Monday, November 19, 2007

Amitabh Bachchan

Early life

Amitabh Bachchan was born in the city of Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh) in a Hindu Kayastha family. His father Dr. Harivansh Rai Bachchan was a well-known Hindi poet. Amitabh's mother is a Sikh from Karachi-Pakistan.[1] Amitabh was initially named as Inquilab inspired from the phrase Inquilab Zindabad during the Indian independence struggle. He was re-christened Amitabh which means the light that would never go off. Though his last-name was Srivastava, his father had adopted the pen-name Bachchan, under which was published all his work. It is with this last name that Amitabh debuted in films, and, for all public purposes, it has become the surname of all members of the current family.

Born on 11 October 1942 at 3 am in the middle of the World War II, he is the eldest of the two sons of Dr. Harisvanshrai Bachchan. Amitabh emphasizes even today that he can never be the man his father was. His mother was very fond of stage and was also offered a role in a film after her marriage, but she preferred to become a quintessential homemaker. In a way she was responsible for Amitabh's career because she always wanted him to take the centre stage.[2]

Bachchan has a double M.A. (Master of Arts) degree. He attended Allahabad's Jnana Prabodhini, followed by Nainital's Sherwood College, where he majored in the art stream. He later went on to study at Kirori Mal College in Delhi University earning a degree in science. In his twenties, Bachchan gave up a job as freight broker for the shipping firm, Bird and Co., based in Calcutta, to pursue a career in acting.

He married actress Jaya Bhaduri on June 3, 1973 according to Bengali rites. The couple have two children: daughter Shweta and son Abhishek.

Early career: 1969-1972

Amitabh Bachchan made his film debut in 1969 as one of the seven protagonists in Saat Hindustani. The movie was not a financial success but Bachchan won his first National Film Award for Best Newcomer.[3] The critically acclaimed and commercially successful Anand (1970) followed, where he starred alongside Rajesh Khanna the First Superstar of Indian silver screen. Bachchan held his own despite playing a supporting role, and won a Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for his intense performance.

Anand was followed by many unsuccessful films such as Reshma Aur Shera (1971) and Parwaana (1971). In 1972 he had a hit with the multi-starrer road comedy Bombay to Goa. Then came 1973, and the start of the road towards the iconic status he would eventually come to hold for millions worldwide.

Stardom: 1973-1983

Bachchan with Rekha in Silsila in 1981
Bachchan with Rekha in Silsila in 1981

Bachchan's first major box office success came when director Prakash Mehra cast him in the leading role for his film Zanjeer (1973). The movie was a sharp contrast to the romantic-themed ones that had generally preceded it, and established Amitabh in a new persona – the "angry young man" action hero of Bollywood. The next decade catapulted him to the pinnacle of Bollywood superstardom. He churned out at least one major hit every year, including Deewaar (1975), Sholay (1975) Trishul (1978), Muqaddar Ka Sikander (1978), Don (1978), Kasme Vaade (1978), Kaala Patthar (1979), Mr. Natwarlal (1979), Ram Balram (1980), Shaan (1980), Lawaaris (1981), and Shakti (1982)[4]

Although the above-mentioned films cemented his status as Bollywood's pre-eminent action hero, Amitabh displayed a flair for more than just action roles. His remarkable comic timing was on display in such hits as Chupke Chupke (1975), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977) and Namak Halaal (1982). He was also successful as a romantic lead, with particularly notable performances in Kabhie Kabhie (1976) and Silsila (1981). In 1982 he nearly fatally injured in the intestines while filming Coolie. His accident received wider world coverage and hit the headlines in the UK something unheard of at the time and many Indians prayed in temples or offered to sacrifice their won limbs to save him. Nevertheless he spent many months recovering and resumed filming later that year after a long period of recooperation. The film was released in 1983 and due to the huge publicity of Bachchan's accident, the film was a box office success.[5]

Political career: 1984-1987

In 1984, Amitabh took a break from acting and briefly entered politics in support of long-time family friend, Rajiv Gandhi. He contested Allahabad's Parliament seat against H. N. Bahuguna, a well-known politician, and won his MP candidacy by the highest victory margin ever for a parliamentary candidate in Indian history (68.2% of the vote).[6] His political career, however, was short-lived: He resigned after three years, leaving his term incomplete. The resignation followed Bachchan's implication and that of his brother in the 'Bofors scandal' by a newspaper, which he vowed to take to court.[7] Bachchan was eventually found not to be guilty of involvement in the ordeal. His old friend Amar Singh helped him during a financial crisis due to the failure of his company ABCL. Therefore Bachchan started to support Amar Singh's political party, the Samajwadi party. Jaya Bachchan joined Samajwadi Party and became a Rajya Sabha Member.[8] Bachchan has continued to do favours for the Samajwadi party, including adverts and political campaigns. This has recently got him into trouble again in the Indian courts for false claims, this is after a previous fiasco of submission of legal papers by him stating that he is a farmer.[9]

