Amitabh Bachchan, the “Shahenshah” of Bollywood, has ruled Indian cinema for over five decades. Known for his powerful voice, intense eyes and unmatched screen presence, he has faced both glory and hardship with the same grace. One such moment from his life shows how determination and creativity can turn pain into a lasting legacy.
Diwali is usually a festival of lights, sweets and celebration but for Amitabh Bachchan, the Diwali of 1984 came with an unforgettable accident. While shooting for a film, he severely burned his hand while lighting a firecracker. Instead of stopping the work, he continued shooting, carefully hiding his injury from the audience. Little did he know, this pain would give birth to one of his most famous on-screen styles.
After the blockbuster success of Zanjeer, Amitabh Bachchan became unstoppable, delivering hit after hit. His partnership with filmmaker Prakash Mehra was among the most successful of the time. During the making of Sharaabi (released 41 years ago), an unexpected accident shaped one of the most iconic styles of Bollywood.
In Sharaabi, Amitabh Bachchan played Vicky Kapoor, a rich, spoiled man struggling with alcoholism and his relationship with his father. While filming resumed after his burn injury, his hand was still bandaged and visibly hurt. To cover it, director Prakash Mehra suggested that as he was playing a wealthy drunkard in the movie, keeping one hand in the pocket would look natural with his character.
What began as a necessity soon became a signature move. Amitabh’s “hand-in-pocket” style perfectly suited Vicky’s careless charm and became a massive trend among fans. People admired his effortless confidence, not knowing it was born out of pain.
Sharaabi featured an impressive cast, including Jaya Prada, Pran and Om Prakash, all of whom received praise for their performances. The film’s music was another highlight, legendary singer Kishore Kumar made history by receiving all four nominations for Best Playback Singer at the 1984 Filmfare Awards. Songs like De De Pyar De and Jahaan Chaar Yaar Mil Jaye are still cherished classics.
Prakash Mehra and Amitabh Bachchan’s partnership produced several unforgettable films — Zanjeer, Hera Pheri, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Khoon Pasina, Laawaris, Namak Halal and Sharaabi. Though Sharaabi received nine Filmfare nominations, the Best Actor award that year went to Anupam Kher for Saaransh.
Even so, Sharaabi remains memorable, not just for its music or performances but for the story behind Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic pose. What started as a painful accident became a timeless reminder of his dedication, creativity and the unique magic that makes Amitabh Bachchan a true legend of Indian cinema.
