Vidhu Vinod Chopra had approached Amitabh Bachchan for a movie many years ago, during their first meeting on the sets of a Hrishikesh Mukherjee film with Rekha. Chopra approached Big B only because Mukherjee recommended him. This eventually led to their collaboration on “The Royal Guard” in 2007.

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During a chat at the Kellog Management School, Chopra recalled his first interaction and meeting with Bachchan and admitted that he had been quite rude to Big B. However, at that time, it was more important for Chopra to use Big B’s washroom in his van, which was highly talked about. Meeting him in a bus was more important to me than making a film with him or using his personal washroom. During that period, rumors circulated that Amitabh Bachchan had a toilet in his vanity van. In our initial meeting, I was very brusque, asking him, “While my name might not be very impressive, can you watch my film? It’s quite good.” He saw that anger, and he agreed.”

Vidhu then informed him that the theatre was booked only until 5. However, that day, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Bachchan, and Rekha were busy working, and an argument was also ongoing. It was around 4 pm, and Vidhu felt that he wouldn’t be able to come and watch the film. “A little while later, I was sitting outside, and I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was Amitabh Bachchan. He asked, ‘You have the booking till 5? Let’s go’. Chopra recalled that he asked if he could bring a friend along, who turned out to be Rekha. Due to the earlier argument, he was angry, and they all ended up in the famous trailer.

That’s when Vinod considered it the right time to fulfill his dream and asked Bachchan if he could use the bathroom in his trailer. After watching the film, Big B told Chopra that they should collaborate. However, Chopra received a contract from the Government at that time, which included Rs 5000 and a chauffeured car. Therefore, Chopra decided to postpone the Bachchan project. “I told him, ‘Amit, we’ll have to delay our project because I have something better’,” said the producer-director.

That prompted Big B to ask, “Kaka?” Asking if Vinod had decided to collaborate on a film with Rajesh Khanna, Chopra responded, “No, Kaka, DD has informed me that I can choose anything.” He said, ‘But you can do anything with me’,” replied Vinod Chopra. However, their collaboration only materialized many years later on ‘Eklavya’. Chopra had gifted Big B a Rolls-Royce car as a gesture of appreciation for tolerating his temper tantrums.

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