Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan is an Indian actor, best known for Tamil cinema. Amitabh Bachchan began their career in 1979 and has been a prominent figure in the industry for over 47 years. With over 180 credits to their name, Amitabh Bachchan remains one of the most prolific and celebrated talents in the industry. Amitabh Bachchan's influence on Tamil cinema is generational — their work continues to define the standard for the industry.
- Born
- Age
- 83
Biography
Amitabh Bachchan (born Amitabh Srivastava) is a Hindi cinema actor widely regarded as one of the greatest performers in the history of Indian film, having appeared in over 200 films across a career spanning more than five decades. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor for Agneepath (1990), Black (2005), Paa (2009) — in which he played a child with progeria opposite Abhishek Bachchan — and Piku (2015), and received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2019. Known for his 'angry young man' persona in 1970s films like Zanjeer and Deewar, he later demonstrated remarkable range in character-driven roles such as a mute bodyguard in Eklavya: The Royal Guard (2007) and a reverse-aging father in Paa (2009). He holds the Padma Vibhushan (2015), India's second-highest civilian honor, and has hosted the long-running quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati since 2000.
Career Milestones
Film debut in Saat Hindustani, winning National Film Award for Best Newcomer
Breakthrough as the 'Angry Young Man' establishing superstar status
Voted Greatest Star of the Millennium in BBC online poll
Won National Film Award for Best Actor
View film →Awarded Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest film honor
Defining Moments
"Mere Paas Maa Hai" confrontation with Shashi Kapoor — Vijay's nihilistic rejection of family vs. Ravi's moral anchor, delivered with cold intensity
One of the most quoted dialogues in Indian film history; crystallized the 'angry young man' archetype that defined Bachchan's career and an entire era of Bollywood
Vijay's death scene at the temple steps — the smuggler-turned-rebel dying in his mother's arms after rejecting the establishment his whole life
Widely cited as one of Hindi cinema's greatest dramatic finales; Bachchan's restrained vulnerability against his usual defiant persona made it unforgettable
The coin-toss and introduction scene — Jai and Veeru's irreverent chemistry establishing both characters as lovable outlaws
Sholay is consistently ranked the greatest Hindi film ever made; Bachchan's Jai became iconic for his quiet cool, and the film's dialogues entered everyday Indian speech
Debraj Sahai's deteriorating memory scenes — particularly his student Michelle's graduation moment where he does a childlike victory dance, then collapses into confusion
Considered one of Bachchan's finest acting achievements; the range from commanding teacher to vulnerable Alzheimer's patient earned near-universal critical acclaim
Auro's final scenes — the progeria-afflicted child comforting his own father, the emotional role-reversal playing out through heavy prosthetics
Bachchan played his real-life son Abhishek's on-screen child; the physical and emotional transformation under hours of makeup was widely praised as a career-defining risk
View film →Amitabh Bachchan by the Numbers
If you watched every Amitabh Bachchan film back-to-back, you'd be at it for roughly 15 days and 6h. Most-paired with Abhishek Bachchan — 9 films together.
Filmography
See all 180 credits →
Collaboration Network
The Constellation
Top 10 most-paired collaborators. Bubble size and line thickness reflect how many films they share with Amitabh Bachchan.
Career Analytics
Genre Breakdown
Language Distribution
Films by Decade
Top Co-Actors
See all →Amitabh Bachchan has worked most frequently with Ram Gopal Varma (7 films), Apoorva Lakhia (3 films), Karan Johar (2 films), Prakash Jha (2 films), and Rajkumar Santoshi (2 films).
Did You Know?
He was born in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India.
His father, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, was a renowned Hindi poet.
He made his film debut as a voice narrator in the 1969 film 'Bhuvan Shome'.
He is often referred to as the 'Shahenshah' (Emperor) of Bollywood.
He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1984, the Padma Bhushan in 2001, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2015 by the Government of India.
Photos
See all →
Family
Spouse
Jaya Bachchan
Child
Abhishek Bachchan
News & Stories
Amitabh Bachchan Unveiled as Masked Mystic in Kalki 2898 AD Poster
12/10/2023
Know why Amitabh Bachchan flew to Maldives
11/10/2017
Amitabh Bachchan reveals what inspired him
12/9/2017
Amitabh Bachan might be in acting in Telugu
4/8/2017
Amitabh Bachchan & Jaya Bachchan to unite for director Shoojit Sircar’s next
16/5/2017
Legacy & Influence
Amitabh Bachchan is widely regarded as one of the most influential and iconic figures in the history of Indian cinema. His career, spanning over five decades, has left an indelible mark on Bollywood and popular culture. Bachchan first rose to prominence in the early 1970s, embodying the 'angry young man' persona in films like 'Zanjeer' (1973) and 'Deewaar' (1975). This archetype resonated deeply with a nation grappling with social and economic changes, shifting hero worship from the romantic ideal to a more rebellious, working-class protagonist. His intense screen presence, baritone voice, and commanding performances redefined the Hindi film hero. Beyond this defining phase, Bachchan demonstrated remarkable versatility, excelling in diverse genres including drama, comedy, action, and later, character roles. His career faced a major setback in the late 1980s and early 1990s due to box office failures and health issues, but he staged a historic comeback in the 2000s with the television game show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' and a new wave of films like 'Mohabbatein' (2000), 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' (2001), and 'Black' (2005). This second act solidified his status as a timeless superstar, appealing to multiple generations. His contribution extends beyond acting; he is a cultural institution, a symbol of resilience, and a bridge between classic and contemporary Indian cinema. He has influenced countless actors and continues to be a prolific performer, maintaining an active and significant presence in films and public life well into his eighties.