Birth Name | Inquilaab Srivastava (now Amitabh Bachchan) |
Full Name | Amitabh Harivansh Rai Shrivastava |
DOB | 11 October 1942 |
Current age | 80 years |
Nationality | Indian |
Religion | Hindu (Awadhi Hindu Kayastha) |
Caste | Kayastha |
Height | 6 ft 2 in |
Weight | 80kg |
Body Measurement | 40 inches 34 inches 12 inches |
Eye color | Dark Brown |
Hair Color | Salt and pepper |
Zodiac sign | Libra |
Education | Boys’ High School & College Sherwood College |
Alma Mater | Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi (BS) |
Spouse | Jaya Bhaduri (now Jaya Bachchan) |
Parents | Harivansh Rai Bachchan (father) Teji Bachchan (mother) |
Children | Abhishek Bachchan and Shweta Bachchan Nanda |
Estate(s) | Jalsa Bungalow |
Organization | Amitabh Bachchan Corporation |
Active years | 1969–present |
Occupations | Actor, producer, singer, television presenter |
Who is Amitabh Bachchan?
Amitabh Bachchan was born on October 11, 1942. He is an Indian actor, film producer, television host, occasional playback singer, and former politician. He has worked in Hindi cinema for over five decades. He has appeared in more than 200 films. People consider Bachchan one of the most successful and influential actors in the history of Indian cinema. He is often referred to as the Shahenshah of Bollywood, Sadi Ke Mahanayak (which means “Greatest actor of the century” in Hindi), Star of the Millennium, or Big B. The French director François Truffaut once described his dominance in the Indian movie industry during the 1970s-1980s as a “one-man industry.”
Bachchan was born in 1942 in Allahabad to Harivansh Rai Bachchan, a Hindi poet, and Teji Bachchan, a social activist. He studied at Sherwood College, Nainital, and Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi. His film career began in 1969 when he worked as a voice narrator in Mrinal Sen’s film Bhuvan Shome. Bachchan gained popularity in the early 1970s through films like Zanjeer, Deewaar, and Sholay. He became even more famous. He was known as India’s “angry young man” for his roles in Hindi films. He acted in successful and critically acclaimed films in the 1970s and 1980s. It included Amar Akbar Anthony, Don, Trishul, Muqaddar Ka Sikander, Kaala Patthar, and many more. Some of his notable performances include Namak Haraam, Abhimaan, Mili, Silsila, Dostana, Shakti, Shahenshah, and Agneepath. After taking a break from acting in the 1990s, he made a comeback in 2000 with the film Mohabbatein. Since then, he has appeared in several successful and acclaimed movies like Aankhen, Baghban, Black, Sarkar, Paa, Bhoothnath, and Piku. He won his fourth National Film Award for Best Actor for his role in Piku, making him the only actor to achieve this feat. Bachchan also had a role in the Hollywood film The Great Gatsby (2013), where he played a non-Indian Jewish character.
Throughout his career, Bachchan has received many awards and recognition. He has won four National Film Awards. They were for Best Actor. He has also been honored at various international film festivals and award ceremonies. He holds the record for the most nominations at the Filmfare Awards, with 34 nominations in the Best Actor category and 42 nominations. The Government of India bestowed upon him the Padma Shri in 1984, the Padma Bhushan in 2001, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2015. In 2018, he received the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award. It is the highest honor in Indian cinema. In 2007, the Government of France recognized his outstanding career by awarding him the Knight of the Legion of Honour. It is their highest civilian honor.
Besides acting, Bachchan has also worked as a playback singer, film producer, and television presenter. He has hosted many seasons of the popular game show Kaun Banega Crorepati, the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? He entered politics in the 1980s and has been involved in humanitarian work. Bachchan is a highly sought-after brand endorser in India. His fame extends beyond the Indian subcontinent, with a significant following among the South Asian diaspora and fans in markets such as Africa, the Middle East, the United Kingdom, Russia, Central Asia, the Caribbean, Oceania, Canada, and the United States.
Net Worth
Amitabh Bachchan, also known as the Big B of Bollywood, is a famous actor in the Hindi cinema industry. He has been a dominant presence in Bollywood for over five decades. In addition to his success in Indian cinema, Amitabh has also gained recognition as an actor in Hollywood. Along with his fame, Amitabh has amassed a significant amount of wealth through his successful Bollywood career. As of 2023, his net worth is estimated to be around $410 million.
