Amitabh Bachchan
- Born: Oct 11, 1942 in Allahabad, India
- Occupation: Actor
- Active: '70s-'80s, 2000s
- Major Genres: Drama, Action
- Career Highlights: Kaante, Agneepath, Chernyy Prints Adzhuba
- First Major Screen Credit: Abhimaan (1973)
Biography
Amitabh Bachchan is the undisputed king of Indian cinema; having appeared in over 90 films, he is certainly one of his country's most prolific performers. His 1969 film debut, Saat Hindustani, was not met with success, but within a few years his place as a top action star in India would be firmly established. His 1970s success, including such films as Zanjeer, Deewar, and Sholay, would continue for over ten years. Eventually, Bachchan retired almost completely from acting and pursued other interests, including in film production and a brief political stint in Indian parliament. Although popular male action stars throughout Asia are inevitably compared to Clint Eastwood, Bachchan may, in fact, defy this rather cliched analogy. In addition to strong acting and presence, this Indian superstar's performances have also required singing and dancing in the elaborate musical numbers that are popular in his country's cinema.Dr. Amitabh Bachchan (/əmitɑːbʱ bətʃtʃən/; Devanagari: अमिताभ बच्चन), born October 11 1942 is a highly successful Hindi film actor, producer and former television presenter of the game show Kaun Banega Crorepati. He started his movie career in 1969, with Saat Hindustani, and continues today to be a prominent figure in the Bollywood film industry.
Personal life
Amitabh Bachchan was born in the city of Allahabad, India to mother Teji and father Harivansh Rai Bachchan. Dr.Harivansh Rai Bachchan was a well-known poet of Urdu and Hindi. Though his surname was Srivastav, he adopted the pen-name Bachchan, under which was published all his work. It is with this last name that Amitabh debuted in films, and, for all public purposes, it has become the surname of all members of the current family. His mother is Sikh, born in Punjab, India; his father was a Hindu Kayastha from Uttar Pradesh, hence popularly known as an 'UPite'.
Bachchan attended Allahabad's Boys' High School, followed by Nainital's Sherwood College, where he majored in the art stream. He later went on to study at Kirori Mal College in Delhi University earning a degree in science. In his twenties, Bachchan gave up a job as freight broker for the shipping firm, Bird and Co., based in Kolkata, to pursue a career in acting.
He is married to actress Jaya Bachchan (née Bhaduri). The couple have two children: daughter, Shweta and son, Abhishek. Abhishek Bachchan is also an Indian-film actor.
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 by a large margin (68.2% of the vote).[1] His political career, however, was short-lived: He resigned after three years, leaving his term incomplete. The resignation followed Bachchan's implication in the 'Bofors scandal' by a newspaper, which he vowed to take to court.[2] Bachchan was eventually found not to be guilty of involvement in the ordeal. [citation needed]
Early film career
Amitabh Bachchan made his film debut in 1969 as one of seven leads in the film, Saat Hindustani. The movie was not a financial success, but there was little doubt of the promise he held when the performance won him his first National Film Award. [1] The critically acclaimed Anand (1970) followed, where he starred alongside the reigning superstar of the industry, Rajesh Khanna. Bachchan held his own, and won a Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for his intense performance.
Anand was followed by unsuccessful films such as Reshma Aur Shera (1971) and Parwaana (1971). Then came 1973, and the start of the road towards the iconic status he would eventually come to hold for millions worldwide.
Bachchan's first box office success came when director Prakash Mehra cast him as the protagonist in his film, Zanjeer. The movie was a sharp contrast to the romantic-themed ones that had generally preceded it, and established Amitabh in a new persona - the "Angry young man" of Bollywood. The next decade catapulted him to the pinnacle of Bollywood superstardom. He churned out at least one major hit every year, including Deewaar (1975), Sholay (1975) , Trishul (1978), Muqaddar Ka Sikander (1978), Don (1978), Kasme Vaade (1978), Kaala Patthar (1979) and Lawaaris (1981). These films cemented his image as the "angry young man".
