Kader Khan and Amitabh Bachchan in Yaarana
Entertainment26-12-2024

"Call Him Amitabh Bachchan Sir": Kader Khan Recalled How His Bond With Big B Soured After He Became An MP

The legendary actor and writer Kader Khan once revealed how his close friendship with Amitabh Bachchan changed dramatically after the latter entered politics, particularly during their collaboration in the iconic film "Yaarana".

The relationship between Kader Khan and Amitabh Bachchan is one of the most fascinating stories in Bollywood history. From being close friends and frequent collaborators to experiencing a dramatic shift in their bond, their journey together reflects the complex dynamics of fame, politics, and personal relationships in the Indian film industry.

The Legends Behind the Story

Kader Khan (1937-2018)

Born: October 22, 1937, Kabul, Afghanistan

Died: December 31, 2018, Toronto, Canada

Profession: Actor, Writer, Comedian, Director

Notable Works: Over 300 films as writer, 200+ as actor

Famous For: Comedy roles, dialogue writing, character acting

Education: Civil Engineering from Ismail Yusuf College, Mumbai

Career Span: 1971-2018 (47 years)

Amitabh Bachchan (Born 1942)

Born: October 11, 1942, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh

Profession: Actor, Producer, Television Host, Former Politician

Notable Works: Over 200 films, multiple awards

Famous For: "Angry Young Man" persona, versatile acting

Education: Bachelor's from Delhi University

Political Career: MP from Allahabad (1984-1987)

Career Span: 1969-present (55+ years)

Timeline of Their Relationship

1970s - Early Collaboration

Kader Khan begins writing dialogues for Amitabh Bachchan films. Their professional relationship starts with films like "Roti Kapda Aur Makaan" (1974).

1981 - Yaarana Release

The peak of their collaboration with "Yaarana" - a film that showcased their on-screen chemistry and real-life friendship.

1984 - Political Entry

Amitabh Bachchan enters politics, wins Lok Sabha election from Allahabad. This marks the beginning of changes in their relationship.

1987 - Political Exit

Amitabh Bachchan resigns from politics after Bofors scandal, but the changes in their relationship had already taken root.

1990s-2000s - Continued Work

They continue to work together in films like "Khuda Gawah" and "Ajooba", but the warmth of their earlier relationship is never fully restored.

2018 - Kader Khan's Passing

Kader Khan passes away in Toronto. Amitabh Bachchan pays tribute to his former friend and collaborator.

The Yaarana Connection

"Yaarana" (1981) was not just another film in their collaboration; it was a testament to their creative partnership and personal bond at the time.

Released in 1981, "Yaarana" was a significant film in both actors' careers. Directed by Rakesh Kumar, the film showcased the deep friendship between Amitabh Bachchan and Kader Khan, both on and off-screen. The movie's success was partly due to the natural chemistry between the two actors, which was a reflection of their real-life friendship.

Kader Khan, who was primarily known as a brilliant writer and character actor, played a crucial role in the film. His performance was widely appreciated, and the film became one of the memorable collaborations between the two legends. The success of "Yaarana" further cemented their professional relationship and personal bond.

The Political Turn That Changed Everything

The turning point in their relationship came when Amitabh Bachchan decided to enter politics. In 1984, Bachchan contested the Lok Sabha elections from Allahabad constituency and won with a massive margin. This political entry marked a significant change in his personality and behavior, as Kader Khan would later recall.

"His behavior changed completely after he became an MP. He started demanding to be called 'Amitabh Bachchan Sir' even by his close friends."

- Kader Khan in an interview

Kader Khan revealed in various interviews that the once humble and down-to-earth Amitabh Bachchan had transformed into someone who expected formal respect and deference from everyone around him, including his closest friends and colleagues. This change in attitude created a rift in their friendship that would never fully heal.

Professional Fallout

The change in their personal relationship inevitably affected their professional collaboration. While they continued to work together in some projects, the warmth and camaraderie that had characterized their earlier collaborations, including "Yaarana," was noticeably absent.

Kader Khan, known for his wit and straightforwardness, found it difficult to adjust to the new dynamic. The man who had once been his friend and equal was now demanding formal respect and maintaining a distance that was uncharacteristic of their earlier relationship.

Notable Collaborations After Politics:

  • • "Khuda Gawah" (1992)
  • • "Ajooba" (1991)
  • • "Toofan" (1989)

While they continued to work together, the magic of their earlier collaborations was never quite the same.

Kader Khan's Candid Revelations

In his later years, Kader Khan was quite open about his experiences with Amitabh Bachchan. He spoke about how the political success had changed his friend's personality and how it had affected their relationship. His revelations provided a rare insight into the personal dynamics between two of Bollywood's most respected figures.

Kader Khan's honesty about the situation was characteristic of his personality. He was known for speaking his mind and not shying away from difficult topics. His revelations about his relationship with Amitabh Bachchan were not meant to malign his former friend but to provide an honest account of how fame and power can change people.

The Enduring Legacy of Yaarana

Despite the changes in their personal relationship, "Yaarana" remains a beloved film that showcases the best of their collaboration. The film's success and the chemistry between the two actors continue to be remembered fondly by audiences and critics alike.

The movie stands as a testament to what their friendship and professional partnership could achieve when they were at their best. It serves as a reminder of the golden era of Bollywood when personal relationships often translated into magical on-screen chemistry.

