Mumbai: Amitabh Bachchan, a name that is synonymous to Hindi cinema is an embodiment of classic Indian hero. The superstar of the millennium is celebrating 75 years of his life and 48 years long career in Bollywood. For years, the senior actor has miraculously reinvented himself according to changing times and kept his scintillating stardom intact. The love, respect and admiration that Mr Bachchan has got from his million of fans all over the world is unparalleled. On the occasion of our beloved Big B, we bring you the lesser known facts about his life that makes him the ultimate superstar in Bollywood.
1. The struggle: From Rags to Riches
Amitabh Bachchan got interest in acting through her mother. She was fond of acting, but because of family responsibility she was not able to make her career. However, she wanted to send Amitabh in this field. Amitabh’s younger brother Ajitabh Bachchan did his first photoshoot album for movies. Amitabh Bachchan has suffered rejection several times in the early days from his born in Allahabad, to Nainital to Delhi where he has done his studies. Amitabh wanted to become an engineer and wanted to join the Indian Air Force. After completion, his studies in Delhi, Amitabh has joined his first job as an executive of a shipping firm in Kolkata where his first salary was Rs.500. When Amitabh came to Bombay it is interesting to know that he got rejected to the All India Radio because of his voice. When Big B did not have a house in Mumbai at that time, he has spent many nights at the Marine Drive.
Amitabh was never much inclined to career in Bollywood.
In 1969, he started his filmy career by giving his voice in Mrinal Sen’s Bengali film and subsequently did ‘Saat Hindustani’ as an actor, he had paid Rs.1000 for this film. Here he went to work as a newsreader. Sunil Dutt has signed him first in his Hindi film ‘Reshma Aur Shera’. Very soon Amitabh Bachchan started getting recognition in the industry. As an actor Amitabh’s first hit movie was Zanjeer in 1973. Earlier, his 12 films had flopped.
2. The Rise of The Stardom
Saat Hindustani wasn't a financial success, but Amitabh Bachchan won his first National Award as the best newcomer and so took wings the amazing acting career of one who would be the Big B in Bollywood. Prakash Mehra directed Zanjeer marked a new beginning. Amitabh started riding the waves of popularity with his young angry man image that began a remarkable journey of fame and success. The year 1975 saw the release of Amitabh's two biggest blockbusters Sholay and Deewar. From 1973 to 1984, Amitabh’s about 19 films has celebrated Golden Jubilee. Amitabh's jubilant magic, his trademark deep baritone voice, his tall persona, and intense eyes did their trick on the audience, which led to superstardom for the actor.
Amitabh Bachchan was immensely popular for his young angry man image.
3. The alleged Link-ups and Relationships
Back in the late-seventies, Big B and Rekha's rumoured affair was most talked about filmy gossip. The elusive relationship of the two has kept fan’s imagination captive for decades. In fact Rekha has gone on record to profess her love for Amitabh on various occasions, but Big B have mostly maintained a stoic silence on the topic.
It was on Rendezvous with Simi Grewal that Rekha bared her heart on national television for the first time. When Simi asked if Rekha fell in love in Amitabh, she said, "Absolutely! Duh, that's a dumb question! (Did Rekha fall in love with Amitabh in the process of working together?) I'm yet to come across a man, woman, child, who can't help but fall completely, passionately, insanely, desperately and especially, hopelessly, in love with him. So why should I be singled out?" She added, "You want to know the truth? There was never a personal connection with him. That's the truth. What do I deny? I'm not in love with him? Of course I am. Duniya bhar ka love aap le lijiyega and add some more - I feel that for that person. Bottomline."
Rekha and Amitabh Bachchan.
Parveen Babi was one of the most seductive actress of her time. There were gossips of her affair with Amitabh Bachchan as they were doing several films together.
Another popular actress Zeenat Aman was speculated having a relationship with Amitabh but the gossip did not last long as Zeenat soon got involved into other affairs with Sanjay Khan and Mazhar Khan.
4. The Downfall
With his brilliant acting skills and his ability to deliver blockbusters after blockbuster, Bachchan was set for long haul.
On the sets of Coolie, Amitabh was seriously injured while filming a fight sequence. He was rushed to the hospital and initial reports said that the injury was serious, even life-threatening. His fans were devastated. They feared for him and all across the country people prayed that the almighty would return their icon to them.
Amitabh Bachchan's iconic Coolie character.
Amitabh’s production company, ABCL, went through extreme financial crunch. The films he were producing and acting were getting flop. He was on the verge of losing everything that he had including his house.
In the midst of his career when Big B did not have a job, he was asked Yash Chopra for work. After that only he got the film Mohabbatein which somewhat revived his ailing career. Ultimately in the year 2000, TV show Kaun Banega Crorepati proved to be major comeback for Big B and in later years he successfully fulfilled his debts.
5. The Legacy of Name Amitabh Bachchan
His father Harivansh Rai Bachchan wanted to put his name Inkalaab, but after the advice of the poet Sumitra Nandan Pant he was named as Amitabh. His mother Teji Bachchan mostly called her with the name of Munna. Amitabh’s last name is Srivastava in real, but he uses his father’s nickname ‘Bachchan’ as his last name.
Amitabh is the The first Asian actor whose wax effigy is placed at Madame Tussads Museum, London. Also, in 2009 in New York and Hong Konga also his effigies are placed. In the Alexandria Film Festival in Egypt, 2001, he was awarded as the title of ‘superstar of the century’. In a poll that was conducted by BBC News, Amitabh Bachchan won the title of ‘Actor of the Millennium’ by beating stars like Charlie Chaplin and Marlon Brando (American actor). Indian comic character ‘supremo’ is based on him
Amitabh Bachchan is very fond of technology and has adapted himself with changing times.
July 26, 2012, Amitabh has received the honor of running with the Olympic torch. Olympic organizing committee had invited him specially. In 2001, he was awarded with Padma Bhushan.
Century mega star Amitabh Bachchan is not only the king of movies but also the king of social media. On Twitter, the number of his followers has reached 31 million.
It is disheartening for fans to know that the superstar is not going to celebrate either his birthday or Diwali this year. Nevertheless, here we wishing our beloved superstar a Happy Birthday.
