Amitabh Bachchan, (born October 11, 1942, Allahabad, India), Indian film actor, perhaps the most popular star in the history of India’s cinema, known primarily for his roles in action films.Bachchan, the son of the renowned Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, attended Sherwood College in Nainital and the University of Delhi. He worked as a business executive in Calcutta (Kolkata) and performed in theatre before embarking on a film career. Bachchan made his big-screen debut in Saat Hindustani (1969; “Seven Indians”), and he received the first of his numerous Filmfare Awards for his performance in Anand (1971). His first major success came with Zanjeer (1973; “Chain”). A string of action films followed, including Deewar (1975; “Wall”), Sholay (1975; “Embers”), and Don (1978). Nicknamed “Big B,” Bachchan personified a new type of action star in Indian films, that of the “angry young man,” rather than the romantic hero. He was often compared to Clint Eastwood—although, unlike Eastwood and other American action stars, Bachchan was renowned for his versatility, and many of his roles showcased his talents at singing, dancing, and comedy.
Film Coolie in 1982 touched off a national prayer vigil for his recovery. His subsequent films, however, did poorly at the box office, and Bachchan entered politics at the encouragement of his friend Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. In 1984 he was elected to India’s parliament by an overwhelming majority, but he resigned his seat in 1989 after being implicated in a bribery scandal that toppled Gandhi’s government.
Bachchan returned to film and won a National Film Award for his portrayal of a mafia don in Agneepath (1990; “Path of Fire”). He later headed Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Ltd., an entertainment venture that specialized in film production and event management. The business was plagued by financial difficulties, however, and Bachchan eventually returned to performing. His later movies included the crime drama Hum (1991); Mohabbatein (2000; Love Stories), a musical that was a major box-office success; and Black (2005), which was inspired by Helen Keller’s life story. For the latter film Bachchan won another National Film Award, and he also received that honour for his performance in the drama Paa (2009), playing a boy who suffers from an aging disease similar to progeria.
By the early 21st century, Bachchan had appeared in more than 175 Bollywood films, and at age 70 he made his Hollywood debut as a minor character in Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby (2013). His later notable films included the comedy Piku (2015), for which he won his fourth National Film Award, and Pink (2016), a crime drama in which he was cast as a lawyer. In 102 Not Out (2018), he played a man trying to break the record for the oldest man alive. The crime drama Badla (2019) was among the biggest hits of Bachchan’s career.
