Ratan Tata, known for his immense success across various industries, once ventured into Bollywood, only to face an unexpected failure. His sole attempt at film production resulted in the 2004 romantic psychological thriller Aetbaar. Despite his usual knack for business, the film marked one of the few setbacks in Tata’s illustrious career.
The Making of Aetbaar
Released under the banner of Tata Infomedia and directed by Vikram Bhatt, Aetbaar starred big names like Amitabh Bachchan, Bipasha Basu, and John Abraham. The movie was heavily inspired by the 1996 American thriller Fear, which centered around a father’s desperate efforts to protect his daughter from a psychopathic lover.
In Aetbaar, Amitabh Bachchan played Dr. Ranveer Malhotra, a father determined to shield his daughter, Ria (played by Bipasha Basu), from the dangerous and obsessed Aryan Trivedi (portrayed by John Abraham). Despite the star-studded cast and high expectations, the film fell short at the box office.
A Commercial Failure
Aetbaar not only failed to leave an impact but also couldn’t even recover its production budget. With a budget of approximately ₹9.50 crore, the film managed to collect only ₹4.25 crore domestically and ₹7.96 crore globally, making it a commercial disaster. Tata’s high hopes for the film were dashed in just a few days post-release, leading him to never invest in the film industry again.
The End of Ratan Tata’s Bollywood Dream
Despite his unparalleled success in other ventures, Aetbaar remains a rare misstep in Ratan Tata’s business journey. After the film’s failure, Tata chose to stay away from the entertainment business, solidifying Aetbaar as his only foray into Bollywood.