As his success grew, Amitabh displayed a flair for more than just action roles. His remarkable comic timing was on display in such hits as Chupke Chupke (1975), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977) Do Aur Do Paanch (1980), and Namak Halaal (1982). He was also successful as a romantic lead, with particularly notable performances in Kabhie Kabhie (1976) and Silsila (1981). The latter was notorious for its tinges of real-life, starring as he did alongside his then-wife Jaya Bachchan, and rumored flame Rekha.
While filming Coolie in 1982, Bachchan was seriously injured during the filming of a fight scene with co-star Puneet Issar. He was in the hospital with a ruptured intestine for months, and at times was close to death. A remarkable outpouring of support and concern by his fans and the nation in general followed. After recovering, Bachchan resumed shooting for Coolie, and it finally released as a huge success owing to its pre-release publicity.
The director, Manmohan Desai altered the ending for Coolie after Bachchan's accident. Bachchan's character was originally intended to have been killed off but after the change of script, the character lived in the end. It would have been inappropriate, said Desai, for the man who had just fended off death in real life to be killed on screen as well. Also, remarkably, in the released film the footage of the fight scene is frozen at the critical moment, and a caption appears onscreen marking this as the instant of the actor's injury and the ensuing publicity of the accident.
Later film career
Amitabh Bachchan reigned supreme from the 70s through to the mid-1980s, and was by far the dominant figure in Bollywood. Starting in 1988, however, his star began to wane. The 1991 hit Hum looked like it might reverse this trend, but the momentum was short-lived. Notably, despite the lack of hits, it was during this period that Bachchan won his second National Film Award, for his memorable performance as a Mafia don in Mukul S. Anand's 1990 film Agneepath. These years would be the last he would be seen on screen for some time. After the release of Khuda Gawah in 1992, Bachchan went into semi-retirement for five years.
In 1997, he attempted to make his comeback with the film Mrityudaata, produced by his own company, Amitabh Bachchan Corporation, Ltd. (A.B.C.L.), which he had founded during his temporary retirement. It attempted to reprise his earlier success as an action hero, but, along with most of his other ventures during this period, was a failure both critically and financially. He did later score a box office hit with Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998) and received positive reviews for Sooryavansham (1999) but most, however, now believed that Amitabh Bachchan's glory days were over.
In the year 2000, Bachchan stepped up to host India's adaptation of the British television game-show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? entitled, Kaun Banega Crorepati. As it did in most other countries by which it was adopted, the program found immediate and profound success, in no small part due to Bachchan's charisma.
That same year, Bachchan appeared in Yash Chopra's box-office hit, Mohabbatein, in which he played a stern, older figure, rival to the character of India's new hearthrob, Shah Rukh Khan. Audiences appreciated this new, more age-befitting style. Other hits followed, with Bachchan appearing as an older patriarch in Ek Rishta (2001), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001) and Baghban (2003). As an actor, he continued to exploit his range, receiving critical acclaim for his performances in Aks (2001), Khakee (2004), Dev (2004) and most notably Black (2005). Taking advantage of this resurgence, Amitabh started endorsing a variety of products and services, appearing in many television and billboard advertisements.
Recently he starred with his son Abhishek in the hit films Bunty Aur Babli (2005), the Godfather tribute Sarkar (2005), and Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (2006). Amitabh continues to be one of the most highly-paid actors in the industry, and is considered, along with Rajnikanth, one of the two biggest megastars the Indian film industry has produced.
Health and Injuries
In 1982, on the set of Manmohan Desai's Coolie, Amitabh Bachchan suffered a near-fatal blow to his abdomen. While shooting an action scene for the film, Bachchan hit and injured himself on a prop table. The wound was suffered by his small intestine. Later stating that he thought to ignore the pain initially, and considered that the matter might be something serious once it became almost unbearable some hours later, Bachchan spent months recuperating at Bombay's Lilavati Hospital. During this period, it is reported that thousands of Amitabh fans, nation-wide, offered prayers and condolences for his health and recovery. It has even been reported that two suicides were linked to the event.
Bachchan has stated that part of his reason for retiring from films during the early 1990s was health-related (citation needed), as well.
