Amitabh Bachchan
Who was Amitabh Bachchan?
Legendary Bollywood actor known as the 'Shahenshah of Bollywood' who starred in classics like 'Sholay' and 'Deewar'. He dominated Indian cinema in the 1970s and 1980s and remains an iconic figure in Indian entertainment.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Amitabh Bachchan (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Amitabh Bachchan (originally Srivastava; born 11 October 1942) is an Indian actor in Hindi cinema and is widely considered one of the greatest and most successful actors in the history of Indian cinema. Known by titles such as the 'Shahenshah of Bollywood', 'Sadi ke Mahanayak' (superstar of the century), and simply 'Big B', he has appeared in over 200 films throughout his career. Born in Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad), Bachchan went to school at Sherwood College in Nainital and Kirori Mal College at the University of Delhi. His film career started in 1969 as a voice narrator in Mrinal Sen's film Bhuvan Shome, followed by early roles in movies like Anand and Roti Kapada Aur Makaan. His big break came with the 1973 film Zanjeer, which established him as the typical 'angry young man' of Hindi cinema. This image was reinforced by iconic films like Deewaar and Sholay in the mid-1970s. He was so prominent during the 1970s and 1980s that French director François Truffaut described the Indian film industry as a 'one-man industry'. During this successful period, Bachchan appeared in many top-grossing films each year, including Kabhi Kabhie, Amar Akbar Anthony, Don, Trishul, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, and Coolie. After a quieter period in the 1990s, Bachchan's career picked up again beginning with Mohabbatein in 2000, followed by praised performances in films like Black, Paa, Piku, and more recently, Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva and Kalki 2898 AD. He is married to actress Jaya Bachchan and has received numerous awards, including four National Film Awards for Best Actor, making him the most awarded actor in this category.
Before Fame
Before becoming a star, Amitabh Bachchan attended well-known schools like Sherwood College in Nainital and Kirori Mal College at Delhi University. He entered the film industry in an unusual way, starting with voice-over work instead of acting. In the early 1970s, Indian cinema mostly featured romantic heroes and traditional storylines. However, Bachchan's tall stature, deep voice, and strong screen presence brought something new. His rise from struggling actor to superstar happened as Indian cinema started addressing themes that struck a chord with the frustrations of urban young people in post-independence India.
Key Achievements
- Starred in over 200 films and dominated Indian cinema for over five decades
- Won four National Film Awards for Best Actor and seventeen Filmfare Awards
- Received India's highest civilian honors: Padma Shri (1984), Padma Bhushan (2001), and Padma Vibhushan (2015)
- Awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2019), Indian cinema's highest honor
- Recognized internationally with France's Officer of the Legion of Honour (2007)
Did You Know?
- 01.He was voted the 'greatest star of stage or screen' in the BBC Your Millennium online users poll in 1999
- 02.Time magazine declared him the 'undisputed godfather of Bollywood' in October 2003
- 03.He holds the record for most National Film Award wins for Best Actor with four victories
- 04.He received France's highest civilian honor, Officer of the Legion of Honour, in 2007
- 05.His original surname was Srivastava before adopting the pen name Bachchan used by his father, poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Padma Bhushan | 2001 | — |
| Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award | 1991 | — |
| National Film Award for Best Actor | 1990 | — |
| CNN-News18 Indian of the Year | 2011 | — |
| Officer of the Legion of Honour | 2007 | — |
| Padma Vibhushan | 2015 | — |
| Padma Shri in arts | 1984 | — |
| Dadasaheb Phalke Award | 2019 | — |