Big B - The living legend

By: Smitha Nambiar

"Pain is my destiny and I can't avoid it". This is nothing, but one of the famous dialogue by Amitabh Bachchan from the film Kaala Patthar. Like the dialogue, Big B's life has been full of pain-but pain that helped him evolve as an actor and grow to be a truly spectacular human being. The son of poet Harivansh Rai and Teji Bachchan rode the Indian film industry like a colossus for close to three decades.

Amitabh Bachchan, who was voted once as the millennium's "greatest star of stage or screen" in a BBC online poll was the first Indian film star to be immortalized in wax at 'Madame Tussauds' museum in London. Off late, one of Amitji's close friends, Anwar Ali (Mehmood's brother) surprised him with a book on their friendship called 'Amitabh and I'. Both began their career together with Saat Hindustani.

Recently, when he was shooting for Anil Sharma's Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyon, he read in the papers that farmers in Andhra Pradesh were committing suicide for loans for very small amounts of money. Bachchan was so overwhelmed that he donated Rs. 1.1 million to the farmers. This money has paid off 42 Andhra Pradesh farmers. Amitabh Bachchan has definitely come a long way.

Not many years ago, Big B had started Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited, a commercial enterprise, engaged in all aspects of the movie industry. Inspite of releasing many note-worthy films, the company experienced severe loss and fell into the league of 'bankruptcy'. Count down had begun for this mega-star...atleast that was the buzz in Bollywood. Amazingly, Amitabh came back with astounding energy in the year 2000 with 'Kaun Banega Karodpati'-a game show on the same lines of 'Who wants to be a Millionaire'; a popular show in the US that had millions glued to the television set. It was a sensation!

Childhood and youth

Amitabh Bachchan, who was born on October 11, 1942 in Allahabad, was named Amit Shrivastava. Amitabh had great fascination for acting and at home as a kid, he would fabricate ridiculous stories, prop up a bed sheet as a curtain and perform before it. There wasn't a single year in school or college that he wasn't doing plays. He later went to Sherwood College (a boarding school in the hill-station town of Nainital) and from there to Delhi University where he earned an arts degree. He worked as a stage actor, radio announcer and freight company executive in Kolkata before moving to Bombay in 1968.

The struggle continues

Ajitabh, Big B's younger brother clicked some pictures of Amitabh and sent it to the 'Filmfare-Madhuri-United Producers' talent contest, but nothing happened. He then applied to 'All India Radio' for the post of a news announcer. It is ironic that though he is known for his rich voice, Amitabh was rejected by 'All India Radio' and even played a mute in one of his early films Reshma Aur Shera (1971). He also played villain in Parwana where Navin Nischol was the hero.

Big B gets a break

Saat Hindustani in 1969 launched Amitabh in the Hindi Cinema. However, what really gave him a 'break' was Zanjeer (1973). The film, directed by Prakash Mehra had him play the lead role. He infused in the character a quiet brooding and internal sadness, that when triggered by the right circumstances erupted in frightening rage. His portrayal of an 'angry man' touched a nerve with the populist psyche and he went on to become the most enduring icon in Bollywood film and Indian cinema history.

It was on the sets of Guddi that he met Jaya Bhaduri, who was a very bubbly and talkative girl. They had promised each other a holiday in London if Zanjeer clicked at the box office. The film released in May 1973 and they got married on June 3rd after which they left for their holiday on June 4th! Today, Amitabh and Jaya are blessed with two children-Shweta and Abhishek. Abhishek of course is following his father's footsteps and has evolved immensely as an actor.

Amit-Rekha - the natural 'pair'

The sizzling affair between Amitabh and the Bollywood's eternal temptress Rekha remains unparalleled and provided with a lot of material for gossip tabloids. It is speculated that their love story began on the sets of Do Anjaane. The pair provided many hits with Khoon Pasina, Suhaag, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Ram Balram and Mr. Natwarlal amongst others. Amidst many rumours and tension, the couple parted ways. The last film that they starred together was Yash Chopra's Silsila (1981), also starring Jaya in the love triangle.

Big B's brush with death

In one of the action scene in the film Coolie (1983), Amitabh was hit on the solar plexus and was writhing in pain. Dr Bhatt, a surgeon from Vellore, was consulted who said that Amitabh would die if he weren't operated upon immediately. There was such an outpouring of concern for him that it seemed as if the entire country was praying for his recovery. Luckily he pulled through.

Amitabh who started with Rs. 5000 in Saat Hindustani (1969) today fetches $1,000,000! Some of his recent hits include: Mohabbatein (2000), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), Baghban (2003) and Khakee (2004). Today, at the age of 61, the actor shows no signs of slowing down and the stories of this legend will live on for a long time to come and is most definitely the 'Star of the Week'.

Wanna share something interesting about your favourite Celebrity...Click here.

Recent Stories
Padmini Kolhapure: Born for cinema
Lata Mangeshkar the singer of the millennium