Amitabh Bachchan, a Bollywood icon, and Sonia Gandhi, a leading political figure, shared a friendship that spanned decades. Both had strong ties, rooted in family history, that brought them together. However, in the late 90s, their relationship changed drastically due to political differences. How did this once close friendship start, and what eventually caused its downfall?
How the Bond Between the Bachchan and Gandhi Families Was Formed
The connection between the Bachchan and Gandhi families started even before Amitabh or Sonia became the public figures they are today. The seeds of their bond were sown in Allahabad, at Anand Bhawan, the ancestral home of the Nehru-Gandhi family. In his autobiography, Amitabh’s father, the famous poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, recalled how Sarojini Naidu had introduced his family to Indira Gandhi at Anand Bhawan. This meeting eventually led to a strong bond between Harivansh Rai’s wife, Teji Bachchan, and Indira Gandhi.
From there, the families grew closer, and the children—Amitabh, Ajitabh, Rajiv, and Sanjay—formed strong friendships. Both sets of brothers attended prestigious schools—Amitabh and Ajitabh at Sherwood College in Nainital and the Gandhi brothers at Doon School. During holidays, they spent time together, often swimming in the Rashtrapati Bhavan pool and sharing experiences.
Amitabh: Sonia’s First Friend in India
When Sonia Gandhi first came to India after her engagement to Rajiv Gandhi in 1968, it was Amitabh who became her first friend. Since the couple wasn’t married yet, Indira Gandhi felt it was inappropriate for Sonia to live in the Nehru-Gandhi household, so she arranged for her to stay with the Bachchans. Amitabh, not yet a superstar, helped Sonia navigate her new surroundings and played a significant role in introducing her to Indian customs and traditions.
Sonia, in an interview years later, recalled her time with the Bachchan family fondly. She described Teji Bachchan as her “third mother,” stating that she learned about Indian culture by observing the family. Amitabh and his brother Ajitabh became like brothers to her during this time, deepening the relationship between the two families.
Close Bonds Continued Through the 70s and 80s
Even after Amitabh became a film star, the friendship between the families remained intact. Rajiv Gandhi, always humble despite his famous last name, would often visit Amitabh on film sets and patiently wait for him to finish his work. Rajiv never used his political status to gain favor and maintained a simple, down-to-earth personality.
Their bond continued as their families grew. Sonia’s children, Rahul and Priyanka, affectionately referred to Amitabh as “Mamun,” an Awadhi term for uncle. Amitabh was a trusted family friend, even standing by the Gandhi family after the tragic assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in 1991. Sonia and her children turned to Amitabh for guidance during this difficult time.
The Downturn in Relations: When Politics Entered the Picture
So, what went wrong between the Gandhi and Bachchan families? The answer lies in the world of politics. After Indira Gandhi’s assassination in 1984, Rajiv Gandhi took over as Prime Minister, and Amitabh entered politics at Rajiv’s request. Amitabh ran for a seat in Allahabad and won, defeating veteran politician Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna. However, his brief stint in politics was marked by controversy. Allegations around the Bofors scandal and other issues made Amitabh’s life in politics difficult. He eventually decided to step away from politics altogether.
Rajiv and Sonia were reportedly upset by Amitabh’s decision to leave politics. They had hoped he would continue and help stabilize the party, but Amitabh had had enough. Despite this, the families still maintained a cordial relationship for several years.
The Breaking Point: Sonia Gandhi’s Political Entry
The final break between Amitabh and Sonia occurred in December 1997. Sonia Gandhi had decided to formally enter politics and lead the Congress party, a decision that Amitabh strongly opposed. According to sources close to the Bachchans, Amitabh believed that Congress leaders were only interested in using the Nehru-Gandhi family’s name for their political gain. He reportedly tried to convince Sonia not to enter politics, fearing the consequences for her and her family.
Sonia, however, was determined, and their relationship soured as a result. This moment marked the end of the long-standing friendship between the two families. While neither Amitabh nor Sonia publicly criticized each other, it was clear that their paths had diverged permanently.
A Painful End to a Historic Friendship
The break between Sonia and Amitabh was particularly hard for both of them, as they had shared such a deep bond for years. For Sonia, losing Amitabh as a friend was especially difficult since he had been her first connection in India. Although both maintained their dignity and avoided public spats, the warmth between the families never returned.
Today, the younger generations of both the Gandhi and Bachchan families have moved on. They are focused on their respective careers and have little involvement in the old friendship and bitterness that once existed between their parents. Still, the history of the close relationship—and eventual falling out—between Amitabh Bachchan and Sonia Gandhi remains a poignant reminder of how politics can sometimes come between even the closest of friends.
