Amitabh Bachchan Biography
Son of well known poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Teji Bachchan. He has a brother named Ajitabh. He completed his education from Uttar Pradesh and moved to Bombay to find work as a film star, in vain though, as film-makers preferred someone with a fairer skin, and he was not quite fair enough. But they did use one of his other assets – his deep baritone voice – which was used for narration and background commentary. He was successful in being cast in Saat Hindustani. He got his break in Bollywood after a letter of introduction from the then Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi, as he was a friend of her son Rajiv Gandhi. This is how Amitabh made an entry in Bollywood, starting with Zanjeer, co-starred with his future wife-to-be Jaya Bhaduri, and since then there has been no looking back. He married Jaya Bhaduri, an actress in her own rights, he has two kids, Shweta and Abhishek. Shweta has been married, lives a non-filmy life and has a child. Being friends with Rajiv Gandhi, got him to decide to run for seat in the Congress from his hometown but had to leave midterm because of controversies, particularly after Rajiv and he were implicated in the now infamous “Bofors” case along with the U.K. based Hinduja Brothers. After a four year break, he was back in the unsuccessful Mrityudaata (1997), a comeback which the actor wanted to forget. Critics written him off but his career was saved with Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998). But four flops in 1999 and incurring debt of over 90 Crores rupees of his sinking company ABCL saw him at an all-time low. To make matters worse, after the defeat of the Congress party, Amitabh lost considerable political support, the opposition made him a target, and his credit rating deteriorated to such an extent that a leading nationalized bank, Canara Bank, sued him for outstanding loans. He did bounce back, presenting the Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire called “Kaun Banega Crorepati?” (2000). After a series of hits with Mohabbatein (2000), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham… (2001) and Baghban (2003) and his most recent Khakee (2004), a 60 plus Bachchan is showing no signs of slowing down and proving the critics wrong once again.His son Abhishek is also an actor by his own rights. Amitabh and Jaya were interested in getting Abhishek married to Karishma Kapoor, the daughter of Babita and Randhi Kapoor, they went through a formal engagement, but later broke it off.Now Ajitabh and the rest of the family have recently consulted an astrologer and compared the astrological charts of former Miss World and Bollywood actress, Aishwarya Rai, with that of Abhishek, hoping that they are compatible, and if so, Amitabh may get his only son married around September, 2006. However, a number of events contributed to the delay, as prayers and Havans were performed to remove any doubts about Aishwarya being a Manglik, and finally both youngsters were formally engaged on Sunday January 14, 2007, at the Bachchan residence in Juhu, Bombay, with the marriage taking place at the Bachchan residence on April 20, 2007.Currently, he is one of the most busiest actors and singers in Bollywood as well as on TV, as can be seen from the commercials that he appears on, especially on Sahara One. Looks like there are no limits for this super-star and once the “Angry Young Man”. of Bollywood.
Amitabh Bachchan Trivia
Arguably India’s greatest ever superstar.
He launched a multi-faceted commercial enterprise known simply as Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited, or ABCL. ABCL is engaged in production, distribution and all other aspects of the movie industry.
Had a very close association with the former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her son Rajiv Gandhi (also Prime Minister) and he was elected to parliament with a huge majority from his home town of Allahabad. But his stint in politics did not last long and he was implicated in the infamous Swedish Bofors Gun deal scandal along with Rajiv Gandhi, the U.K. based Hinduja brothers, and others.
Was one of the judges for the 1995 Miss World beauty pageant.
While filming Coolie (1983/I) he received a near fatal injury. He was hospitalised and the Indian press issued daily bulletins on his health.
Was a former stage actor, radio announcer and freight company executive in Calcutta, India.
Went to Sherwood College, a boarding school in the hill-station town of Nainital, and from there to Delhi University where he earned a double MA degree.
When he was just trying to get a break in movies he was told to soften his ‘deep’ voice. However it was soon realised that his deep rich voice was excellent for narration. He has provided narrations for several films.
Suffered from a rare muscular disorder known as myasthenia gravis.
Father of Abhishek Bachchan
Is a vegetarian
Presenter of Kaun Banega Crorepati, India’s version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire
The first Asian actor having a wax model of his likeness displayed at Madame Tussaud’s in London, UK
Highest paid Bollywood actor in the film industry.
Was named Actor of the Millennium in a BBC News Poll ahead of such luminaries as Charlie Chaplin, Sir Lawrence Olivier, and Marlon Brando.
Was considered ‘finished’ in the late nineties after super star status for 20 years, a string of flops and failed political and business ambitions. But made an unexpected comeback as host of the popular TV quiz series “Kaun Banega Crorepati?” (2000) which put him right back on the number one spot of Bollywood actors over 40, reaffirming his reputation as the living legend of Indian cinema with a new series of high profile films (Mohabbatein (2000), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham… (2001) etc.)
Formed a popular screen couple with Rekha
He also sung in many movies such as Laawaris, Toofan and Silsila.
Became a grandfather in 1997 when his daughter Shweta gave birth to a daughter, Navya Naveli Nanda.
Works with the Indian government’s media campaign to publicize the National Immunization Days and encourage people to take their children to be vaccinated against polio and other deadly diseases.
Son of Harivansh Rai Bachchan, who passed away in January 2003.
Suffers from asthma.
His favourite screen name is Vijay, which he had as his character name in over 20 movies.
