This film was the first and only one produced by businessman, Ratan Tata, but unfortunately, it flopped at the box office and became one of Bollywood's biggest disappointments.
Ratan Tata and the Tata Group were involved in numerous industries in India. His conglomerate was involved in steel, food, aviation, and more. However, for a very long period, Tata had not previously ventured into one of India's biggest passions, cinema. Amitabh Bachchan’s film, Aetbaar was meant to mark that shift. Though Ratan Tata briefly joined the world of Bollywood, this attempt, unfortunately, did not match the success of his earlier ventures.
Ratan Tata began his career as an investor in the film industry in 2004. Together with Amitabh Bachchan, John Abraham, and Bipasha Basu, he co-produced Vikram Bhatt’s romantic thriller, Aetbaar. Under Tata BSS' umbrella, the movie was made to reimagining the 1996 Hollywood thriller, Fear. Examining the darker side of romantic fixation, the movie explored topics of obsession and familial ties.
But even with a strong ensemble of stars and a lot of hype leading up to its release, Aetbaar didn’t perform very well at the box office. Aetbaar, which had a Rs. 9.5 crore budget, made less than Rs. 5 crore in its first week of release. Given that its total lifetime global revenue was only Rs. 8 crore. Ratan Tata tried his best but destiny had other plans. He assembled an incredible cast but it couldn't work unfortunately.
Critics had mixed reactions to Aetbaar, with some pointing out the film's familiar themes and dialogue. However, Ratan Tata's involvement in the production highlighted his willingness to explore new avenues and bring fresh perspectives to the entertainment industry. This was Ratan Tata's only film as a producer.
On October 9, 2024, Ratan Tata, the chairman of the Tata Group for over 20 years, passed away at the Breach Candy Hospital in south Mumbai. Ratan Tata, a 'Padma Vibhushan' recipient, has been in the hospital's intensive care unit. His passing marks the end of an era for one of India's most iconic business leaders.
Rest in peace, Ratan Tata, a visionary leader whose contributions spanned far beyond the boardroom. Though Aetbaar was his only venture into film production, his legacy in both business and creativity will be remembered.
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