This Amitabh Bachchan fan moved to Mumbai after watching Trishul, eventually sold his Rs 50 crore bungalow to the star

This Amitabh Bachchan fan was heavily influenced by Big B's on-screen persona as Vijay and moved to Mumbai to start his own Shanti Constructions.

3 min readNew DelhiMay 17, 2025 02:28 PM IST

A scene from Trishul featuring Amitabh Bachchan and Prem Chopra. (Photo: Express Archive)

Amitabh Bachchan is among the most beloved Indian actors of all time. His Angry Young Man avatar in several films, such as Deewaer, Sholay, Zanjeer and Trishul, inspired many of his fans. One such fan is real estate developer and producer Anand Pandit. In an exclusive conversation with SCREEN, the producer shared how Amitabh Bachchan’s 1978 film Trishul inspired him to leave his hometown Ahmedabad and move to Mumbai. The then 15-year-old Anand was in such awe of Bachchan’s on-screen persona of Vijay that he wanted to start a Shanti Constructions business of his own. In Trishul, Amitabh Bachchan runs a construction business of the same name.

Speaking to SCREEN, “I have grown up watching Amitabh Bachchan’s films. His film, Trishul, really inspired me and motivated me to leave Ahmedabad and move to Mumbai. And I also wanted to have my own Shanti Construction Company, and fortunately today I have made Lotus Developers. His character Vijay inspired me to be where I am today. It is all because of Bachchan sahab.”

As years passed, Anand managed to become Amitabh Bachchan’s neighbour. Additionally, he also bought the bungalow right behind Jalsa, which he eventually sold to the star for Rs 50 crore in 2013. Anand told SCREEN, “I feel so privileged to know him so closely. He treats me like his family. He always stands by me whenever I need him. I had a bungalow next to him and he wanted to expand his bungalow. He requested me to sell him my property and I did.”

ALSO READ | ‘I gave Shah Rukh Khan vaastu tips before Pathaan and Jawan, it worked for him’: Anand Pandit reveals he ‘adjusted the energy’ at SRK’s house

According to reports, Anand Pandit had bought the bungalow in 2010 as an investment. He lives in Janaki Kutir complex less than 50 metres away from Jalsa.

When Anand Pandit spoke about his admiration for Big B

On Amitabh Bachchan’s birthday, Anand Pandit shared how he was among the millions who thronged to Mr Bachchan’s bungalow to catch a glimpse of him. “I was an ardent fan who had grown up watching his films and a twist of fate then made me his neighbour when I bought a bungalow next to his. I eventually ended up selling it back to him and that is when we grew closer.”

Previously, attending his 60th birthday party, which was also attended by Big B, Shah Rukh Khan shared that he goes out on drives with Anand at night. In a viral video from the producer’s birthday, SRK said, “In the night, at 12-1 am, he comes visits me and we roam around Juhu. He doesn’t tell me, ‘This is my building, that is my building.’ Instead, in the two-kilometre drive, he tells me barring two to three buildings, all buildings are his. Our journey becomes easy.”

Jyothi Jha

Jyothi Jha is an incisive Copy Editor and multi-platform journalist at The Indian Express, where she specializes in high-stakes entertainment reporting and cinematic analysis. With over six years of diverse experience across India’s leading media houses, she brings a rigorous, ethics-first approach to digital storytelling and editorial curation. Experience & Career Jyothi’s career is characterized by its breadth and depth across the media landscape. Before joining the editorial team at The Indian Express, she honed her expertise covering the entertainment beat for premier national broadcasters, including NDTV, Republic Media, and TV9. Her professional journey is not limited to digital text; she has a proven track record as an on-air anchor and has successfully managed production teams within the high-pressure segments of Politics and Daily News. This 360-degree view of newsroom operations allows her to navigate the complexities of modern journalism with veteran precision. Expertise & Focus Areas Guided by the Orwellian principle that "Journalism is printing what someone else does not want you to do," Jyothi focuses on transparent, accountability-driven reporting. Her core areas of expertise include: Cinematic Deconstruction: Analyzing the social subtext of mainstream Bollywood and South Indian cinema (e.g., Kantara, Masaan, Dabangg). Toxic Masculinity & Gender Studies: A vocal critic of regressive tropes in Indian cinema, she often highlights the industry's treatment of women and social progress. Box Office & Industry Economics: Providing data-backed predictions and analysis of film performance and superstar fee structures. Exclusive Multimedia Coverage: Conducting deep-dive interviews and long-form features that bridge the gap between archival history and modern pop culture. Authoritativeness & Trust Jyothi Jha has established herself as a trusted voice by prioritizing substance over PR-driven narratives. Her background in hard news and political production provides her with a unique lens through which she views the entertainment industry—not merely as gossip, but as a reflection of societal values. Readers rely on her for "Journalism of Courage," knowing her critiques are rooted in a deep respect for the craft and a refusal to settle for superficiality. Her ability to pivot between daily news and specialized entertainment analysis makes her a versatile and authoritative pillar of The Indian Express newsroom. ... Read More

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