Amitabh Bachchan
Indian actor, playback singer, and producer in Hindi cinema.
Amitabh Bachchan (né Srivastava; born 11 October 1942) is an Indian actor, playback singer, and producer who primarily works in Hindi cinema. Widely considered one of the greatest, most accomplished and commercially successful actors in the history of Indian cinema, he has starred in over 200 films. His dominance in the Indian film industry during the 1970s–80s led French director François Truffaut to describe him as a 'one-man industry.'
- born
- 11 October 1942, Allahabad (now Prayagraj), India
- field
- Actor, playback singer, producer
- nationality
- Indian
- known_for
- Angry Young Man persona, dominance in 1970s–80s Hindi cinema, host of Kaun Baneg
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Bachchan was born on 11 October 1942 in Allahabad (now Prayagraj) to Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan and social activist Teji Bachchan. His parents initially planned to name him Inquilaab, but poet Sumitranandan Pant suggested the name Amitabh. His father, who opposed the caste system, adopted the pen name Bachchan, which became the family surname when his parents decided it for school admission. Bachchan attended Sherwood College in Nainital and Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1962. He worked as a business executive for Bird & Company in Kolkata and in theatre before his film career. His film career began in 1969 as a voice narrator in Mrinal Sen's National Award–winning film Bhuvan Shome. After early struggles—only two successes as a lead in Bombay to Goa and a supporting role in Anand—he gained prominence with Zanjeer (1973), a crime film that established his 'angry young man' persona, conceived by screenwriter duo Salim–Javed. They insisted on casting Bachchan after several actors turned down the role. He consistently starred in top-grossing Hindi films from the mid-1970s to the 1980s, including Deewaar, Sholay, Amar Akbar Anthony, Don, and Coolie. After a break in the 1990s, his resurgence began with Mohabbatein (2000), followed by successful films such as Black, Piku, Pink, and Kalki 2898 AD. He also appeared in the Hollywood film The Great Gatsby (2013), playing a non-Indian Jewish character.
Reader's Guide
Amitabh Bachchan's significance lies in his unparalleled impact on Indian cinema over six decades. He is a recipient of seven National Film Awards and seventeen Filmfare Awards, and holds the record for four National Film Awards in the Best Actor category. He is the most nominated performer at Filmfare with 34 nominations in Best Actor and 42 overall. The Government of India honored him with the Padma Shri (1984), Padma Bhushan (2001), Padma Vibhushan (2015), and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2018). France awarded him the Officer of the Legion of Honour in 2007. In 1999, he was voted the 'greatest star of stage or screen' in the BBC Your Millennium online users poll. Time magazine called him the 'undisputed godfather of Bollywood' in October 2003. Beyond acting, he has worked as a playback singer, film producer, and television presenter, notably hosting several seasons of Kaun Banega Crorepati, the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. He also entered politics for a time in the 1980s and has been involved in humanitarian work. His legacy includes a large overseas following among the South Asian diaspora in Africa, the Middle East, the UK, Russia, Central Asia, the Caribbean, Oceania, Canada, and the US.
Did You Know?
- Bachchan's parents initially planned to name him Inquilaab, inspired by the phrase 'Inquilab Zindabad' used during the Indian independence struggle.
- He was voted the 'greatest star of stage or screen' in the BBC Your Millennium online users poll in 1999.
- Bachchan received Sonia Gandhi at Palam International Airport on 13 January 1968, before her marriage to Rajiv Gandhi.
- He failed the audition to become a newsreader for All India Radio in Delhi before starting his film career.
- Bachchan played a non-Indian Jewish character in the Hollywood film The Great Gatsby (2013).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Amitabh Bachchan?
Amitabh Bachchan is an Indian actor, playback singer, and producer who has worked almost exclusively in Hindi-language cinema. He is broadly regarded as one of the most accomplished and commercially successful performers in the entire history of Indian film.
What is Amitabh Bachchan most famous for?
He is best remembered for his iconic 'Angry Young Man' roles that defined Hindi cinema through the 1970s and 1980s, a stretch of dominance so complete that French director François Truffaut called him a 'one-man industry.' He is also widely recognized as the long-running host of the Indian quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati.
When and where was Amitabh Bachchan born?
He was born on 11 October 1942 in Allahabad (now Prayagraj), India. His birth surname was Srivastava before he later became known by the Bachchan name.
How many films has Amitabh Bachchan appeared in?
Across a career spanning several decades, he has starred in more than 200 Hindi-language films, making him one of the most prolific leading men in Indian cinema.
Why is Amitabh Bachchan considered so important in Bollywood history?
His near-total command of the Indian box office during the 1970s and 1980s turned him into a cultural symbol whose on-screen persona voiced the frustrations of an entire generation. That level of influence was recognized even outside India, with Truffaut's 'one-man industry' remark cementing his status as a singular force in global cinema.
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