Early Life
Bachchan was born in Allahabad on October 11, 1942, to Harivansh Rai Bachchan, a Hindi poet, and Teji Bachchan, a social activist. His father belonged to an Awadhi Hindu Kayastha family and had ancestors from a village called Babupatti in Uttar Pradesh. His mother, on the other hand, came from a Punjabi Sikh Khatri family in Lyallpur, which is now known as Faisalabad in Pakistan. Bachchan has a younger brother named Ajitabh, who is five years younger than him. Bachchan was going to be named Inquilaab. It was inspired by a phrase used during the Indian independence struggle. However, poet Sumitranandan Pant suggested the name Amitabh to his father. While their family name was Shrivastava, Bachchan’s father, who opposed the caste system, adopted the pen name Bachchan for his literary works. When it came time for Bachchan to be admitted to school, his parents decided to use Bachchan as their family name instead of Shrivastava. Since then, Amitabh has used Bachchan as his surname in films and for all other practical purposes. The surname Bachchan has also been adopted by his immediate family members. Bachchan’s father passed away in 2003, followed by his mother in 2007.
Bachchan attended Boys’ High School & College in Allahabad. He then attended Sherwood College in Nainital for his secondary education. He later enrolled at Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi. There he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1962. After completing his studies, Bachchan’s father approached Prithviraj Kapoor, the founder of Prithvi Theatre, to help him find an acting opportunity. But Kapoor didn’t offer much encouragement. Before becoming an actor, Bachchan was friends with Rajiv Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi. They used to spend time together in New Delhi. Bachchan’s family had a close relationship with the Nehru-Gandhi political family. She stayed at Bachchan’s house for 48 days. Initially, Bachchan tried to become a newsreader for All India Radio but failed the audition. He then worked as a business executive for Bird & Company in Kolkata before eventually entering the world of theater and starting his film career. It is believed that his mother had some influence on his career choice, as she always encouraged him to “take center stage.”
Full Career History
Early career (1969–1972)
Bachchan started his film career in 1969. It was with a voice narration role in the National Award-winning film Bhuvan Shome. It was directed by Mrinal Sen. He then had his first acting role in the movie Saat Hindustani (1969), directed by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas, where he was one of the seven main characters. In 1971, Bachchan appeared in the film Anand alongside Rajesh Khanna. His portrayal of a doctor with a pessimistic view of life earned him his first Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. He also played the role of an obsessed lover turned murderer in Parwana (1971). Bachchan was part of other films like Reshma Aur Shera (1971) during this time. He made a guest appearance in the film Guddi, which starred his future wife Jaya Bhaduri, and he also narrated a part of the film Bawarchi. In 1972, he had a role in the road action comedy Bombay to Goa, directed by S. Ramanathan, which had moderate success. However, many of Bachchan’s films during this early period did not perform well at the box office. His film Sanjog (1972), which co-starred Mala Sinha, was also a commercial failure.
Rise to stardom (1973–1974)
Bachchan faced difficulties in his early career. He was considered a “failed newcomer”. It was because of twelve flops and only two hits by the age of 30. In 1973, director O.P Goyle and writer O.P Ralhan offered him a dual role in the film Bandhe Hath. That became his first movie, where he played double roles. Bachchan was later discovered by the renowned screenwriting duo Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar. They are known as Salim-Javed. Salim Khan wrote the story and screenplay for the film Zanjeer (1973), introducing the iconic “angry young man” persona for the lead role. Despite struggling to find an actor for the role, Salim-Javed recognized Bachchan’s talent and insisted on casting him. They introduced Bachchan to director Prakash Mehra, who agreed that he was the ideal choice. Zanjeer was a crime film with intense action, a departure from the romantic themes seen at the time. It marked a turning point in Bachchan’s career, establishing him as the “angry young man” of Bollywood cinema. He received his first Filmfare Award nomination for Best Actor. The film was a tremendous success, ending his streak of box office failures and propelling him to stardom. Salim-Javed continued to write scripts with Bachchan in mind, leading to their collaborations on blockbuster films like Deewaar (1975) and Sholay (1975). Bachchan’s association with directors Manmohan Desai, Prakash Mehra, and Yash Chopra also flourished during this time.
