Amitabh Bachchan

 

Amitabh Bachchan 

Amitabh Bachchan is a famous actor from India. He's been in lots of movies and has been acting for more than 50 years. He's considered one of the best actors in India's history. People call him different names like "Shahenshah of Bollywood" and "Greatest actor of the century." He was really popular in the 1970s and 1980s.

Amitabh was born in 1942 in Allahabad. His dad was a poet and his mom was a social worker. He went to school in Nainital and Delhi. He started acting in movies in 1969 as a voice narrator. His first big movies were in the 1970s like "Anand," "Zanjeer," and "Sholay." He became known for being an "angry young man" in his roles. He did lots of successful movies like "Amar Akbar Anthony," "Don," and "Coolie."

He took a break from acting in the 1990s but came back in 2000 with "Mohabbatein." After that, he did many great movies like "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham," "Black," and "Piku." He even acted in a Hollywood movie called "The Great Gatsby."

Amitabh has won many awards for his acting, like the National Film Award and the Filmfare Award. He also got honored by the Indian and French governments for his work. Besides acting, he's been a singer, producer, and TV host. He was even in politics for a while.

He's done a lot of charity work and is a popular face for brands in India. People all around the world like him, especially in countries with Indian communities. In 1999, he was voted the "greatest star of stage or screen" by a BBC poll. TIME magazine called him the "Star of the Millennium" in 2003.

 

Growing Up and Family Background

Bachchan comes from a special family called the Bachchan family. He was born on October 11, 1942, in a city called Allahabad. His dad was a famous poet named Harivansh Rai Bachchan, and his mom, Teji Bachchan, was someone who wanted to help people. Bachchan's dad was really good at speaking different languages like Awadhi, Hindi, and Urdu. His ancestors were from a village called Babupatti in India.

Bachchan's parents were planning to name him "Inquilaab," which means "Revolution" in Hindi, like the word people used a lot during India's fight for freedom. But a poet named Sumitranandan Pant told his dad the name "Amitabh" would be better. Even though his last name was originally "Shrivastava," his dad changed it to "Bachchan" to show he didn't believe in treating people differently because of their background. Bachchan's dad wanted him to study well, so he went to different schools like Boys' High School & College, Sherwood College, and Kirori Mal College.

 

Becoming an Actor

After Bachchan finished school, he wanted to become an actor. He talked to a famous person named Prithviraj Kapoor, who was part of a famous acting family, but Kapoor didn't really encourage him. Bachchan also had some friends who were important in the government, like Rajiv Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi. He spent time with them and their family, even helping Sonia Gandhi when she came to India from Italy. She stayed at his house with his parents before she got married.

Bachchan tried to be a newsreader on the radio but didn't do well in the tryout. He then worked in a company called Bird & Company and did some acting in theaters before he became a famous actor in movies. Some people think that his mom might have influenced him to choose acting because she always said he should be in the spotlight. 

Starting a Career in Acting

In 1969, Amitabh Bachchan began his journey in the film world. At first, he used his voice to narrate in a movie called "Bhuvan Shome," which won an important award. Then, in a film named "Saat Hindustani," he acted for the first time. This movie was made by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas and had seven main characters. Amitabh Bachchan was one of them, along with actors like Utpal Dutt, Anwar Ali, Madhu, and Jalal Agha.

In 1971, Amitabh Bachchan was in a movie called "Anand." He acted alongside Rajesh Khanna, and he played the role of a doctor. This doctor didn't have a positive view of life. Because of his great performance, he won an award called Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. After that, he played a different role where he was a bad guy in the movie "Parwana" (1971). After that, he was in many more movies like "Reshma Aur Shera" (1971). In one movie called "Guddi," he made a short appearance. This movie had his future wife Jaya Bhaduri as the main actress. He also told part of the story in a movie called "Bawarchi." In 1972, he was in a funny movie called "Bombay to Goa," where he played a small part. This movie was directed by S. Ramanathan and did reasonably well in the cinemas. However, most of the movies Amitabh Bachchan acted in during this time didn't do very well. Even a movie called "Sanjog" (1972), in which he acted with Mala Sinha, was not successful at the box office.

 

Bachchan's Journey to Fame (1973–1974)

At first, Bachchan wasn't very successful. People thought he wasn't doing well in the movies. By the time he was 30 years old, he had been in twelve movies that didn't do well, and only two that did okay (one where he was the main actor in Bombay to Goa, and another where he had a smaller role in Anand). Then, in 1973, he got a chance to act in a movie called Bandhe Hath where he played two different characters. This was the first time he played two roles in one movie.

