Why Ratan Tata had to once borrow money from Amitabh Bachchan
Hosting an episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 16, Amitabh Bachchan shared a memorable incident to show the late Ratan Tata was a 'simple human being'
The late industrialist-philanthropist Ratan Tata, who had been at the helm of a huge and famous business conglomerate, was known for his simplicity and for being a down-to-earth person. This was illustrated once again by an anecdote that Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan narrated recently.
While hosting an episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 16, featuring filmmaker Farah Khan and actor Boman Irani as guests, Bachchan recounted a memorable incident involving Ratan Tata that had stayed with him.
He described Ratan as a “simple human being” and praised him to add, “Kya aadmi the main bata nahi sakta” (What a man he was).
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According to Bachchan, Ratan Tata and he were on the same flight to London. Once they landed at Heathrow Airport, the late billionaire not finding his aides waiting for him, disappeared into a phone booth to call them.
Further, Bachchan recalled that he was standing there when Ratan Tata emerged and approached him. Amitabh reminisced, “I can't believe that he said this – ‘Amitabh, can I borrow some money from you? I don't have money to make a phone call.'”
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Also, Bachchan, who clearly deeply admired the late industrialist also narrated another incident which involved Ratan Tata and his “ironic” statements. Bachchan’s friend had gone for an event where Ratan Tata was also present. At the end of the evening while they were leaving Ratan Tata turned to his friend and asked if he can be dropped home. 'I just live behind your house,' Ratan had told his friend.
Bachchan exclaimed, “Ratan Tata saying, ‘I don't have a car' – can you imagine that? It's unbelievable.”
Bachchan had also been professionally involved with Ratan Tata through his production company, Tata Infomedia Ltd, which had funded Aetbaar, a film starring Bachchan. However, the film did not create much of a stir at the box office, and Tata group reportedly incurred a loss of around ₹ 3.5 crore.
When the billionaire died, Bachchan was one of the first celebrities who took to X platform to post, “An era has ended—a most respected, humble yet visionary leader of immense foresight and resolve,” he said, adding that he had spent some wonderful moments with him during several campaigns they were involved in together. “My prayers,” he said at the end of his post.
Ratan Tata passed away on October 9 and his funeral, which was held in Mumbai on October 11, was attended by prominent figures like Union home minister, Amit Shah, Mukesh Ambani and others.