Bollywood Favorite Hero Was Once A Chain Smoker, Who Is He?

Amitabh Bachchan, known for his candidness on various aspects of his career and life, once struggled with addiction. Few people are aware that the ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ star had a phase where he was a chain smoker, drinker, and even consumed meat. A 1980 interview with ‘India Today’ has resurfaced and gone viral, where Bachchan spoke openly about these habits.

In the interview, Bachchan revealed that his decision to quit smoking, drinking, and eating meat was not influenced by religious reasons but arose from a practical challenge he faced while traveling abroad. He shared, “I don’t smoke, drink or eat meat. It isn’t anything religious but simply a matter of taste. In our family, my father is a vegetarian and my mother is not. Similarly, Jaya eats meat and I don’t.”

Reflecting on his earlier lifestyle, he said, “I used to eat meat – in fact, I used to drink and smoke as well, but now I have given them up. In Calcutta I smoked 200 cigarettes a day – yes, that’s right, 200, but then I gave it up after coming to Bombay. I used to drink too – anything, we’d drink anything we could get our hands on, but a few years ago I decided I didn’t really need it. My habits don’t cause me any problems except when I’m shooting abroad. Then, it becomes difficult to get vegetarian food.”

Currently, after the tremendous success of ‘Kalki 2898 AD’, Amitabh Bachchan is all set to star in ‘Vettaiyan’ alongside Rajinikanth. The film, slated for an October 11 release, will mark their first reunion on screen since ‘Hum’ in 1991.

Your writing flows well, and keeping the quotes intact adds authenticity to the piece. Great job bringing attention to such a unique aspect of Bachchan’s life!