The 15-year press ban

Very few are aware of the ban on Bachchan – a somewhat self-imposed ban. Stardust and some the film magazines got together to form an association and banned Bachchan for 15 years during his peak. They decided not to print anything about Bachchan, in any of their publications. Bachchan had said that he had banned the press from entering his sets almost till the end of 1989. However, he had nothing personal against any particular magazine.[10] It has been said that Bachchan had banned certain publications because he disliked what was being published about him and as such he vetoed them in an attempt to get them to conform.

Career slump and brief retirement: 1988-1992

In 1988, Bachchan returned to films after a three year stint in politics and played the title role in Shahenshah, which was a box office success due to the hype of Bachchan's comeback.[11] After the success of his comeback film however, his star power began to wane as all of his subsequent films failed at the box office. The 1991 hit film Hum looked like it might reverse this trend, but the momentum was short-lived as his string of box office failures continued. Notably, despite the lack of hits, it was during this period that Bachchan won his second National Film Award, for his memorable performance as a Mafia don in the 1990 film Agneepath. These years would be the last he would be seen on screen for some time. After the release of Khuda Gawah in 1992, Bachchan went into semi-retirement for five years. In 1994 one of his delayed films Insaniyat was released but was also a box office failure.[12]

Producing career and acting comeback 1996-1999

Bachchan turned producer during his temporary retirment period and setup Amitabh Bachchan Corporation, Ltd. (A.B.C.L.) in 1996 with the vision of becoming a 10 billion rupees (approx 250 million $US) India's premier entertainment company by the year 2000. ABCL's strategy was to introduce products and services covering the entire section of the India's entertainment industry. It's operations were mainstream commercial film production and distribution, audio cassettes and video discs, production and marketing of television software, celebrity and event management. Soon after the company was launched in 1996, the first film produced by the company was Tere Mere Sapne which failed to do well at the box office but launched the careers of actors such as Arshad Warsi and South films superstar Simran. ABCL produced a few other films none of which did well.

In 1997, Bachchan attempted to make his acting comeback with the film Mrityudaata, produced by ABCL. Though Mrityudaata attempted to reprise Bachchan's earlier success as an action hero, like most of ABCL ventures, the film was a failure both financially and critically. ABCL was the main sponsor of the The 1996 Miss World beauty pageant, Bangalore and lost millions due to the poor management of the event. The fiasco and the consequent legal battles surrounding ABCL and various entities after the event, coupled with the fact that ABCL was reported to have overpaid most of its top level managers, eventually led to its financial and operational collapse in 1997. The company went into administration and was later on declared as a failed company by Indian Industries board. The Bombay high court, in April 1999 restrained Bachchan from selling off his Bombay bungalow 'Prateeksha' and two flats till the pending loan recovery cases of Canara Bank were disposed of. Bachchan had, however, pleaded that he had mortgaged his bungalow to Sahara India Finance for raising funds for his company.[13]

Bachchan later attempted to revive his acting career and had average success with Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998)[14] and received positive reviews for Sooryavansham (1999)[15] but most, however, then believed that Bachchan's glory days were over as all his other films such as Lal Baadshah (1999) and Hindustan Ki Kasam (1999) were box office failures.

Television career

In the year 2000, Bachchan stepped up to host India's adaptation of the British television game-show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? entitled, Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC). As it did in most other countries where it was adopted, the program found immediate and profound success, in no small part due to Bachchan's charisma. It is believed that Bachchan charged a whopping Rs 25 lakhs (2.5 million Indian Rupees, approximately US$60,000 ) per weekly episode which strengthened Bachchan and his family both financially and morally after the setbacks that he had to cope after ABCL's collapse. The Canara Bank also withdrew its law suit against Bachchan in November 2000. Bachchan hosted KBC till November 2005, and its success set the stage for his return to film popularity.

