Big B at 80: Iconic pictures that tell the Amitabh Bachchan story
As Bachchan turns 80, younger, zippier and fierier than ever—here's looking back at the exceptional moments from his singular life and career...
Shilajit Mitra
Amitabh Bachchan was born Amitabh Srivastava in Allahabad on October 11, 1942A strikingly tall, well-mannered teen, he was educated at Boys' High School & College in Allahabad followed by Sherwood College in NainitalBig B with his parents, poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan and social activist Teji BachchanBig B did the voiceover for Mrinal Sen's 1969 film Bhuvan Shome. It was his first film breakWith his co-stars in his acting debut film Saat Hindustani (1969). He played a poet from Bihar named Anwar AliBig B with Rajesh Khanna in their indelible Anand (1971). Also his first film with Hrishikesh MukherjeeCutting a suave figure in the thriller Parwana (1971), his first negative roleAs the mute 'Chhotu' in Sunil Dutt's Rajasthan-set directorial Reshma Aur SheraBachchan met future wife Jaya Bhaduri on the sets of Guddi. He was dropped as the male lead by director Hrishikesh Mukherjee, though he did appear in a cameoWith Mala Sinha in S. S. Balan's relationship drama Sanjog, a remake of Iru KodugalJigging gloriously to 'Dekha Na Haye Re' in Mehmood's iconic's road comedy Bombay To GoaIn his first double role in the crime film Bandhe HaathAt the mahurat shot of Zanjeer, the film that flagged off the Bachchan era and gave him his Angry Young Man tagAmitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bhaduri tie the knot on June 3, 1973With Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, the revolutionary writer duo that penned the rise of BachchanIn a still with Jaya Bachchan from the classic romance, AbhimaanThe iconic pose from Deewaar, Yash Chopra's epochal family crime drama co-starring Shashi KapoorA happy family, with toddlers Abhishek Bachchan and Shweta BachchanOn the sets of Sholay, with Kewal Kishan Singh Deol, Dharmendra, Ramesh Sippy, Sanjeev Kumar and Amjad Khan.With Rekha in a famous still from Silsila. Their rumoured relationship fed gossip columns and the public imagination alike.Bachchan sustained a serious intestinal injury due to a miscalculated jump on the sets of Manmohan Desai's Coolie. Here seen exiting the hospital after his long and suspenseful recovery.While seeking treatment for Myasthenia gravis, a weakening of muscles under voluntary controlA young Bachchan and Dara Singh with Indira Gandhi. Bachchan joined the Indian National Congress in 1984.Speaking at a rally during his campaign runWith Shah Rukh Khan in his comeback in the new millennium. Mohabbatein (2000) and Aks (2001) introduced the grave, french-bearded Bachchan of the contemporary era.Officiating at Abhishek and Aishwarya's wedding in 2007Starring alongside Tobey Maguire and Leonardo DiCaprio in Baz Luhrmann's The Great GatsbyHosting the first season of KBC. Bachchan has hosted 13 seasons of the successful television game show so far.Clicking a selfie with Israel PM Benjamin NetanyahuReceiving one of his 12 (so far) Filmfare Awards. He also has a Dadasaheb Phalke Award and four National Awards.80, and still on the trot. Happy Birthday, Big B!