Amitabh Bachchan reveals turning down commercial offers to maintain serious actor image in old interview: 'I was offered Rs 10,000 for an ad... I was earning Rs 50 a month'

Amitabh Bachchan, now a household name and a major brand ambassador, wasn’t always keen on endorsing products. Despite struggling financially in the 1960s, earning just Rs 50 for radio spots, he turned down an offer of Rs 10,000 for an advertisement. At the time, Bachchan was focused solely on establishing himself as a serious actor and felt that modeling for ads would distract him from his ultimate goal. Even though he was living in difficult conditions, sleeping on benches near Marine Drive, he chose his passion over the temptation of quick money.Turning Down Lucrative Offers for the Sake of ActingIn a 1999 interview with Vir Sanghvi, Amitabh Bachchan revealed that during his early days in Mumbai, he was approached by ad agencies with lucrative offers. However, he chose to resist the temptation, even when offered Rs 10,000 for an advertisement, a significant sum at the time compared to his Rs 50 monthly earnings from radio spots. Bachchan explained that he felt taking up such offers would divert him from his goal of being recognized as a serious actor.Financial Strain and Refusing Ads Amid HardshipsThis interview took place during a challenging time for Bachchan, when his company ABCL (Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited) was facing difficulties. Despite the financial strain, he admitted to endorsing brands to bring in money for the company. Reflecting on his early days in Mumbai, Bachchan shared that he had once been willing to drive a cab if his acting career didn’t take off. He mentioned that all he had when he arrived in the city was a driving license, with his sole focus being to make it as an actor.Living on the Streets, But Staying True to His DreamAs time passed, Bachchan's situation grew more dire, and he struggled to find a place to stay. At one point, he was forced to sleep on the streets. Despite the hardships, he remained firm in his decision not to appear in advertisements. He recalled spending a few days on the benches of Marine Drive, surrounded by large rats, as his living situation became more difficult. Bachchan explained that he had limited options, and the time spent with friends was growing short as he didn’t want to overstay his welcome.A Shift in Perspective and Embracing Brand EndorsementsOver time, Bachchan's perspective changed as his career soared. After cementing his status as one of Bollywood’s biggest stars, he gradually embraced brand endorsements. Today, he is seen endorsing a wide range of products, a stark contrast to his earlier stance. With a filmography that includes iconic films like Zanjeer (1973), Sholay (1975), Deewar (1975), Don (1978), and Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Bachchan remains one of the most legendary figures in Indian cinema.