76 not out - Amitabh Bachchan

Amitabh Bachchan is an Indian superstar who has appeared in numerous Hindi movies. He is often regarded as one of the greatest actors of Indian cinema. Amitabh Bachchan was born in Allahabad, to poet father Harivansh Rai Srivastava (Bachchan), a well-known Hindi poet and mother Teji Bachchan. Amitabh Bachchan achieved stardom with films like Zanjeer (1973), Deewar (1975), Don and Trishul. He also earned the tag of Angry Young Man for his powerful performances. Bachchan saw a sluggish career progress through the 80's. However, he came back as a host to of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), the Indian adaptation of the British television game show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Amitabh was "voted the greatest star of stage or screen" in a BBC Your Millennium online poll. BBC noted, "Many people in the western world will not have heard of him....but is a reflection of the huge popularity of Indian films." In his second coming, he is enjoying a resurgence in popularity with films such as Pink, Paa, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Sarkaar etc.

Zanjeer changed things. That's when success came to him. It was a great film. Prakash Mehra directed the movie and Amitabh's role was probably the first portrayal of a middle class anti-hero in Hindi cinema. An honest police officer fights the corrupt violent system from within. But failing in the attempt he revolts and takes on the fight as an outsider using crooked means.This marked a new beginning. Hindi cinema now had its angry young man. And riding the waves of the popularity of this particular typecast began a remarkable journey of fame and success.

By the mid seventies, Amitabh Bachchan had established himself as a force to contend with in Bollywood but superstardom was yet to come.

The year 1975 saw the release of Amitabh's two biggest blockbusters till date.
First came Ramesh Sippy's Sholay and when Jai died on screen, the audiences' horrified gasp betrayed the birth sound of a new phenomenon - the birth of Amitabh the superstar.

Every film producer knew that if he cast Amitabh Bachchan in his film, he had a hit. From being a sidelight on the scene, Amitabh Bachchan had transformed to become the undisputed king of the celluloid world. His screen persona reflected the angst of the 1970. In him was embodied the pent up resentment of unemployment, of social deprivation and individual degradation but in him the audiences found a champion too, who lashed out at a system that kept them in penury. On screen, Amitabh fought his way against tremendous odds and off screen a mesmerised audience fought for a ticket to his movie.

With his brilliant acting skills and his ability to deliver blockbusters after blockbuster, Bachchan was set for long haul.

But then when he was at the height of his popularity, there came a hiccup in his career and his life. On the sets of Coolie, Amitabh was seriously injured while filming a fight sequence. He was rushed to the hospital and initial reports said that the injury was serious, even life-threatening. His fans were devastated. They feared for him and all across the country people prayed that the almighty would return their icon to them.

Amitabh made a stable recovery and after some initial questions about his continuance in Bollywood, the superstar returned to reign at the top.