Bhubaneswar: The legend of the Indian film industry is celebrating his 80th birthday on Tuesday. Amitabh Bachchan, who has already appeared in four movies this year – Nagraj Manjule’s Jhund, Vikas Bahl’s Goodbye, Ayan Mukerji’s Brahmastra and Ajay Devgn’s Runway 34– has proved that age is just a number. Before 2022 ends, he has Sooraj Barjatya’s Uunchai, which is slated for November 11 release. And there are Project K and The Intern’s Hindi remake in the pipeline.
Celebrating his 80th birthday, the makers of Goodbye have announced a happy surprise for fans by dropping the ticket price to just Rs 80 on November 11.
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Here are 11 Interesting facts about Big B
>> He began his career in films in 1969 as a voice narrator in Mrinal Sen’s Bhuvan Shome. Director Satyajit Ray also used his voice in his 1977 film Shatranj Ke Khiladi. In 2005, he lent his voice to the Oscar-triumphing French documentary March of the Penguins, directed and co-written by Luc Jacquet.
>> Big B made his debut as an actor in 1969 with Khwaja Ahmad Abbas’s Saat Hindustani. He got the role thanks to his friend Tinnu Anand, who was set to play the part originally. He, however, left for Kolkata on getting an opportunity to assist Satyajit Ray, but not before putting in a word to director KA Abbas to cast Big B.
>> Amitabh Bachchan wanted to become a radio presenter before trying his luck in Bollywood but his baritone voice was rejected by All India Radio, Delhi. Ameen Sayani was the undisputed king of radio back in the ’60s, and when Amitabh made his way to the AIR studio, the radio presenter was too busy to spare any time for his audition and the actor gave up after a few failed attempts to meet him and then gave up.
>> He was also rejected during his first audition for films because he was too tall. In 2018, Big B shared a picture, which was part of his portfolio in the early phase of his career, and wrote: My application picture for a job in movies .. 1968.. no wonder I was rejected.”
>> Mehmood had opened his home for Amitabh during the latter’s days of struggle. Though their relationship soured in subsequent years, after Mehmood’s demise, Bachcha, in July 2004, wrote in his blog: “He always helped in establishing myself as an actor. Mehmood Bhai was one of the helpers in the graph early in my career. He was the first producer who gave me the lead role – in ‘Bombay to Goa’.”
>> Sunil Dutt signed him for a mute’s role in Reshma Aur Shera because of a letter of introduction from the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to friend Nargis.
>> The Big B had 12 consecutive flops from 1969 to 1973 before delivering his first hit, Zanjeer.
>> He has played more double roles than any other actor – Bandhe Haath (1973), Adalat (1976), Kasme Vaade (1978), Don (1978), The Great Gambler (1979), Desh Premee (1982), Satte Pe Satta (1982), Bemisal (1982), Aakhree Raasta (1986), Toofan (I) (1989), Sooryavansham (1999), Lal Baadshah (1999), Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998) and Hum Kaun Hai? (2004). In Mahaan (1983), he had a triple role.
>> In 1982, Amitabh had a near-death experience. The doctors and his family had lost hope after he met with an accident on the sets of the movie Coolie.
>> In the 90s, Amitabh Bachchan found himself almost bankrupt. He had to ask Yash Chopra for a job and then he was seen in Mohabbatein. In a recent interview with Ranveer Allahbadi, Abhishek Bachchan opened up about the tough financial times and how he left his education midday because he felt it was his responsibility as a son to be home.
>> In a poll conducted by BBC News, Amitabh Bachchan won the title of ‘Actor of the Millennium’ by beating stars like Charlie Chaplin and Marlon Brando.
