When Amitabh Bachchan's 46-year wait to get Dilip Kumar's autograph got fulfilled

Amitabh Bachchan, the legendary Bollywood actor, has captivated audiences for decades with his unparalleled acting and commanding screen presence. The megastar, known for his unmatched fan following, had a lifelong dream of obtaining an autograph from his idol, the legendary actor Dilip Kumar. Amitabh Bachchan and Dilip Kumarffirst time worked together in his Ramesh Sippy's 1982 film Shakti
However, it took Bachchan a staggering 46 years before he could finally get his hands on Kumar's signature.
Bachchan, who had always been a huge admirer of Dilip Kumar, had several missed opportunities over the years. As a young man, he and his parents, Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Teji Bachchan, had once spotted Dilip Kumar at a Mumbai hotel, but were unable to reach him due to the massive crowd. Years later, at a party hosted by the late Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Bachchan found himself in the company of Kumar, as well as other icons like Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand, but still could not secure the coveted autograph.
It wasn't until 2005, during the premiere of Bachchan's acclaimed film Black starring Rani Mukerji, that the long-awaited moment finally arrived. Dilip Kumar, accompanied by his wife Saira Banu, attended the event and was deeply impressed by Bachchan's performance.
Moved by Amitabh Bachchan’s performance, Dilip Kumar penned a heartfelt letter to him, with his autograph.
Bachchan, who had shared the incident on his blog, expressed his immense joy at finally receiving the autograph of his favorite actor after decades of waiting. The gesture from the legendary Dilip Kumar left a lasting impact on the megastar, who had long admired Kumar's unparalleled acting skills and contribution to Indian cinema.
In recent years, Amitabh Bachchan has continued to captivate audiences with his remarkable performances, including his latest success in the sci-fi film Kalki 2898 AD. Despite his own illustrious career, Bachchan's cherished memory of finally obtaining Dilip Kumar's autograph remains a testament to the enduring impact of his cinematic idol.