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Mehmood Offered Film to Rajiv Gandhi, Called Him Smarter Than Amitabh, Gave Signing Amount.
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News18•29-09-2026, 04:28
Mehmood Offered Film to Rajiv Gandhi, Called Him Smarter Than Amitabh, Gave Signing Amount.
- •Mehmood once offered Rajiv Gandhi a film, calling him smarter and more attractive than Amitabh Bachchan, and gave him 5,000 rupees as a signing amount.
- •The incident occurred when Amitabh Bachchan introduced Rajiv Gandhi to Mehmood, who mistook him for a new artist.
- •Mehmood later discovered the young man was not an actor but Rajiv Gandhi, son of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and took the money back.
- •This interesting anecdote is mentioned in Hanif Zaveri's book 'Mehmood: A Man of Many Moods'.
- •After Rajiv Gandhi became Prime Minister, Amitabh jokingly remarked that Mehmood's words came true; Rajiv became an international star, not in films, but in politics.
Key Questions Answered
Mehmood attempted to sign Rajiv Gandhi after seeing him with Amitabh Bachchan, believing the young man was smarter and more attractive than Amitabh and destined to become an international star.
The amusing anecdote about Mehmood attempting to cast Rajiv Gandhi is detailed in the book 'Mehmood: A Man of Many Moods' authored by Hanif Zaveri.
Mehmood won a total of four Filmfare Awards throughout his career, which included Best Comedian honors for his work in films like 'Pyaar Kiye Jaa', 'Waaris', and 'Vardaan'.
