Contents
Amitabh Bachchan
Defining Hindi cinema’s “angry young man” in Zanjeer and Deewaar, then building a second career as an elder leading actor.
Deewaar · Sholay
- Born
- 11 October 1942
- Birthplace
- Allahabad, British India (now Prayagraj, India)
More people
Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan’s deep voice and intense screen presence helped reshape the Hindi-film hero in the 1970s. His career later widened into television hosting and roles built around age, authority and vulnerability.
Early life
A literary family
His father Harivansh Rai Bachchan was a Hindi poet; his mother Teji Bachchan encouraged his interest in performance.
Education before cinema
He studied at Sherwood College and Kirori Mal College, then worked in Calcutta before moving into films.
Career
- 1969–1971
Early film work
Saat Hindustani marked his acting debut; a supporting role in Anand brought wider attention.
- 1973–1980s
A new leading man
Zanjeer established his forceful screen persona, followed by major dramas, action films and comedies.
- 1984–1987
A political interlude
He represented Allahabad in India’s parliament before resigning and returning to film work.
- 2000 onward
Television and later roles
Kaun Banega Crorepati introduced him as a television host while films such as Black and Piku expanded his later career.
Selected work
Deewaar
Two brothers stand on opposite sides of the law in a drama shaped by poverty and family loyalties.
Sholay
His restrained Jai forms one half of a memorable partnership in the action adventure.
Piku
An ageing father’s habits and anxieties drive a family road comedy.
Beyond work
A family in cinema
He married actress Jaya Bachchan; their son Abhishek Bachchan also became an actor.
Public-health campaigning
His voice and public appearances supported India’s polio-eradication campaign.
Sources & photo credit
Life and career ↗Institutional or specialist reference ↗UNICEF service ↗Featured contribution ↗Photo: File:Amitabh Bacchan and Shrinivas Kulkarni.jpg : Shrinivaskulkarni1388 derivative work: Junior Jumper. CC BY-SA 4.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
