Amitabh Bachchan (born Amitabh Srivastava on 11 October 1942) is a legendary Indian actor, widely regarded as one of the greatest and most successful actors in the history of Indian cinema. Known for his powerful presence on screen, he has appeared in over 200 films and has been a dominant figure in Hindi cinema for more than five decades. Bachchan earned the titles "Shahenshah of Bollywood," "Sadi Ke Mahanayak" (Greatest actor of the century), and "Star of the Millennium" for his unmatched impact on the industry.
Bachchan was born in Allahabad to renowned Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan and social activist Teji Bachchan. He was educated at Sherwood College and Kirori Mal College in Delhi. He began his career in 1969 as a voice narrator in Mrinal Sen's *Bhuvan Shome* but gained major recognition in the early 1970s with films like *Anand*, *Zanjeer*, and *Roti Kapada Aur Makaan*. His roles in films such as *Deewaar*, *Sholay*, *Kabhi Kabhie*, *Hera Pheri*, *Amar Akbar Anthony*, *Don*, and *Muqaddar Ka Sikandar* cemented his status as a Bollywood superstar, with his portrayal of the "Angry Young Man" becoming iconic.
After a brief decline in the 1990s, Bachchan made a comeback with the successful *Mohabbatein* (2000) and continued to star in hits like *Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham*, *Black*, *Bunty Aur Babli*, *Paa*, *Piku*, *Pink*, and *Badla*. His performances in *Piku* earned him his fourth National Film Award for Best Actor, a record for any actor. Bachchan also made a notable appearance in the Hollywood film *The Great Gatsby* (2013).
He has received numerous accolades, including four National Film Awards for Best Actor, sixteen Filmfare Awards, and recognition at international festivals. The Indian government awarded him the Padma Shri in 1984, Padma Bhushan in 2001, Padma Vibhushan in 2015, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2018. France honored him with the Officer of the Legion of Honour in 2007.
Apart from acting, Bachchan has worked as a playback singer, film producer, and television host, notably hosting *Kaun Banega Crorepati*. He briefly entered politics in the 1980s and is a prominent brand ambassador. His influence extends beyond India, with a global fanbase across Africa, the Middle East, the UK, Russia, the Caribbean, and other regions. In 1999, the BBC named him the "greatest star of stage or screen," and in 2003, *Time* magazine called him the "Star of the Millennium."