In November of 2005, Amitabh Bachchan was admitted to Lilavati Hospital once more, to undergo surgery on his stomach. This occurred after Bachchan complained of pains in his abdomen some days prior. During the period and that following his recovery, most of his projects were put on hold, including the television show he was in the process of hosting, Kaun Banega Crorepati 2. Amitabh returned to work in March of 2006
Bachchan is an asthmatic, and suffers from a rare muscle disease, Myasthenia Gravis.
Born on October 11, 1942 in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, Amitabh Bachchan hails from a Hindu Kayastha family. His father, Dr. Harivansh Rai Bachchan was a well-known Hindi poet, while his mother, Teji Bachchan, was a Sikh from Karachi-Pakistan. Bachchan was initially named as Inquilab, inspired from the phrase Inquilab Zindabad, during the Indian independence struggle. He was re-christened Amitabh which means, the light that would never go off. Though his last-name was Srivastava, his father had adopted the pen-name Bachchan, under which was published all his works. It is with this last name that Amitabh debuted in films, and, for all public purposes, it has become the surname of all members of his current family.
Born in the middle of World War II, Amitabh is the elder of Dr. Harivansh Rai Bachchan's two sons, the second being Ajitabh. Even today, Bachchan emphasizes that he can never be the man his father was. His mother was very fond of stage and was also offered a role in a film, but she preferred to become a quintessential homemaker. She was reasonably responsible for Amitabh's career because she always wanted him to take the centre stage. Bachchan's father passed away in 2003, and his mother—on December 21, 2007.
Bachchan has a double M.A. (Master of Arts) degree. He attended Allahabad's Jnana Prabodhini and Boys' High School (BHS), followed by Nainital's Sherwood College, where he majored in the art stream. He later went on to study at Kirori Mal College of the University of Delhi and completed a Bachelor of Science degree. In his twenties, Bachchan gave up a job as freight broker for the shipping firm, Bird and Co., based in Calcutta, to pursue a career in acting.
He married actress Jaya Bhaduri on June 3, 1973 according to Bengali rites. The couple have two children: daughter Shweta and son Abhishek.
Television career
In the year 2000, Bachchan stepped up to host India's adaptation of the British television game-show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? entitled, Kaun Banega Crorepati. As it did in most other countries where it was adopted, the program found immediate and profound success, in no small part due to Bachchan's charisma. It is believed that Bachchan charged a whopping Rs 25 lakhs (2.5 million Indian Rupees, approximately US$60,000 ) per weekly episode which strengthened Bachchan and his family both financially and morally after the setbacks that he had to cope after ABCL's collapse. The Canara Bank also withdrew its law suit against Bachchan in November 2000. Bachchan hosted KBC till November 2005, and its success set the stage for his return to film popularity.
Controversies and Criticism
Barabanki Land Scam
In the runup to the Uttar Pradesh state assembly elections, 2007, Amitabh Bachchan made a film extolling the virtues of the Mulayam Singh government. His Samajwadi Party was routed, and Mayawati came to power. On June 2, 2007, a Faizabad court ruled that he had illegally acquired agricultural land designated specifically for landless Dalit farmers.He may also be investigated on related charges of forgery. As he has allegedly claimed he was a farmer. If he does not qualify as the owner of agricultural land elsewhere, he may also lose a 20 acre farmhouse property he had purchased at Maval near Pune. On July 19, 2007, after the scandal broke out, Bachchan surrendered the land acquired in Barabanki in Uttar Pradesh and Pune. He wrote to the chief minister of Maharashtra, Vilasrao Deshmukh, to donate away the lands illegally acquired by him and his son Abhishek in Pune. However, the Lucknow Court has put a stay on the land donation and said that the status quo on the land be maintained.
On October 12, 2007, Bachchan abandoned his claim in respect of the land at Daulatpur village in Barabanki district. On December 11, 2007, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court gave a clean chit to Bachchan in a case pertaining to alleged fraudulent allotment of government land to him in Barabanki district. Giving a clean chit to Bachchan, a single Lucknow bench of Justice said there was no finding that the actor "himself committed any fraud or manipulated any surreptitious entry in the revenue records".