As time went on, Bachchan became one of the most successful leading actors in the film industry. His portrayal of the protagonist fighting against a corrupt system and facing various hardships in movies like Zanjeer, Deewaar, Trishul, Kaala Patthar, and Shakti resonated with the masses. It was particularly the youth who were dissatisfied with social issues. The social issues were poverty, hunger, unemployment, corruption, and social inequality. During the 1970s in India, this led to Bachchan being known as the “angry young man,”. That was the term that symbolized the pent-up anger, frustration, restlessness, rebellion, and anti-establishment sentiment of an entire generation. In 1973, Bachchan married Jaya, and they appeared together in many films. Besides Zanjeer, they acted in other successful movies. It included movies like Abhimaan, released shortly after their marriage. Bachchan also played the role of Vikram in the film Namak Haraam. It was directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee and scripted by Biresh Chatterjee. This social drama addressed the theme of friendship and earned Bachchan his second Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. In 1974, Bachchan made guest appearances in films like Kunwara Baap and Dost before taking on a supporting role in Roti Kapda Aur Makaan. This Manoj Kumar-directed film explored the values of honesty in the face of oppression and hardships, both financial and emotional, and emerged as the highest-grossing film of that year. Bachchan then starred in the lead role in the film Majboor, which also performed well at the box office.
Superstardom (1975–1988)
In 1975, Bachchan appeared in a range of film genres. He starred in the comedy Chupke Chupke, the crime drama Faraar, and the romantic drama Mili. It was a significant year for Bachchan as he worked on two films that are considered important in Hindi cinema history, both written by Salim-Javed, who insisted on casting him once again. The first film was Deewaar, directed by Yash Chopra, where he acted alongside Shashi Kapoor, Nirupa Roy, Parveen Babi, and Neetu Singh. Bachchan earned another Filmfare nomination for Best Actor, and the movie became a major box office success in 1975, ranking fourth. Deewaar is often recognized as one of the must-see Bollywood films. The second film, released on August 15, 1975, was Sholay, which became the highest-grossing Indian film of all time at that point. In Sholay, Bachchan played the role of Jaidev. Both Deewaar and Sholay played a significant role in cementing Bachchan’s superstardom. They helped establish his dominance in the industry throughout the 1970s and 1980s. In 1999, Sholay was declared the “Film of the Millennium” by BBC India. It has been listed among the top must-see Bollywood films. It was also honored with the Filmfare Best Film of 50 Years award at the 50th annual Filmfare Awards. In 1976, Bachchan was cast by Yash Chopra in the romantic family drama Kabhie Kabhie. He portrayed the character of Amit Malhotra. It was a young poet character who falls in love with Pooja, played by Rakhee Gulzar. Pooja ends up marrying someone else, portrayed by Shashi Kapoor. This film showcased Bachchan as a romantic hero, a departure from his previous “angry young man” roles. Kabhie Kabhie received positive responses from both critics and audiences, and Bachchan was once again nominated for the Filmfare Best Actor Award. That same year, he played a double role in the successful film Adalat, portraying both a father and son. In 1977, Bachchan won his first Filmfare Best Actor Award for his performance in Amar Akbar Anthony. In the film, he played the third lead alongside Vinod Khanna and Rishi Kapoor. Amar Akbar Anthony emerged as the highest-grossing film of that year. Other successful films for Bachchan in 1977 included Parvarish and Khoon Pasina.
In 1978, Bachchan once again took on double roles. It was in films like Kasme Vaade. There he played Amit and Shankar, and Don, portraying both Don and his look-alike Vijay. His performance in Don earned him his second Filmfare Best Actor Award. He also delivered impressive performances in Yash Chopra’s Trishul and Prakash Mehra’s Muqaddar Ka Sikandar. It garnered him further nominations for the Filmfare Best Actor Award. 1978 is considered one of his most successful years at the box office. All six of his releases that year, including Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Trishul, Don, Kasme Vaade, Ganga Ki Saugandh, and Besharam, were massive successes. The first three films mentioned were the highest-grossing films of the year, a rare achievement in Indian cinema. In 1979, Bachchan starred in Suhaag, which was the highest-grossing film of that year. He received critical acclaim and commercial success with other films in the same year. It included Mr. Natwarlal, Kaala Patthar, The Great Gambler, and Manzil. In Mr. Natwarlal, Bachchan had to use his singing voice for the first time in a song. His performance in the film earned him nominations for both the Filmfare Best Actor Award and the Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer. He also received a Best Actor nomination for Kaala Patthar. In 1980, he was nominated again for his role in the film Dostana. It was directed by Raj Khosla. He starred alongside Shatrughan Sinha and Zeenat Aman. Dostana turned out to be the highest-grossing film of 1980. In 1981, he appeared in Yash Chopra’s melodrama film Silsila, co-starring his wife Jaya and Rekha. Bachchan had several successful films during this period, including Shaan, Ram Balram, Naseeb, Lawaaris, Kaalia, Yaarana, Barsaat Ki Ek Raat, and Shakti, in which he acted alongside Dilip Kumar. In 1982, Bachchan played double roles in the musical Satte Pe Satta and the action-drama Desh Premee, both of which succeeded at the box office. He also had hits with films like Namak Halaal, Khud-Daar, and the critically acclaimed drama Bemisal. In 1983, he portrayed a triple role in Mahaan, although it was not as successful as his previous films. Other releases in that year, including Nastik and Pukar, were hits, while his extended guest appearance in Andha Kanoon became a blockbuster. During his political stint from 1984 to 1987, his completed films Mard (1985) and Aakhree Raasta (1986) were released and became major hits. In 1987, Bachchan made a special appearance in the film Kaun Jeeta Kaun Haara and sang a playback song with Kishore Kumar.
