A Memorable Evening with the Legend: When I Presented My Book to Amitabh Bachchan
By Ratibhan Tripathi
It was October 2002 — a crisp, festive month in Prayagraj, then known as Allahabad.
The city was abuzz with excitement, for Hindi cinema’s greatest icon, Shri Amitabh Bachchan, was to be felicitated by the Allahabad Municipal Corporation at a grand ceremony held in the historic K.P. College grounds.
The city’s mayor at the time was Dr. K.P. Srivastava, and the date — October 21 — remains etched in my memory like it happened yesterday.
A day before the event, former Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, with whom I shared a cordial acquaintance, held a press conference at Hotel Kanha Shyam.
After the session, as we sipped tea, he leaned over to me and whispered, “Tomorrow, I’ll be sharing the stage with Amitabh Bachchan. You should present your book ‘Teerthraj Prayag’ to him.”
It was not an easy task — approaching the megastar amid a sea of dignitaries and an ocean of admirers. But as always, Mulayam Singh Yadav’s intervention made it possible.
The details of how it happened are a story for another day, but the outcome remains one of the most cherished moments of my professional life.
The following evening, under a dazzling canopy of lights and before a roaring crowd, I stood on stage with Amitabh Bachchan and his wife, the graceful Jaya Bachchan.
With great humility and warmth, they accepted my book. My daughter, Smita, who had insisted on accompanying me, was by my side — her eyes wide with wonder at seeing the legendary couple up close.
Sharing that moment with her remains a memory both of us treasure deeply.
The dais was graced by notable personalities — Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav, the late Amar Singh, and many other eminent figures.
The celebrated lyricist and writer Javed Akhtar conducted the evening’s proceedings with his signature eloquence, while singer Sudesh Bhosle electrified the audience with his soulful rendition of “Andheri Raato Mein, Sunsaan Raahon Pe, Har Zulm Mitane Ko Ek Maseeha Nikalta Hai, Jise Log Shahenshah Kehte Hain…”
The air was electric with emotion. Thousands had gathered just to catch a glimpse of the man they had idolized for decades.
The crowd erupted each time Amitabh Bachchan smiled or waved, reaffirming his unmatched connection with the people.
It was not merely a felicitation — it was a celebration of an era, of an artist who had transcended the screen to become a living symbol of perseverance, discipline, and grace.
As I watched him that evening, I was struck by his humility.
Despite being at the pinnacle of fame, there was an unmistakable calmness about him — the mark of a man who knew the weight of his legacy and carried it lightly.
Today, Amitabh Bachchan has entered his 84th year, and yet, he continues to inspire generations with the same energy and commitment that defined his youth.
Whether on screen or in public life, his voice still resonates across India’s collective consciousness — commanding the same respect, admiration, and affection as ever.
His journey, from Anand to Agnipath, from Sholay to Piku, stands as a living testament to the power of discipline, reinvention, and sheer determination.
As we celebrate his remarkable life and artistry, I extend my warmest wishes to this timeless legend — the Shahenshah of Indian cinema, whose charisma continues to light up the hearts of millions.
(Ratibhan Tripathi is a senior Journalist based at Lucknow)
Photo Credit: Vibhu Gupta, renowned photojournalist.
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