After receiving a positive verdict in Barabanki case, Amitabh Bachchan intimated to Maharashtra government that he did not wish to surrender his land in Maval tehsil of Pune district
Filmography
Actor
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Saat Hindustani | Anwar Ali Anwar | Winner, National Film Award for Best Newcomer |
| Bhuvan Shome | Commentator (Voice) | ||
| 1971 | Parwaana | Kumar Sen | |
| Anand | Dr. Bhaskar K. Bannerjee/Babu Moshai | Winner, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award | |
| Reshma Aur Shera | Chhotu | ||
| Guddi | Himself | ||
| Pyar Ki Kahani | Ram Chandra | ||
| 1972 | Sanjog | Mohan | |
| Bansi Birju | Birju | ||
| Piya Ka Ghar | Guest appearance | ||
| Ek Nazar | Manmohan Akash Tyagi | ||
| Bawarchi | Narrator | ||
| Raaste Ka Patthar | Jai Shankar Rai | ||
| Bombay to Goa | Ravi Kumar | ||
| 1973 | Bada Kabootar | Guest appearance | |
| Bandhe Haath | Shamu & Deepak | Double role | |
| Zanjeer | Inspector Vijay Khanna | Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award | |
| Gehri Chaal | Ratan | ||
| Abhimaan | Subir Kumar | ||
| Saudagar | Moti | ||
| Namak Haraam | Vikram (Vicky) | Winner, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award | |
| 1974 | Kunwara Baap | Augustine | Guest appearance |
| Dost | Anand | Guest appearance | |
| Kasauti | Amitabh Sharma (Amit) | ||
| Benaam | Amit Srivastav | ||
| Roti Kapda Aur Makaan | Vijay | ||
| Majboor | Ravi Khanna | ||
| 1975 | Chupke Chupke | Sukumar Sinha/Parimal Tripathi | |
| Faraar | Rajesh (Raj) | ||
| Mili | Shekhar Dayal | ||
| Deewar | Vijay Verma | Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award | |
| Zameer | Baadal/Chimpoo | ||
| Sholay | Jai (Jaidev) | ||
| 1976 | Do Anjaane | Amit Roy/Naresh Dutt | |
| Chhoti Si Baat | Special appearance | ||
| Kabhie Kabhie | Amit Malhotra | Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award | |
| Hera Pheri | Vijay/Inspector Hirachand | ||
| 1977 | Alaap | Alok Prasad | |
| Charandas | Qawwali singer | Special appearance | |
| Amar Akbar Anthony | Anthony Gonzalves | Winner, Filmfare Best Actor Award | |
| Shatranj Ke Khiladi | Narrator | ||
| Adalat | Dharma/Thakur Dharam Chand & Raju | Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award. Double role | |
| Imaan Dharam | Ahmed Raza | ||
| Khoon Pasina | Shiva/Tiger | ||
| Parvarish | Amit | ||
| 1978 | Besharam | Ram Kumar Chandra/ Prince Chandrashekar | |
| Ganga Ki Saugandh | Jeeva | ||
| Kasme Vaade | Amit/Shankar | Double role | |
| Trishul | Vijay Kumar | Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award | |
| Don | Don/Vijay | Winner, Filmfare Best Actor Award. Double role | |
| Muqaddar Ka Sikandar | Sikandar | Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award | |
| 1979 | The Great Gambler | Jay/Inspector Vijay | Double role |
| Golmaal | Himself | Special appearance | |
| Jurmana | Inder Saxena | ||
| Manzil | Ajay Chandra | ||
| Mr. Natwarlal | Natwarlal/Avtar Singh | Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award & Filmfare Best Male Playback Award | |
| Kaala Patthar | Vijay Pal Singh | Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award | |
| Suhaag | Amit Kapoor | ||
| 1980 | Do Aur Do Paanch | Vijay/Ram | |
| Dostana | Vijay Varma | Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award | |
| Ram Balram | Inspector Balram Singh | ||
| Shaan | Vijay Kumar | ||
| 1981 | Chashme Buddoor | Special appearance | |
| Commander | Guest appearance | ||
| Naseeb | Ravi | ||
| Barsaat Ki Ek Raat | ACP Abhijeet Rai | ||
| Lawaaris | Heera | Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award | |
