Amitabh Bachchan – The Eternal Legend of Indian Cinema
Early Life
- Full Name: Amitabh Harivansh Rai Bachchan
- Born: October 11, 1942, Allahabad (now Prayagraj), Uttar Pradesh
- Father: Harivansh Rai Bachchan – renowned poet
- Mother: Teji Bachchan – theatre enthusiast
- His name “Amitabh” means “the light that will never fade” — a prophecy he would fulfill across generations.
- Educated at Sherwood College, Nainital, and later at Kirori Mal College, Delhi University.
- Worked briefly in Kolkata as a freight broker before turning to films.
The Accidental Superstar
- Rejected many times for his deep baritone voice—now considered iconic.
- Narrator in Bhuvan Shome (1969), then small roles until his breakthrough.
🎥 Breakthrough Film:
- Zanjeer (1973) – marked the birth of the “Angry Young Man”, a persona that resonated with India’s youth and social frustrations.
Dominating the 70s & 80s
- Became Bollywood’s biggest star with blockbusters like:
- Sholay
- Deewaar
- Amar Akbar Anthony
- Muqaddar Ka Sikandar
- Don
- Coolie
- “Amitabh wasn’t just a hero—he was a phenomenon.” – Filmfare
- By the 80s, he was referred to as “One-Man Industry” due to his unmatched box office pull.
Near-Death Experience & Political Phase
- In 1982, he suffered a life-threatening injury while filming Coolie. The entire nation prayed for him.
- Later entered politics briefly (1984–1987), supported Rajiv Gandhi, but exited calling it a “cesspool.”
Setbacks & Reinvention
- Faced box-office failures in the early 90s.
- His company ABCL flopped, leaving him in financial distress.
- “There was a time I had no films, no money, no hope. But I never gave up.”
The Reinvention:
- In 2000, became host of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC)—a move that revived his career and introduced him to a new generation.
- Took on diverse roles: Mohabbatein, Black, Paa, Cheeni Kum, Pink, Badla, Jhund, and Uunchai.
Versatility and Artistry
- Known for his deep voice, intense screen presence, and ability to adapt to any role—hero, villain, father, poet, or narrator.
- Worked in Bengali, Hollywood (The Great Gatsby), and regional films too.
🏆 Awards & Recognition
- 4 National Film Awards for Best Actor
- Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2019)
- Padma Shri (1984), Padma Bhushan (2001), Padma Vibhushan (2015)
- Countless Filmfare Awards
- France’s Legion of Honour
- 🏆 Holds a record for maximum number of Best Actor nominations in Filmfare history.
Personal Life
- Married Jaya Bhaduri in 1973.
- Has two children:
- Abhishek Bachchan – actor
- Shweta Bachchan Nanda – author, columnist
- Grandfather to Navya and Agastya
- Maintains a close bond with fans through Twitter, Instagram, and blogs—writes daily.
Interesting Facts
- Was rejected by All India Radio because of his voice
- Holds honorary doctorates from several global universities
- Starred in over 200 films
- Known for punctuality, discipline, and humility
– “I am not a hero because I never fell. I am a hero because I fell, rose again, and kept going”. BY AMITABH BACHCHAN.
