Manoj Muntashir Reflects on Life-Changing Encounter with Amitabh Bachchan
A Defining Moment in Manoj Muntashir's Career
Lyricist and writer Manoj Muntashir recently shared insights about a pivotal moment in his career—his initial meeting with Amitabh Bachchan, which ultimately led to his involvement with Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC). In an exclusive discussion with a prominent media figure on her podcast Baatein Dil Se, Manoj recounted arriving at the meeting dressed in second-hand clothes, grappling with self-doubt and financial struggles. However, this encounter proved to be transformative. He noted that Amitabh Bachchan did not judge him based on his appearance or background but recognized the potential in his language, providing him with the breakthrough he had long sought.
Manoj Muntashir's Journey to Success
How Amitabh Bachchan Impacted Manoj's Life
During the podcast, Manoj expressed uncertainty about how his writing reached Amitabh Bachchan. He reminisced about his days of hardship when he continuously wrote, and some of his work eventually caught the attention of Sameer Nair, who was then the COO of Star. Manoj stated, "Mujhe yeh kahani poori tarah se nahi pata, lekin mujhe yeh pata hai ki mere sangharsh ke dino mein main kuch bhi likhta rehta tha." Sameer Nair, familiar with Manoj's struggles, suggested he meet Amitabh Bachchan, leading to a meeting that would change his life.
Recalling that significant day, Manoj described entering a room where Amitabh Bachchan was being briefed about Kaun Banega Crorepati. Advertising expert Piyush Pandey was also present. Manoj felt out of place, having never envisioned a career in television; he had come to Mumbai with aspirations of writing film songs. Terms like "non-fiction" were foreign to him. He remembered being instructed to wait quietly in a corner until it was his turn, all while observing Amitabh Bachchan from afar. He noted, "Main kone mein baith gaya, lekin lagataar Bachchan sahab ko dekh raha tha." One detail that stuck with him was the tracksuit worn by the superstar that day.
An Emotional Encounter with Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan's Encouragement
Manoj shared a poignant story from that meeting, highlighting the extent of his financial difficulties at the time. He recalled wearing worn-out shoes he had bought from Dadar Market, spending only Rs 230 on his entire outfit, with the shoes costing just Rs 55. When the meeting concluded, Sameer Nair reminded Amitabh Bachchan that Manoj was also present. The superstar requested him to come forward. Manoj admitted to feeling nervous as he stood before such an iconic figure. Amitabh Bachchan inquired about his writing, to which Manoj replied that he wrote songs. The superstar pointed out that songs were not needed and asked what he had prepared to present instead.
Manoj began to speak freely, and after listening for a while, Amitabh Bachchan interjected, saying, "Tumhari bhaasha bahut achhi hai. Kahaan se aaye ho?" Manoj initially mentioned he was from Allahabad, but Amitabh interrupted, saying, "Impress mat karo mujhe. Maine poocha kahaan se aaye ho." When Manoj clarified he was from Amethi, Bachchan acknowledged him and concluded the meeting. Although the interaction was brief, Manoj felt nothing significant had occurred. He left the hotel and took bus number 79 back to his modest accommodation.
However, before he reached his destination, he received a message on his pager from KBC producer Siddhartha Basu, stating, "Manoj, he has loved your work. Welcome on board." Reflecting on that life-altering moment, Manoj expressed confusion about what Amitabh Bachchan appreciated since he hadn't presented any structured work. "He just somehow trusted my language. This is it," Manoj concluded, attributing his significant opportunity to Amitabh Bachchan's belief in his writing.