"I ended up getting a punch."
Amitabh Bachchan recalled being punched by Muhammad Ali.
On Kaun Banega Crorepati, Commonwealth Games gold medallist boxer Nikhat Zareen was a celebrity contestant.
During the show, Amitabh remembered the time when he met boxing legend, Muhammad Ali.
Nikhat said that Muhammad Ali is her favourite boxer. This inspired Amitabh to talk about his own meeting with Ali.
He recalled: “I have met him once at his house in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills.
“Famous Producer-director Prakash Mehra ji wanted to make a film with Muhammad Ali and me and for that, we met at his house.
“That film never got made, but I ended up getting a punch.
“I have a photo of him where he is just posing for a punch on my face. What a wonderful human being.”
Previously, Amitabh shared a throwback picture with Ali.
He captioned the post: “With the Greatest Muhammed Ali at his Beverly Hills home in LA… so much fun, honour and pride for me!”
Shortly after Ali’s death in 2016, Amitabh Bachchan paid tribute to the boxer at an event.
He said: “In 1979, I went to his home in Beverly Hills.
“He was a very simple, grounded and happy person. Though his achievements are well-known to the world.
“Prakash Mehra wanted to make a film at the time, and he wanted to cast me with Muhammad Ali in it. That film never materialised, but the moments I spent with him are memorable.
“We went there to talk about the film, thought it could not be made eventually.
“He was the greatest and I am very sad at his death. Not only did he fight inside the ring, but outside as well.
“He even threw his gold medal in the river to protest against racial discrimination against him.
“If you read about him, you will realise he was not just a great sportsperson but a great human being too.”
During Kaun Banega Crorepati, Nikhat Zareen shared that she learnt her boxing skills by watching videos of Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson.
She said: “When I started watching videos, I really liked Muhammad Ali’s game style.
“From thereon I considered him as my role model. I’ve learnt a lot from him, his famous signature step also I know and if you can allow me I would like to do it.
“He inspires me a lot and I try my best to copy his footwork.”
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