3rd rate actor from 3rd world country: Big B recalls old dig amid U19 World Cup win

Amitabh Bachchan recently revisited a personal experience involving a foreign journalist's remark as he celebrated India's victory in the U19 Cricket World Cup. While the personal criticism did not trouble him, the negative reference to India as a "3rd world country" was deeply upsetting.

In his personal blog, Bachchan described attending a film festival in an undisclosed country, where he was met with unexpected enthusiasm from local fans.

"I was invited to a country (will not disclose name) for a film festival they were having, and I accepted to go. On the plane, I saw their newspaper, which had a picture of one of my films. Not understanding the language, I asked the air hostess what was written. She said it is a poster of an Indian film and the paper says that its actor is coming to the country (sic)," the 83-year-old wrote.

CROWD RESPONSE AND POLICE INTERVENTION

Upon arrival, the actor found himself surrounded by crowds of admirers. The gathering grew so intense that the authorities intervened for his safety.

"Surprised at how and why this foreign country could be so enamoured by our films, on landing I found out why. People started gathering, had a problem getting from the plane to the immigration desk but the crowd kept gathering around, making it difficult for me to even walk. The situation became so chaotic that the police came, pulled me out of the crowd, took me out of the airport, put me in a car and escorted me to my hotel. In my entire life, for the first time, my immigration was done inside a hotel (sic)," Bachchan recalled.

FOREIGN JOURNALIST'S COMMENT

Despite the warm reception, Bachchan attracted criticism from a senior local journalist who questioned the attention he received. The journalist published a headline that directly referenced Bachchan's status and origin: "Why is so much attention being given to this third-rate actor from a third-world country?.. !" Bachchan wrote.

PERSONAL REACTION

"The 3rd rate actor bit was correct and accepted by me... but India being called 3rd World was hurtful, which is why the above... which I repeat here for convenience. U19 Cricket INDIA .. WORLD CHAMPIONS! (Beat the enemy) (sic) !!" he stated, connecting his experience to the pride elicited by the cricket team's victory.

The actor's reflection came as India triumphed in the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup final. The Indian team defeated England by 100 runs at the Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe.