'Amitabh, can I borrow some money from you': Big B recalls Ratan Tata's humble nature

During an episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 16, featuring filmmaker Farah Khan and actor Boman Irani as guests, Amitabh Bachchan recounted a memorable interaction with Ratan Tata, calling him “such a simple human being” and reflecting, “Kya aadmi the main bata nahi sakta (What a man he was).”

Bachchan shared that once he and Ratan Tata were on a flight to London and shortly after landing at Heathrow Airport, the late billionaire realised he couldn't find his aides.

“He went into the phone booth to call. I was standing there. After a while, he came out, approached me, and I couldn't believe that he said this – ‘Amitabh, can I borrow some money from you? I don't have money to make a phone call,'” Big B recalled.

Recalling another incident, Bachchan said Tata's modesty took even his friends by surprise. He recounted how a friend who attended an event with Ratan Tata was astonished when he asked him for a ride home.

“Ratan Tata told my friend, ‘Can you drop me home? I just live behind your house. I don't have a car' – can you imagine that? It's unbelievable,” Bachchan said.

Big B was one of the first celebrities to mourn Ratan Tata's death.

Posting on X, he wrote, “Just came to learn of the passing of Shri Ratan Tata .. was working very late. An era has ended—a most respected, humble yet visionary leader of immense foresight and resolve. Spent some wonderful moments with him during several campaigns we were involved in together. My prayers.”

Ratan Tata's funeral, held in Mumbai on October 11, was attended by the who's who of the country, including Sachin Tendulkar, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Amit Shah, and Mukesh Ambani among others.