After that, two writers named Salim and Javed saw Bachchan's talent. They came up with a new kind of character for him called the "angry young man." They wrote a story and a movie called Zanjeer, where Bachchan played this role. It was different from the romantic roles most actors were doing at that time. Even though some actors said no to the role because it was so different, Bachchan took it. The movie became really popular, and people liked Bachchan's acting. He was even nominated for an award.

Zanjeer was just the start. Bachchan and Salim-Javed worked together on more movies like Deewaar and Sholay, which were also big hits. Bachchan also worked with other directors and became well-known for his roles where he played characters fighting against unfair situations, like in Zanjeer, Deewaar, Trishul, Kaala Patthar, and Shakti. People saw him as the "angry young man," which meant he represented the frustration and rebellious feelings of many young people in India during the 1970s.

In 1973, Bachchan got married to Jaya, and they acted in a few movies together, like Zanjeer and Abhimaan. One of their movies, Abhimaan, came out just a month after they got married and did well in theaters. He also acted in Namak Haraam and won an award for his supporting role.

In 1974, he appeared in a few movies as a guest, like Kunwara Baap and Dost. Then he played a smaller role in Roti Kapda Aur Makaan, a movie that talked about being honest even when times are tough. It was the top-earning movie of that year. After that, he played the main role in a movie called Majboor, and it also did well in the box office. 

Becoming a Superstar (1975–1988)

Between 1975 and 1988, Amitabh Bachchan became a huge star in the world of movies. During this time, he acted in many different types of films. Some were funny, like "Chupke Chupke," while others were serious, like "Faraar." He also took on romantic roles, like in "Mili." In 1975, two movies he starred in became very important in Indian cinema. They were called "Deewaar" and "Sholay," and they were written by Salim-Javed, who really wanted Bachchan to be in them.

"Deewaar" was directed by Yash Chopra and had actors like Shashi Kapoor, Nirupa Roy, Parveen Babi, and Neetu Singh. In "Sholay," Bachchan played a character named Jaidev. These movies made him even more famous and successful. "Deewaar" and "Sholay" are thought to be the movies that made Bachchan a superstar in India. They came out two years after his first hit movie, "Zanjeer." These movies made him one of the biggest stars in the industry during the 1970s and 1980s.

In 1976, Bachchan acted in a romantic family drama called "Kabhie Kabhie." He played a poet named Amit Malhotra, who fell in love with a girl named Pooja. She ended up marrying someone else, and this was a different kind of role for Bachchan compared to his tough and angry characters in movies like "Zanjeer" and "Deewaar." People liked his performance, and he was nominated for a Filmfare Award for Best Actor.

He also played two roles in a movie called "Adalat" in the same year. In 1977, he won his first Filmfare Best Actor Award for a movie called "Amar Akbar Anthony," where he played the third lead role. This movie was very successful. In that year, he also did well in movies like "Parvarish" and "Khoon Pasina."

He continued to do double roles in movies like "Kasme Vaade" and "Don" in 1978. He played a gang leader and his look-alike in "Don." He was also in other successful movies that year like "Trishul" and "Muqaddar Ka Sikandar."

The year 1979 was also successful for him. He starred in a movie called "Suhaag," which was the highest-earning film of that year. He also did well in movies like "Mr. Natwarlal," "Kaala Patthar," "The Great Gambler," and "Manzil."

He sang a song for the first time in "Mr. Natwarlal," and people liked his performance. He was nominated for awards for his roles in these movies. In 1980, he was nominated again for his roles in movies like "Dostana." This movie was the top-grossing film of that year.

In 1981, he acted alongside his wife Jaya and Rekha in a movie called "Silsila." He was also part of many other successful movies like "Shaan," "Naseeb," "Lawaaris," and "Shakti."

In 1982, he played double roles in a movie called "Satte Pe Satta" and acted in other hit movies like "Namak Halaal" and "Khud-Daar." In 1983, he played three roles in a movie called "Mahaan," but it wasn't as successful as his previous films. He was also in successful movies like "Nastik," "Pukar," and "Andha Kanoon."

Between 1984 and 1987, Bachchan was also involved in politics. During this time, he acted in movies like "Mard" and "Aakhree Raasta," which were big hits. He also made a special appearance in a movie called "Kaun Jeeta Kaun Haara" and sang a song in the movie with Kishore Kumar.

