Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan recently opened up about the harsh criticism he faced during his early years in the film industry. The veteran actor, who now stands as one of India’s most celebrated cinematic icons, revealed that his towering height was once seen as a drawback. During a special episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 18, Bachchan shared how people told him he was “too tall” to become an actor and even asked him to leave a film set.
The 83-year-old actor has built an unmatched legacy over a career spanning more than five decades. But his journey to the top was filled with rejection and harsh words. What many now consider his commanding screen presence was once viewed as a problem by industry insiders.
Amitabh Bachchan Shares Early Struggles on KBC 18
The special episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 18 featured Commonwealth Games 2026 gold medallists Lovlina Borgohain, Jhandu Kumar, Sharmila Dhankar and Asmita Dey. During the conversation, Asmita Dey asked Bachchan whether actors also face scolding on set, similar to how athletes are reprimanded by coaches during training.
The question brought back memories of his struggling days. Bachchan laughed as he recalled how much criticism he faced when trying to establish himself in the industry. He did not hold back while describing the treatment he received from directors and seniors.
“Humko badi daant padti hain, shuru-shuru mein toh bahut padi thi. ‘Tumko kuch aata nahi hai, acting-wacting, tum bahut lambe ho, jaake ghar jaao.’”
Translated, this means: “I used to get scolded a lot. In the beginning, I was scolded immensely. They would tell me, ‘You don’t know anything about acting, you are too tall, go back home.’”
The Criticism He Faced for His Height
Amitabh Bachchan stands at approximately 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm), which is taller than the average leading man in Bollywood. During the 1970s, when he was trying to break into the industry, his height was considered a disadvantage rather than an asset. Many believed that a hero needed to be of average height to pair well with leading actresses.
Bachchan revealed that even after he started getting work, the criticism did not stop. Directors would constantly correct his acting and dialogue delivery. He recalled how they would instruct him on where to stand and how to say his lines.
“Then when I finally got work, they would say, ‘Okay, fine, stand over there and say the dialogue.’ They would ask, ‘Is this any way to deliver a dialogue?’ They would scold and correct me, and slowly, I improved.”
The actor’s deep baritone voice, which is now one of his most recognised features, was also a point of rejection earlier in his life. He had been turned down by All India Radio for a newsreader position because his voice was considered unsuitable. His height and voice, which later became his trademarks, were once reasons for rejection.
When He Was Asked to Leave a Film Set
Bachchan also shared a specific incident from his early days when he was asked to leave a shoot because he arrived late. The actor mentioned that he usually tries to be punctual, but there was one time when he could not reach on time.
“Usually, I try to reach the shoot on time. Once, I was late. The director was standing outside the set. I arrived in someone else’s car because I did not have one at the time. When I reached, the director saw me and said the shooting had been packed up. He told me, ‘Get out of here,’ and asked me to leave.”
At that time, Bachchan did not own a car and had to rely on others for transportation. The director did not give him a chance to explain or make up for the delay. He was simply told to leave the set.
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From Rejection to Becoming a Superstar
Amitabh Bachchan’s first association with cinema began as a voice-over artist. In 1969, he lent his voice to Mrinal Sen’s Bhuvan Shome, a low-budget film that became significant in India’s parallel cinema movement. His acting debut came later that year with Saat Hindustani, but the film did not do well commercially.
His big break came with Zanjeer in 1973, which established him as Bollywood’s “angry young man”. The film changed his career and the way audiences perceived him. He went on to star in several successful movies like Deewaar, Sholay, Don, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Trishul, Kaala Patthar, and Agneepath.
Over the last five decades, he has worked across genres and generations. His filmography includes Mohabbatein, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Black, Paa, Piku, Pink, 102 Not Out, and Jhund. He was recently seen in Kalki 2898 AD, directed by Nag Ashwin, which also starred Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, and Kamal Haasan. The film became a massive success, grossing over ₹1,000 crore worldwide. He is currently shooting for the sequel.
The 18th season of Kaun Banega Crorepati premiered on August 10, 2026, at 9 pm on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV. The daily episodes air from Monday to Friday at 9 pm. The theme of the latest season is ‘Sochna Padega’.
The qualities that were once criticised, including his height and voice, eventually became integral to the persona that made him one of India’s most celebrated actors. What people once told him to go home for, audiences around the world now celebrate.
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