By Our Special Correspondent
The Angry Young Man of India
Amitabh Bachchan was born October 11, 1942 Allahabad India. He is Indian film Actor, perhaps the most popular star in the history of India’s cinema, known primarily for his roles in action films.
Originally from Uttar Pradesh, the actor took the Bollywood industry by storm in the 1970s and early 80s with movies like Anand, Zanjeer, Deewar, and Amar Akbar Anthony. His performances revolutionized the image of protagonists in the industry and Amitabh Bachchan, due to his movie roles, was popularly referred to as "the angry young man" of India.
Early Life
Originally named Inquilab Shrivastava, Amitabh Bachchan was born in British-ruled India to famous poet Harivansh Rai "Bachchan" and Teji Bachchan on 11th October 1942, in Allahabad. His name was later changed to Amitabh and he adopted his father`s pen name "Bachchan" as his surname. Five years later, Amitabh Bachchan was blessed with a younger brother, Ajitabh. Amitabh Bachchan attended the Sherwood College in Nainital and followed it up with a bachelor`s of arts degree from the Kirori Mal College, Delhi University.
Personal Life
Amitabh Bachchan was born to famous Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan and social activist Teji Bachchan, whom he lost in 2003 and 2007 respectively.
The two got married and were soon blessed with two children- Abhishek Bachchan and Shweta Bachchan-Nanda. Abhishek Bachchan is a prominent Bollywood actor who is married to former Miss World, Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. The iconic Bollywood couple has a daughter. Big B`s daughter Shweta Bachchan-Nanda is married to industrialist Nikhil Nanda, and the couple has two children.
Early Career
Bachchan made his film debut in 1969, as a voice narrator in Mrinal Sen's National Award-winning film His first acting role was as one of the seven protagonists in the film Saat Hindustani, directed by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas and featuring Utpal Dutt, Anwar Ali (brother of comedian Mehmood), Madhu and Jalal Agha. Anand (1971) followed, in which Bachchan starred alongside Rajesh Khanna. His role as a doctor with a cynical view of life garnered Bachchan his first Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. He then played his first antagonist role as an infatuated lover-turned-murderer in Parwana (1971). Following Parwana were several films including Reshma Aur Shera (1971). During this time, he made a guest appearance in the film Guddi which starred his future wife Jaya Bhaduri.
Rise to stardom
Amitabh Bachchan set the industry on fire with his lead role in Prakash Mehra`s 1971 hit film Zanjeer. His stunning performance as an angry inspector was in stark contrast to the prevalent romantic heroes that dominated the protagonists` roles in Bollywood. He earned the title "the angry young man of India" and his rise to the top was well underway. He later appeared in the musical romantic film (1973). The actor went on to star in numerous successful movies across various genres and earned awards for several of them. In 1975, the superstar featured in two blockbusters, widely considered to be two of the greatest films in the history of Indian cinema- Yash Chopra`s Deewar and Ramesh Sippy`s Sholay
The versatile superstar won critical acclaim for his performance as a romantic hero in Yash Chopra`s Kabhi Kabhie and for his role in the 1977 mega-hit Amar Akbar Anthony. The angry young man of Bollywood also mastered playing double roles, most notably in movies like Adalat, Kasme Vaade, and the award-winning Don. The roles and awards kept coming in for the Bollywood sensation and he was even nominated for Filmfare`s `Best Male Playback Singer` for his vocal performance in the 1979 film Mr. Natwaral.
Awards, honours and legacy
Apart from industry awards won for his performances throughout the years, Bachchan has received several honours for his achievements in the Indian film industry. In 1991, he became the first artist to receive the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, which was established in the name of Raj Kapoor. Bachchan was crowned as Superstar of the Millennium in 2000 at the Filmfare Awards.
In 2001, he was honoured with the Actor of the Century award at the Alexandria International Film Festival in Egypt in recognition of his contribution to the world of cinema. Many other honours for his achievements were conferred upon him at several International Film Festivals, including the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2010 Asian Film Awards.
In June 2000, he became the first living Asian to have been modeled in wax at London's Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. Another statue was installed in New York in 2009, Hong Kong in 2011, Bangkok in 2011, Washington, DC in 2012, and Delhi, in 2017. And etc.
Interesting Facts of Amitabh:
He began his career in films in 1969 as a voice narrator in Mrinal Sen’s ‘Bhuvan Shome’. Director Satyajit Ray also used his voice in his 1977 film ‘Shatranj Ke Khiladi’.
Big B had made his debut as an actor in 1969 with Khwaja Ahmad Abbas’s ‘Saat Hindustani’.
Amitabh Bachchan tried to become a radio presenter before trying his luck in Bollywood but he was rejected by All India Radio, Delhi.
He was also rejected during his first audition for films because he was too tall.
Mehmood had offered Amitabh a place to stay in his house during the latter’s days of struggle.
Sunil Dutt signed him for a mute’s role in ‘Reshma Aur Shera’ because of a letter of introduction from the then PM Indira Gandhi to friend Nargis.
Amitabh had 12 consecutive flops from 1969 to 1973 before delivering his first hit, ‘Zanjeer’.
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