The tragic Coolie incident
On July 26, 1982, while filming the movie Coolie, Bachchan suffered a severe intestinal injury. It was during a fight scene with co-actor Puneet Issar. The scene required him to fall onto a table and then onto the ground. As he jumped towards the table, the corner of the table struck his abdomen. It caused a rupture in his spleen and significant blood loss. He underwent emergency surgery. It was to remove his spleen, and he remained critically ill in the hospital for several months, with moments when his life was in danger. Outside the hospital, there were long lines of fans. They wished him well, and people offered prayers and even sacrifices to save him. After a lengthy period of recovery, Bachchan resumed filming later that year. The director of the film, Manmohan Desai, decided to change the ending of Coolie. Originally, Bachchan’s character was supposed to be killed off, but in light of his real-life struggle and survival, the script was altered, and the character survived in the end. The fight scene footage was frozen at the critical moment, with a caption indicating the actor’s injury. Coolie was released in 1983, and due in part to the extensive publicity surrounding Bachchan’s accident, the film became a box-office success and the highest-grossing film of the year.
Health issues
After being diagnosed with Myasthenia gravis, Bachchan experienced weakness in both his mind and body. This led him to make the decision to retire from films and enter the world of politics. During this period, he became pessimistic and worried about the reception of his films, often expressing his concerns by saying, “Yeh film to flop hogi!” which means “This film will flop!” before each release.
Career fluctuations and break (1988–1992)
After his involvement in politics from 1984 to 1987, Bachchan made a comeback to films in 1988. It was with the successful movie Shahenshah. His later films like Jaadugar, Toofan, and Main Azaad Hoon, all released in 1989, failed to perform well at the box office. He did experience some success during this time. It was with films like Aaj Ka Arjun (1990) and Hum (1991), for which he won his third Filmfare Best Actor Award. This success was short-lived, and he continued to face a series of box-office failures. Despite the lack of commercial hits, Bachchan’s performance as a Mafia don in the cult film Agneepath (1990) earned him his first National Film Award for Best Actor. After the release of the acclaimed Khuda Gawah in 1992, Bachchan entered a period of semi-retirement for five years. During this time, he did not appear in any new film releases, except for the delayed release of Insaniyat (1994), which also failed to perform well at the box office.
Business ventures and acting comeback (1996–1999)
During his temporary retirement, Bachchan ventured into production. He established Amitabh Bachchan Corporation, Ltd. (ABCL) in 1996. ABCL aimed to cover various aspects of India’s entertainment industry. It included film production and distribution, audio cassettes and video discs, television software production and marketing, and celebrity and event management. Their first film production was Tere Mere Sapne in 1996. It achieved moderate success and helped launch the careers of actors like Arshad Warsi and Simran. In 1997, Bachchan made an attempt to make a comeback as an actor with the film Mrityudata, which was produced by ABCL. The film failed both financially and critically. It was unable to replicate Bachchan’s earlier success as an action hero. ABCL faced financial troubles and legal battles following the failure of the film. The company suffered a significant loss as the main sponsor of the 1996 Miss World beauty pageant. These challenges, along with reported overpayments to top-level managers. It led to the financial and operational collapse of ABCL in 1997. The company went into administration. It was declared a failed company by the Indian Industries board. Bachchan faced legal constraints on selling his properties. It was due to pending loan recovery cases.