 

Big Incident During a Movie

On a day in July 1982, while Amitabh Bachchan was acting in a movie called Coolie, something very bad happened. He was doing a scene where he had to fight with another actor named Puneet Issar. In this scene, he had to fall on a table and then on the ground. But when he jumped towards the table, he hit his belly on the corner of the table. This hurt him very badly inside. He started to bleed a lot because something inside him called the spleen got hurt.

He needed immediate surgery to fix this problem. He was very sick and had to stay in the hospital for many months. Sometimes, he was very close to dying. Many of his fans were worried about him, so they waited outside the hospital to show their support. People even prayed in temples and offered to give up their own body parts to save him.

After some time, he got better and went back to work on the movie. The director of the movie, Manmohan Desai, changed the ending of the movie. In the original ending, Amitabh Bachchan's character was supposed to die, but they decided to let him live because it wouldn't be right for him to die in the movie after he had just survived a real-life danger. In the movie, there's a scene where he's fighting and then suddenly the video stops, and a message comes up saying that this was the moment when he got hurt.

The movie came out in 1983, and a lot of people went to watch it because they had heard about Amitabh Bachchan's accident. The movie became very popular and made a lot of money that year. 

Health issues

Amitabh Bachchan was diagnosed with Myasthenia gravis, a disease that affects the nerves and muscles. This made him feel weak both mentally and physically. He decided to quit films and venture into politics. He also became pessimistic and thought that all his new films would flop.

 

Career Fluctuations and Sabbatical (1988–1992)

After a three-year stint in politics, Bachchan returned to films in 1988. His comeback film, Shahenshah, was a success. However, his subsequent films were not as successful. He had some hits, such as Aaj Ka Arjun and Hum, but he also had many flops. After the release of Khuda Gawah in 1992, he went into semi-retirement for five years.

 

Business Ventures and Acting Comeback (1996–1999)

During his retirement, Bachchan started a company called Amitabh Bachchan Corporation, Ltd. (ABCL). The company produced the film Tere Mere Sapne, which was a success. However, ABCL also lost money sponsoring the Miss World beauty pageant in 1996. The company went bankrupt and Bachchan had to sell his house to pay off his debts.

Bachchan eventually made a comeback to acting. He had some commercial successes, such as Bade Miyan Chote Miyan and Major Saab. However, he also had some flops, such as Lal Baadshah and Kohram.

Amitabh Bachchan had a lot of challenges in his career. He faced health problems, flops, and financial difficulties. However, he was able to overcome these challenges and continue to be a successful actor. 

Comeback

After a few years of being less active in films, Amitabh Bachchan made a comeback in 2000 with the film Mohabbatein. He played a stern, elder figure who rivalled the character of Shahrukh Khan. His role won him his third Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor.

He continued to act in a range of characters in the following years, including a deaf-blind girl's teacher in Black (2005), a ghost in Bhoothnath (2008), and a father with progeria in Paa (2009). His performance in Black won him his second National Film Award for Best Actor.

In recent years, Bachchan has continued to act in a variety of films, including Piku (2015), Pink (2016), and 102 Not Out (2018). He has also made his Hollywood debut in The Great Gatsby (2013) and Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy (2019).

Bachchan is considered one of the greatest actors in Hindi cinema. He has won numerous awards, including four National Film Awards and 12 Filmfare Awards. He is also a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award.

Here are some of his most notable films:

* Sholay (1975)

* Deewaar (1975)

* Zanjeer (1973)

* Agneepath (1990)

* Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001)

* Black (2005)

* Paa (2009)

* Piku (2015)

* Pink (2016)

* 102 Not Out (2018)

 

Bachchan is a true legend of Hindi cinema. He has entertained audiences for decades with his amazing acting skills. He is an inspiration to many and continues to be a force to be reckoned with in the film industry.

 

Television Shows

Amitabh Bachchan has appeared in many TV shows. He hosted the first season of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), the Indian adaptation of the British game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? The show was very popular and he has hosted every season since then. He also hosted the third season of the reality show Bigg Boss.

In 2014, he played the lead role in the fictional TV series Yudh. Bachchan is known for his deep, baritone voice and has done voice-over work for many movies, including Satyajit Ray's Shatranj Ke Khiladi and Ashutosh Gowarikar's Lagaan.

