deewar. When asked about being offered these cult classics, this is what the star had to say.

He said, "All these things keep happening. Someone might be the first choice for a role but it eventually goes to someone else. Perhaps the makers, at some point, realise that some other actor would be better for a role, or at times I couldn't have taken a film due to date issues, which was the case with 'Sholay'. I think the character of 'Jai' was one of the last ones to be cast."

Sinha also stated that he has nothing against Bachchan and he holds him in very high esteem. "I have nothing against Amitabh; I hold him in very high esteem and have only love, affection, and regards for him. Yet if someone asks, I say: Chhodo kal ki baatein, kal ki baat purani. Naye daur mein likhenge milkar nayi kahani."

Did you know that Rajesh Khanna was once very upset with Sinha? When asked about the reason, the actor revealed, "Rajesh was very upset when I contested against him in a by-election. Honestly, I didn't want to, but couldn't refuse L K Advani ji. I tried explaining this to Rajesh but he did not like it; we didn't speak for quite a long time. However, we did start talking after many years."

He added, "I wanted to go and apologise to him when he was in the hospital and hug him, but sadly, he passed away before I could do that."