Bachchan made efforts to revive his acting career. He experienced commercial success with films like Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998) and Major Saab (1998). He received positive reviews for his performance in Sooryavansham (1999). Other films, such as Lal Baadshah (1999) and Hindustan Ki Kasam (1999) failed to perform well at the box office.
Return to prominence (2000–present)
In 2000, Bachchan had a successful role in the film Mohabbatein, directed by Aditya Chopra, where he played a stern elder figure opposite Shahrukh Khan. This earned him his third Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. He continued to deliver hits with films like Ek Rishtaa: The Bond of Love (2001), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham… (2001), and Baghban (2003), portraying the role of an older family patriarch. Bachchan showcased his versatility by receiving critical acclaim for his performances in films such as Aks (2001), Aankhen (2002), Kaante (2002), Khakee (2004), and Dev (2004). His performance in Aks even won him his first Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor. One of his notable successes during this time was the film Black (2005), directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Bachchan played the role of an aging teacher of a deaf-blind girl, and his performance received widespread praise. He won his second National Film Award for Best Actor, fourth Filmfare Best Actor Award, and second Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor for his outstanding portrayal in the film. Following this resurgence, Bachchan began endorsing various products and services, appearing in numerous television and billboard advertisements. From 2005 to 2006, Bachchan starred alongside his son Abhishek in successful films like Bunty Aur Babli (2005), Sarkar (2005), and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006). In 2007, he appeared in films like Cheeni Kum and Shootout at Lokhandwala, which performed well at the box office. However, the remake of his popular film Sholay, titled Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag, was a major commercial failure. In the same year, he made his debut in an English-language film called The Last Lear, receiving positive reviews for his performance. Bachchan was also set to appear in the international film Shantaram, but due to production delays, the film’s release was postponed indefinitely.
On 9th May 2008, Bhoothnath, directed by Vivek Sharma, was released. It featured Bachchan in the title role as a ghost. The film received mixed reviews. In June 2008, the sequel to the 2005 film Sarkar, titled Sarkar Raj, was released and received a positive response at the box office. Towards the end of 2009, Paa was released, which was anticipated as it showcased Bachchan playing the role of his own son’s Progeria-affected 13-year-old son. The film received favorable reviews, particularly for Bachchan’s performance, and was one of the highest-grossing films of 2009. For his role in Paa, Bachchan won his third National Film Award for Best Actor and his fifth Filmfare Best Actor Award. In 2010, he made his debut in Malayalam cinema with the film Kandahar, directed by Major Ravi and co-starring Mohanlal. The film was based on the hijacking incident of Indian Airlines Flight 814. Bachchan decided not to take any remuneration for his role in this film. In 2011, he portrayed the character of an aged retired gangster in the film Bbuddah… Hoga Terra Baap. The film, directed by Puri Jagannadh, received positive reviews and was a commercial success.
In 2013, Bachchan made his Hollywood debut in The Great Gatsby, where he made a special appearance alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire. In 2014, he reprised his role as the friendly ghost in the sequel Bhoothnath Returns. The following year, he portrayed a grumpy father dealing with chronic constipation in the critically acclaimed film Piku. It was also a major success in 2015. Bachchan’s performance in Piku received high praise from critics. They noted his energetic portrayal of the character and his impeccable comic timing. Bachchan’s portrayal of the character Bhashkor Banerji was appreciated for its authenticity. It had the ability to generate laughs. His performance in Piku earned him his fourth National Film Award for Best Actor and his third Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor. Rajeev Masand, a well-known Indian critic, praised Bachchan’s portrayal of Bhashkor in the film. He described Bhashkor as an oddball uncle whom you still have a soft spot for. Bachchan effectively portrayed the character’s idiosyncrasies, engaging in arguments with the maids, troubling his helper, and expecting his daughter Piku to remain unmarried so she can take care of him. Masand also highlighted a scene where Bhashkor casually mentions that his daughter is financially and sexually independent to discourage a potential suitor. Bachchan’s performance was praised for its comedic timing and ability to deliver laughs without resorting to caricature. The Guardian also commended Bachchan’s portrayal, stating that he skillfully portrayed Bhashkor’s cranky nature and made him hilariously opinionated about caste and marriage, just as his own digestive system was backed-up. This performance earned Bachchan his fourth National Film Award for Best Actor and his third Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor. In 2016, Bachchan appeared in the courtroom drama film Pink. It received high praise from critics. It became a resounding success. Bachchan’s performance in the film was acclaimed. Raja Sen of Rediff.com described his character as a retired lawyer with bipolar disorder who fights for the girls, delivering powerful arguments in court. Bachchan’s commanding presence and delivery of lines like “et cetera” added to the impact of his performance. There were also softer moments. It was when his character appeared to doze off in court or when he sought comfort by his wife’s bedside. Anupama Chopra of Hindustan Times praised Bachchan’s portrayal. She noted his ability to imbue the character with a tragic majesty without any showboating. Meena Iyer of The Times of India highlighted the pitch-perfect performances of the entire cast, with Bachchan leading the way. Troy Ribeiro of Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) commented on Bachchan’s restrained yet powerful performance as the aged defense lawyer, showcasing his emotions through his well-modulated baritone and well-written dialogue. Mike McCahill of The Guardian acknowledged the strong performances of the entire ensemble cast while emphasizing Bachchan’s moral authority as the girls’ sole legal ally.