| Silsila | Amit Malhotra | Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award | |
| Yaraana | Kishan Kumar | ||
| Kaalia | Kallu/Kaalia | ||
| 1982 | Satte Pe Satta | Ravi Anand/Babu | |
| Bemisaal | Dr. Sudhir Roy & Adhir Roy | Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award. Double role | |
| Desh Premee | Master Dinanath & Raju | Double role | |
| Namak Halaal | Arjun Singh | Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award | |
| Khud-Daar | Govind Srivastav/Chotu Ustad | ||
| Shakti | Vijay Kumar | Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award | |
| 1983 | Nastik | Shankar (Sheru)/Bhola | |
| Andha Kanoon | Jan Nissar Akhtar Khan | Nominated, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award. Guest appearance | |
| Mahaan | Rana Ranveer, Guru, & Inspector Shankar | Triple role | |
| Pukar | Ramdas/Ronnie | ||
| Coolie | Iqbal A. Khan | ||
| 1984 | Inquilaab | Amarnath | |
| Sharaabi | Vicky Kapoor | Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award | |
| 1985 | Giraftaar | Insp. Karan Kumar Khanna | |
| Mard | Raju "Mard" Tangewala | Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award | |
| 1986 | Ek Ruka Hua Faisla | Guest appearance | |
| Aakhree Raasta | David/Vijay | Double role | |
| 1987 | Jalwa | Himself | Special appearance |
| Kaun Jeeta Kaun Haara | Himself | Guest appearance | |
| 1988 | Soorma Bhopali | Guest appearance | |
| Shahenshah | Inspector Vijay Kumar Srivastav / Shahenshah | Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award | |
| Hero Hiralal | Himself | Special appearance | |
| Ganga Jamuna Saraswati | Ganga Prasad | ||
| 1989 | Batwara | Narrator | |
| Toofan | Toofan & Shyam | Double role | |
| Jaadugar | Goga/Gogeshwar | ||
| Main Azaad Hoon | Azaad | ||
| 1990 | Agneepath | Vijay Dinanath Chauhan | Winner, National Film Award for Best Actor & Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award |
| Krodh | Special appearance | ||
| Aaj Ka Arjun | Bheema | ||
| 1991 | Hum | Tiger/Shekhar | Winner, Filmfare Best Actor Award |
| Ajooba | Ajooba/Ali | ||
| Indrajeet | Indrajeet | ||
| Akayla | Inspector Vijay Verma | ||
| 1992 | Khuda Gawah | Baadshah Khan | Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award |
| 1994 | Insaniyat | Inspector Amar | |
| 1996 | Tere Mere Sapne | Narrator | |
| 1997 | Mrityudata | Dr. Ram Prasad Ghayal | |
| 1998 | Major Saab | Major Jasbir Singh Rana | |
| Bade Miyan Chhote Miyan | Inspector Arjun Singh & Bade Miyan | Double role | |
| 1999 | Lal Baadshah | Lal "Baadshah" Singh & Ranbhir Singh | Double role |
| Sooryavansham | Thakur Bhanu Pratap Singh & Heera Singh | Double role | |
| Hindustan Ki Kasam | Kabeera | ||
| Kohram | Col. Balbir Singh Sodi (Devraj Hathoda) & Dada Bhai | ||
| Hello Brother | Voice of God | ||
| 2000 | Mohabbatein | Narayan Shankar | Winner, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award |
| 2001 | Ek Rishtaa | Vijay Kapoor | |
| Lagaan | Narrator | ||
| Aks | Manu Verma | Winner, Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance & Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award | |
| Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham | Yashvordhan "Yash" Raichand | Nominated, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award | |
| 2002 | Aankhen | Vijay Singh Rajput | Nominated, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award |
| Hum Kisise Kum Nahi | Dr. Rastogi | ||
| Agni Varsha | Indra (God) | Special appearance | |
| Kaante | Yashvardhan Rampal/"Major" | Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award | |
| 2003 | Khushi | Narrator | |
| Armaan | Dr. Siddharth Sinha | ||
| Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost | Narrator | ||
| Boom | Bade Mia | ||
| Baghban | Raj Malhotra | Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award | |
| Fun2shh | Narrator | ||
| 2004 | Khakee | D.C.P. Anant Kumar Shrivastav | Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award |
| Aetbaar | Dr. Ranveer Malhotra | ||
| Rudraksh | Narrator | ||
| Insaaf | Narrator | ||
| Dev | D.C.P. Dev Pratap Singh | ||
| Lakshya | Col. Sunil Damle | ||
| Deewaar | Maj. Ranvir Kaul | ||
| Kyun...! Ho Gaya Na | Raj Chauhan | ||
| Hum Kaun Hai | Major Frank John Williams & Frank James Williams | Double role | |
| Veer-Zaara | Chaudhary Sumer Singh | Nominated, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award. Special appearance | |
| Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo | Major General Amarjeet Singh | ||
| 2005 | Black | Debraj Sahai | Double-Winner, Filmfare Best Actor Award & Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance. Winner, National Film Award for Best Actor |
| Waqt | Ishwarchandra Sharawat | ||
| Bunty Aur Babli | D.C.P. Dashrath Singh | Nominated, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award | |
| Parineeta | Narrator | ||
| Paheli | Gadariya | Special appearance | |
| Sarkar | Subhash Nagre/"Sarkar" | Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award | |
| Viruddh | Vidhyadhar Patwardhan | ||
| Ramji Londonwaley | Himself | Special appearance | |
| Dil Jo Bhi Kahey... | Shekhar Sinha | ||
| Ek Ajnabee | Suryaveer Singh | ||
| Amrithadhare | Himself | Special appearance Kannada film | |
| 2006 | Family | Viren Sahi | |
| Darna Zaroori Hai | Professor | ||
| Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna | Samarjit Singh Talwar (aka. Sexy Sam) | Nominated, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award | |
| Baabul | Balraj Kapoor | ||
| 2007 | Eklavya: The Royal Guard | Eklavya | |
| Nishabd | Vijay | ||
| Cheeni Kum | Buddhadev Gupta | ||
| Shootout at Lokhandwala | Dingra | Special appearance | |
| Jhoom Barabar Jhoom | Sutradhar | Special appearance | |
| Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag | Babban Singh | ||
| Om Shanti Om | Himself | Special appearance | |
| The Last Lear | Harish Mishra | ||
| 2008 | Bhootnath | Bhootnath | Releasing on May 9, 2008 |
| Sarkar Raj | Subhas Nagre/"Sarkar" | Releasing on June 6, 2008 | |
| God Tussi Great Ho | Releasing on July 11, 2008 | ||
| Zamaanat | Shiv Shankar | Post-production | |
| Shoe Bite | Filming | ||
| Exclusion | Filming | ||
| 2009 | Shantaram | Khader Bhai | Pre-production |
Producer
- Tere Mere Sapne (1996)
- Ullasam (1997)
- Mrityudaata (1997)
- Major Saab (1998)
- Aks (2001)
- Viruddh (2005)
- Family - Ties of Blood (2006)
Playback Singer
- The Great Gambler (1979)
- Mr. Natwarlal (1979)
- Lawaaris (1981)
- Naseeb (1981)
- Silsila (1981)
- Mahaan (1983)
- Pukar (1983)
- Toofan (1989)
- Jaadugar (1989)
- Khuda Gawah (1992)
- Major Saab (1998)
- Aks (2001)
- Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001)
- Aankhen (2002)
- Armaan (2003)
- Baghban (2003)
- Dev (2004)
- Aetbaar (2004)
- Baabul (2006)
- Nishabd (2007)
- Cheeni Kum (2007)
- Bhoothnath (2008)
Trivia
- Saat Hindustani was Amitabh's first and the last black and white movie.
- Amitabh is still in the list of Bollywood's top 5 actors.
- Amitabh Bachchan married Jaya Bhaduri after the success of the movie Abhimaan (directed by Hrikhesh Mukerjee). In this movie Amitabh and Jaya play a successful singing couple. In addition to Abhimaan, Amitabh and Jaya acted together in Zanjeer, Chupke Chupke, Mili, Sholay and later in Silsila and Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham.
