Birthday special: Megastar, granddad Amitabh Bachchan turns 73

Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan turns 73 today, October 11. The veteran actor is busy with his professional assignments and there is no stopping the 'angry young man'. He may be in his senior years but Amitabh Bachchan is far from slowing down. In spite of his age he delivered hits like ‘Shamitabh’ and the more resent ‘Piku’ with Deepika Padukone. On the special occasion of Big B’s birthday, we take you back in time on a pictorial journey of the Living Legend.

Amitabh Bachchan was born in Allahabad to hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Teji Bachchan. His parents initially named him Inquilaab, but at the suggestion of a friend and fellow poet Sumitranandan Pant, Harivansh Rai changed the name to Amitabh.

Amitabh Bachchan has a younger brother, Ajitabh. His mother Teji Bachchan, who was interested in theatre, had some degree of influence in Amitabh Bachchan's choice of career.

Seen here with then Maharashtra's Governor Ali Yawar Jung (in dark Suit) and his wife Begum Zehra Ali Jung at the reception of Amitabh's younger brother Ajitabh Bachchan and Ramola in Bombay. At left is Poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan and at extreme right is Mrs Teji Bachchan (parents of Amitabh and Ajitabh Bachchan). Mrs Ishwari Devi (mother of ramola is at extreme left). (Express archive photo)

Amitabh Bachchan tied the knot with his co-actor of movies like 'Milli, Zanjeer, Abhimaan' - Jaya Bhaduri in 1973.

The couple have two children, Shweta Nanda and Abhishek Bachchan.

His son Abhishek is married to former Miss World and actress Aishwarya Rai. Big B has three grand children - Navya Navelli, Agastye, children of his daughter Shweta. And two-year-old Aaradhya (daughter of Abhishek and Aishwarya)

Talking about his professional life, Amitabh Bachchan made his debut in 1969 as a narrator in Mrinal Sen's National Award winning film 'Bhuvan Shome.' This was followed by his first role in 'Saat Hindustani', but the film didn't establish him as an actor in Bollywood. (Facebook)

But it was his role as a doctor in Anand (1971) with then superstar Rajesh Khanna that made him a known face. Amitabh Bachchan's role as a cynical doctor won him his first Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award.

Next Amitabh Bachchan played his first negative role in Parwaana (1971), followed by 'Reshma Aur Shera' (1971).

During this time, Amitabh Bachchan was seen in a guest appearance in 'Guddi' with his future wife Jaya Bhaduri. he was also seen in 1972 action comedy film 'Bombay to Goa' opposite Aruna Irani. Early releases of his career weren't great hits.

But all this changed with director Prakash Mehra's 'Zanjeer' in 1973, where he played the role of an 'angry inspector Vijay Khanna. 'Zanjeer' made him an overnight star and his image of 'angry young man' of Bollywood. Inspector Vijay Khanna's role in 'Zanjeer' was in sharp contrast to the romantically themed films that he had done in the past. He was paired opposite his future wife Jaya Bhaduri in the film, which is considered as a cult classic today.

His role in 'Zanjeer' is considered as one of the most iconic performances of Bollywood history.

'Zanjeer' was a huge success and one of the highest grossing films of that year, breaking Amitabh Bachchan's dry spell at the box office and making him an overnight star.

Amitabh Bachchan earned his first nomination for Best Actor for 'Zanjeer.'

Later, Amitabh Bachchan was once again seen with Rajesh Khanna in Hrishikesh Mukherjee's 'Namak Haraam'. He bagged his second supporting role award for the movie.

In 1974, Amitabh Bachchan did several guest appearances in films such as 'Kunwara Baap' and 'Dost'. He then did a supporting role in Manoj Kumar's 'Roti Kapda Aur Makaan', which addressed themes of honesty in the face of oppression and financial and emotional hardship. 'Roti Kapda Aur Makaan' also became the top earning film of 1974.

Next came, 'Majboor' in 1974, a remake of the Hollywood film 'Zig Zag'. Amitabh Bachan played the role of a patient suffering from cancer. It was followed by 'Kasauti' and 'Benaam', which were also successful at the box office.

In 1975, he did a variety of films including hit comedy 'Chupke Chupke', crime drama 'Faraar' and 'Mili'.

