Amitabh Bachchan, the "Shahenshah of Bollywood," turns 83 today, October 11, 2025, marking another year in a career that has spanned over five decades. Born in Allahabad (now Prayagraj) on October 11, 1942, to Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan and social activist Teji Bachchan, Amitabh's journey from a rejected radio jockey to a cinematic icon is nothing short of legendary. Here are 83 fascinating facts every fan should know about the superstar:

Early Life and Family

1. Amitabh's birth name was Inquilaab, inspired by the independence movement slogan "Inquilab Zindabad".
2. His father, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, adopted the pen name "Bachchan," meaning "childlike," rejecting the caste-based surname Shrivastava.
3. Teji Bachchan, his mother, was a Punjabi Sikh Khatri from Lyallpur (present-day Faisalabad, Pakistan).
4. Amitabh has a younger brother, Ajitabh Bachchan, who is five years younger and an entrepreneur.
5. He attended Sherwood College in Nainital and Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree.

Career Beginnings

1. Amitabh initially aspired to be an engineer and join the Indian Air Force.
2. He was rejected as a radio jockey by All India Radio.
3. His first job was in Calcutta, earning ₹300 per month.
4. He debuted in films as a voice narrator in Mrinal Sen's "Bhuvan Shome" (1969).
5. His first acting role was in "Saat Hindustani" (1969), winning a National Film Award for Best Newcomer.
6. His early films like "Sanjog," "Bansi Birju," and "Ek Nazar" were box-office failures.
7. He received his first Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for "Anand" (1971).

Rise to Stardom

1. "Zanjeer" (1973) marked his breakthrough, establishing him as the "Angry Young Man" of Bollywood.
2. Salim-Javed, the screenwriting duo, played a vital role in his success with films like "Deewaar" and "Sholay".
3. He gained immense popularity for his roles in action films like "Deewaar" (1975), "Sholay" (1975), and "Don" (1978).
4. French director François Truffaut called him a "one-man industry" due to his dominance in Indian cinema during the 1970s and 80s.
5. He has played double roles in more than 14 films, a record.
6. In "Mahaan" (1983), he played a triple role.

Awards and Accolades

1. He has won four National Film Awards for Best Actor: "Agneepath" (1990), "Black" (2005), "Paa" (2009), and "Piku" (2015).
2. He holds the record for most Filmfare Awards nominations in any major acting category with 34 nominations for Best Actor and 42 overall.
3. He has won sixteen Filmfare Awards.
4. He received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1991.
5. The Government of India has honored him with the Padma Shri (1984), Padma Bhushan (2001), Padma Vibhushan (2015), and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2018).
6. The Government of France has honored him with its highest civilian honor, Officer of the Legion of Honour (2007).
7. He was crowned "Superstar of the Millennium" in 2000 at the Filmfare Awards.
8. In 1999, a BBC online poll voted him the "greatest star of stage or screen" of the millennium.
9. He was the first living Asian to have a wax statue at Madame Tussauds museum in London (2000).

Other Ventures

1. He briefly entered politics in 1984, winning a seat in Parliament from Allahabad but resigned in 1987.
2. He made his Hollywood debut in "The Great Gatsby" (2013).
3. He is known for hosting the game show "Kaun Banega Crorepati".

Personal Life

1. He is married to Jaya Bhaduri since 1973, also an actress.
2. They have two children: Shweta Bachchan Nanda, a columnist and author, and Abhishek Bachchan, an actor.
3. His daughter, Shweta, is married to Nikhil Nanda, a businessman and grandson of Raj Kapoor.
4. His son, Abhishek, is married to actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
5. Amitabh's first love was reportedly a woman named Maya, whom he met in Kolkata.

Health and Philanthropy

1. He suffered a near-fatal intestinal injury while filming "Coolie" in 1982.
2. He suffers from asthma and myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular disorder.
3. He is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for polio eradication since 2005.
4. He has donated millions to farmers' debt relief, COVID-19 aid, and women's empowerment.

Controversies

1. He faced allegations of sexual harassment by Sayali Bhagat in 2011, which she later retracted.
2. His name was linked to the Bofors scandal and the Panama Papers scandal.
3. He was accused of land forgery in 2000s, but was later cleared.
4. He faced criticism from Shatrughan Sinha, who alleged that Amitabh felt insecure in his presence.
5. Amar Singh, a former friend, called him "greedy".
6. His alleged affair with Rekha has been a long-standing topic of media speculation.

Real Estate

1. His primary residence is "Jalsa" in Juhu, Mumbai, estimated to be worth INR 120 crore.
2. He also owns "Janak," a property near Jalsa, used as a family office and guest residence, valued at INR 50 crore.
3. "Prateeksha," another bungalow in Juhu, remains a landmark for family gatherings.
4. He has invested in a plot in Ayodhya's "The Sarayu" luxury project.

Lesser Known Facts

1. He can write equally well with both hands.
2. Director Satyajit Ray used Bachchan's voice in his 1977 film "Shatranj Ke Khiladi".
3. He was one of the judges for the 1995 Miss World beauty pageant.
4. His first Filmfare Award for the Best Actor was In 1976 for 'Kabhi Kabhi'
5. His first hit was 'Zanjeer'
6. He took semi-retirement in the year 1992
7. He Produced Debut film in 1996 with 'Tere Mere Sapne'

Family Details

1. His father Harivansh Rai Bachchan had two wives, Shyama (m. 1926, d. 1936) and Teji Bachchan (m. 1941).
2. Ajitabh Bachchan is married to Ramola Bachchan and has four children: Nilima, Namrita, Naina, and Bhim.
3. Shweta Bachchan Nanda is married to Nikhil Nanda and has two children: Navya Naveli and Agastya Nanda.
4. Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan have a daughter named Aaradhya Bachchan.

Philanthropic Side

1. He is associated with various social causes and campaigns, promoting education and health.
2. He has been actively involved in polio eradication campaigns in India.
3. He often supports charitable organizations and events.
4. He donated a significant amount to help farmers in debt.

Filmography Highlights

1. Some of his most notable films include "Amar Akbar Anthony" (1977), "Don" (1978), "Coolie" (1982), "Hum" (1991), "Black" (2005), "Paa" (2009), "Piku" (2015), and "Pink" (2016).
2. He has acted in over 200 films in his career.
3. His upcoming films include "Kalki 2898 AD".

Television Career

1. He made his television debut as the host of "Kaun Banega Crorepati" in 2000.
2. He has hosted multiple seasons of "Kaun Banega Crorepati," becoming a household name.
3. His presence on television has been praised for bringing dignity and patience to prime time.

Other Talents

1. He has worked as a playback singer in several films.
2. He has produced films under his production company, Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited (ABCL).
3. He has narrated several films.
4. Satyajit Ray also used Bachchan's voice in his 1977 film "Shatranj Ke Khiladi".

Views and Personality

1. He is known for his discipline, punctuality, and respect for his work.
2. He is considered an inspiration for younger generations.
3. He remains competitive and focused on new projects.

Recent Activities

1. He recently recreated his iconic dialogue from "Zanjeer" on "Kaun Banega Crorepati".
2. He has been urging homemakers to embrace their roles proudly on KBC.
3. He addressed speculation about his changed appearance on KBC, attributing it to age.

Legacy

1. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential actors in the history of Indian cinema.
2. His career spans over five decades, marked by highs, lows, and resilience.
3. He remains a cultural icon and a symbol of Indian cinema.

As Amitabh Bachchan turns 83, his journey continues to inspire millions, and his legacy remains etched in the annals of Indian cinema.