Portrait · Studio Harcourt Paris / CC BY 3.0 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.
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Connected people 01 Biggles stories In Arti Dani’s email interview he named Biggles as a fictional hero whose books he read at school. The particular volume or edition was not identified.
Recorded with an attributable source 02 Cover source Madhushala Harivansh Rai Bachchan Public recitations of his father’s Madhushala poetry are identified by the publisher. Performance association; no private reading recommendation inferred.
Named item linked to an attributable source View image source 01 Dum Maro Dum and Do Lafzon Ki Named in Subhash K Jha’s interview about Asha Bhosle; a dated preference.
Recorded with an attributable source 02 Haal-e-Dil Discussing Bbuddah Hoga Tera Baap with Sonia Singh, he singled out this quieter romantic song. A preference expressed during that film’s promotion.
Recorded with an attributable source 01 Vada pav Named his favourite snack on KBC; a food preference, without a nutrition claim.
Recorded with an attributable source 02 Likes jalebi but said he cannot eat it His KBC answer distinguishes liking a food from eating it.
Recorded with an attributable source 01 Bench presses and back exercises with low intensity NDTV quotes Shivohaam Bhatt’s earlier podcast; a trainer account, not a prescription or current daily schedule.
Reported by a named source 01 Said he had stopped eating non-vegetarian food, sweets and rice Historical personal answer; no current meal plan or vegan status inferred.
Recorded with an attributable source 01 Mustard oil (kadu tel) Aaj Tak reports his answer in a Sony KBC promo. Generic oil; no precise branded product or benefit established.
Recorded with an attributable source 01 French perfumes Told Rediff he bought French perfumes, declining brand names. His separately discussed Lomani endorsement is not treated as a favourite bottle.
Recorded with an attributable source 01 Shanouk Amitabh wrote that Shanouk had passed away. Historical companion record; present pet ownership and breed are not established.
Recorded with an attributable source 
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