Return to prominence: 2000-present

In 2000, Amitabh Bachchan regained his prominence when he appeared in Yash Chopra's box-office super hit, Mohabbatein directed by Aditya Chopra, in which he played a stern, older figure that rivalled the character of India's current heartthrob, Shah Rukh Khan. Audiences appreciated Bachchan's work, as he played a character whose age approximately mirrored his own and also because his character in the movie very much matched his pre-established image of angry-(no-longer)young-man. Other hits followed, with Bachchan appearing as an older family patriarch in Ek Rishtaa: The Bond of Love (2001), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001) and Baghban (2003). As an actor, he continued to exploit a range of characters suiting with his profile, receiving critical acclaim for his performances in Aks (2001), Aankhen (2002), Khakee (2004), Dev (2004) and Black (2005). Taking advantage of this resurgence, Amitabh started endorsing a variety of products and services, appearing in many television and billboard advertisements. In 2005 and 2006 he starred with his son Abhishek in the hit films Bunty Aur Babli (2005), the Godfather tribute Sarkar (2005), and Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (2006). All of them have been very successful at the box office.[16][17] His later releases in 2006 and early 2007: Baabul (2006),[18] Eklavya and Nishabd (2007) failed to do well at the box office but his performances in each of them have been appreciated by critics.[19] He also made a guest-appearance as himself in the Kannada movie Amruthadaare directed by Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar.

On May 25, 2007 two of his films Cheeni Kum and the multi-starrer Shootout at Lokhandwala were released. Shootout at Lokhandwala did very well at the box office and was declared a hit in India[20] and Cheeni Kum picked up after a slow start and has been declared an overall average hit.[21] He then made a special appearance as the narrator in Jhoom Barabar Jhoom which released in June.

On 31 August 2007, he starred in the remake of his biggest hit Sholay (1975) which was titled Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag. He played the role of the villain Babban (originally Gabbar Singh) who was played by the late actor Amjad Khan in the 1975 original. The film proved to be a disaster at the box office[22] and was also poorly received by critics.

His first English language film The Last Lear premiered at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2007. He received positive reviews from critics who hailed his performance as his career best.[23] On the sets of " The Last Lear" Bachchan turned dialogue writer and penned down some on-the-spot Hindi dialogues.[24]

Bachchan is also going to play a supporting role in his first international film titled Shantaram which is directed by Mira Nair and stars Hollywood actor Johnny Depp in the lead.[25]

Health

1982 injury during filming

While filming Coolie in 1982, Bachchan was seriously injured during the filming of a fight scene with co-actor Puneet Issar.[26] He was in the hospital with a ruptured intestine for months, and at times was close to death. A remarkable outpouring of support and concern by his fans and the nation in general followed. After recovering, Bachchan resumed shooting for Coolie, and it finally released as a huge success owing to its pre-release publicity.[5]

The director, Manmohan Desai altered the ending for Coolie after Bachchan's accident. Bachchan's character was originally intended to have been killed off but after the change of script, the character lived in the end. It would have been inappropriate, said Desai, for the man who had just fended off death in real life to be killed on screen. Also, in the released film the footage of the fight scene is frozen at the critical moment, and a caption appears onscreen marking this as the instant of the actor's injury and the ensuing publicity of the accident. While filming an action scene,[27] Bachchan was doing his own stunts. He had to fall onto a table and then on the ground. But when he jumped towards the table, the corner of the table hit his abdomen. He had a splenic rupture and lost a large amount of blood. He was flown out and needed urgent operation (splenectomy) and was critically ill for a while. A rumor spread that he had died from the accident. The nation (most of it anyway) mourned. Later there were mile-long queues of well-wishing fans outside the hospital where he was recuperating.[28]

Illness

Later, he was struck with an illness called Myasthenia Gravis. This happened either because of the heavy medication that he took during his Coolie accident or because of the blood transfusion that he had received. This illness made him feel weak both mentally and physically and he decided to quit films. He had become very pessimistic about everything and just couldn’t handle the pressure of a new film’s release every Friday. Before every release he would say, "Yeh film to flop hogi!" ("This film will flop").[29]

2005 Hospitalisation

In November 2005, Amitabh Bachchan was admitted to Lilavati Hospital's ICU once more, to undergo surgery for diverticulitis of the small intestine.[30] This occurred after Bachchan complained of pains in his abdomen some days prior. During the period and that following his recovery, most of his projects were put on hold, including the television show he was in the process of hosting, Kaun Banega Crorepati. India also appeared to come to a standstill, with celebrity after celebrity visiting him to offer well-wishes and prayers. News of the incident saturated coverage across Newspapers and TV news channels. Amitabh returned to work in March 2006.[31]

