Celebrating his 79th birthday, Amitabh Bachchan shared a post on Instagram of his photo with the caption “Walking into 80’s”, but quickly his daughter Shweta Bachchan corrected him by commenting “79th”. This showed the lovely bonding between father and daughter.
Big B is regarded as the most influential personality in the whole film industry. He has acted in around 175 films completing his 52 years in Bollywood. He has also been recognized by the nicknames like “The Angry Young Man,” “Shenshah,” “Big B.” He is an actor and a film director, singer, writer, and television host. He hosts the most popular television show, “Kaun Banega Crorepati.” He gained popularity in the 1970s for his films like Zanjeer, Sholay, Deewar.
He started his film career in 1969 as a voice narrator in the film Bhuvan Shome. He also appeared in Hollywood and acted in movies like The Great Gatsby and Baz Luhrmann’s. Once Amitabh Bachchan tried to become a radio presenter before entering into acting but was rejected by the All India Radio, Delhi. He played double roles more than any other actor.
He played a triple role in the Movie ‘Mahan’ Amitabh Bachchan is ambidextrous, can write with both hands. The Big B is passionate about collecting watches and pens. Once president of Germany gifted him a pen.
The Government Of India honored him with the Padma Shri in 1984, Padma Vibhushan in 2015, and Padma Bhushan in 2001. He won many awards in the Bollywood industry with 16 Filmfare awards, the National Film Award as Best Actor, and the DadaSaheb Phalke Awards. He once said that he had struggled a lot in his 30’s. He consistently gave 12 flops and was considered a flop newcomer, but he put the feather in his cap after two consecutive hits.
After that, he was considered the best actor in the 1980’s. He is the most nominated performer with 42 nominations overall. His super hit movies includes Piku, Mohabbatein, Namak Halal, Andhaa Kanoon, Coolie, Sholay, Baghban, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Lawaris, Naseeb, Muqaddar ka Sikandar, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gum, Amar Akbar Anthony. He was one of the judges of the World Beauty Pageant in 1995.
Big B took a break from his acting career and joined politics to support his friend, Rajiv Gandhi. His political career, however, was short-lived. After three years of calling it a ‘cesspool ,’ he resigned from politics. Due to his deep and baritone voice, he has given voice-over to many movies like Balika Badhu, Lagaan, Jodhaa Akbar, Krrish 3, The Ghazi Attack, Mahabharat, Swami, etc.
He was honored as “Hottest Vegetarian” by PETA and ‘Asia’s Sexiest Vegetarian’ by PETA Asia. In the poll conducted by BBC News, Amitabh Bachchan had won the title of ‘Best Actor of the Millenium,’ defeating the stars like Marlon Brando and Charlie Chaplin.
He also contributed to many humanitarian causes and also donated millions to the people in distress. He has been a brand ambassador for the “Swachh Bharat Mission” and appeared in many social campaigns and advertisements. Amitabh Bachchan himself wrote a book Soul Curry For You and Me: An Empowering Philosophy That Can Enrich Your Life”. There are several biographies written on him. His only black and white film were ‘Saat Hindustani.’
He was born to Harivansh Rai Bachchan, a Hindi poet, and his mother, Social Activist Teji Bachchan. His real surname is Shrivastava, but he uses his father’s pen name, ‘Bachchan.’ Big B lives with his wife Jaya Bachchan, his son Abhishek Bachchan. She is also an actor, his daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai and his daughter Shweta Bachchan.
Big B is the very first Asian actor to get a wax statue Madame Tussauds in London. Amidst the old age, the Big B is still considered one of the finest actors Bollywood ever had. Wishing him a Happy Birthday!
Edited by Urvashi Gupta
