Amitabh Bachchan
From Freepedia
Amitabh Bachchan (born October 11, 1942, in Allahabad, India) also known as Big B, is a very popular Indian actor. He is a recipient of the Padma Shri (1983) and the Padma Bhushan (2005), civilian honours from the Government of India.
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Upbringing
Amitabh's parents were Harivanshrai and Teji Bachchan. Harivanshrai was a well known poet. Amitabh attended Boys' High School in Allahabad followed by Sherwood College in Nainital and went on to Delhi University to earn a degree in science.
Early career
His first film was Saat Hindustani (1969). The film was not a hit, but he slowly built up a following and became a sought-after leading man. He became well known as a movie star in 1973, with the hit films Abhimaan and Zanjeer. He became a phenomenon, drawing crowds into the theatres no matter the quality of the films. He acted in several films every year, and never seemed to wear out his appeal.
Amitabh's most loved films and characters date from this period. Fans remember him from box office hits like Sholay, Amar Akbar Anthony, Trishul, Don and Deewar . Amitabh often played an angry young man fighting a corrupt establishment -- a theme that had immense appeal in the India of that period. Moreover, he had great on-screen presence and a real flair for comedy. However, even his most ardent fans will admit that many of his films would be forgettable if not for his presence; they were run-of-the-mill masala movies with creaking plots and sub-par production values. While he was a star, none of that mattered, but lack of selectivity may have had something to do with his later career doldrums.
Life-threatening injury
In 1982, Amitabh was filming Coolie when he was injured in an on-set accident. He was rushed to a hospital in critical condition. His condition was major news, as millions of avid fans waited for hospital bulletins and prayed for his recovery.
Amitabh recovered and resumed making films. Popular interest in his injury had been so high that when Coolie was released, it featured a freeze-frame and caption, isolating the exact instant during a fight scene when Amitabh was hurt.
Politics
In 1984, Amitabh briefly entered politics in support of long-time family friend Rajiv Gandhi. He contested Allahabad's parliament seat against H. N. Bahuguna, a well-known politician and won. However, his political career was short-lived; he resigned after three years without finishing his term. At the same time, Gandhi's Congress Party government was reeling from accusations of corruption. Amitabh was never implicated in the corruption and has since distanced himself from the Gandhi family. Some say that all these events are connected; Amitabh will only say that he found politics unpleasant and resigned for personal reasons.
Business
In 1995, Amitabh went into business, starting the Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited, or ABCL. ABCL was to be a media conglomerate, a Hollywood-style entertainment company. Amitabh may have been ahead of his time, or just unsuited to be a business mogul, as the company did not succeed. He did not file for bankruptcy, but has used his acting income to pay his business debts, which are rumored to have been completely cleared in 2005. Some observers speculate that he will try to revive his company.
Amitabh again a headliner
He had been making films all through the 1980s and 1990s, but few had succeeded. Mrityudata (1997), failed at the box office. Lal Badshah and Major Saab did little better. Bade Miyan Chhote Miyan and Mohabbatein were hits, but critics credited his co-stars Govinda and Shahrukh Khan, not Amitabh. Industry gossip said that the Big B was finished as an actor.
But Bachchan still had charisma. In 1999, in a BBC Online Poll, he was named the Superstar of the Millennium ahead of the likes of Alec Guinness and Marlon Brando. In June, 2000 he became the first living Asian to have a wax statue erected in his honour at Madame Tussaud's.
In 2000, he was chosen as the host for a new Indian game show, Kaun Banega Crorepati, the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. Amitabh is suave, assured host and ensuring the show became an enormous hit, such an inpact even drew critisisum from resaurant and cinema ownrer to stop the program, because the streets would clear, creating ghost towns. Critics finally admitted that Amitabh still had box-office magic.
Since his game show success, he has appeared in several hit movies. Amitabh has also appeared in many ads, both for commercial products and for various non-profits. He has supported campaigns for eye donations and against polio and AIDS.
An Amitabh film retrospective was held between April 8 and April 19 2005 at the Lincoln Center in New York. The retrospective featured films starring Bachchan including Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Anand and Abhimaan and Sanjay Bhansali's Black. Amitabh was there for the plaudits; he also took this opportunity to appear on a number of television talk shows.
Family life
After the success of Zanjeer and Abhimaan, Amitabh Bachchan married actress Jaya Bhaduri in 1973. He has co-starred with Jaya in many films: Zanjeer, Abhimaan, Sholay, Silsila and, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham. The marriage produced two children: Shweta Bachchan Nanda (b. 1974) and Abhishek Bachchan (b. 1976). Abhishek Bachchan has already followed his father's footsteps, having starred in a number of recent movies. (For Abhishek's filmography, see the article on Abhishek Bachchan.)
