Moushumi Chatterjee contrasts Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan: ‘Kaka craved attention, Big B stayed grounded’

May 30, 2025 : Veteran actress Moushumi Chatterjee recently reflected on the contrasting personalities of two of Bollywood’s biggest icons — Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan. In a candid interview with Filmfare, she recalled the peak of Khanna’s fame and didn’t shy away from calling him a “spoiled brat,” adding that unlike him, Bachchan never let stardom affect his humility.

Moushumi recounted how Khanna’s superstardom was unparalleled, not even matched by legends like Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, or Amitabh Bachchan — at least not in the same way. “He was pampered and spoiled. He had a kind of popularity that was unmatched, even if only for a brief period. When you reach that level where people believe everything you touch turns to gold, it becomes tough to stay mentally grounded. That’s when the tantrums show up,” she explained.

Elaborating on the differences between the two actors, Moushumi said that Amitabh handled success with far more composure. “There’s a huge difference between an unrefined goon and an educated one — it shows in their behavior, their words, their mannerisms. I never saw Amitabh surrounded by sycophants. But with Rajesh, there was always a crowd. Kaka liked to be the center of attention, he needed that affection and pampering. He lived life on his own terms. It’s unfortunate that he crashed so hard after flying so high,” she added.

About Moushumi Chatterjee
One of the top-paid actresses of the 1970s, Moushumi Chatterjee made her mark with memorable roles in films like Manzil, Roti Kapada Aur Makaan, and Benaam. She began her career as a child artist and became a household name through her powerful performances alongside both Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan. She was last seen in the Bengali film Aarii, which delves into the emotional journey of a widowed mother and her caregiver son. The film also stars Yash Dasgupta and Nusrat Jahan in pivotal roles.