Amitabh Bachchan and Kader Khan were notable figures in Hindi cinema during the 1970s and 1980s. While Amitabh became famous for his powerful screen presence, Kader Khan earned recognition as both an actor and a dialogue writer. Together, they worked on several films that remain popular among audiences. However, their professional association eventually took a different turn, and Kader Khan later spoke about the incident that affected their friendship.
Kader Khan and Amitabh Bachchan’s Successful Association
Kader Khan played an important role in Amitabh Bachchan’s film career, contributing as a writer and actor. Their association included films such as Benaam, Amar Akbar Anthony, Parvarish, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar and Naseeb. His dialogues helped shape some of the memorable moments in these films.
The two shared a friendly equation in their early years. Kader Khan recalled that he used to address Amitabh by his first name, Amit, rather than using a formal title. However, according to the late actor-writer, their relationship changed over time, particularly after Amitabh entered politics.
How Amitabh Bachchan’s Political Entry Changed Their Equation
In 1984, Amitabh Bachchan entered politics after Rajiv Gandhi encouraged him to join. He contested the Lok Sabha elections from Allahabad and won. However, he later stepped away from politics in 1987 and returned his focus to films.
In an interview with Rediff, Kader Khan recalled that Amitabh’s behaviour seemed different after his political stint. He also spoke about an incident that made him realise how people around the superstar had begun addressing him differently.
The ‘Sirji’ Incident That Kader Khan Remembered
Recalling the incident, Kader Khan said that a producer from South India once asked him, “Aap sirji ko mila?” (“Did you meet Sirji?”)
Kader was confused and asked who the producer was referring to. The producer then clarified that he meant Amitabh Bachchan.
Kader explained that he had always called Amitabh by his first name because they were friends. The producer, however, told him that Amitabh was now a big star and that he should address him as “Sirji” instead of Amit.
According to Kader’s account, other people had also started using the title. But he found it difficult to change the way he addressed someone he had known as a friend and colleague.
Why Kader Khan Could Not Call Amitabh Bachchan ‘Sirji’
For Kader Khan, the issue was not simply about using a particular title. He felt that a close friendship could not suddenly become formal just because one person had become a bigger star.
In an old interview, he explained that he could not bring himself to call Amitabh “Sirji”. He believed that addressing a friend or someone he considered a brother in that manner would not feel natural to him.
Kader also recalled that after this incident, he stopped approaching Amitabh as he had done before, and the two eventually lost their earlier connection. His account suggests that the growing formality around the superstar contributed to the distance between them.
Did the Rift Affect Their Films Together?
Kader Khan also linked the change in their relationship to missed professional opportunities. He said that he was not part of Khuda Gawah and that he had written part of Ganga Jamuna Saraswati before leaving the project midway. He also mentioned leaving other projects he had begun working on.
However, the details of their professional separation come from Kader Khan’s own recollections, and the full circumstances behind every project are not independently established by these accounts.
Despite their differences, Kader Khan’s contribution to Amitabh Bachchan’s filmography remains significant. His work as a dialogue writer and actor helped create some memorable moments in Hindi cinema.
A Friendship That Never Remained the Same
Kader Khan’s account of the ‘Sirji’ incident offers a glimpse into how changing status and expectations can affect personal relationships in the film industry. For him, Amitabh Bachchan had been Amit, a friend and colleague, and adopting a formal title was something he could not do naturally.
Their association gave audiences several memorable films, but the story Kader later shared also revealed a more personal side of their relationship. Beyond the stardom and the successful collaborations, it was the distance between two former friends that stayed with him.
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