Overview
- Prem Chopra, speaking to journalist Vickey Lalwani in remarks carried by The Statesman and Free Press Journal, described watching Rajesh Khanna struggle as Amitabh Bachchan became the new box-office force.
- He said Khanna kept his feelings to himself yet seemed pained by losing the top spot that he once held with ease.
- Chopra added that Khanna, who already drank, began drinking heavily as his career slowed and the pressure mounted.
- He contrasted Bachchan’s choices, saying the actor stayed current by taking strong character parts instead of insisting on a sole-hero image.
- Chopra also recalled Bachchan’s early hardship, saying Bachchan reported losing money and property and once walked to filmmaker Yash Chopra’s home to ask for work.