- His favourite screen name is Vijay, which he had as his character name in over 20 movies.
- He has not made a public appearance without his goatee since Mohabbatein, although in Khakee and Lakshya the goatee was reduced to a moustache; he grew it back as soon as the films finished post-production.
- His parents initially planned to name him "Inquilaab", which means "Revolution".
- He is ambidextrous, though on-screen he is most often seen using his left hand.
- He once burned his hand badly while lighting a firecracker. For this reason, he kept the hand concealed throughout much of the filming of Sharaabi. Most viewers took this to be an "artistic choice."
- Before entering the film industry, Bachchan applied for a job with All India Radio. Now known for his powerful, baritone voice, he was inexplicably turned down.
- Has a brother, Ajitabh, with whom he was reunited later in his life.
- Famous TV and Film actor Rajeev Verma of Maine Pyar Kiya fame is the brother-in-law of Amitabh (married to sister of Jaya Bachchan )
- He was one of the judges for the 1995 Miss World beauty pageant.
- He has a double M.A. (Master of Arts) degree.
- The facial caricature of the Indian comic book character 'Supremo' is based upon him.
- He learned sign language for his 2005 film, Black.
- He has played a dual role in many films such as Don, Desh Premee, Satte Pe Satta, Aakhree Raasta, Toofan, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Sooryavansham, and Lal Baadshah. He also played a triple role in Mahaan.
- He has done playback singing for many of his own movies such as Mr. Natwarlal, Lawaaris, Silsila, Toofan, Baghban and Baabul.
- He is the only actor who achieved at least one hit every year for 15 consecutive years - from Zanjeer in 1973 to Aakhree Raasta in 1986.
- While filming the movie Aks, he did much of his own stunt work even though he was 58 years old at the time. During one fight scene, he jumped 30 feet down a waterfall.
- At the age of 64, Amitabh Bachchan created cinematic world record. He shocked the entire unit of Apoorva Lakhia's Shootout at Lokhandwala by completing 23 scenes in 5 hours....an unheard-of feat in any part of the world.
- On Jan 9, 2007, Shah Rukh Khan was featured against Amitabh Bachchan in the "We the Mediator" segment of the American news-comedy show The Colbert Report and was defeated by latter because "he dances" (clips were shown from Mohabbatein in which Bachchan has no songs). However, Colbert changed his decision on Jan 19 and awarded Bachchan with the victory after witnessing Bachchan's dancing skills in the song "Say Shava Shava" from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.
National Film Awards
Amitabh Bachchan has won the National Film Awards (the Indian version of the Oscar) thrice.
- 1970 - Best Newcomer for Saat Hindustani
- 1991 - Best Actor for Agneepath
- 2005 - Best Actor for Black
Popular Film Awards and Nominations
- Amitabh Bachchan has won fourteen Filmfare Awards in various categories. The most recent award was the 2005 Filmfare Best Actor Award for his role in the film Black.
- Amitabh Bachchan has been nominated as Filmfare Best Actor twenty-eight times (a record) and as Filmfare Best Supporting Actor nine times (also a record).
- Amitabh Bachchan could have won a record number of Filmfare Awards if there wasn't a 15-year ban on him.
- Apart from National Film Awards and Filmfare Awards, Amitabh Bachchan has won many IIFA Awards, Zee Cine Awards, Star Screen Awards, Stardust Awards, Sansui Awards, Aashirwaad Awards, Apsara Awards, Lifetime Achievement Awards and other awards.
National honors and recognitions
- In 1982, Amitabh Bachchan was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award from the Government of India.
- In 1994, Amitabh Bachchan was awarded the Yash Bharati Samman, UP state's highest award from the Government of Uttar Pradesh.
- In February of 2000, Amitabh Bachchan was crowned Filmfare Superstar of the Millennium for his sterling performances over the years,
- On January 8, 2001, Amitabh Bachchan was honoured with Best Artist of the Millennium award by Hero Honda and file magazine "Stardust".
- On January 26, 2001, Amitabh Bachchan was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award from the Government of India.
