Amitabh Bachchan reveals how he became a Mohun Bagan fan

Contrary to son Abhishek’s loyalty to Chennaiyin FC, Amitabh Bachchan is an ardent Mariners fan.

Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan surprised many Indian football fans with his admission on a recent episode of the Kaun Banega Crorepati show (KBC) that he is actually a Mohun Bagan supporter in real life. This happened when Sr. Bachchan was hosting a participant who hailed from West Bengal on the show.

After a sports-related question popped up on the screen, the legendary actor asked the contestant if he follows cricket.

The contestant’s reply prompted the mega-star to follow up by saying that he didn’t ask about football as it is impossible for a person from West Bengal to not love the sport. Following this the actor asked him which team he supported. When the person answered Mohun Bagan, Bachchan’s face glowed up with joy as he replied, ‘I am also a Mohun Bagan supporter.’

This surprised many because Bachchan hasn’t really been seen attending any Mohun Bagan matches in recent years. But the actor’s love for the Mariners stretches back to many, many decades ago and from a period long before he became the Bollywood icon that he is today.

Moment of Glory!We're beaming with pride! The Mega Star of Bollywood and an Icon of Indian Film Industry Shri. Amitabh Bachchan recently mentioned Mohun Bagan as his own on Kaun Banega Crorepati! pic.twitter.com/6h7EG586m8

— Mohun Bagan (@Mohun_Bagan) October 16, 2024

Before he got his breakthrough in the film industry, Amitabh Bachchan had to work extremely hard to earn his living. He actually lived in Kolkata for many years before his success in Mumbai. During that period, he worked a number of jobs – most prominent in the 1960s.

In the 1960s, Sr Bachchan actually worked in coal mines for 7-8 years near Dhanbad and Asansol in West Bengal and for the Coal Department of a Kolkata-based company, as reported by Morung Express. He would then transition into a number of different jobs in an effort to make a living and keep himself going as he worked hard in trying his hand in acting too.

As per the Telegraph, during his stay in Kolkata, Amitabh Bachchan worked as a business executive and freight broker for Bird & Company in Kolkata. This was a British company that was absolved by the central government in the mid-1970s. Mr. Bachchan has reminisced about his work in this company in the past and had even tweeted in 2011: ‘Kolkata… Calcutta then… first job as an executive in Bird and Co… salary Rs 500 per month, after cuts, etc Rs 460!!”

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Times of India had mentioned in a story that Bachchan also worked as an executive for the shipping firm Shaw & Wallace during his stay in Kolkata, as well as a freight brokers company named Blacker & co. It was during his many years staying in the City of Joy that Mr. Bachchan was also introduced to the rich football scene, which was booming in terms of popularity in the city then.

The legendary actor was compelled to go and watch matches in Kolkata’s Maidan and seemingly fell in love with Mohun Bagan’s players and playing style. He has remained a Mohun Bagan fan for the last 50-60 years and Mr. Bachchan also had a special message sent to the club during their centenary (100 years) celebration back in 2011.

According to a story by NDTV Sports, he sent a special message to the club during the centenary year celebrations in July 2011 and stated: “For the first time, when I had landed in Kolkata at Howrah Stadium with my father, there was a Mohun Bagan match. I remember going there and watching it. When you are in Kolkata, supporting Mohun Bagan becomes an automatic choice. I want to see Mohun Bagan go further and get more success.”

While Sr. Bachchan might be an avid Mohun Bagan supporter, that hasn’t exactly reflected in the family. That is because his son, Abhishek Bachchan, has no real love for any Kolkata side.

Jr. Bachchan is actually a part-owner of Chennaiyin FC and has been quite proactive in often visiting the Marina Machans’ celebration, supporting and investing in the club for over the last decade and also being part of the wild celebrations on the two occasions when they won the ISL titles.

Mohun Bagan won their first Kolkata derby of the 2024-25 ISL campaign on Saturday (19 October) with a dominating performance in a 2-0 victory. The club will hope that the supporters in Amitabh Bachchan watched the game, cheering for them as they defeated East Bengal at the Salt Lake Stadium.

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