Here is a list of movies for which he has done voice-over work:

* Bhuvan Shome (1969)

* Bawarchi (1972)

* Balika Badhu (1975)

* Tere Mere Sapne (1996)

* Hello Brother (1999)

* Lagaan (2001)

* Fun2shh... Dudes in the 10th Century (2003)

* Parineeta (2005)

* March of the Penguins (2005), Indian version

* Jodhaa Akbar (2008)

* Swami (2007)

* Zor Lagaa Ke...Haiya! (2009)

* Ra.One (2011)

* Kahaani (2012)

* Krrish 3 (2013)

* Mahabharat (2013)

* Kochadaiiyaan (Hindi Version) (2014)

* CBI documentary (2014)

* The Ghazi Attack (2017)

* Firangi (2017)

 

Business Ventures

In the 1990s, Amitabh Bachchan started a company called Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Ltd (ABCL). The company produced films, organized events, and distributed movies. However, the company was not successful and went bankrupt. This left Bachchan in a lot of debt.

One of the reasons for ABCL's failure was that it produced some movies that were not successful, such as "Mrityudata" and "Major Saab". The company also organized the Miss World 1996 pageant, but it was not a financial success.

Due to ABCL's bankruptcy, Bachchan had to work hard to pay off his debts. He started working in television and asked Yash Chopra for work. He has also invested in other businesses, such as Just Dial and Stampede Capital.

In recent years, Bachchan has been more successful in his business ventures. He has made a lot of money from his investments and is no longer in debt. 

Political Venture

Amitabh Bachchan entered politics in 1984, when he was elected to the Lok Sabha (the lower house of the Indian parliament) from the Allahabad constituency. He won by a large margin, with 68.2% of the votes. However, he resigned from his seat in 1987, after his brother Ajitabh Bachchan was linked to the Bofors scandal.

In the 1990s, Bachchan was helped by his friend Amar Singh during a financial crisis caused by the failure of his company, ABCL. Bachchan then started supporting the Samajwadi Party, the political party to which Amar Singh belonged. His wife, Jaya Bachchan, also joined the party and served as an MP in the Rajya Sabha (the upper house of the Indian parliament).

Bachchan has been accused of using the slogan "blood for blood" in the context of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He has denied the allegation, and in 2014 he was summoned by a court in Los Angeles for "allegedly instigating violence against the Sikh community". Bachchan offered to fight the case in court and asked the accusers to file the same as also present proof.

Bachchan has also been accused of being banned by the film press during the emergency years for his family's friendship with Indira Gandhi. He has denied this allegation as well.

Overall, Amitabh Bachchan's political career has been a controversial one. He has been accused of corruption and of being involved in scandals. However, he has also been praised for his work with the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation and for his support of the Samajwadi Party.

 

Humanitarian and Social Causes

Amitabh Bachchan is a well-known actor who has also been involved in many social causes. He has donated money to help farmers who are in debt, and he has also helped to build a medical center in Kochi. He has also donated money to the family of a policeman who died while protesting against gang rape.

Bachchan was made a UNICEF goodwill ambassador in 2002, and he has also donated money to Plan India, which works to help young girls in India. He has also donated money to the Maharashtra Police Welfare Fund.

Bachchan has also been involved in campaigns to save tigers and elephants. He has also lent his voice and image to a software program that teaches people about HIV/AIDS prevention. He has also been a vocal supporter of the Swachh Bharat Mission, which is a campaign to clean up India.

In 2020, Bachchan helped the Indian government promote its public health message about COVID-19. He himself was infected with the virus, but he recovered. During the pandemic, he donated oxygen concentrators and money to help people in need.

Amitabh Bachchan is a famous actor who is also a kind and generous person. He has used his fame and fortune to help others in need.

Here are some of the social causes that Amitabh Bachchan has supported:

* Helping farmers who are in debt

* Building a medical center in Kochi

* Helping the family of a policeman who died while protesting against gang rape

* Being a UNICEF goodwill ambassador

* Donating money to Plan India

* Donating money to the Maharashtra Police Welfare Fund

* Saving tigers and elephants

* Teaching people about HIV/AIDS prevention

* Supporting the Swachh Bharat Mission

* Promoting public health messages about COVID-19

* Donating oxygen concentrators and money to help people in need

 

Personal Life

Amitabh Bachchan is married to actress Jaya Bhaduri. They have been married for over 50 years and have two children together: Abhishek, an actor, and Shweta, an author, journalist, and former model. Abhishek is married to actress Aishwarya Rai, and they have a daughter named Aaradhya. Shweta is married to businessman Nikhil Nanda, and they have a daughter named Navya Naveli and a son named Agastya.

Amitabh's younger brother Ajitabh is a businessman. He has three daughters and one son. His wife Ramola is a fashion designer.

Amitabh Bachchan was rumored to have had an extramarital affair with actress Rekha in the 1970s and 1980s. However, both of them have denied these rumors.

