Big B waited 46 years for his autograph

Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan had to wait for 46 years before he could get the autograph of his idol, Dilip Kumar.

Big B waited 46 years for his autograph

Kya khoob lagti ho: Legendary actor Dilip Kumar with his wife Saira Banoo at an awards function in New Delhi on Mondayu00a0Pic/Subhash Barolia

In his latest blog entry, Bachchan who called Dilip Kumar as an institution in himself talks about how he as a child had unsuccessfully attempted to get an autograph from his superstar and had to wait for the premiere of his film "Black" to finally get hold of one.

"I remember the first time I ever saw him in 1960. I had come to Bombay as a visitor with my parents...Our hosts had taken us out to visit some of the awe inspiring sights and locations of this great city...It was a prominent restaurant, in now what is commonly referred to as South Bombay, where Dilip Kumar, the Dilip Kumar, walked in," the actor wrote in his blog.

Urged by the elders and eager to go up and greet him and to ask him to oblige them with an autograph, Bachchan ran out of the restaurant to a nearby stationary store to buy an autograph book.

"Out of breath with excitement and apprehension, I walked back to the legend and softly put up my request. Poised statue like, hand extended with the book, I repeated my quivering words to him. He remained unmoved.

Either to me or to the book," Bachchan wrote"In a short while, he turned and left. I followed his departure, book in hand and a little embarrassed and self conscious and disappointed, returned to my seat, consoled by the elders with me not to take it personally. He may not have noticed you, or perhaps he was too busy with what was transpiring between him and his friends. I understood with some trepidation. End of meeting with Dilip Kumar," the actor-cum-keen blogger said.

The thespian was conferred upon Lifetime Achievement Award by a news channel on Monday for his contribution to the Indian cinema.

In a video message, Amitabh showered praises upon the legendary actor known as the tragedy king of Bollywood.

"Dilip sahab has inspired and will always inspire each actor associated with the Indian film industry," the actor said.
Jury member and southern superstar Mohan Lal, speaking on the occasion, described it a "great honour" for him to attend the felicitation of Dilip saab.

External Affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee gave away the prize to the actor who was accomapanied with wife Saira Banoo. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit took Saira to the stage.

Accepting the award, Dilip Kumar started speaking in Urdu but apologised after speaking a few lines, saying it was matter of habit for him to speak in that language.

Dilip Kumar is the recipient of Padma Shri, Dada Saheb Phalke,u00a0 a National Award for acting and eight Filmfare awards

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