AMITABH BACHCHAN

megastar of Indian cinema, who continues to dominate the Hindi film industry over three decades after he made his debut.

Born to renowned Hindi poet Harivansh Rai, Bachchan studied at Sherwood College, Nainital, and Kirori Mal College, Delhi. A former stage actor, radio announcer, and freight company executive in Shaw Wallace, Calcutta, Bachchan shifted base to Bombay (now Mumbai), making his acting debut in Saat Hindustani (1969), directed by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas. However, it was not until the commercial success of Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Anand (1970) that the nation sat up and took notice of this gawky, gangly youngster who was soon to become a one-man industry. The Bachchan screen persona - that of the angry young man - evolved in the mid-1970s with his roles in Zanjeer (1973), Deewar (1975), and Sholay (1975). It was this persona that was responsible for most of his big hits - Trishul ( 1978), Muqaddar ka Sikandar (1978), Kala Patthar (1979), and Shakti (1982).

The comic Chupke Chupke (1975) and the romantic Kabhi Kabhi (1976) provide a glimpse of the actor's versatility. The Bachchan magic held sway until the late 1980s but after Shahenshah (1987) his popularity went into sharp decline. The early 1990s, however, did see him deliver three significant hits - Agneepath (1990), Hum (1991), and Khuda Gawah (1992). After a self-imposed break from films, Bachchan sought to make a comeback with Mrityudaata (1997), but the film and several subsequent, rather feeble, attempts, including the much-hyped Major Saab (1998), failed to recapture the box office clout of his past glory.

Bachchan bounced back in 2000, hosting Kaun Banega Crorepati , the Indian version of the American television series Who Wants To Be A Millionaire . Following its phenomenal success, Bachchan was back in demand for endorsements, advertisements, as well as movies. He has had a series of hits including Mohabbatein (2000), Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham (2001), Baghban (2003), Khakhi (2004), Black (2005), Bunty Aur Babli (2005), Viruddh (2005), and Sarkar (2005).

Apart from winning 14 awards in various categories in the popularity-based Filmfare Awards, Bachchan has claimed the National Award three times: for Saat Hindustani (Best Newcomer) in 1970, for Agneepath (Best Actor) in 1991, and for Black (Best Actor) in 2006.

With his films reinforcing his larger-than-life persona, Bachchan has achieved an iconic status. He was voted as the millennium's biggest superstar in an online BBC poll in 1999. In recognition of his contribution in the field of performing arts, the Indian government honoured him with the Padma Shri in 1985 and the Padma Bhushan in 2005.

Bachchan was briefly member of the Indian Parliament, elected from Allahabad in 1984. Married to actress Jaya Bhaduri (now Bachchan), he has two children, daughter Shweta and son Abhishek, who is also a well-known actor.