After realizing his never-ending struggle in Hollywood in the late 1960s, Bruce Lee flew back to Hong Kong to start from scratch. He signed a two-film contract with Golden Harvest, one of which was his iconic masterpiece, The Big Boss (1971). Signing Lee for the Lo Wei-directed film was like taking a leap of faith for producer Raymond Chow. However, when the film was released in 1971, the audience’s reactions and box officer numbers wiped out all the doubts about Lee’s credibility as an actor.?

In Lee?s biography, Bruce Lee; A Life, his wife talked about the scenario when The Big Boss was released in theatres. Linda Cadwell Lee revisited the audience?s emotions that flowed in the theatre while watching the master?s first-ever blockbuster film.?

Bruce Lee didn’t have high hopes about The Big Boss doing well

The biography reveals that more than Bruce Lee, producer Raymond Chow needed the film to work since his last five films had underperformed at the box office. It was no wonder why the latter had all his bets on The Big Boss to save his production house.?

Once the film was released, Linda shared that Lee developed modesty as he believed that the film would not be a hit. However, they were stunned when Lee, Linda, and Raymond Chow went to the theatres to watch the audience?s reactions. Initially, as the movie progressed, there was no hooting in the theatre. But as the audience began cheering for Lee on the screen, the master began to relax and gain confidence.?

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By the movie?s end, Lee had risen to his much-deserved stardom status. The audience?s reactions were overwhelming for the master, Linda, and Chow. Mrs. Lee stated that although her husband had less hope for the film, she knew it would be a money-maker and break all records. Further, Linda also shared in the biography, ?That night every dream that Bruce had ever had came true as the audience rose to its feet with thunderous, cheering applause. ??

The film had done exceptionally well, making $372,000 in Hong Kong dollars on its first day. Its total collection in the next three days crossed the HK$1 million mark.?

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Lee?s time to enjoy fame and wealth had come. However, with his stardom came the disadvantage of being famous.

Bruce Lee’s experience after becoming famous

After the success of The Big Boss, Lee was overwhelmed with his newly built stardom. He would tell his friends in America, ?In Hong Kong, I?m bigger than the f**king Beatles.? Within a year, the master began to understand why famous personalities avoided visiting public places.?

After becoming a public figure, Lee could not walk peacefully on the streets of Hong Kong. He could not go shopping openly and was highly disturbed by fans who constantly followed him wherever he went.?

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Eventually, Lee learned to handle his fame. Nevertheless, he also increased security around him to avoid any trouble for him and his family.