 

Legacy

Amitabh Bachchan is one of the greatest and most influential actors in the history of Indian cinema. He is known for his memorable performances and charismatic screen presence. He is also considered one of the most respected public figures in India.

Bachchan has been honored with many awards and accolades, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan, India's highest civilian awards. He has also been named one of the "top 25 Asian actors of all time" by CNN.

Bachchan is a cultural icon in India. He has been featured in comic books, wax museums, and even has a waterfall named after him. He is an inspiration to many people, and his legacy will continue to live on for generations to come.

Here are some specific examples of Bachchan's legacy:

* He was voted the "greatest star of stage or screen" in a BBC Your Millennium online poll.

* He was named "the Undisputed Godfather of Bollywood" by TIME magazine.

* He was honored with a special tribute at the Walter Reade Theater of Lincoln Center in New York.

* He was the first living Asian to have been modeled in wax at London's Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.

* He has been named to the list of CNN's "top 25 Asian actors of all time".

* He was named "Hottest Vegetarian male" by PETA India.

* A government senior secondary school in Saifai, Etawah is called Amitabh Bachchan Government Inter College.

* There is a waterfall in Sikkim known as Amitabh Bachchan Falls.

Bachchan's legacy is a testament to his talent, his dedication, and his impact on Indian cinema and culture. He is a true icon, and his work will continue to be enjoyed by people for many years to come.

 

Amitabh Bachchan is one of the greatest and most influential actors in the history of Indian cinema. He is respected by critics for his memorable performances and charismatic screen presence. He is also considered one of the most respected public figures in India.

Bachchan is known by many names, including "Shahenshah of Bollywood", "Star of the Millennium", and "Big B". He has inspired many great and successful Indian cinema actors for many generations.

In 1999, Bachchan was voted the "greatest star of stage or screen" in a BBC Your Millennium online poll. In October 2003, TIME magazine dubbed him as "the Undisputed Godfather of Bollywood". In April 2005, The Walter Reade Theater of Lincoln Center in New York honored Bachchan with a special tribute, retrospective—titled "Amitabh Bachchan: The Biggest Film Star in the World".

Bachchan is a true legend of Indian cinema. He has been honored and recognized by many organizations and individuals around the world. He is a true inspiration to many people, and his legacy will continue to live on for many years to come.

Here are some specific examples of Bachchan's legacy:

* He was the first living Asian to have been modelled in wax at London's Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.

* He was named to CNN's "top 25 Asian actors of all time".

* He was named "Hottest Vegetarian male" by PETA India.

* A government senior secondary school in Saifai, Etawah is called Amitabh Bachchan Government Inter College.

* There is a waterfall in Sikkim known as Amitabh Bachchan Falls.

In 2022, on the occasion of Bachchan's 80th birthday, not-for-profit organization Film Heritage Foundation announced a film festival as a part of his 11 films collection had screened in 17 cities across the country shown in limited movies theatres.

 

Biographies

Several books have been written about Bachchan. The following is the listing of books focused on his life career:

Amitabh Bachchan: the Legend was published in 1999,

To be or not to be: Amitabh Bachchan in 2004,

AB: The Legend (A Photographer's Tribute) in 2006,

Amitabh Bachchan: Ek Jeevit Kimvadanti in 2006,

Amitabh: The Making of a Superstar in 2006,

Looking for the Big B: Bollywood, Bachchan and Me in 2007 and

Bachchanalia in 2009

 

Awards & Honors

Amitabh Bachchan has won many awards for his work in the Indian film industry. He has won 4 National Film Awards, 16 Filmfare Awards, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, which is the highest honor in Indian cinema. He has also received several international awards, including the Actor of the Century award at the Alexandria International Film Festival and the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Asian Film Awards.

In addition to his acting awards, Bachchan has also received several honors for his contributions to Indian society. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1984, the Padma Bhushan in 2001, the Padma Vibhushan in 2015, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2019. He was also awarded the Knight of the Legion of Honor by the French government in 2007.

Bachchan is a true legend of Indian cinema and his contributions to the industry are immense. He is an inspiration to actors all over the world and his work will continue to be enjoyed for many years to come.

Here are some of the awards and honors that Amitabh Bachchan has received:

* National Film Awards: Best Actor (1977, 1982, 1990, 2006)

* Filmfare Awards: Best Actor (1978, 1979, 1984, 1992, 2006)

* Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2019)

* Padma Shri (1984)

* Padma Bhushan (2001)

* Padma Vibhushan (2015)

* Knight of the Legion of Honor (2007)

* Order of Afghanistan (1991)

* Rashtriya Kishore Kumar Samman (2002-2003)