All About Bollywood

Amitabh is the only actor in the history of Indian cinema, who even in his sixties, continues to give stiff competition to younger actors.

Born to Harivansh Rai, famous Indian poet, and Teji Bachchan October 11, 1942 in Allahabad, Amitabh borrowed his father's pen name 'Bachchan' instead of the family surname Srivastava. He joined the industry in 1969 with Saat Hindustani. He also became Bollywood’s first action man with Zanjeer in 1973. He was known as "the angry young man" after that movie. This movie gave him acclaim and made him a superstar.

During this period, Amitabh decided to contest elections at the behest of his close friend Rajiv Gandhi, the then prime minister. He represented the Congress Party from his hometown Allahabad and won with a thumping majority. However, he resigned midterm because of controversies. Amitabh regretted his decision to enter politics saying, "he was never meant for it".