Happy Birthday, Amitabh Bachchan:
Amitabh Bachchan – the name is synonymous with Indian Cinema in many parts of the world. The actor who has more than 150 feature films to his credit, other than his many special appearances, songs and even a popular TV show hosting stint, is considered the absolute Shahenshah of Bollywood.
Born in the tumultuous year of 1942, Amitabh Bachchan was almost named Inquilab by his freedom fighter parents, renowned poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Teji. After a family friend intervened, the name Amitabh was chosen. His name means ‘the light that will never go off.’
Nicknamed Munna by his parents, he would soon find himself playing big brother to Ajitabh. 03Big B is married to Jaya Bachchan. His personal life was deeply entwined with his professional journey, for a romance that began on the sets of 1972’s Ek Nazar became the love story scripted in the best Bollywood fashion. The couple was married on June 3, 1973 following the success of Zanjeer. The Bachchans’ younger child, Abhishek, was born on February 5, 1976 and became an actor like his parents. He married former Miss World and superstar Aishwarya Rai and the two have a daughter, Aaradhya. 06Amitabh Bachchan is perhaps the most famous alumnus of Nainital’s Sherwood College, and later Delhi University’s Kirori Mal College, where he was actively involved in theatre. At the time, acting wasn’t a priority for young Amitabh – who aspired to be an engineer or an officer with the Indian Air Force.
Before he realised his dream to, he worked in Kolkata with Shaw Wallace Breweries, which was followed by a stint with the shipping firm Bird & Co. as a freight broker.