Profile
Amitabh Bachchan: The Shahenshah of Bollywood
India's most celebrated screen legend, born on 11 October 1942
Born in Allahabad (today's Prayagraj) on 11 October 1942, Amitabh Bachchan is the son of the Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan. His deep, booming voice is now one of the most famous in India, yet early in his career it was reportedly turned down by All India Radio. After a slow start in films, he became a star with Zanjeer in 1973, playing a brooding police officer who fights injustice. That role created the image of the 'angry young man' that defined his career.
In 1975 alone he starred in two of the most important films in Indian history, Deewaar and Sholay, and classics such as Amar Akbar Anthony and Don followed. In 1982 he suffered a near-fatal injury while filming an action scene for Coolie, and people across India prayed for his recovery. He briefly entered politics as a member of parliament in the 1980s. Business troubles in the 1990s left him in deep debt, before a remarkable comeback.
That comeback began in 2000, when he became the host of Kaun Banega Crorepati, the Indian take on the Millionaire quiz format. It made him a household favourite for a new generation. He then took on more varied roles, winning National Film Awards for films such as Black, Paa and Piku. He has received the Padma Vibhushan, one of India's highest civilian honours, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the country's top prize for cinema. More than five decades on, he is still working at the very top of the industry.
Career highlights
- 1969Saat Hindustani: film debut
- 1973Zanjeer: breakthrough as the 'angry young man'
- 1975Deewaar and Sholay: two all-time classics in a single year
- 1977Amar Akbar Anthony: much-loved family blockbuster
- 1982Coolie: survived a near-fatal on-set injury
- 1984Member of Parliament: elected for his home city, Allahabad
- 2000Kaun Banega Crorepati: began hosting India's biggest quiz show
- 2005Black: National Film Award for Best Actor
- 2015Padma Vibhushan and Piku: national honour and another Best Actor award
- 2019Dadasaheb Phalke Award: India's highest award in cinema
- 2024Kalki 2898 AD: role in the blockbuster science fiction epic
Did you know?His deep voice, now one of the most famous in India, was reportedly turned down when he applied to be an announcer on All India Radio.