His father Harivansh Rai Bachchan was considering naming him ‘Inquilab’ (which means ‘revolution’) before settling down for Amitabh which means ‘brilliance unlimited’.
On his 61st birthday, he relaunched ABCL as AB Corp. ABCL had to be closed after debts of more than millions of rupees. However, Amitabh has decided to relaunch it with a name change.
Actress Nirupa Roy is mostly cast as his mother and last time she featured was in Lal Baadshah (1999).
Has a double M.A. (Master of Arts) degree.
The facial caricature of the Indian comic book character ‘Supremo’ is based upon him.
Following a near fatal accident while shooting Coolie (1983/I), during which he suffered internal bleeding and required 17 bottles of blood, he became a champion for the cause of encouraging more people to donate blood.
Singer Sudesh Bhonsle dubs his voice for playback songs in many movies.
At the age of 58, he jumped from a height of 30 feet, along with co-star Manoj Bajpai, for his 2001 movie Aks (2001).
In 1996, he released an album called “Aby Baby”. This album was released under ABCL and featured songs like “Eer Bir Phatte” and remixes of his songs from his early movies “O Saathi Re” and “Kabhi Kabhi”. “Eer Bir Phatte” was inspired by one of his famous dialogues in his movie _Adalat (1976/I)_ .
In 1984, he was honored by the Indian government with the Padma Shri Award for his outstanding contribution to the Hindi film industry.
He is the only actor who achieved at least one hit every year for 15 consecutive years – from 1972 in Bombay to Goa (1972) to 1986 in Aakhree Raasta (1986).
He has played double and triple roles in a number of films. His double role starrers include _Adalat (1976/I)_ , Don (1978), Kasme Vaade (1978), The Great Gambler (1979), _Bemisaal (1982)_ , Desh Premee (1982), Satte Pe Satta (1982), Aakhree Raasta (1986), Toofan (1989), Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998), Lal Baadshah (1999) and Sooryavansham (1999). Mahaan (1983) had the superstar in a triple role.
He was closely associated with Indira Gandhi, the former Indian Prime Minister, and her son, Rajiv Gandhi. It was Mrs. Gandhi who wrote a letter of introduction for Amitabh, and that’s how he got his break in Bollywood.
He was the original choice to play a role in Aapko Pehle Bhi Kahin Dekha Hai (2003), which he declined and was finally played by Om Puri
His survival and his success could in short be termed best in his wife’s own words that “Amit ji is a loner !”
Although Amitabh Bachchan’s Immaan Dharam (1977) proved to be a disaster, the producer went ahead and announced Asmaan with Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha, with Mohan Kumar in the director’s seat. Salim-Javed, who had penned the script of Immaan Dharam, were scripting Asmaan as well. However, the film was shelved subsequently.
Rakesh Kumar, who had directed Khoon Pasina (1977), Mr. Natwarlal (1979), Do Aur Do Paanch (1980) and Yaarana (1981), had turned producer and announced Charlie, with Amitabh Bachchan enacting the title role. Padmini Kolhapure had been cast opposite the Big B. However, the project never got made.
Amitabh Bachchan and Dilip Kumar were seen on screen for the first time in Ramesh Sippy’s Shakti (1982). But much before Shakti happened, Eagle Films had signed Dilip Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan and Amjad Khan for their new project, which was to be directed by Yash Chopra. However, the project did not materialize subsequently.
In 1976 Amitabh Bachchan was to star in Manoj Kumar’s Naya Bharat, alongside Amitabh it was also supposed to star Manoj Kumar, Hema Malini, Rajesh Khanna, Shashi Kapoor, Shatrughan Sinha, Zeenat Aman and Rishi Kapoor. The film was shelved subsequently.
Amitabh Bachchan, Parveen Babi, Mithun Chakraborty and Rati Agnihotri were teamed in Tala Chabi, produced by Romu Sippy and directed by Raj N. Sippy. One of the foremost character actors then, Pran, had been signed to enact the main villain’s role. An official announcement was made in April 1982. The movie never took off.
Amitabh Bachchan was supposed to play one of the lead roles in Shashi Kapoor’s Utsav (1984) however; Amitabh opted out of the film. Shashi Kapoor replaced him.
Amitabh Bachchan was the first choice of Rakesh Roshan’s King Uncle (1993). But since the actor wasn’t signing films then, Roshan opted for Jackie Shroff.
Prakash Mehra was planning on making Chankaya Chanddragupta and had signed Amitabh Bachchan for the main role. The movie was shelved.
Vidhu Vinod Chopra wanted Amitabh Bachchan to play the lead role of Inspector Inayat Khan in Mission Kashmir (2000). The reason why Amitabh Bachchan declined the role was because of his commitment to Yash Chopra’s Mohabbatein (2000).
Kader Khan wanted to direct him as the lead hero in Jaahil, unfortunately the movie was never made.
He hates the word Bollywood, the word that describes the Hindi film industry.
Is teetotal
On 31 October 2006, he shocked the unit of a forthcoming movie Shootout at Lokhandwala by recording 23 scenes in 5 hours. Achieving this feat was unheard of.
His daughter, Shweta, is married to Nikhil Nanda, who is the grandson of Raj Kapoor. (Raj Kapoor’s daughter, Ritu, took on the last name of Nanda when she married Rajan).
His daughter, Shweta, was born on March 17th.