That very year came two iconic films - First was Yash Chopra's 'Deewaar' with Shashi Kapoor, Neetu Singh and Nirupa Roy. 'Deewar', which earned him a Filmfare Nomination for Best Actor, was a major hit at the box office that year.

Next came, 'Sholay' with Dharmendra, Hema Malini and Jaya Bachchan, which became the highest grossing film of 1975 and also of all time in India, earning Rs 2,364,500,000 ($60 million).

In 1999, BBC India declared it the "Film of the Millennium".

In 1976, Amitabh Bachchan joined hands with director Yash Chopra in his second film, 'Kabhi Kabhie'. Big B played a romantic hero in the movie, which also had Rakhi, Rishi Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor and Neetu Singh. The movie was appreciated by critics and audiences alike.

In 1977, Amitabh Bachchan bagged his first Best Actor Award for his performance in comedy 'Amar Akbar Anthony'. The film became the highest grossing film of that year. That same year he tasted more success with 'Parvarish, Khoon Pasina' and 'Adalat.

Then came 'Don' in 1978, where he had a double role of leader of an underworld gang and his look alike Vijay. His performance won him his second Filmfare Best Actor award.

Big B also was appreciated for his performances in 'Trishul' and 'Muqaddar Ka Sikandar'.

In 1979, Amitabh Bachchan was seen in 'Suhaag' which became the highest earning film of that year. The same year he also got critical acclaim acclaim with 'Mr. Natwarlal, Kaala Patthar' and 'The Great Gambler'.

Big B also made his singing debut with 'Mr. Natwarlal' where he was seen opposite Rekha. He was nominated for both the Filmfare Best Actor Award and the Filmfare Best Male Playback Awards.

He was seen in 'Dostana' opposite Zeenat Aman and Shatrughan Sinha, which became the top grossing film of 1980.

Next year, he was seen romancing Rekha in Yash Chopra's 'Silsila'. The film, which also had his wife Jaya Bachchan, was his last one with Rekha. There were reports that Big B had a strong relationship with Rekha but nothing came out of the reports. The two have never worked in any film since then.

His 'Shaan' with Shaturghan Sinha and 'Shakti' with thespian Dilip Kumar failed to click at the box office. Then came two hits 'Ram Balram' and 'Lawaaris'.

On 26 July 1982, while filming 'Coolie' in the Bangalore, Amitabh Bachchan suffered a near fatal injury during the filming of a fight scene with co-actor Puneet Issar.

Big B was performing his own stunts and in one particular scene he was required to fall onto a table and then on the ground. However as he jumped towards the table, the corner of the table hit his abdomen, resulting in a splenic rupture from which he lost a huge amount of blood.

Amitabh Bachchan is taken for routine medical check-up by his daughter Shweta to Nanavathi hospital.

Amitabh Bachchan required an emergency splenectomy and remained in hospital for many months, at times close to death. People offered prayers in temples and even sacrificed limbs to save him. There were long queues of fans outside the hospital where he was recuperating. He spent many months recovering and resumed filming later that year.

'Coolie' released in 1983, and it was an instant hit at the box office, partly due to Big B's accident.

Later, Amitabh Bachchan was diagnosed with Myasthenia gravis. His illness made him feel weak both mentally and physically and he decided to quit films.

In 1984, Amitabh Bachchan took a break from acting and entered politics in support of long-time family friend, Rajiv Gandhi. He contested from Allahabad's seat and won by one of the highest victory margins in general election history. But he resigned after three years.

He suffered huge losses with his production house ABCL and was helped by his friend and politician Amar Singh. His wife Jaya Bachchan also joined the Samajwadi Party and became a Rajya Sabha member.

In 1988, Big B returned to films with a successful 'Shahenshah' . But it was followed by a lean period and it was only in 1991 that Big B delivered a hit with 'Hum'.

But despite a lean period, Big B bagged National Award for his portrayal of a mafia don in 'Agneepath' (1990). Two years later came, 'Khuda Gawah' (1992) and after this Big B took another break from movies for five years.

Big B turned producer during this period and set up Amitabh Bachchan Corporation, Ltd. (A.B.C.L.) in 1996. In 1997, Amitabh Bachchan attempted to make his acting comeback with 'Mrityudata', produced by ABCL but it was major flop at the box office.

