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Amitabh Bachchan

Actor and television host

Born 1942

Amitabh Bachchan is an Indian actor and television host born in Allahabad, now Prayagraj, to poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Teji Bachchan. His education at Sherwood College in Nainital and Kirori Mal College in Delhi preceded work in Calcutta, where he also acted with the amateur theatre group CATS. He moved into cinema as a narrator in Bhuvan Shome and an actor in Saat Hindustani. Anand gave him an early breakthrough opposite Rajesh Khanna; Zanjeer, Deewaar and Sholay established the forceful screen persona associated with the angry young man. His range also included the musical comedy Amar Akbar Anthony, the double role in Don, the romantic ensemble Kabhi Kabhie, and the father–son conflict of Shakti. Agneepath, Hum and Khuda Gawah carried his leading work into the next decade. He briefly served as an elected member of Parliament before returning his attention to entertainment. Financial difficulties around his company ABCL and an uneven film comeback preceded a renewed career. In a Rediff interview, he described bankruptcy and the need to keep trying; Kaun Banega Crorepati brought him into viewers' homes, while Mohabbatein introduced a prominent authoritarian patriarch role. In a 2019 IANS interview, he explained that he followed writers and directors rather than an acting-school method; preparing for Black included learning sign language. His later work moved between the teacher in Black, the child Auro in Paa, the demanding father in Piku and the lawyer in Pink. Sarkar, Cheeni Kum, Badla, Gulabo Sitabo, Jhund and Uunchai further widened that character-led period. He played Meyer Wolfshiem in The Great Gatsby and appeared in the Tamil film Vettaiyan alongside Rajinikanth. Awards include national recognition for Agneepath, Black, Paa and Piku, the Padma honours and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. UNICEF appointed him a Goodwill Ambassador in 2005, building on earlier work for children. He maintains a personal blog and verified social accounts. His recent work includes hosting KBC and playing Ashwatthama in Kalki 2898 AD. Director Nag Ashwin's September 2026 update described further Kalki filming planned for October, with no confirmed release date.

Verified identityCore facts checked against named sources.

Keep exploring

Connected people

ConnectionJaya BachchanSpouse and screen collaborator, including Zanjeer, Abhimaan and Sholay. Current acknowledgement checked in his recent KBC account.

ConnectionHarivansh Rai BachchanFather and poet; Amitabh publicly recited his Madhushala verses.

ConnectionRajesh KhannaAnand co-star in an early breakthrough.

Official records · wins and honours

Awards & Honours

Selected recognition linked to the awarding organisation or primary record.

2021
Filmfare AwardsCompetitive win
Critics Award — Best Actor (Male)
Gulabo Sitabo
Official record
2019
Government of IndiaIndustry honor
Dadasaheb Phalke Award — presentation
Amitabh Bachchan
Official record
2016
Filmfare AwardsCompetitive win
Critics Award — Best Actor
Piku
Official record
2016
National Film Awards, IndiaCompetitive win
Best Actor — 63rd edition, 2015 film cycle
Piku
Official record
2015
Government of IndiaIndustry honor
Padma Vibhushan
Amitabh Bachchan
Official record
2010
FilmfareCompetitive win
Best Actor
Paa
Official record
2010
National Film Awards, IndiaCompetitive win
Best Actor — 57th edition, 2009 film cycle
Paa
Official record
2007
National Film Awards, IndiaCompetitive win
Best Actor — 53rd edition, 2005 film cycle
Black
Official record
2006
FilmfareCompetitive win
Best Actor
Black
Official record
2006
Filmfare AwardsCompetitive win
Critics Award — Best Actor
Black
Official record
2002
FilmfareCompetitive win
Critics Award — Best Actor
Aks
Official record
2001
FilmfareCompetitive win
Best Supporting Actor
Mohabbatein
Official record
2001
Government of IndiaIndustry honor
Padma Bhushan
Amitabh Bachchan
Official record
1992
FilmfareCompetitive win
Best Actor
Hum
Official record
1991
National Film Awards, IndiaCompetitive win
Best Actor — 38th edition, 1990 film cycle
Agneepath
Official record
1984
Government of IndiaIndustry honor
Padma Shri
Amitabh Bachchan
Official record
1979
Filmfare AwardsCompetitive win
Best Actor
Don
Official record
1978
FilmfareCompetitive win
Best Actor
Amar Akbar Anthony
Official record
1974
FilmfareCompetitive win
Best Supporting Actor
Namak Haraam
Official record
1972
FilmfareCompetitive win
Best Supporting Actor
Anand
Official record

Critics Award — Best Actor (Male)

Dadasaheb Phalke Award — presentation

Critics Award — Best Actor

Best Actor — 63rd edition, 2015 film cycle

Padma Vibhushan

Best Actor

Best Actor — 57th edition, 2009 film cycle

Best Actor — 53rd edition, 2005 film cycle

Best Actor

Critics Award — Best Actor

Critics Award — Best Actor

Best Supporting Actor

Padma Bhushan

Best Actor

Best Actor — 38th edition, 1990 film cycle

Padma Shri

Best Actor

Best Actor

Best Supporting Actor

Best Supporting Actor