Voice

Bachchan is said to have one of the finest voices in Bollywood. His deep and rich voice has contributed to many a movie becoming major hits in Bollywood. He has been a narrator, a playback singer and presenter for countless programs since. One of the greatest film directors of the twentieth century Satyajit Ray was so impressed with Bachchan that he decided to use his voice as commentary in Shatranj Ke Khiladi since he did not find any suitable role for him.[32] But before entering the film industry, Bachchan applied for a job with All India Radio for the post of a news announcer. It is ironic that though he is now known for his powerful, baritone voice, he was inexplicably turned down.[33]

Filmography

Actor

Year Film Role Notes
1969 Saat Hindustani Anwar Ali Anwar Winner, National Film Award for Best Newcomer
Bhuvan Shome Commentator (Voice)
1971 Parwaana Kumar Sen
Anand Dr. Bhaskar K. Bannerjee/Babu Moshai Winner, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
Reshma Aur Shera Chotu
Guddi Himself
Pyar Ki Kahani Ram Chandra
1972 Sanjog Mohan
Bansi Birju Birju
Piya Ka Ghar
Guest appearance
Ek Nazar Manmohan Akash Tyagi
Bawarchi Narrator
Raaste Ka Patthar Jai Shankar Rai
Bombay to Goa Ravi Kumar
1973 Bada Kabootar
Guest appearance
Bandhe Haath Shamu & Deepak Double role
Zanjeer Inspector Vijay Khanna Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award
Gehri Chaal Ratan
Abhimaan Subir Kumar
Saudagar Moti
Namak Haraam Vikram (Vicky) Winner, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
1974 Kunwara Baap Augustine Guest appearance
Dost Anand Guest appearance
Kasauti Amitabh Sharma (Amit)
Benaam Amit Srivastav
Roti Kapda Aur Makaan Vijay
Majboor Ravi Khanna
1975 Chupke Chupke Sukumar Sinha/Parimal Tripathi
Faraar Rajesh (Raj)
Mili Shekhar Dayal
Deewar Vijay Verma Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award
Zameer Baadal/Chimpoo
Sholay Jai (Jaidev)
1976 Do Anjaane Amit Roy/Naresh Dutt
Chhoti Si Baat
Special appearance
Kabhie Kabhie Amit Malhotra Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award
Hera Pheri Vijay/Inspector Hirachand
1977 Alaap Alok Prasad
Charandas Qawwali singer Special appearance
Amar Akbar Anthony Anthony Gonzalves Winner, Filmfare Best Actor Award
Shatranj Ke Khiladi Narrator
Adalat Dharma/Thakur Dharam Chand & Raju Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award.
Double role
Imaan Dharam Ahmed Raza
Khoon Pasina Shiva/Tiger
Parvarish Amit
1978 Besharam Ram Kumar Chandra/
Prince Chandrashekar

Ganga Ki Saugandh Jeeva
Kasme Vaade Amit/Shankar Double role
Trishul Vijay Kumar Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award
Don Don/Vijay Winner, Filmfare Best Actor Award.
Double role
Muqaddar Ka Sikandar Sikandar Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award
1979 The Great Gambler Jay/Inspector Vijay Double role
Golmaal Himself Special appearance
Jurmana Inder Saxena
Jurmana Inder Saxena
Manzil Ajay Chandra
Mr. Natwarlal Natwarlal/Avtar Singh Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award & Filmfare Best Male Playback Award
Kaala Patthar Vijay Pal Singh Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award
Suhaag Amit Kapoor
1980 Do Aur Do Paanch Vijay/Ram
Dostana Vijay Varma Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award
Ram Balram Inspector Balram Singh
Shaan Vijay Kumar
1981 Chashme Buddoor
Special appearance
Commander
Guest appearance
Naseeb Ravi
Barsaat Ki Ek Raat ACP Abhijeet Rai
Lawaaris Heera Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award
Silsila Amit Malhotra Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award
Yaraana Kishan Kumar
Kaalia Kallu/Kaalia
1982 Satte Pe Satta Ravi Anand/Babu
Bemisaal Dr. Sudhir Roy & Adhir Roy Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award.
Double role
Desh Premee Master Dinanath & Raju Double role
Namak Halaal Arjun Singh Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award
Khud-Daar Govind Srivastav/Chotu Ustad
Shakti Vijay Kumar Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award
1983 Nastik Shankar (Sheru)/Bhola
Andha Kanoon Jan Nissar Akhtar Khan Nominated, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award.
Guest appearance
Mahaan Rana Ranveer, Guru, & Inspector Shankar Triple role
Pukar Ramdas/Ronnie
Coolie Iqbal A. Khan
1984 Inquilaab Amarnath
Sharaabi Vicky Kapoor Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award
1985 Giraftaar Insp. Karan Kumar Khanna
Mard Raju "Mard" Tangewala Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award
1986 Ek Ruka Hua Faisla
Guest appearance
Aakhree Raasta David/Vijay Double role
1987 Jalwa Himself Special appearance
Kaun Jeeta Kaun Haara Himself Guest appearance
1988 Soorma Bhopali
Guest appearance
Shahenshah Inspector Vijay Kumar Srivastav
/ Shahenshah
Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award
Hero Hiralal Himself Special appearance
Ganga Jamuna Saraswati Ganga Prasad
1989 Batwara Narrator
Toofan Toofan & Shyam Double role
Jaadugar Goga/Gogeshwar
Main Azaad Hoon Azaad
1990 Agneepath Vijay Dinanath Chauhan Winner, National Film Award for Best Actor & Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award
Krodh
Special appearance
Aaj Ka Arjun Bheema
1991 Hum Tiger/Shekhar Winner, Filmfare Best Actor Award
Ajooba Ajooba/Ali
Indrajeet Indrajeet
Akayla Inspector Vijay Verma
1992 Khuda Gawah Baadshah Khan Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award
1994 Insaniyat Inspector Amar
1996 Tere Mere Sapne Narrator
1997 Mrityudata Dr. Ram Prasad Ghayal
1998 Major Saab Major Jasbir Singh Rana
Bade Miyan Chhote Miyan Inspector Arjun Singh & Bade Miyan Double role
1999 Lal Baadshah Lal "Baadshah" Singh & Ranbhir Singh Double role
Sooryavansham Thakur Bhanu Pratap Singh & Heera Singh Double role
Hindustan Ki Kasam Kabeera
Kohram Col. Balbir Singh Sodi (Devraj Hathoda)
& Dada Bhai

