Iconic 'Shahenshah' Jacket Is No Longer In India After Amitabh Bachchan Gifts It To Friend In Saudi

For all Bollywood enthusiasts, Amitabh Bachchan¡¯s comeback film ¡®Shahenshah¡¯ has been a treat that keeps on giving. The 1988 film became an instant hit with the crowd as senior Bachchan stepped back into an acting role after a 3-year hiatus.

'Shahenshah' Became An Instant Hit After Its Launch In 1988

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Whether it be the heavy-duty dialogues of the film or the action sequences, the public was all about the film once it came out, and even went on to become the second-highest-grossing film of the year.

The film had everything. A show-stopping lead, Amitabh Bachchan, alongside an equally captivating pairing with actress Meenakshi Seshadri. To top it all off, veteran actors like Kader Khan, Pran, Amrish Puri, and Prem Chopra took over the villainous characters with ease.

The film was such an iconic piece of cinema that Bachchan is still known for his character in the film as a comical policeman and a crime-fighting superhero. Besides the overused defining dialogues of the film, people remember the picture for one of its most striking costumes. The metal-arm jacket worn by Bachchan in the film is a legendary look still talked about in popular media.

Metal 'Shahenshah' Jacket No Longer In India After Amitabh Bachchan Gives It Away

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Although now it is canon in pop culture, originally the jacket was made from a drain cover that was brought from Mumbai¡¯s Central Market. The origins of the jacket have added to the legend of the metal arm and made it even more valuable to fans of the film.

However, many were upset after they found out that the iconic jacket is no longer made in India. In a tweet, Saudi Arabia native Turki Alalshikh announced that Amitabh Bachchan has gifted the jacket to him. He wrote, ¡°To the legendary and one of the best actors in the entertainment world in all time, You are an honor not to India only but to the world. Thank you for the gift that you sent it means a lot.¡±

The veteran actor then replied to his friend and wrote, ¡°My dear and most considerate friend .. I am so honored that you have received the gift of the jacket with the steel arm that I wore in my film SHAHENSHAH .. some day I shall tell you how I was able to retrieve it .. my love to you.¡±

T 4591 - My dear and most considerate friend .. I am so honored that you have received the gift of the jacket with the steel arm that I wore in my film SHAHENSHAH .. some day I shall tell you how I was able to retrieve it .. my love to you .. @Turki_alalshikh https://t.co/mfkGijqQue

¡ª Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) March 20, 2023

People online were not too happy about the actor sending the Bollywood relic to Saudi Arabia. One user wrote, "Sarkar, I don't know who this fellow is who got soooooooooo lucky to get this most priceless Shehanshah jacket from you?!!!!! But I think there are much worthier recipients here in India itself!!!"

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Another person thought the jacket belonged in a museum: "It is generous of you to share but shouldn¡¯t that jacket be part of museum. It is historical."

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