Amitabh Bachchan reacts to retiring and coming back from the jaws of death: ‘Why should I think of giving up? Someone somewhere has protected me all these years’ |

Amitabh Bachchan recently celebrated his 84th birthday, but the veteran actor sees little reason to make a fuss about the occasion. After nearly six decades in the film industry, Bachchan remains committed to his work and has no intention of retiring anytime soon. In a recent interview, he also reflected on surviving life-threatening circumstances over the years, saying he believes he has been protected by a higher power.Speaking to Subhash K Jha for Rediff, Bachchan shared his thoughts on growing older and continuing to work. “What is there to celebrate? It’s a day like any other day. I’m grateful that I am still working, that my body is able to keep pace with my spirit.”The actor also recalled a family tradition associated with his birthdays, when his father, poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, would compose and recite a poem dedicated to the family member celebrating their birthday. For Amitabh, the ritual acquired a deeper emotional significance after his near-fatal accident on the sets of ‘Coolie’ in 1982.“This tradition took an entirely new definition when, after my near-fatal accident in 1984, my father recited my birthday poem. It was like a new life for me. While reading the poem, my father broke down. It was the only time I’ve seen him like that,” he said.Bachchan briefly stepped away from films when he entered politics in 1984. However, after moving on from politics and returning to cinema, retirement was never something he seriously considered. Even today, the actor sees no reason to give up working.“Why should I think of giving up?” he questioned and added, “Why are people so keen to retire me from my work?” Reflecting on the difficult moments he has survived, he further shared, “I have come to the jaws of death and then been pulled back. Someone somewhere has protected me all these years.”The actor has also weathered significant professional and financial challenges. In the 1990s, his company, Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited (ABCL), ran into financial difficulties, leaving him facing bankruptcy. Despite that period of uncertainty, Bachchan rebuilt his career and continued working across generations. According to the Hurun India Rich List 2026, his net worth is now estimated at Rs 4,000 crore. However, the actor maintains that financial matters have never been his strength.Discussing his career and the variety of roles he has taken on, Bachchan said, “I have no idea about what sells and what doesn’t. I’m bad with economics and finance. I’ve never known how to market myself. But I think if you look at my career graph you’ll see there have been very few other actors with this kind of variety.”From working with celebrated filmmakers such as Yash Chopra, Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Manmohan Desai in the 1970s and 1980s to collaborating with younger directors in recent years, Bachchan has continued to reinvent himself. He has also embraced character-driven roles as an older actor, acknowledging the changing phase of his career.“I’ve now found acceptability as a senior character. So I’m taking it from there,” he said.While acting has remained central to his life, directing is one profession he has never considered pursuing. Despite his extensive experience in cinema, Bachchan believes he does not know enough about the craft to take on the responsibility of directing a film.“I can’t even dream of it. Because I don’t even know the craft well enough. Other creative people throw a gauntlet at me, and I pick it up. But that’s it,” he said.The actor explained that he occasionally offers suggestions to the directors he works with, but ultimately leaves the decision to them. “Most of the time they reject my inputs. And happily, those films have done well. So I feel my suggestions are not worth taking. Otherwise, all my directors have been extremely compliant,” he said. He added that he has never considered himself a “difficult actor” and believes the “director is the captain of the ship.”Despite his remarkable career and decades of success, Bachchan still has a few personal aspirations he hopes to fulfil. Asked about his unfulfilled wishes, he said, “To play the piano. To work with Guru Dutt. To spend more time with my family.”Meanwhile, Bachchan continues to remain active professionally and is currently hosting the 18th season of ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’.