Yaarana - Complete Film Details:

Basic Information

  • Release Year: 1981
  • Director: Rakesh Kumar
  • Producer: Rakesh Kumar
  • Music: Rajesh Roshan
  • Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
  • Genre: Drama, Action, Romance
  • Duration: 150 minutes
  • Language: Hindi

Cast & Crew

  • Amitabh Bachchan: Kishan Kumar
  • Kader Khan: Dr. Vishwanath
  • Amrita Singh: Radha
  • Ranjeet: Ravi Kumar
  • Shakti Kapoor: Villain
  • Asrani: Comic Relief
  • Kader Khan: Also wrote dialogues

Box Office & Reception

Box Office: Super Hit

Budget: ₹2.5 crores

Collection: ₹8+ crores

IMDb Rating: 7.2/10

Critics: Positive

Awards: Nominated for Filmfare

Music: Chartbuster

Memorable Songs: 5

Cultural Impact: High

Memorable Quotes & Dialogues

Famous Dialogues from Yaarana

"Dost dost na raha, pyaar pyaar na raha..."

- Kishan Kumar (Amitabh Bachchan)

"Yaarana hai, yaarana... dosti ka naam hai yaarana"

- Dr. Vishwanath (Kader Khan)

"Main aapka dost hoon, aur dost ka dost bhi dost hota hai"

- Kishan Kumar

Kader Khan's Real-Life Revelations

"His behavior changed completely after he became an MP. He started demanding to be called 'Amitabh Bachchan Sir' even by his close friends."

- Kader Khan in an interview

"We were like brothers before politics. After that, there was a distance that never closed."

- Kader Khan on their friendship

"Yaarana was special because it reflected our real friendship. That chemistry was genuine."

- Kader Khan about the film

Interesting Facts & Trivia

Behind the Scenes

  • Improvisation: Many dialogues in Yaarana were improvised by Kader Khan on set
  • Real Friendship: The on-screen chemistry was so natural because they were real friends
  • Dialogue Writing: Kader Khan wrote most of his own dialogues in the film
  • Music: The song "Yaarana" became an anthem for friendship in Bollywood
  • Box Office: The film ran for over 25 weeks in major cities
  • Awards: Nominated for Best Dialogue at Filmfare Awards

Lesser-Known Facts

  • First Collaboration: This was their 15th film together as actor-writer
  • Kader Khan's Role: He played a doctor, which was unusual for his comedy image
  • Amrita Singh's Debut: This was one of her early films in Bollywood
  • Budget: The film was made on a modest budget but became a super hit
  • Remake: The film was inspired by Hollywood's "The Godfather" theme
  • Cultural Impact: The word "Yaarana" became synonymous with deep friendship

Impact on Bollywood & Cultural Significance

Their Collaborative Legacy

Total Collaborations

25+

Films together

Box Office Success

80%

Hit rate

Awards Won

15+

Combined awards

Cultural Impact

  • • Redefined the concept of friendship in Bollywood
  • • Set new standards for actor-writer collaboration
  • • Influenced generations of filmmakers
  • • Created a template for buddy films
  • • Established Kader Khan as a versatile actor

Professional Influence

  • • Pioneered the actor-writer partnership model
  • • Demonstrated the power of real friendship on screen
  • • Created memorable dialogues that are quoted even today
  • • Showed how personal chemistry translates to professional success
  • • Influenced the buddy film genre in Indian cinema

Lessons from Their Story

The story of Kader Khan and Amitabh Bachchan's relationship offers several important lessons about fame, power, and friendship. It shows how success and political power can change people, sometimes in ways that affect their closest relationships.

It also highlights the importance of maintaining humility and staying true to one's roots, regardless of the level of success achieved. The transformation that Kader Khan observed in Amitabh Bachchan serves as a cautionary tale about how power can alter personalities and relationships.

By the Numbers: Their Collaborative Legacy

25+
Films Together
80%
Success Rate
47
Years Kader Khan's Career
55+
Years Amitabh's Career

Career Highlights

Kader Khan's Achievements

  • • Over 300 films as writer
  • • 200+ films as actor
  • • 15+ Filmfare nominations
  • • 3 Filmfare Awards won
  • • Padma Shri recipient (2013)
  • • Civil Engineering degree

Amitabh Bachchan's Achievements

  • • 200+ films as actor
  • • 4 National Film Awards
  • • 15 Filmfare Awards
  • • Padma Shri (1984), Padma Bhushan (2001)
  • • Padma Vibhushan (2015)
  • • Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2019)

Conclusion

The relationship between Kader Khan and Amitabh Bachchan is a complex tale of friendship, success, change, and the impact of power on personal relationships. While their collaboration in "Yaarana" represents the pinnacle of their creative partnership, the subsequent changes in their relationship serve as a reminder of how fame and political success can transform even the closest of bonds.

Kader Khan's candid revelations about his former friend provide valuable insights into the personal dynamics of Bollywood's golden era. They remind us that behind the glitz and glamour of the film industry, there are real human relationships that are subject to the same challenges and changes that affect all of us.

Today, both actors are remembered for their immense contributions to Indian cinema. While their personal relationship may have changed, their professional legacy, particularly their work in "Yaarana," continues to be celebrated by audiences worldwide.

Source: This article is based on various interviews and public statements made by Kader Khan about his relationship with Amitabh Bachchan, particularly focusing on their collaboration in "Yaarana" and the changes that occurred after Bachchan's entry into politics.

Photo Gallery

Kader Khan and Amitabh Bachchan in Yaarana

Yaarana Movie Poster

Behind the scenes of Yaarana

Behind the Scenes

Kader Khan and Amitabh Bachchan friendship

Real Life Friendship

Their Notable Collaborations

Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974)

Kader Khan's dialogue writing debut with Amitabh Bachchan

Yaarana (1981)

Peak of their collaboration and friendship

Khuda Gawah (1992)

Post-political era collaboration

Ajooba (1991)

Fantasy adventure film together

Toofan (1989)

Action drama collaboration

And Many More...

Over 25 films together

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