Bhubaneswar: The legend of the Indian film industry is celebrating his 79th birthday on Monday. Amitabh Bachchan, who has a very interesting line-up of films – ‘The Intern’ and ‘Brahmastra’- has proved that age is just a number. His thriller-mystery ‘Chehre’ was released in theatres on August 27. The film is now streaming on Amazon Prime.
Here are 15 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’.
Big B had made his debut as an actor in 1969 with Khwaja Ahmad Abbas’s ‘Saat Hindustani’.
Amitabh Bachchan tried to become a radio presenter before trying his luck in Bollywood but he was rejected by All India Radio, Delhi.
He was also rejected during his first audition for films because he was too tall.
Mehmood had offered Amitabh a place to stay in his house during the latter’s days of struggle.
Sunil Dutt signed him for a mute’s role in ‘Reshma Aur Shera’ because of a letter of introduction from the then PM Indira Gandhi to friend Nargis.
Amitabh had 12 consecutive flops from 1969 to 1973 before delivering his first hit, ‘Zanjeer’.
Amitabh has played more double roles than any other actor. In ‘Mahaan’, he had a triple role.
In 1982, Amitabh had a near-death experience. The doctors and his family had lost hopes 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’.
Amitabh’s real last name is Srivastava but he uses his father’s pen name ‘Bachchan’ as his last name.
Amitabh can write with both his right as well as left hand.
Though he is not a singer, he has lent his voice in more than 20 films.
He was one of the judges of the 1995 Miss World beauty Pageant.
In a poll conducted by BBC News, Amitabh Bachchan had won the title of ‘Actor of the Millennium’ by beating stars like Charlie Chaplin and Marlon Brando.