- Amitabh Bachchan was voted the Hottest male vegetarian by 'People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals' (PETA) for two years running.
- In June of 2005, the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) and Fame multiplexes, launched their first 'IIFA Wall of Fame', honouring Amitabh Bachchan, who is also the IIFA Brand Ambassador.
- In December of 2005, Amitabh Bachchan was voted as NDTV’s Urban Indian of the Year through a nationwide poll.
- After receiving accolades and encomiums for putting the Indian movie industry on the world map, Amitabh Bachchan was conferred an honorary doctorate degree on November 4, 2006 by his Alma Mater Delhi University.
- In December of 2006, Amitabh Bachchan has been voted Indian of the Year for second year in a row. He comfortably won the Indian of the Year survey done by The Times of India newspaper in five Indian Metros. Amitabh Bachchan was also named Entertainer of the Year.
- In January of 2007, Amitabh Bachchan was honoured by the Diamond Trading Company with the Forever Indian Award to mark 60 years of India's Independence. He is the first Indian to received this award.
International honors and recognitions
- In July of 1999, Amitabh Bachchan was named the Greatest Star of the Millennium by BBC Online poll where he defeated many Hollywood legends such as Alec Guinness, Marlon Brando, Sir Laurence Olivier and Charlie Chaplin.
- In June of 2000, Amitabh Bachchan became the first living Asian to have been immortalised in wax at London's prestigious Madame Tussauds Wax museum.
- In March of 2001, Amitabh Bachchan was ranked as the most powerful actor in Bollywood, by the American publishing and media company Forbes.
- On September 10, 2001 Amitabh Bachchan was awarded the Star of the Century award, the closing day of the Alexandria International Film Festival. Egyptian Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni presented Bachchan with the award in recognition of his contribution to international cinema.
- An Amitabh Bachchan retrospective was held at the prestigious 5th Deauville Panasia Film Festival, on 14-16 March 2003.
- In a poll conducted by Britain's Channel 4 television in May of 2003, Amitabh Bachchan has been voted as "One of the Greatest 100 Film Stars of All time". Amitabh Bachchan is the only Indian actor on the list, which is dominated by American actors.
- In October of 2003, Amitabh Bachchan was honoured at the Marrakech International Film Festival.
- In April of 2005, The Walter Reade Theater of Lincoln Center in New York honoured Amitabh Bachchan with a special tribute, retrospective--titled "Amitabh Bachchan: The Biggest Film Star in the World"-- The tribute also included "An Evening with Amitabh Bachchan", a live appearance by Bachchan hosted at the Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall.
- In September of 2005, The Tropentheatre in Amsterdam honoured Amitabh Bachchan with a special tribute. The tribute also included a live appearance and a interview with Amitabh Bachchan.
- In 2005, Amitabh Bachchan has lent his voice to the Oscar-winning French documentary March of the Penguins, directed by Luc Jacquet.
- British newspaper The Sunday Times has described Amitabh Bachchan as "Tom Cruise, Sean Connery and Clint Eastwood rolled into one.” "Certainly there is no British actor alive who shares his fame," the British newspaper said on December 4, 2006.
- Amitabh Bachchan is the only Asian to feature on the BBC's chat-show, Wogan.
- UNICEF has signed Amitabh Bachchan, as a goodwill ambassador.
- Amitabh Bachchan was given an honorary degree of Doctor of Arts by De Montfort University in Leicester, UK on July 19, 2006 in recognition of his distinguished career in films. He is the first Indian star to be feted by a foreign university.
- Amitabh Bachchan will be honoured along with actors and directors from Hollywood at an International Film Festival in Rabat, Morocco.
- Amitabh Bachchan has become the first Indian celebrity and the sixth in the world to be presented with a special certificate for his support to the International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFI) in London.
- On January 27, 2007 Amitabh Bachchan has been awarded France's highest civilian honour, Legion of Honour for his "exceptional career in the world of cinema and beyond". Describing Bachchan as a "towering Indian personality" and the "number-one actor of Indian cinema", Ambassador Girard said the award "brings Bachchan into the international legion of world's greatest artistes".
