CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: While his stint as an entrepreneur and philanthropist is a known fact, not many are aware of Ratan Tata’s brief stint in Bollywood. The Emeritus Chairman of Tata Sons was the co-producer of an Amitabh Bachchan-starrer titled ‘Aetbaar’ but it ended up a dud at the box office.
‘Aetbaar’ which starred Amitabh Bachchan, John Abraham, and Bipasha Basu, hit the screens in 2004 and was inspired by the 1996 Hollywood thriller Fear.
But, Ratan Tata couldn’t replicate his usual success here as the movie failed to create ripples at the box office. With a budget of Rs 9.50 crore, Aetbaar only managed to earn over Rs 7 crore, making it a loss.
Though it is unclear whether this prompted him to quit Bollywood or not, Ratan Tata never again ventured into the film industry. However, he had a lot to say about it.
In an interview with Simi Garewal, Tata described Hindi movies as excessively violent but something that helped him better his Hindi.
When asked by Garewal on his relationship with Hindi cinema, Tata said one “can’t help but see them on television today.” Crediting Hindi cinema for improving his Hindi, Ratan Tata jokingly said a lot of ketchup was used in Bollywood, referring to its use as blood in movies.
“They’re also violent. I think there’s more ketchup that’s spread in Hindi movies than there are in all the restaurants in Bombay,” he quipped.
