As Amitabh Bachchan, the towering figure of Indian cinema, celebrates his 82nd birthday, we delve into the enthralling journey of this legendary actor through some lesser-known yet captivating facts about his life and illustrious career. Known as the Shahenshah and Hero of the Century, Amitabh Bachchan or Big-B, as he is affectionately called, has left an indelible mark on the world of cinema with a career that spans over five decades. Although his impressive body of work and iconic dialogues have made him a household name, there is much more to this enigmatic personality than meets the eye.
Amitabh Bachchan’s versatility is well-known, not only professionally but also personally. He is ambidextrous, a rare ability that allows him to write proficiently with both hands. This unique trait is symbolic of his multifaceted nature as an actor, writer, and singer. Before gracing the silver screen, Bachchan harbored dreams of becoming an engineer and was particularly keen to join the Air Force, a career path that contrasts sharply with his eventual rise to stardom in cinema.
Despite his current status as a cinematic powerhouse earning crores for his performances, Bachchan’s journey began humbly. His first paycheck, a modest sum of 400 rupees, came from a stint at a shipping firm in Kolkata. The early days of his career were marked by struggles, including sharing living space in a cramped room with eight other individuals.
His acting debut in ‘Saat Hindustani’ in 1969 did not garner much success, as it was considered a flop. Bachchan endured a challenging start with 12 consecutive flops, a period characterized by uncertainty and self-doubt. It wasn’t until the 1973 film ‘Zanjeer,’ penned by the iconic duo Salim-Javed, that he achieved a breakthrough, cementing his status as the ‘Angry Young Man’ of Bollywood. This role was pivotal and quite literally a turning point, as Bachchan had resolved to return to his hometown Allahabad had the film failed.
Overcoming significant hurdles in his career, Bachchan’s resilience was put to the test yet again in 1999 when his company, ABCL (Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited), faced bankruptcy due to massive financial losses. However, his fortitude shone through as he embarked on a comeback through a pivotal role in ‘Mohabbatein,’ directed by Yash Chopra. Shortly thereafter, his role as the host of the television quiz show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ signaled a new chapter, bringing him back into the limelight.
Intriguingly, Amitabh Bachchan is the sole actor credited with persuading the late industrialist Ratan Tata to venture into film production.
. This collaboration led to the production of ‘Aetbaar,’ with a star-studded cast including John Abraham and Bipasha Basu, yet the film unfortunately did not see box office success.
Bachchan’s influence transcended the film industry, as evidenced by his election as a Member of Parliament (MP) from Allahabad in the 1984 general elections. In addition to his political and acting endeavors, he served as a judge for the 1995 Miss World beauty pageant.
Notably, Bachchan holds the distinguished record of playing the most double roles among actors and even took on a challenging triple role in the film ‘Mahaan.’ Despite his larger-than-life persona, he faced personal battles, such as living with myasthenia gravis—a chronic autoimmune disorder affecting muscle strength—which is a testament to his enduring spirit.
Amidst career highs and lows, there was a phase in 1989 post the failure of ‘Jaadugar’ when he contemplated stepping away from acting. Yet, as he stood resilient, the world saw the evolution of a living legend.
Surprisingly, the house where Amitabh resides, known as Jalsa, was never purchased by him. It was a generous gift from producer N.C. Sippy as a token of appreciation after the success of their 1982 film ‘Satte Pe Satta.’ Many other popular films like ‘Chupke Chupke,’ ‘Anand,’ and ‘Namak Haram’ were filmed there, adding layers to its rich history.
Enlightening another facet of his life, Amitabh’s birth name was quite extraordinary—Inquilab—conferred by his father to commemorate the freedom struggle movement during his birth year. However, in a poetic twist, it was later changed to Amitabh, translating to “the never-ending light.”
Continuing to delight audiences, Bachchan is currently the host of the 16th season of ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati.’ His latest cinematic endeavor with the legendary Rajinikanth in ‘Vettaiyan,’ released in theaters recently, once again showcases his timeless appeal and enduring legacy in Indian cinema. As celebratory wishes pour in from fans and admirers worldwide, we salute Amitabh Bachchan not only for his cinematic brilliance but for his remarkable journey of resilience, grace, and ever-shining light.