In 2017, Bachchan starred in the third installment of the Sarkar film series, titled Sarkar 3, directed by Ram Gopal Varma. During the same year, he began filming for the action-adventure film Thugs Of Hindostan alongside Aamir Khan, Katrina Kaif, and Fatima Sana Shaikh. The film was released in November 2018. He also co-starred with Rishi Kapoor in the comedy-drama film 102 Not Out, directed by Umesh Shukla, which was based on a Gujarati play. In 2019, Bachchan portrayed the character of Badal Gupta in Sujoy Ghosh’s film Badla. Later in the same year, he made his Telugu film debut in Surender Reddy’s Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy, where he played the role of Gosayi Venkanna. In 2020, he appeared in Gulabo Sitabo, for which he received the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor. In 2021, he starred in Rumy Jaffery’s mystery thriller Chehre alongside Emraan Hashmi. In 2022, he acted in five films: Jhund, Runway 34, Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva, Goodbye, and Uunchai. Currently, he is preparing to appear in Nag Ashwin’s Project K.
Political Career
In 1984, Bachchan took a break from acting and entered politics to support his family friend Rajiv Gandhi. He ran for a seat in the 8th Lok Sabha from Allahabad and won with a significant margin of votes. He resigned from his seat in July 1987 for reasons that are not specified. During this time, there were speculations and controversies about his brother’s alleged involvement in the “Bofors scandal.” Facing a financial crisis due to the failure of his company ABCL, Bachchan received support from his friend Amar Singh. He then became associated with the Samajwadi Party, which Amar Singh was a part of. Bachchan’s wife, Jaya Bachchan, also joined the party and served as an MP in the Rajya Sabha. Bachchan participated in the party’s advertisements and political campaigns. Although his claims of being a farmer in the advertisements were questioned in court. Bachchan has claimed that he faced a ban from the film press during the emergency period. It was due to his family’s association with Indira Gandhi. He has also been accused of using the slogan “blood for blood” in relation to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, although he denies these allegations. In 2014, he was summoned by a court in Los Angeles on the same issue. Bachchan expressed his willingness to fight the case in court and requested the accusers to provide proof. Additionally, he served as one of the trustees of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation.
Awards and Honors
Besides receiving industry awards for his performances, Bachchan has been honored with several accolades. They were for his contributions to the Indian film industry. In 1991, he became the first artist to receive the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also honored as the Superstar of the Millennium at the Filmfare Awards in 2000. In 2001, Bachchan was recognized with the Actor of the Century award at the Alexandria International Film Festival in Egypt. He has received many other honors at international film festivals. It included the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2010 Asian Film Awards. Bachchan was granted Honorary Citizenship of the French town of Deauville in 2003. The Government of India has bestowed upon him the Padma Shri in 1984, the Padma Bhushan in 2001, the Padma Vibhushan in 2015, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2019. He was also awarded the Order of Afghanistan by the President of Afghanistan in 1991. Bachchan received the Rashtriya Kishore Kumar Samman for 2002-2003 from the Government of Madhya Pradesh. In 2007, he was honored with France’s highest civilian honor, the Knight of the Legion of Honour, for his exceptional career in cinema and beyond. In 2012, at the age of 69, Bachchan had the honor of carrying the Olympic torch during its relay in London’s Southwark.