Filmography
- Saat Hindustani (1969)
- Bhuvan Shome (Narrator) (1969)
- Anand (1970)
- Guddi (1971)
- Pyar Ki Kahani (1971)
- Parwaana (1971)
- Sanjog (1971)
- Reshma Aur Shera (1971)
- Piya Ka Ghar (Guest) (1971)
- Bansi Birju (1972)
- Bombay to Goa (1972)
- Ek Nazar (1972)
- Jaban (1972)
- Bawarchi (Guest) (1972)
- Raaste Ka Patthar (1972)
- Abhimaan (1973)
- Baandhe Haath (1973)
- Gehri Chaal (1973)
- Haath (Guest) (1973)
- Namak Haram (1973)
- Saudagar (1973)
- Zanjeer (1973)
- Bada Kabutar (Guest) (1973)
- Benaam (1974)
- Dost (Guest) (1974)
- Kasauti (1974)
- Majboor (1974)
- Roti Kapda aur Makaan (1974)
- Kunwara Baap (Guest) (1974)
- Chupke Chupke (1975)
- Deewar (1975)
- Faraar (1975)
- Zameer (1975)
- Mili (1975)
- Sholay (1975)
- Do Anjaane (1976)
- Kabhie Kabhie (1976)
- Hera Pheri (1976)
- Adalat (1976)
- Charandas (Special Appearance) (1977)
- Alaap (1977)
- Amar Akbar Anthony (1977)
- Imaan Dharam (1977)
- Khoon Paseena (1977)
- Parvarish (1977)
- Shatranj Ke Khilari (Narrator) (1977)
- Besharam (1978)
- Don (1978)
- Ganga Ki Saugandh (1978)
- Kasme Vaade (1978)
- Trishul (1978)
- Muqaddar ka Sikandar (1978)
- Gol Maal (Guest) (1979)
- The Great Gambler (1979)
- Jurmaana (1979)
- Kaala Patthar (1979)
- Manzil (1979)
- Mr. Natwarlaal (1979)
- Suhaag (1979)
- Cinema Cinema (1979)
- Do aur Do Panch (1980)
- Dostaana (1980)
- Ram Balraam (1980)
- Shaan (1980)
- Chashme Baddoor (Guest) (1981)
- Commander (Guest) (1981)
- Barsaat ki Ek Raat (1981)
- Kaalia (1981)
- Vilayati Babu (Special Appearance) (1981)
- Lawaaris (1981)
- Naseeb (1981)
- Silsila (1981)
- Yaraana (1981)
- Bemisaal (1982)
- Desh Premee (1982)
- Khuddar (1982)
- Namak Halaal (1982)
- Satte pe Satta (1982)
- Shakti (1982)
- Andha Kanoon (Guest) (1983)
- Coolie (1983)
- Mahaan (1983)
- Pukar (1983)
- Nastik (1983)
- Inquilaab (1984)
- Sharaabi (1984)
- Giraftaar (Guest) (1985)
- Mard (1985)
- Naya Bakra (Guest) (1985)
- Aakhree Raasta (1986)
- Ek Ruka Hua Faisla (TV Guest) (1986)
- Hero Hiralal (Guest) (1987)
- Jalwa (Guest) (1987)
- Ganga Jamuna Saraswati (1988)
- Kaun Jeeta Kaun Haara (Guest) (1988)
- Shahenshah (1988)
- Soorma Bhopali (Guest) (1988)
- Jaadugar (1989)
- Main Azaad Hoon (1989)
- Toofan (1989)
- Aaj ka Arjun (1990)
- Agneepath (1990)
- Krodh (Guest) (1990)
- Ajooba (1991)
- Akayla (1991)
- Hum (1991)
- Indrajeet (1991)
- Ajooba Kudrat Ka (1991)
- House no. 13 (1991)
- Khuda Gawah (1992)
- Insaniyat (1994)
- Tere Mere Sapne (Narrator) (1996)
- Mrityudata (1997)
- Majorsaab (1998)
- Bade Miyan Chhote Miyan (1998)
- Lal Baadshah (1999)
- Sooryavansham (1999)
- Hello Brother (Voice of God) (1999)
- Hindustan Ki Kasam (1999)
- Kohraam (1999)
- Mohabbatein (2000)
- Ek Rishta - The Bond of Love (2001)
- Aks (2001)
- Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham (2001)
- Lagaan (Narrator) (2001)
- Aankhen (2002)
- Hum Kisise Kum Nahi (2002)
- Agnivarsha (Special Appearance) (2002)
- Kaante (2002)
- Khushi (Narrator) (2003)
- Armaan (2003)
- Boom (2003)
- Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost (Narrator) (2003)
- Baghban (2003)
- Fun2shh (Narrator) (2003)
- Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo (2004)
- Veer-Zaara (2004)
- Hum Kaun Hai? (Special Appearance) (2004)
- Kyun...! Ho Gaya Na (2004)
- Deewaar (2004)
- Lakshya (2004)
- Dev (2004)
- Insaaf: The Justice (Narrator) (2004)
- Rudraksh (Narrator) (2004)
- Aetbaar (2004)
- Khakee (2004)
- Black (2005)
- Waqt (2005)
- Bunty Aur Babli (2005)
- Paheli (2005)
- Viruddh (2005)
- Sarkar (2005)
- Dil Jo Bhi Kahey(2005)
- Ramji London Waley (Special Appearance)(2005)
Current projects
- Family
- Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna
- Yagna
- Don
- Ek Ajnabee
- Ada
- Happy New Year
- Babul
- Baiju Aur Tansen
- Zamaanat
- Manzil
External links
Categories: Cleanup from August 2005 | 1942 births | Indian actors | Vegetarians | Actor-politicians | Padma Bhushan awardees | Padma Shri awardees