ABCL was the main sponsor of the 1996 Miss World pageant, Bangalore but lost millions of rupees. The fiasco and the consequent legal battles surrounding ABCL and various entities after the event led to its financial and operational collapse in 1997.

Big B tried to revive his acting career and had average success with 'Bade Miyan Chote Miyan' (1998), 'Sooryavansham' (1999). But it was followed by series of duds 'Lal Baadshah' (1999) and 'Hindustan Ki Kasam' (1999).

And then Big B was back with a bang on the silver screen with Yash Chopra's production 'Mohabbatein' (2000). He played a stern teacher in the film and this also won him his third Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award. It was followed by a series of hits - 'Ek Rishtaa: The Bond of Love' (2001), 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...' (2001) and 'Baghban' (2003).

Big B also received critical acclaim for his performance in 'Aks'(2001), 'Aankhen' (2002), 'Khakee' (2004) and 'Dev' (2004). Then came Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Black' in 2005 where he played an ageing teacher of a deaf-blind girl. His performance won him his second National Film Award for Best Actor.

In 2005 and 2006, Amitabh Bachchan worked with son Abhishek in three successful films 'Bunty Aur Babli' (2005), 'Sarkar' (2005), and 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' (2006).

His other releases in 2006-2007 'Baabul', Ekalavya' and 'Nishabd' had mixed response at the box office. In May 2007, came 'Cheeni Kum' and 'Shootout At Lokhandwala' which were box office successes.

He played the role of Gabbar in the remake of his biggest hit, 'Sholay' (1975), 'Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag', but it was a major commercial failure.

The year also marked Big B's in his first English-language film, 'The Last Lear' directed by Rituparno Ghosh.

He played a ghost in Vivek Sharma's 'Bhoothnath' (2008), then reprised the role of a don in 'Sarkar Raj', which received a positive response at the box-office.

Next came 'Paa' in 2009, which was a highly anticipated project. It saw Big B playing his own son Abhishek's 13-year-old son suffering from Progeria. This won him his third National Film Award for Best Actor.

Satyagraha, Bhoothnath Returns - In 2013, Amitabh Bachchan played the role of retired teacher and former principal, Dwarka Anand who is an idealistic man determined to live his life based on truth. The following year, Big B reprised his role as the friendly ghost in 'Bhoothnath Returns'. While 'Satyagraha' was an average performer, 'Bhoothnath Returns' was one of the highest grossers of the year.

Shamitabh, Piku: In 2015, Amitabh Bachchan had two releases - R. Balki's 'Shamitabh' where he played the role of a drunk actor and then 'Piku' by Shoojit Sircar, in which he portrayed Bhashkor Banerjee, a Bengali senior who lives with his daughter. 'Piku' received immense praise and was a huge commercial success as well.

Wazir: Amitabh Bachchan will next be seen in Bejoy Nambiar's 'Wazir' where he plays a chess grandmaster confined to a wheelchair due to his legs which seem to be amputated. Farah Akhtar who is also part of the film is seen as an Anti Terrorist Squad Officer. The film is slated to hit theatres on December 4.

Big B's family had hosted a grand birthday party on his 70th birthday. It was attended by the who's who of Bollywood, friends and political leaders.

His daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan said this day is always special for the family to spend some quality time together. This year as well, Aishwarya wants to celebrate this occasion with much pomp and show. She has invited all of Big B’s close friends at the bash and is personally taking care of the minute.

Here's wishing the actor a very happy birthday once again.

In 2000, Big B hosted the first season of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC). A second season followed in 2005 but its run was cut short after the actor fell ill in 2006. The superstar, who has also hosted its 4th, 5th and 6th, 7th seasons, back with the show for its 8th season.

He also hosted the 3rd season of reality show Bigg Boss.

In 1991, Big B became the first artist to receive the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award established in the name of Raj Kapoor. Big B was also crowned as Superstar of the Millennium in 2000.

He got the Padma Shri in 1984 and the Padma Bhushan in 2001. France's highest civilian honour, the Knight of the Legion of Honour, was conferred upon him by the French Government in 2007 for his "exceptional career in the world of cinema and beyond".

In 1999, Amitabh Bachchan was voted the "greatest star of stage or screen" in a BBC Your Millennium online poll.

In June 2000, he became the first Asian to have been modelled in wax at London's Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.

On 27 July 2012, Big B also carried the Olympic torch during the last leg of its relay in London's Southwark.