Director Vidhu Vinod Chopra reveals a shocking story: why his mother slapped him after he gifted a ₹4.5 crore car to superstar Amitabh Bachchan
Vinod Chopra Reveals Why His Mother Slapped Him Over a Car Gift To Amitabh
Renowned Bollywood director Vidhu Vinod Chopra, known for his critically acclaimed and commercially successful films, recently shared a memorable and deeply personal anecdote from his career, revealing that he once received a slap from his own mother. The surprising reason behind this maternal reprimand was a lavish gift he presented to the legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan—a luxury car worth an astonishing ₹4.5 crore. This story provides a fascinating glimpse into the behind-the-scenes world of filmmaking, budget constraints, and the unique relationships forged in the industry.
In a candid interview with Indian media, Chopra recounted the story, which took place during the production of his ambitious 2007 film, *Eklavya: The Royal Guard*. The director explained that in an effort to manage the film's significant budget, he had approached Amitabh Bachchan with an unusual request. He asked the superstar if he would be willing to cover his own accommodation and travel expenses for the duration of the shoot. Chopra's reasoning was purely practical; the film boasted a star-studded cast, and he knew that if he paid for Bachchan's expenses, he would also be contractually obligated to cover the costs for the film's other major stars, Saif Ali Khan and Sanjay Dutt. To the director's immense relief and gratitude, the veteran actor graciously agreed to this unconventional arrangement, an act of cooperation that set the tone for the production.
The production, however, was not without its anticipated challenges and interesting moments. Chopra recalled his surprise when the legendary Amitabh Bachchan arrived on the film's set with a remarkably small amount of luggage. When the director inquired about it, Bachchan shared a humorous prediction from his wife, the esteemed actress Jaya Bachchan. She was apparently so convinced of the two strong personalities clashing that she believed her husband wouldn't be able to tolerate working with the famously demanding Chopra for even a single week. True to her prediction, the creative friction did surface. The director candidly admitted in his interview, "We started fighting after a week or 10 days." However, despite these creative differences, both men remained steadfastly dedicated to the project and successfully saw the film through to its completion.
It was this very cooperation and unwavering professionalism from Bachchan, especially in light of their on-set disagreements and his agreement to pay his own way, that deeply moved Chopra. The director felt compelled to show his gratitude with a grand and unforgettable gesture. He decided to purchase a brand-new, top-of-the-line luxury car, valued at ₹4.5 crore, and gift it to the iconic actor as a token of his immense respect and appreciation. This was not a contractual obligation but a personal act of gratitude.
Chopra then shared the vivid and heartfelt memory of the day he presented the gift, a moment that was made even more special by the presence of his mother. "I can never forget this incident. When I was gifting the car to Amitabh, my mother was with me, and she was the one who handed the keys to him," he recalled. This detail adds a layer of familial warmth to the story, highlighting the personal nature of the event.
The story, however, took a humorous and poignant turn in the moments that followed. "After giving the keys to Big B, my mother came and sat in my car," Chopra continued. "I didn't have a driver at the time, so I was driving myself. My mother then asked me a simple question, 'Why don't you buy a car for yourself?'" He responded casually, telling his mother that he would buy one for himself when the time was right. Unaware of the true value of the car her son had just gifted, she made her own estimation, saying, "It must be around 11 lakhs, right?" Chopra said he just laughed, knowing she had no idea of the vehicle's actual, astronomical price tag.
The director then revealed the climax of the story. "When I told my mother the real price of the car I had given to Amitabh, she called me a fool and gave me a slap right there in the car," he revealed with a chuckle. "I can never forget that moment, because it taught me a lesson: what is money if it can't bring you happiness or allow you to show gratitude?" For Chopra, the slap became a cherished memory, a symbol of his mother's grounded perspective and a reminder of the true value of things beyond their monetary worth.
While the film Eklavya: The Royal Guard, which also starred the talented Vidya Balan, did not achieve major commercial success at the box office, it was a significant artistic achievement. The film was highly praised by critics for its stunning visuals, compelling narrative, and powerful performances. In recognition of its artistic merit, the film went on to become India's official entry to the Oscars for the Best Foreign Language Film category that year, cementing its place as a respected and important work in the annals of modern Indian cinema.