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Amitabh Bachchan at 83 Works 16-Hour Shifts; His Father’s ‘Agneepath’ Wisdom Is the Reason

Anamika Rajput | 3 min read | 1 month ago | Oct 12, 2025 01:54 pm IST
Amitabh Bachchan at 83 Works 16-Hour Shifts; His Father's 'Agneepath' Wisdom Is the Reason

How does someone not just work, but thrive, pulling 16-hour shifts at 83 years old? You’ve probably wondered that about Amitabh Bachchan. It’s not just discipline. It’s something deeper, a set of rules for life given to him by his father, the legendary poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan.

As the superstar celebrates his 83rd birthday on October 10, 2025, everyone’s talking about his incredible journey. But the real story, the one that built his unshakable spirit, comes from his father’s wisdom. This wasn’t just fatherly advice. It was the bedrock that saw him through everything.

The ‘What If It Doesn’t Go Your Way’ Rule

Look, things go wrong. For everyone. Careers stall, money gets tight, health fails. Amitabh Bachchan faced all of it. So what was the secret? His father gave him a powerful mantra: “Mann ka ho toh accha, na ho toh aur bhi accha.”

What does that even mean? It means, “If things happen your way, that’s good. But if they don’t, it’s even better.” The idea is that if your plans fail, it’s because a divine force has a different, better plan for you. And that force will never want bad things for you. This single piece of advice taught him acceptance and faith when he needed it most.

Life Means Struggle

Another hard-hitting lesson? “So long as there is life, there will be struggle.” Simple, right? But think about it. It’s not about avoiding problems. It’s about expecting them. It’s about having the courage to face hardship without falling into despair. This is the stuff that gets you through the tough times.

You can see this spirit woven into his father’s iconic poem, “Agneepath.” That poem wasn’t just words on a page; it was a roadmap. It guided Amitabh’s path with its themes of fire and courage, helping him navigate the highs and lows, from his “angry young man” days in the 1970s to his massive career reinvention with “Kaun Banega Crorepati” in the early 2000s.

More Than Just Fame

Here’s the thing. This bond was about more than just a father helping his son become famous. It was about building a resilient human being. His father’s wisdom was the “guiding light behind his unshakable spirit.” It’s why fans across the globe, his “Extended Family” (EF), gathered in Paris back in 2016 for a show dedicated to Harivansh Rai Bachchan. They get it, too.

So, as he turns 83, the story isn’t just about a superstar. It’s about a son who listened to his father. And those lessons built an invincible journey that continues to inspire millions. Which piece of his father’s advice do you think is the most powerful?