Amitabh Bachchan

Amitabh Bachchan is in popular parlance, the king of Indian cinema was born on October 11,1942 in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. Son of well known poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Teji Bachchan. He went to Sherwood College, a boarding school in the hill-station town of Nainital, and from there to Delhi University where he earned a doublw MA degree.

He was a former stage actor,radio announcer and freight company executive in Calcutta. When he was just trying to get a break in movies he was told to soften his ‘deep’ voice. However it was soon realised that his deep rich voice was excellent for narration. He has provided narrations for several films. Married to Jaya Bhaduri, a well known actress, he has two kids, Shweta and Abhishek. His first movie was Saat Hindustani (1969). He came to be known as ‘The Angry Young Man’ after his film Zanjeer (1973), which made him a superstar. He also served as an MP from Allahabad but resigned shortly. While shooting for Coolie (1983) he received a near fatal injury. He was hospitalized and the Indian press issued daily bulletins on his health.

Amitabh had a very close association with the former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her son Rajiv Gandhi and he was elected to parliament with a huge majority from his home town of Allahabad. But in politics he did not last.

He launched a multi-faceted commercial enterprise known simply as Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited, or ABCL. ABCL is engaged in production,distribution and all other aspects of the movie industry. It is now known as AB Corp.

He was considered finished in the late nineties after superstar 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 hot of the popular TV quiz series ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ which put him right back on the number one spot of Bollywood actors reaffirming his reputation as the living legend of Indian cinema with a new series of high profile films.

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. Recently he received the top Award of France-The Legion of Honour.

His Nishabda created a controversy in the public due to its bold subject.