As the clock strikes on yet another October 11th, the illustrious Amitabh Bachchan, fondly known as Bollywood’s Shahenshah and Hero of the Century, steps into his 82nd year. The evergreen superstar, whose career spans over five decades, remains a monumental figure in the realm of Indian cinema. Known for his deep baritone voice and a plethora of memorable dialogues, Bachchan’s journey in the film industry is a testament to persistence, talent, and resilience. This report delves into the fascinating yet less celebrated facets of his life that have made him the legend he is today.
Beyond the realms of acting, writing, and singing, one of the lesser-known facts about Amitabh Bachchan is his exceptional ambidextrous ability. This rare skill allows him to write proficiently with both hands, a testament to his multifaceted talent which manifests in more than just cinema.
Rewinding to his formative years, the young Bachchan harbored dreams far afield from the film world. His initial aspiration was to become an engineer, with a keen interest in joining the Indian Air Force, a choice that would have led him down a completely different path.
In a career brimming with accolades, it’s intriguing to note that Bollywood’s megastar once earned a meager sum of 400 rupees as his first salary while employed at a shipping firm in Kolkata. During these early struggling days, sharing a small room with eight other individuals, Bachchan had resolved to voice his distinctive talent in movies, a decision that was to marinate for several years before bearing fruit.
Amitabh Bachchan’s journey in cinema commenced with the film ‘Saat Hindustani’ in 1969—a launch that faltered as the film failed to capture mass attention. Undeterred by this setback, he persevered through 12 consecutive flops before striking gold with the iconic ‘Zanjeer’ in 1973, which bolstered him to stardom as the ‘Angry Young Man.’ The film’s success was pivotal, for it was the crossroads at which Bachchan contemplated returning to his hometown of Allahabad, had it not triumphed.
The trajectory of his career, however, wasn’t devoid of financial hurdles. The year 1999 brought about a personal and professional nadir when his company, Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited (ABCL), faced overwhelming financial losses, propelling the icon to near-bankruptcy. Convalescence came with Yash Chopra’s ‘Mohabbatein’ which rekindled his career, followed by the widely popular television show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati,’ solidifying his small-screen presence.
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Bridging corporate and entertainment worlds, Bachchan was the singular actor to convince the late Ratan Tata to try his hand at film production. The endeavor culminated in the production of ‘Aetbaar,’ starring Bachchan, John Abraham, and Bipasha Basu, though the film saw an underwhelming response at the box office.
Politics briefly intertwined with his cinematic career when Bachchan was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) from Allahabad in 1984, demonstrating yet another dimension of his versatility. His celebrity status also saw him playing a pivotal role as one of the judges for the 1995 Miss World beauty pageant.
In the realm of film portrayals, Bachchan holds the distinction of performing the most double roles by any actor and went a notch higher by enacting a triple role in the film ‘Mahaan.’
An aspect of his personal life that his admirers might find startling is his long battle with myasthenia gravis, a chronic neuromuscular disorder. This trying period almost prompted him to abandon his acting career post the failure of ‘Jaadugar’ in 1989.
Interestingly, the residence known as Jalsa, where Bachchan lives, was a benevolent gift from producer N.C. Sippy, marking the success of their 1982 collaboration ‘Satte Pe Satta.’ Moreover, notable films like ‘Chupke Chupke,’ ‘Anand,’ and ‘Namak Haram’ were filmed on this very site.
In a quirky turn from his birth, Amitabh Bachchan was initially named ‘Inquilab’ by his father, before changing it to Amitabh, a name connoting “the never-ending light.” This change resonates aptly with his luminous presence in Indian cinema.
Currently, Bachchan is captivating television audiences as the host of the 16th season of ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati.’ With his recent cinematic appearance in ‘Kalki,’ fans are eagerly anticipating his new film ‘Vettaiyan’ alongside Rajinikanth, which premiered in cinemas recently.
As Amitabh Bachchan marks this significant milestone, his narrative, dotted with shadows of adversity and accomplishments, stands as an inspiring tale for fans and the new generation of actors alike, proving that in the world of cinema, his light indeed never dims.
