Name: Amitabh Bachchan
Profession: Actor, TV Host, Former Politician
Born: October 11, 1942 (Allahabad, United Provinces, British India; now Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India)
Nationality: Indian
Known for: Zanjeer, Deewar, Sholay, Don, Kabhi Kabhie, Paa, Black, Piku, Kaun Banega Crorepati
Biography:
Amitabh Bachchan, born as Amitabh Harivansh Rai Shrivastava, is widely regarded as the greatest and most influential actor in the history of Indian cinema. Growing up in Allahabad, he was the elder son of celebrated Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan and social activist Teji Bachchan.
Educated at Sherwood College, Nainital, and Kirori Mal College in Delhi, he initially aspired to become an engineer or join the Indian Air Force. His path changed course, however, when he entered films, facing early rejections due to his unconventional appearance but leveraging his iconic baritone in a narration role for “Bhuvan Shome” (1969).
Bachchan made his acting debut in “Saat Hindustani” (1969) but achieved breakthrough fame with “Anand” (1971), quickly followed by stardom in “Zanjeer” (1973). His portrayal of the “Angry Young Man” became symbolic of the era, cementing his place with a string of classics in the 1970s and 1980s such as “Deewar,” “Sholay,” and “Don.”
This era saw him as a voice of the common man, confronting societal injustice on screen. He experienced setbacks too, most notably, a near-fatal accident on the sets of “Coolie” (1982), which paused the nation until he recovered.
Bachchan’s career spans over five decades and 200+ films, traversing genres and generations. After a brief political stint in the 1980s, he returned to cinema, continually reinventing himself, from the patriarchal leads of “Baghban” and “Paa” to witty, complex characters in “Black,” “Piku,” and “Pink.”
He expanded into television by hosting “Kaun Banega Crorepati” (KBC) starting in 2000, changing the landscape of Indian TV and reaching millions of homes.
Globally, NRI and diaspora audiences idolize Bachchan, and his influence is acknowledged with honors like the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, France’s Legion of Honour, and India’s highest film recognition, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. His legacy includes iconic dialogue delivery, versatility across roles, and a persistent drive to take on creative challenges well into his 80s.
Bachchan’s personal life is closely linked to the Bachchan family legacy. He married actress Jaya Bhaduri in 1973, and together they have two children: author-journalist Shweta and actor Abhishek Bachchan, who is married to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, further entwining the Bachchans with other legendary Bollywood dynasties. His younger brother Ajitabh is a businessman.
Known for his discipline, philanthropy, and social engagement, Bachchan is a cultural phenomenon whose impact extends far beyond the silver screen. He writes prolifically on his blog, is active on social media, and continues to shape and inspire contemporary Indian identity.
Awards and Accolades:
- Padma Shri (1984), Padma Bhushan (2001), Padma Vibhushan (2015)
- Knight of the Legion of Honour (France, 2007)
- Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2019)
- Four National Film Awards for Best Actor
- At least sixteen Filmfare Awards, multiple state and lifetime achievement honors
- FIAF Award (2021) from the International Federation of Film Archives
- Asia’s Sexiest and Hottest Vegetarian Celebrity (multiple times by PETA)
Interesting Facts:
- Nicknamed Big B, Shahenshah of Bollywood, and Angry Young Man
- Holds a record for Filmfare Award wins and nominations
- His baritone voice has been used for notable narration roles, including “Lagaan”
- A teetotaler and vegetarian, widely respected for his discipline
- Hosted “Kaun Banega Crorepati” for two decades, transforming Indian television
- Noted philanthropist, involved in numerous humanitarian causes
Social Media:
- Instagram: @amitabhbachchan
- Twitter: @SrBachchan
