Bachchan, Amitabh << BAH chen, AH mih tahb >> (1942-…), is an Indian motion-picture actor, producer, and television personality. He is considered one of the greatest and most influential actors in the history of Indian cinema. Bachchan has often been called “the angry young man” of Indian cinema because of his brooding performances in films. Bachchan has won many Filmfare Awards. Filmfare Awards are presented annually for artistic and technical excellence in filmmaking in the Hindi language. The Indian magazine Filmfare presents the awards. Bachchan has acted in or narrated more than 200 films. He is also a playback singer. A playback singer is someone whose voice is used in a movie in place of that of the actor or actress.
Amitabh Harivansh Shrivastava was born in Allahabad on Oct. 11, 1942. His father, the well-known Indian poet Harivansh Rai Shrivastava, later changed the family name to Bachchan. Bachchan earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Kirori Mal College, part of the University of Delhi. In 1968, he moved to Bombay (now Mumbai) to pursue an acting career in Bollywood, India’s motion-picture industry. Bachchan made his motion-picture acting debut in 1969 in Saat Hindustani. In 1971, he gained notice for his supporting role in the drama Anand, for which he won his first Filmfare Award. Bachchan became famous after starring in the 1973 action drama Zanjeer, in which he played a police officer who is haunted by the memory of his parents’ murder. He is jailed on false charges and later steps outside the law to seek revenge. Bachchan’s portrayal broke the mold of the traditional hero of Indian cinema who was constrained by both morality and the law.
Bachchan’s other notable films include Namak Haraam (1973); Sholay (1975); Amar Akbar Anthony (1977); Don (1978); Silsila (1981); Coolie (1983); Sharaabi (1984); Jaadugar (1989); Agneepath (1990); Hum (1991); Mrityudaata (1997); Mohabbatein (2000); Aks (2001); Baghban (2003); Khakee (2004); Black (2005); Paa (2009); the Hollywood film The Great Gatsby (2013); Piku (2015), and Badla (2019). He has also narrated a number of films.
In the 1980’s, Bachchan briefly held an elected seat in the Indian Parliament. In 2000, Bachchan began hosting “Kaun Banega Crorepati?”—the Indian version of the British TV game show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” In 2009, he hosted the Indian version of the reality television show “Big Brother,” called “Bigg Boss.” In 2014, Bachchan starred in the psychological thriller Indian TV miniseries Yudh.
Bachchan married Jaya Bhaduri, an Indian actress and politician, in 1973. Their son, Abhishek Bachchan, also became an actor. In 2005, Amitabh Bachchan was appointed a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF, an agency of the United Nations. He has received numerous civilian honors, including the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan, among the Indian government’s highest honors, and the Legion of Honor, France’s highest civilian honor.
