Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan’s love life has often been the subject of intrigue, with stories revolving around his relationships with Jaya Bachchan and Rekha. However, according to author and film historian Hanif Zaveri, the Shahenshah of Bollywood had a lesser-known love story before he became a superstar. Speaking on the Meri Saheli podcast, Zaveri shared an untold chapter from Amitabh’s early days, revealing that his first romance blossomed in Kolkata.
Zaveri recalled, “Amitabh Bachchan’s first romance started in Kolkata when he was an employee in a company. I think at that time, he used to get a salary of Rs 250-300. And a girl named Maya came into his life. She was working with British Airways. Amitabh Bachchan loved her a lot, and she also loved him immensely. They kept meeting each other.”
However, when Amitabh moved to Bombay to pursue his acting dreams, their relationship faced challenges. Initially, he stayed at a bungalow on Juhu 7th Road, rented from Neeru Mama, a close friend of his mother, Teji Bachchan. Maya used to visit him there, but Amitabh feared that word of their relationship might reach his mother.
“Now, when Maya started coming, Amitabh Bachchan got scared that his mother, Teji, would find out through Neeru Mama. So, he decided to leave that place. Since he was working with Anwar Ali in Saat Hindustani—who is Mehmood’s brother—he shared this problem with Anwar Ali,” Zaveri revealed.
Anwar, who knew that Maya had also met actor Jalal Agha, helped Amitabh move to Mehmood’s house, where he stayed during the filming of Saat Hindustani. Zaveri explained, “Mehmood had demolished his bungalow, Paradise, and built a building of eight apartments for his siblings. Anwar Ali gave Amitabh Bachchan his flat as a friend.”
Despite their strong bond, their relationship did not last. Zaveri revealed, “At that time, Amitabh Bachchan was very shy, while Maya was very bold. She didn’t even see him as just a friend—she would often tease and flirt with him. This made both Anwar Ali and Jalal Agha uncomfortable, and even Amitabh felt nervous.”
Zaveri further shared how Anwar Ali advised Amitabh against pursuing the relationship: “When they were shooting for Saat Hindustani in Goa, Anwar Ali told him, ‘You won’t be able to spend your life with Maya. It will be difficult for her to fit into the Bachchan family, and as you move forward, more problems will arise.’”
Realizing that their personalities did not match, Amitabh slowly distanced himself from Maya, and eventually, they broke up.
After his breakup with Maya, it was not Rekha but Jaya Bhaduri (now Bachchan) who became a pivotal part of his life. Zaveri clarified, “No, Jaya came into his life first. Naturally, he later married Jaya.”
Their love story began on the sets of Ek Nazar, their first film together. Jaya played a crucial role in supporting Amitabh’s career, particularly when no actress was willing to work with him in Zanjeer. Zaveri stated, “Jaya Bachchan was in love with him. She said, ‘Take Amitabh Bachchan; I will work with him.’ That’s how he got the film, and Zanjeer changed his career forever.”
