Amitabh Bachchan, born on October 11, 1942, in Allahabad (now Prayagraj), India, is a legendary Indian actor, film producer, television host, occasional playback singer, and former politician.
His contributions to Hindi cinema have spanned over five decades, and he is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished and influential actors in the history of Indian cinema.
Here is a summary of key points from the provided information:
Early Life and Education:
- Born as Amitabh Srivastava, he is the son of Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan and social activist Teji Bachchan.
- His birthplace is Allahabad (now Prayagraj).
- His education includes Sherwood College, Nainital, and Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1962.
Acting Career:
- Bachchan’s film career started in 1969 with a voice narration in Mrinal Sen’s film Bhuvan Shome.
- Early popular films in the early 1970s include “Anand,” “Zanjeer,” “Deewaar,” and “Sholay.”
- Coined as the “angry young man” of Bollywood, he gained immense stardom during the 1970s and 1980s.
- Collaborated with scriptwriters Salim-Javed for iconic films like “Zanjeer,” “Deewaar,” and “Sholay.”
- Notable films from his career include “Amar Akbar Anthony,” “Don,” “Trishul,” “Muqaddar Ka Sikander,” “Sharaabi,” “Coolie,” and “Agneepath.”
- Resurgence in 2000 with films like “Mohabbatein,” followed by successful and acclaimed works like “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham,” “Black,” “Piku,” and “Badla.”
Awards and Honors:
- Winner of numerous accolades, including four National Film Awards for Best Actor.
- Sixteen Filmfare Awards, with 34 nominations in the Best Actor category and 42 nominations overall.
- Honored by the Government of India with the Padma Shri (1984), Padma Bhushan (2001), and Padma Vibhushan (2015).
- Awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2018 for his contributions to the arts.
- Knight of the Legion of Honour by the Government of France in 2007.
Other Endeavors:
- Apart from acting, Bachchan has worked as a playback singer, film producer, and television presenter.
- Hosted several seasons of the game show “Kaun Banega Crorepati.”
- Entered politics briefly in the 1980s.
- Involved in humanitarian works and is a prominent brand endorser.
- Holds a significant overseas following, especially among the South Asian diaspora.
Personal Life:
- Married to Jaya Bhaduri, whom he starred alongside in several films.
- Has two children, son Abhishek Bachchan and daughter Shweta Bachchan Nanda.
Notable Incidents:
- Faced a near-fatal injury on the set of “Coolie” in 1982.
- Diagnosed with Myasthenia gravis, leading to a temporary retirement from films.
- Experienced a career fluctuation in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Later Career:
- Returned to films in 1996 after a temporary retirement period.
- Launched the Amitabh Bachchan Corporation, Ltd. (ABCL) in 1996, which faced financial troubles.
- Successfully revived his acting career in the late 1990s and early 2000s with films like “Mohabbatein,” “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham,” and “Baghban.”
- Received critical acclaim for his role in “Black” (2005) and continued to deliver successful performances.
Recent Years:
- Continued to be active in the film industry in the 2000s and 2010s with films like “Paa,” “Piku,” and “Badla.”
Amitabh Bachchan’s career is a remarkable journey in the Indian film industry, marked by iconic performances, accolades, and a lasting impact on Bollywood.