Amitabh Bachchan (born Amitabh Srivastava, 11 October 1942) is an Indian film actor, producer and television host who is widely regarded as one of the greatest stars in the history of Indian cinema. He became famous in the 1970s as the "angry young man" in films such as Zanjeer and Sholay, and he has won a record four National Film Awards for Best Actor. He hosted the first season of Kaun Banega Crorepati in 2000. This biography follows his life and career up to November 2026.
Amitabh Bachchan at a Glance
| Full name | Amitabh Bachchan (born Amitabh Srivastava) |
| Born | 11 October 1942, Allahabad (now Prayagraj), Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Age | 84 (as of November 2026) |
| Profession | Actor, producer and television host |
| Breakthrough | Zanjeer (1973) |
| Television | Host of the first season of Kaun Banega Crorepati (2000) |
| National Film Awards | A record four for Best Actor |
| Honours | Padma Shri (1984); Padma Bhushan (2001); Padma Vibhushan (2015); Dadasaheb Phalke Award (for 2018); Legion of Honour, France (2007) |
| Spouse | Jaya Bachchan (married 1973) |
| Children | Shweta and Abhishek |
Early Life and Education
Bachchan was born in Allahabad to the Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, who died in 2003, and Teji Bachchan, who died in 2007. He studied at Sherwood College in Nainital and earned a science degree from Kirori Mal College at the University of Delhi in 1962.
Film Debut and Breakthrough
His film career began in 1969, when he was the voice narrator in Bhuvan Shome, and his first acting role was in Saat Hindustani (1969). The breakthrough came with Zanjeer (1973), which established his "angry young man" persona. He married Jaya Bhaduri in 1973. Deewaar and Sholay, which was released on 15 August 1975, made him one of the biggest stars in India.
The Coolie Accident and Politics
On 26 July 1982 Bachchan suffered a near-fatal intestinal injury while shooting the film Coolie, and he needed emergency surgery to remove his spleen. In 1984 he was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis. He served as a member of the Lok Sabha for Allahabad from 31 December 1984 to 29 July 1987, representing the Indian National Congress.
Television and Later Career
In 2000 Bachchan hosted the first season of Kaun Banega Crorepati, the Indian version of the quiz show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, which gave him a second career on television. His later films include Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva (2022), the highest-grossing Hindi film of that year, and Kalki 2898 AD (2024), his Telugu debut, which grossed more than 1,000 crore.
Honours
Bachchan received the Padma Shri in 1984, the Padma Bhushan in 2001 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2015, and in 2007 he received France's Legion of Honour. He was given the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest honour in Indian cinema, for 2018, and President Ram Nath Kovind presented it to him in 2019. He has won four National Film Awards for Best Actor, a record.
Family and Legacy
Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan have two children, the actress Shweta and the actor Abhishek. His voice, his screen presence and his long career have made him a cultural figure beyond cinema, and he is still working in his eighties.
