Meet Mayur Raj Verma, the child star who stole the spotlight in the 70s and 80s. With his uncanny resemblance to Amitabh Bachchan, he played the megastar’s childhood roles in several films, earning him the nickname “Chhota Amitabh Bachchan.” His rise to fame was swift, with his breakthrough role in “Mukaddar Ka Sikandar” making him a household name.
By the time he was 20, Mayur had become one of the most sought-after child artists, with a hefty price tag to match. What’s remarkable is that he achieved all this without any film industry connections. His mother, a journalist, played a crucial role in launching his career. She had interviewed film stars and was familiar with the industry, which led to Mayur being cast in “Mukaddar Ka Sikandar.”
Director Prakash Mehra was looking for a child actor to play Amitabh Bachchan’s childhood role, and Mayur’s mother suggested her son. After seeing Mayur’s photo, Mehra was convinced he was the perfect fit. The resemblance was uncanny, and Mayur’s career took off.
Mayur went on to act in several films, including “Kanoon Apna Apna,” “Lawaaris,” and “Love in Goa,” all of which featured him as a young Amitabh Bachchan. However, as he grew older, he struggled to find his footing as a lead actor. It was his role as Abhimanyu in B.R. Chopra’s TV series “Mahabharat” that brought him recognition as an adult.
But Mayur’s acting journey took an unexpected turn when he decided to leave the industry and move to the United States with his wife, Noori. Today, he runs a restaurant called Indiana Cuisine in Fairborn, Ohio, a far cry from the glamour of Bollywood. Despite his decision to leave the spotlight, Mayur’s legacy as a child star continues to charm audiences, and his story serves as a reminder that sometimes, even the brightest stars can choose a different path.