Amitabh Bachchan is pure phenomenon. And like all phenomena, people want to know about him and read about him, whether it's about his successes or failures.We have tracked Bachchan the Phenomenon as well as Bachchan the Person ever since we first put him on our cover in 1980. We called it Amitabh Bachchan: The One-Man Industry. The phrase stuck, even as other things came unstuck soon after his peak in 1984.The unsuitable politician, controversies over Bofors and his brother Ajitabh, a near-fatal accident on the sets of a movie, the reluctant retirement, the failed comeback. Twenty-five incisive articles and interviews that recorded the life and times of Bollywood's biggest name. More coverage for any individual other than politicians. There was no option. If this man sneezed, Bollywood would catch pneumonia - the industry lived on him, lived off him. Now, he is more like a person who is looking for reprieve in a reprise.India Today covers of 1980 and 1984In this issue, we record an icon at the crossroads - again. At 55, fighting for a comeback with today's teen heartthrobs when his peers are either retired, or dead. It isn't all pleasant reading. Bachchan is stung by bad investment decisions, a turbulent personal life, and it's quite likely that if his new films don't do well, it may be over for him."He wanted to be the entertainment tycoon," says Senior Editor Madhu Jain, who wrote the story, and has chronicled Bachchan since the late '70s. "He hasn't really recovered from the failure of ABCL, and this is more like the last stand of a man who, above anything, hates failure."This is a Bachchan more like the early days, when he was willing to try anything and everything, fighting to make a mark. Now, he wants to leave an indelible one. What kind, is an open question..preferred-source-banner{ margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom:10px;}Published By: AtMigration Published On: May 18, 1998--- ENDS ---
