Shashi Kapoor requested Amitabh Bachchan to star in his ambitious directorial debut film Ajooba. Amitabh Bachchan made a notable exception and agreed to do the film due to their friendship, even though at the time Amitabh was not signing any new films. The film, with a lavish budget and a mega star lineup, was classed as a hit abroad even though it did not do too well at the box office in India. Over the years it has been appreciated for its storytelling, and acting from Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor and Amrish Puri.