Hello Brother Voice of God
2000 Mohabbatein Narayan Shankar Winner, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
2001 Ek Rishtaa: The Bond of Love Vijay Kapoor
Lagaan Narrator
Aks Manu Verma Winner, Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance & Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham Yashvordhan "Yash" Raichand Nominated, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
2002 Aankhen Vijay Singh Rajput Nominated, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
Hum Kisise Kum Nahi Dr. Rastogi
Agni Varsha Indra (God) Special appearance
Kaante Yashvardhan Rampal/"Major" Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award
2003 Khushi Narrator
Armaan Dr. Siddharth Sinha
Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost Narrator
Boom Bade Mia
Baghban Raj Malhotra Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award
Fun2shh Narrator
2004 Khakee D.C.P. Anant Kumar Shrivastav Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award
Aetbaar Dr. Ranveer Malhotra
Rudraksh Narrator
Insaaf - The Justice Narrator
Dev D.C.P. Dev Pratap Singh
Lakshya Col. Sunil Damle
Deewaar Maj. Ranvir Kaul
Kyun...! Ho Gaya Na Raj Chauhan
Hum Kaun Hai Major Frank John Williams &
Frank James Williams
Double role
Veer-Zaara Chaudhary Sumer Singh Nominated, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award.
Special appearance
Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo Major General Amarjeet Singh
2005 Black Debraj Sahai Double-Winner, Filmfare Best Actor Award & Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance.
Winner, National Film Award for Best Actor
Waqt: The Race Against Time Ishwarchandra Sharawat
Bunty Aur Babli D.C.P. Dashrath Singh Nominated, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
Parineeta Narrator
Paheli Gadariya Special appearance
Sarkar Subhash Nagre/"Sarkar" Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Award
Viruddh... Family Comes First Vidhyadhar Patwardhan
Sarkar Subhash Nagre/"Sarkar"
Ramji Londonwaley Himself Special appearance
Dil Jo Bhi Kahey... Shekhar Sinha
Ek Ajnabee Suryaveer Singh
2006 Family - Ties of Blood Viren Sahi
Darna Zaroori Hai Professor
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna Samarjit Singh Talwar (aka. Sexy Sam) Nominated, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
Baabul Balraj Kapoor
2007 Eklavya: The Royal Guard Eklavya
Nishabd Vijay
Cheeni Kum Buddhadev Gupta
Shootout at Lokhandwala Dingra Special appearance
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom Sutradhar Special appearance
Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag Babban Singh
The Last Lear Harish Mishra
Om Shanti Om Himself Special appearance
2008 Zamaanat Shiv Shankar On hold
God Tussi Great Ho
Post-production
Bhoothnath Bhootnath Releasing on January 18, 2008
Sarkar Raj Subhas Nagre/"Sarkar" Releasing on February 8, 2008
Exclusion

Yudh
Announced[39]

Source : http://wikipedia.org

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

looking forward to more posts of the bollywood stars
thanks