Amitabh Bachchan, one of the prominent Indian film actors of Bollywood, was born 73 years ago on October 11, 1942. He is known for his dominance in Indian cinema in the 1970s and 1980s. Amitabh Bachchan, also referred to as 'Big B', is one of the most influential actors in the history of Indian cinema.
Amitabh Bachchan has appeared in about 180 films and his career has spanned for more than 46 years. French director Francois Truffaut has called him 'One-Man Industry'.
Some unknown facts that you must know about Amitabh Bachchan:
1. Not Amitabh but Inquilab: Amitabh Bachchan's father Harivansh Rai Bachchan apparently wanted to name him Inquilab, meaning 'revolution'.
2. Did you know the meaning of 'Amitabh'?: Later on, Big B's father named him Amitabh which means 'unlimited brilliance'. It is also lesser known that Harivansh Rai Bachchan's real surname was Shrivastava. He adopted the title name of Bachchan and Big B and his brother followed the same.
3. Not an actor, but an engineer: Not many are aware of the fact that Amitabh Bachchan didn't want to become an actor initially. He wanted to be an engineer and at one point had even thought of joining the Indian Air Force.
4. Ambidextrous Amitabh!: Did you know that the Shehenshah of Bollywood is ambidextrous! This means he can write well with both his hands.
5. The struggling days: During his struggling days in Mumbai as an actor, Amitabh Bachchan had to spend quite a few nights on a bench at the Marine Drive
6. Debut In Blooywood: Amitabh Bachchan made his debut in Indian cinema in 1969 as a voice narrator
7. Trivia from the shoot of 'Khuda Gawah': Khuda Gawah is one of Big B's most watched films. While Amitabh Bachchan was shooting for the same with Sridevi in Afghanistan, half the country's air force was given for his protection by the then President of Afghanistan. Khuda Gawah is one of the most watched Indian films in Afghanistan's history.
8. First Asian actor at Madame Tussaud's London: Amitabh Bachchan is the first Asian actor to be immortalised in wax at the Madame Tussaud's wax mueseum in London.
9. Big B owns these many luxury cars: Not many are aware of the fact that Amitabh Bachchan is quite fond of luxury cars. From Mercedes Benz SL500 to Rolls Royce Phantom, he reportedly owns about 12 of them.
10. In 1984, Amitabh Bachchan was awarded the Padma Shri award by the Government of India, 2001, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan award & 2015, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan award.