By Rajesh Kumar, Senior Correspondent
MUMBAI, October 6, 2025 — As Bollywood’s towering figure Amitabh Bachchan approaches his 83rd birthday on October 11, the industry pauses to reflect on a career that has spanned over five decades, marked by seismic highs, profound lows, and an unyielding resilience. In a recent episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), the quiz show he has hosted since 2000, Bachchan recreated his iconic dialogue from the 1973 film Zanjeer for guests Javed Akhtar and Farhan Akhtar, drawing laughter and applause. The moment, shared ahead of his birthday special, underscores a man who, at an age when most retire, continues to command screens and conversations.
Born Amitabh Harivansh Rai Srivastava on October 11, 1942, in Allahabad (now Prayagraj), Uttar Pradesh, Bachchan entered the world amid the fervor of India’s independence struggle. His father, the renowned Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, and mother, social activist Teji Bachchan, instilled in him a blend of literary depth and social awareness. The family later adopted “Bachchan” as their surname, a nod to his father’s pen name signifying childlike innocence. With a younger brother, Ajitabh, Bachchan’s early years were shaped by privilege tempered by the era’s uncertainties.
Educated at Sherwood College in Nainital and Kirori Mal College at the University of Delhi, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in 1962, Bachchan dabbled in theatre and even auditioned unsuccessfully for All India Radio. A stint as a business executive in Kolkata followed, but the pull of cinema proved irresistible. His film debut came in 1969 with a voice narration in Bhuvan Shome, followed by a minor role in Saat Hindustani. Initial forays, including Anand (1971) — where he earned his first Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor — were promising but not breakout successes.
The turning point arrived in 1973 with Zanjeer, directed by Prakash Mehra and scripted by Salim-Javed. Cast as the brooding cop Vijay, Bachchan embodied the “angry young man” — a disillusioned everyman railing against corruption and inequality. The film grossed ₹3 crore, catapulting him to superstardom and reshaping Hindi cinema’s anti-hero archetype. Hits like Deewaar (1975), Sholay (1975) — India’s highest-grossing film at the time — and Don (1978) followed, cementing his dominance. By the late 1970s, he was Bollywood’s box-office king, with 12 consecutive hits between 1979 and 1985.
Personal milestones intertwined with professional ones. In 1973, he married actress Jaya Bhaduri, known for Guddi (1971), in a union that produced two children: daughter Shweta, now an author and former model, and son Abhishek, an actor. The Bachchans’ family tree extends through marriages to the Nanda and Rai families, blending Bollywood lineages. Yet, whispers of an alleged affair with co-star Rekha in the late 1970s lingered, though both have consistently denied it.
The 1980s brought acclaim — including Filmfare Best Actor wins for Amar Akbar Anthony (1977) and Don — but also peril. A near-fatal injury on the set of Coolie (1983), where a fight scene ruptured his spleen, triggered national prayers and briefly halted production. Bachchan recovered, but the incident highlighted the physical toll of his action-heavy roles.
Financial storms hit in the 1990s. After a string of flops like Ajooba (1991) and Khuda Gawah (1992), Bachchan semi-retired. His foray into business with Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Ltd. (ABCL) in 1996 — producing films and events, including the Miss World pageant — ended in bankruptcy, saddling him with debts exceeding ₹9 crore. Creditors eyed family properties, and a 1997 comeback vehicle, Mrityudata, bombed critically. Politically, his 1984 Lok Sabha win from Allahabad on a Congress ticket, backed by friend Rajiv Gandhi, was marred by the 1987 Bofors scandal allegations against his family, though investigations cleared them. He resigned amid the controversy, later aligning briefly with the Samajwadi Party.
Resurrection came in 2000. Yash Chopra’s Mohabbatein revived his on-screen presence, while hosting KBC revolutionized Indian television, drawing millions and earning him the “Big B” moniker. The show’s success funded his recovery, spawning sequels and endorsements that made him India’s highest-paid star. Films like Black (2005), for which he won a National Film Award, and Paa (2009) showcased versatility, from a stern teacher to a child afflicted with progeria.
Health challenges persisted. Diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular disorder that weakens muscles and once nearly ended his career, Bachchan has spoken openly about its mental strain. In July 2020, he and Abhishek contracted COVID-19, requiring hospitalization, though both recovered. At 82, he recently addressed speculation over his “changed” appearance on KBC, attributing it to age and efforts to “rectify” it.
Bachchan’s philanthropy mirrors his public persona. A UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2005 for polio eradication, he has donated millions to farmers’ debt relief, COVID-19 aid, and women’s empowerment. In 2019, he cleared loans for 2,100 Bihar farmers; earlier, he supported tiger conservation and anti-hepatitis campaigns. Honors abound: four National Best Actor Awards, 16 Filmfare trophies, the Padma Vibhushan (2015), and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2019).
Recent years affirm his relevance. Kalki 2898 AD (2024), his Telugu debut as the immortal Ashwatthama, grossed over ₹1,000 crore worldwide, blending mythology with sci-fi. On KBC’s 17th season, he has urged homemakers to embrace their roles proudly, linking it to societal shifts observed during the pandemic. In a Dussehra reflection, he tied cinema’s “poetic justice” to the festival’s triumph of good over evil.
At 83, Bachchan remains a cultural barometer — a survivor of eras from black-and-white reels to digital blockbusters. As he navigates health and legacy, his story endures not as myth, but as a testament to reinvention in an industry that rarely forgives stasis. With KBC episodes airing through the year and whispers of upcoming projects, the “Shahenshah” shows no signs of fading.
Last Updated on: Monday, October 6, 2025 10:04 pm by News Trail Team | Published by: News Trail Team on Monday, October 6, 2025, 10:04 pm | News Categories: Lifestyle
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