Amitabh Bachchan

Amitabh Bachchan – Biography

Personal Details

• Full Name: Amitabh Bachchan (born Amitabh Srivastava)
• Date of Birth: 11 October 1942
• Place of Birth: Allahabad (now Prayagraj), then United Provinces, British India
• Parents: Harivansh Rai Bachchan (renowned poet) and Teji Bachchan
• Spouse: Jaya Bhaduri Bachchan (actress and former Member of Parliament)
• Children: Shweta Bachchan Nanda and Abhishek Bachchan (actor)
• Nicknames: Big B, Shahenshah of Bollywood, Angry Young Man
• Brother: Ajitabh Bachchan
• Education: Sherwood College, Nainital; B.Sc. from Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi
• Years Active: 1969 – present

Entry into Films

• Began in 1969 as the voice narrator of Mrinal Sen’s Bhuvan Shome; acting debut in Saat Hindustani (1969), for which he won the National Film Award for Best Newcomer.
• Gained recognition with Anand (1971), winning the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor.
• Breakthrough came with Zanjeer (1973), establishing him as the “Angry Young Man.”
• Followed by iconic films: Deewaar, Sholay, Don, Amar Akbar Anthony, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar.

Career Highlights

• Known for versatility – action, comedy, romance and tragedy; has appeared in over 200 films.
• Survived a life-threatening accident during the filming of Coolie in 1982; the nation prayed for his recovery.
• Won a record four National Film Awards for Best Actor: Agneepath (1990), Black (2005), Paa (2009) and Piku (2015).
• Reinvented his career with Kaun Banega Crorepati (2000) and films such as Mohabbatein, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Baghban and Pink.
• Has won 17 Filmfare Awards and is the most-nominated performer in any major acting category at Filmfare.

Personal Life

• Married Jaya Bhaduri in 1973.
• Daughter-in-law: actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan; son-in-law: Nikhil Nanda; grandchildren include Navya Naveli, Agastya and Aaradhya.

Politics & Business

• Served as Member of Parliament for Allahabad from 31 December 1984 to 29 July 1987 as an Indian National Congress MP, resigning mid-term.
• Founded ABCL (Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Ltd.), which faced heavy financial losses.
• Overcame the resulting debts and rebuilt his career.

Legacy

• Nicknamed “Shahenshah of Bollywood” and “Big B”.
• Voted the “greatest star of stage or screen” in the BBC Your Millennium online poll in 1999.
• French director François Truffaut described him as a “one-man industry”.
• One of the most respected, influential and enduring actors in Indian cinema.

Amitabh Bachchan Recent Activity

Amitabh Bachchan was seen in the epic sci-fi film Kalki 2898 AD (2024), starring alongside Prabhas, Deepika Padukone and Kamal Haasan. The film combines mythology with a futuristic setting and was the highest-grossing Indian film of 2024.

Key Highlights of the Film

• Amitabh’s Role: Bachchan plays Ashwatthama, an immortal warrior from the Mahabharata, reimagined in a modern sci-fi world.
• Star Cast: Features Prabhas in the lead, with Deepika Padukone and Kamal Haasan in pivotal roles.
• Storyline: Blends Indian mythology with science fiction.
• Box Office: Grossed more than ₹1,000 crore.
• Recognition: Won Bachchan the SIIMA Award for Best Supporting Actor – Telugu in 2025.

Career Highlight

• 1969: Debuted with Saat Hindustani and narrated Bhuvan Shome; won the National Film Award for Best Newcomer.
• 1971: Won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for Anand.
• 1973: Breakthrough with Zanjeer as Inspector Vijay Khanna.
• 1975: Iconic films Deewaar, Sholay, Chupke Chupke and Mili — became the “Angry Young Man”.
• 1977–78: Major hits Amar Akbar Anthony, Don, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Trishul.
• 1980s: Successful run with Lawaaris, Silsila, Satte Pe Satta, Coolie, Sharaabi, Mard.
• 1990s: Won the National Award for Agneepath (1990) and starred in Hum (1991) and Khuda Gawah (1992).
• 2000: Comeback marked by Mohabbatein and the launch of Kaun Banega Crorepati.
• 2000s: Memorable roles in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Baghban, Khakee, Black (National Award), Sarkar.
• 2009: National Award for Paa.
• 2010s: Acclaimed performances in Aarakshan, Satyagraha, Piku (National Award), Pink.
• 2020s: Films include Gulabo Sitabo, Jhund, Brahmāstra and Uunchai.
• 2024: Played Ashwatthama in Kalki 2898 AD and made his Tamil debut in Vettaiyan.
• 2025: Narrated 120 Bahadur.
• Upcoming: Ramayana: Part 1 (as the voice of Jatayu) and Kalki 2898 AD: Part 2.

Amitabh Bachchan’s recent activity

• Has hosted Kaun Banega Crorepati since 2000, most recently the seventeenth season.
• Shares personal reflections on ageing and life experiences on his long-running blog.
• Makes regular appearances for fans outside his Mumbai residence, Jalsa.

Amitabh Bachchan’s Awards List

The Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2018 was conferred on 24 September 2019.