Rajinikanth Recalls Amitabh Bachchan Working 18 Hours a Day to Clear Debt

During the audio launch event for the 2024 film Vettaiyan, actor Rajinikanth shared details about a difficult financial period in Amitabh Bachchan's life. The two actors, who previously shared screen space in Andhaa Kanoon (1983), Geraftaar (1985), and Hum (1991), reunited after 33 years for the TJ Gnanavel directorial.

Rajinikanth recalled that at the height of his career, Amitabh Bachchan ventured into business by establishing Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited (ABCL). The company faced severe financial difficulties, resulting in debts of approximately Rs 90 crores and forcing Bachchan to sell his Juhu home and other Mumbai properties.

According to Rajinikanth, people in the Bombay film industry laughed at Bachchan during this crisis. Despite health challenges at age 64, Bachchan worked 18 hours a day for three years to clear all his dues, eventually repurchasing his old house and acquiring three additional houses on the same lane.

Rajinikanth, who referred to Bachchan as his mentor, expressed his joy about working with him again in Vettaiyan (initially referred to as Thalaivar 170). Produced by Subaskaran’s Lyca Productions and released on October 10, 2024, the film starred Rajinikanth as the lead and Amitabh Bachchan as Sathyadev, alongside a cast including Ritika Singh, Dushara Vijayan, Manju Warrier, Rana Daggubati, and Fahadh Faasil.