Mumbai: Actor Anjana Sukhani recently revisited some of the most memorable moments from her career, including an early experience of working with megastar Amitabh Bachchan. What stayed with her was not simply the opportunity to share a set with the legendary actor, but a small act of consideration that she says revealed the humility and thoughtfulness behind his towering public persona.
Sukhani recalled shooting a chocolate commercial with Bachchan when she was still new to the entertainment industry and had very little professional experience. The advertisement was filmed at the parking area of Inorbit Mall in Malad on a particularly hot and sunny day.
As the production was being set up, Sukhani was standing nearby in the heat when Bachchan noticed her. He subsequently sent his assistant with an umbrella and arranged for a chair so she could sit comfortably away from the harsh sun.
“He sent an umbrella with his assistant and told him to give it to me. So, he stood there holding the umbrella and brought a chair for me to sit on,” she recalled.
For Sukhani, the gesture carried significance precisely because it was so simple. She said Bachchan had no obligation to intervene, especially given his stature in the industry, yet he took the time to notice the discomfort of someone who was still finding her feet.
“He didn’t need to do that. He is Mr. Bachchan; I am nobody. Even now, I am nothing compared to him. But that gesture, showing such care while I was standing in the sun, he sent a chair over. I think that speaks to his greatness; only someone like him would do that,” she said.
The memory was reinforced by another brief interaction that took place after the commercial was completed. Sukhani later met Bachchan on a flight, where he asked her whether she had seen the advertisement, which was about to be released. She initially found it remarkable that the superstar remembered her.
“At first, I thought, ‘He recognized me, that’s a big deal!’ Then he said it turned out really well,” she recalled.
Their professional paths crossed again several years later on the sets of Department. Sukhani remembered watching Bachchan perform alongside Sanjay Dutt during a wedding dance sequence, another experience that remained special to her.
Looking back at her encounters with the veteran actor, Sukhani said the opportunity to work around Bachchan itself holds a special place in her career. “I think once you’ve worked with him, or even just worked in his vicinity, I think your life is a success,” she said.
For Sukhani, the experience serves as a reminder that greatness is not always expressed through grand gestures. Sometimes, it can be found in something as simple as noticing someone standing in the heat and making sure they have a little shade and a place to sit.
