Bollywood's Shahenshah Amitabh Bachchan has turned 69 today, i.e. on October 11, 2011. Fans all across the world know and celebrate today's day; after all it is their Big B's Birthday!
Amitabh Harivansh Bachchan, a tall guy with unconventional looks entered Bollywood almost three decades back and has since then completely captured the industry and everyone's hearts. He was born to well-known poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Teji Bachchan in Allahabad on October 11, 1942. Initially this tall guy had to struggle a lot owing to his unconventional looks as he was considered too tall by filmmakers. He got his first break with the film 'Saat Hindustani', directed by KA Abbas in 1969. The film was a big flop.Amitabh kept giving a series of flop films until his 13th film 'Zanjeer' directed by Prakash Mehra which suddenly brought him in the spotlight. He introduced his very own style and came to be known as the "angry young man" of cinemas. He also did many off-beat films like 'Anand', 'Chupke Chupke', 'Abhimaan', 'Mili', 'Silsila', 'Amar Akbar Anthony' and 'Namak Haraam'.
After becoming a mega star, Amitabh launched his Production Company called Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited (ABCL). But this company was not a very good idea as it soon went bankrupt and failed miserably.
After this set-back Big B didn't give up. He made his come-back, but this time through the small-screen. His show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' crossed all records of TRP and Amitabh cemented a place for himself in the new-young generation as well.
Amitabh has won many awards and accolades throughout his lifetime. On January 26, 2001 he was awarded the Padma Bhushan for his contribution to Indian Cinema. His international footprint was marked by him being selected as the first film personality from India to be immortalized at Madam Tussaud's Wax Museum, London. France's highest civilian honour, the Knight of the Legion of Honour, was conferred upon him by the French Government in 2007, for his "exceptional career in the world of cinema and beyond". He has been conferred upon many honorary Doctorates but he turned down one of them, by the Queensland University of Technology, Australia in 2009 as a mark of protest to racial attacks on Indian Students.
Amitabh's comeback was not restricted to the small screen; he returned to films as well with films like Bunty Aur Bubli, Sarkar, Paa, etc... One more feather was added to his cap when it was announced that Amitabh Bachchan has joined the cast of 'The Great Gatsby', and will be starring along side Hollywood stars Leonardo Di Caprio, Tobey Maguire, Joel Edgerton and Carey Mulligan.
Amitabh Bachchan is a man with many talents and interests. On the advice of his close friend Rajiv Gandhi, he contested the general elections for the first time from his hometown Allahabad. His stint in politics, however, proved short-lived. Having realized that politics was not his cup of tea, Amitabh resigned his seat in Parliament, vowing never to dabble in politics again.
He has also tried his hand at writing. In 2002, Amitabh Bachchan wrote a book called Soul Curry for you and me – An Empowering Philosophy That Can Enrich Your Life.
Bachchan is married to actress Jaya Bhaduri. They have two children, Shweta Nanda and Abhishek Bachchan.
Amitabh Bachchan, an aura, an icon, Fridaymoviez wishes Big B a very Happy Birthday!