This is Part 12 of Legends of Indian Cinema, our 20-part series on the actors, filmmakers and musicians who shaped Indian films across languages. New here? Start with Part 1: Dadasaheb Phalke, or read the previous part, Part 11: Lata Mangeshkar.
For more than five decades, Amitabh Bachchan has been the biggest name in Hindi cinema. His deep voice, towering height and intense screen presence made him a superstar in the 1970s. His reinvention since 2000 has kept him at the top into his eighties.
Early life
- Born on 11 October 1942 in Allahabad (now Prayagraj), the son of the celebrated Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Teji Bachchan.
- He studied at Sherwood College, Nainital, and Kirori Mal College, Delhi, then worked in Calcutta before trying films.
- All India Radio famously rejected him for an announcer's job. That same voice later became his greatest asset.
The angry young man
- His debut was Saat Hindustani (1969), which won him a National Award for Best Newcomer. A string of flops followed.
- Anand (1971), opposite Rajesh Khanna, earned him praise.
- Zanjeer (1973), written by Salim–Javed, made him a star as an honest, brooding cop. It gave birth to the "angry young man" image.
- Deewaar (1975) and Sholay (1975) followed. Lines such as "Mere paas maa hai" became part of everyday Indian language.
- Through the late 1970s and 80s, he starred in hits such as Amar Akbar Anthony, Don, Trishul, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Kaala Patthar and Shakti.
Setbacks and comeback
- In 1982, he was seriously injured while filming a fight scene for Coolie. The whole country prayed for his recovery.
- A brief career in politics and a business crisis in the 1990s nearly ended his career.
- In 2000, he became host of Kaun Banega Crorepati, India's version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? The show revived his career and made him a household name for a new generation.
- The same year, Mohabbatein opened a second innings in strong character roles.
Awards and recent work
- He has won four National Film Awards for Best Actor: Agneepath (1990), Black (2005), Paa (2009) and Piku (2015).
- Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2018.
- He played the immortal warrior Ashwatthama in Kalki 2898 AD (2024), and he still hosts KBC.
- He turned 84 on 11 October 2026.
Legacy
Fans call him "Big B" and "Shahenshah". He shaped the idea of the Hindi film hero for 1970s India. Few stars anywhere in the world have stayed relevant for so long.
Next in the series: Part 13: Rajinikanth.
