Why did Rajiv Gandhi cut ties with Amitabh Bachchan?

Bachchan reveals truth about Rajiv Gandhi friendship in rare interview, addresses fallout with Sonia Gandhi. Read more on Dynamite News.

New Delhi: In the 90s, when the Bachchan family was facing a financial crisis, Sonia Gandhi did not even bother about them—even though she considered Amitabh Bachchan as her brother, reports Dynamite News correspondent.

We now bring you a rare 28-year-old interview featuring the century’s superstar, Amitabh Bachchan, where he reflects on his fractured friendship with Rajiv Gandhi.

Interviewer: There was a time when name, fame, and power were considered very close to you. The Prime Minister was your friend—this was the perception of the people.

Amitabh Bachchan said, “I never believed in this notion. I accept that I was involved in a profession—films—that is watched by a very large number of people. That is why it has become a popular medium.

We were certainly friends with the Prime Minister’s family, and that brought us to the public eye. But I never believed that this made me a powerful or influential person.

The decline that happened after 1987 or the controversies that arose may be the thinking of those who did not like my growing popularity or power.

I have always considered myself a normal human being and have lived my life in the same way. Whatever allegations, adjectives, or tamasha were attached to me, they became the subject of people’s discussion. But neither did I ever pay attention to them, nor did they affect me in any way, nor did I ever encourage them. This is the truth.

Now, whether anyone believes this truth or not, how do I explain it to everyone?”

In the interview, he was further asked whether people liked the innocent, angry, or system-fighter Amitabh Bachchan more — and he started distancing himself from politician or businessman. To which Amitabh replied,

“So shouldn’t a person have the freedom to do something other than acting? We live in a democratic country where there is freedom of expression.

If I had a friendship with someone since childhood who later became the prime minister, is it necessary that I break ties with him? When we went into politics, it was an inspiration that we could do something for the country. But when we felt that it was not suitable for us, we left politics.”

In this interview, Amitabh Bachchan did not make any allegations against the Gandhi family. He spoke about his relationship with Rajiv Gandhi with utmost decency and dignity.

Even Amitabh Bachchan took the responsibility of Rajiv Gandhi’s last rites. But after his death, Sonia Gandhi stopped tying rakhi to Amitabh.