New Delhi, Jan. 31 -- In his early years, Vikram Malhotra didn't have any special connection to cinema, besides occasional viewings with family. It had never been a career option as such nor did he know anyone from the industry.

Except for one esoteric connection.

Malhotra, founder and chief executive officer of Abundantia Entertainment, was born on 11 October, which happens to be the birthday of the "first gentleman of Indian cinema". The period between 1975-79 was one of Amitabh Bachchan's most successful, which worked out as a neat coincidence. Every time there was a party or an evening out during his birthday, Malhotra would be asked to recite a verse from a song or a dialogue from a Bachchan movie.

Several years later, Malhotra, 5...