Amitabh Bachchan | Amitabh Bachchan's Biography and Information ~ Bollywood Movies Data Base

Amitabh Bachchan

Biography and Information

Amitabh Bachchan's Profile

The major star of Hindi cinema is undoubtedly Amitabh Bachchan, who, although one of the most famous men in the world and a major international icon. He emerged as India's undisputed top star from the early 1970s, subsequently winning popularity polls as the star of the year, even in years when he did not have a film released. Born into an elite family and a childhood friend of the Nehru-Gandhis, Amitabh's first major successes were in middle-class cinema where he established himself as a fine actor. Clearly this character has the makings of a folk hero, supporting traditional values relating to religion and , in particular, to the family. Often an orphan, he criticizes the 'system' or the state, fighting for righteous causes from outside its sphere of operation. There is no doubt that he is on the side of Right, but these values conflict with those of the state and to resolve these he has to die, adding martyrdom to his cause.

The son of the noted Hindi poet, Harivanshrai Bachchan, he was born in Allahabad. He gave up his job as a freight broker for a shipping firm in Calcutta to move to Bombay in 1968. Months of struggle followed. Ironically known for his rich voice, he was rejected by All India Radio and even played a mute in one of his early films Reshma Aur Shera (1971). After some more flops where he even played villain to Navin Nischol's hero in Parwana (1971), Zanjeer happened.

In his early films like the Hrishikesh Mukherjee Directed Anand (1970) and Namak Haram (1973) or in Saudagar he was presented as a brooding melancholic anti-hero drawn from Bengali Literary stereotypes traceable to novelist Sarat Chandra Chatterjee and brought into Hindi Cinema by Nitin Bose, Bimal Roy and Asit Sen. But Zanjeer changed all that.

With his tall and lean looks, Amitabh became emblematic of the new kind of action hero. Whereas his predecessors such as Rajesh Khanna and Dharmendra played romantic roles, Amitabh introduced the motif of the 'angry young man' to Indian cinema. This is at a time, in the mid-1970s, when domestic politics was in a period of great turmoil, student unrest was high, and the employment prospects for educated young men were bleak at best. In Deewaar (1975), which furnishes the classic example of the double in the Hindi cinema, he played the role of a mafia don opposite his policeman brother, played by Shashi Kapoor. It was a brilliant performance with Amitabh more than able to humanize the gangster and have people sympathize with him rather than with his law-abiding brother.

The theme of 'alienation' is further explored in Trishul (1978), Kaala Pattharand Shakti (1982) where as the son of a strict police officer (Dilip Kumar), Amitabh takes to the life of high crime and smuggling. Bachchan's persona in these films is often defined by two female females: the melodramatic mother, often played by Nirupa Roy, who symbolizes the family and the 'liberated' woman as personified by Zeenat Aman (Don (1978), The Great Gambler (1980)), Parveen Babi (Deewaar, Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Kaalia (1981)) or Rekha (Mr. Natwarlal (1979), Suhaag (1979), Silsila (1981)).

Though he played the angry young man to perfection, Amitabh scored in all types of roles be it the sensitive romances of Yash Chopra (Kabhi Kabhie (1976), Silsila (1981)) or the entertainers of Manmohan Desai. (Amar Akbar Anthony, Parvarish (1977), Suhaag (1979), Naseeb (1981) to name some) He excelled in all types of scenes be it action, drama, song and dance or comedy and consequently his films began to be a one man variety entertainment show. (Take the comic drunken scene in Amar Akbar Anthony or the drag act in the Mere Angane Mein song from Lawaaris (1981) - Pure 'items!')

In 1984, when at his peak as a star, he tried his hand at politics. Due to his enormous popularity, not to mention the close association he enjoyed with Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, and members of the Nehru family, he was elected to parliament with a huge majority from his home city of Allahabad.

But his stint in politics did not last long and he was implicated in some scandals. He gave up his seat in parliament, vowing never to be involved in politics again. On the personal front though he did win the National Award for his portrayal of an underworld kingpin in Agneepath (1990), it was more like Deewaar revisited. He took a break from Hindi Cinema after Khuda Gawah (1992).

Some years ago, Amitabh attempted a return to commercial Hindi cinema, but he has not had the impact that he had in previous years. However he continues to have an extraordinary public presence in India. The biggest feather in Amitabh's crowded cap was being chosen as the superstar of the Millennium over such greats as Charlie Chaplin and Laurence Olivier and being selected as the first film personality from India to be immortalized at Madam Tussaud's Wax Museum, London! And by he hosting the popular game show Kaun Banega Karodpati? he not only came back with a bang but endeared himself to the younger geneartion of today as well. On January 26, 2001 he was awarded the Padma Bhushan for his contribution to Indian Cinema.

Amitabh Bachchan still strike the gold at the box office with the success of Baghban the senior superstar has made a statement against ageism in the industry. In 2003 he lined up more projects, more varied roles, more endorsements than any other younger actors. He lined up with Khakee, Aetbaar and Lakshya. As more successful he gets more self deprecating he is becomes. He likes to knock his acting, downplay his formidable connections. But his influence inside and outside the industry grows. The aura for him gets bigger. At the age of 61 when youngsters do one movie at a time he zips from one set to another. He takes risks whether it is sporting over the Top Wigs, freaking out in Funky Videos or playing the Dour Patriarch and all too stylish.

He was considered finished in the late nineties after super star status for 20 years a string of flops and failed political and business ambitions. He faced major health problems and financial crisis. But his unexpected comeback as host of the popular TV quiz series 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire which put him right back on the number one spot of Bollywood actors over 40 reaffirming his reputation as the living legend of Indian cinema with a new series of high profile films Mohabbatein (2000), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001) etc.

He is announced as an actor of the Millennium in a BBC News Poll ahead of such luminaries as Charlie Chaplin, Sir Lawrence Olivier, and Marlon Brando. He is the first Asian actor having a wax model of his likeness displayed at Madame Tussaud's in London.

One of his film Boom made lot of people unhappy. All are shocked what he had done, it was not the right decision to select that film people believed. And he felt sorry for the people who were upset from his appearance in the film. But he said the character he played in it is repulsive. And he is doing that only which going to be not liked by people. In that regard he feel a sense of achievements.

Awards Won:

Best supporting actor for the films 'Anand' (1972) 'Namak Haram' (1974)

Mohabbatein' (2000) Best Actor - 'Amar Akbar Anthony' (1978)

Don' (1979) 'Hum' (1992)

Critics Award for Best Actor for 'Aks' (2002). Padma Shri