Amitabh Bachchan

{{further|Bachchan family}}

Bachchan was born on 11 October 1942 in Allahabad (now Prayagraj) to Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan and social activist Teji Bachchan.{{cite news |last=Masih |first=Archana |date=9 October 2012 |title=Take a tour of Amitabh's home in Allahabad |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-take-a-tour-of-amitabhs-home-in-allahabad/20121009.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=14 February 2014 |archive-date=24 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224222316/http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-take-a-tour-of-amitabhs-home-in-allahabad/20121009.htm%20 |url-status=live}} Harivansh Rai Bachchan was an Awadhi Hindu Kayastha,{{cite news |last=Bhattacharya |first=Sreemita |title=I am proud of my surname: Amitabh Bachchan |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/I-am-proud-of-my-surname-Amitabh-Bachchan/articleshow/9393354.cms |access-date=3 March 2021 |work=The Times of India |date=28 July 2011 |archive-date=13 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013050650/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/I-am-proud-of-my-surname-Amitabh-Bachchan/articleshow/9393354.cms |url-status=live}} who was fluent in Awadhi,{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N5Z9_ysSgW8C |title=Bollywood Cinema: Temples of Desire |last=Mishra |first=Vijay |date=2002 |page=131 |publisher=Psychology Press |isbn=978-0-415-93014-7}} Hindi and Urdu.{{cite book |last=West-Pavlov |first=Russell |title=The Global South and Literature |date=2018 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-108-24631-6 |page=167 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yMdJDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA167}} Harivansh's ancestors came from a village called Babupatti, in the Raniganj tehsil, in the Pratapgarh district, in the present-day state of Uttar Pradesh, in India.{{cite web |title=Jaya inaugurates library in memory of Harivansh Rai Bachchan |website=OneIndia.com |publisher=Greynium Information Technologies Pvt. Ltd |url=http://www.oneindia.com/2006/03/05/jaya-inaugurates-library-in-memory-of-harivansh-rai-bachchan-1141626344.html |access-date=18 November 2015 |date=6 March 2006 |archive-date=19 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119051930/http://www.oneindia.com/2006/03/05/jaya-inaugurates-library-in-memory-of-harivansh-rai-bachchan-1141626344.html |url-status=live}} Teji Bachchan was a Punjabi Sikh Khatri from Lyallpur, Punjab, British India (present-day Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan).{{cite news |title=Amitabh Bachchan remembers 'most beautiful woman' mother on her birthday |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/amitabh-bachchan-remembers-most-beautiful-woman-mother-on-her-birthday/articleshow/40115335.cms |access-date=3 March 2021 |work=The Economic Times |date=12 August 2014 |archive-date=29 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220429032403/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/amitabh-bachchan-remembers-most-beautiful-woman-mother-on-her-birthday/articleshow/40115335.cms |url-status=live }} Bachchan has a younger brother, Ajitabh, who is five years younger than him.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aWquGT2c6DkC&pg=PA327 |page=327 |title=In the Afternoon of Time: An Autobiography |author=Harivansh Rai Bachchan |publisher=Penguin Books India |year=2001 |isbn=0-14-027663-7}}

Bachchan's parents were initially going to name him Inquilaab (Hindustani for "Revolution"), inspired by the phrase Inquilab Zindabad ("Long live the revolution") popularly used during the Indian independence struggle; the name Amitabh was suggested to his father by poet Sumitranandan Pant.{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/did-you-know-/Amitabh-was-initially-named-Inquilaab/articleshow/15889267.cms |title=Amitabh was initially named Inquilaab |work=The Times of India |date=28 August 2012 |access-date=19 May 2017 |archive-date=13 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813134240/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/did-you-know-/Amitabh-was-initially-named-Inquilaab/articleshow/15889267.cms |url-status=live}} Although his surname was Srivastava, Amitabh's father, who opposed the caste system, had adopted the pen name Bachchan ("child-like" in colloquial Hindi), under which he published all of his works.{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/I-am-proud-of-my-surname-Amitabh-Bachchan/articleshow/9393354.cms |date=28 July 2011 |access-date=26 July 2017 |title=I am proud of my surname Amitabh Bachchan |archive-date=30 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830194021/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/I-am-proud-of-my-surname-Amitabh-Bachchan/articleshow/9393354.cms |url-status=live}} When his father was looking to get him admitted to a school, he and Bachchan's mother decided the family's name should be Bachchan instead of Shrivastava.{{cite web |url=https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/bollywood/amitabh-bachchan-got-his-surname-bacause-of-caste-system-1.65525580 |title=Amitabh Bachchan got his surname bacause of caste system |website=gulfnews.com |date=30 July 2019 |access-date=22 September 2020 |archive-date=2 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002091321/https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/bollywood/amitabh-bachchan-got-his-surname-bacause-of-caste-system-1.65525580 |url-status=live}} It is with this last name that Amitabh debuted in films and used for all other practical purposes, Bachchan has become the surname for all of his immediate family.{{cite book |title=In The Afternoon Time |last=Bachchan |first=Harivansh Rai |publisher=Viking Pr |year=1998 |isbn=978-0-670-88158-1}} Bachchan's father died in 2003, and his mother in 2007.{{cite web |title=Teji Bachchan passes away |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=2078579f-853d-48ae-b826-eeee479169e2&ParentID=d5c75cbf-62a5-49eb-a016-0cf71383854b&&Headline=Big+B's+mother+Teji+Bachchan+is+no+more |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225061509/http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=2078579f-853d-48ae-b826-eeee479169e2&ParentID=d5c75cbf-62a5-49eb-a016-0cf71383854b&&Headline=Big+B%27s+mother+Teji+Bachchan+is+no+more |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 December 2007 |work=Hindustan Times |author=Khan, Alifiya |access-date=10 February 2011}}

Bachchan's secondary education was at Boys' High School & College in Allahabad and Sherwood College in Nainital. He attended Kirori Mal College at the University of Delhi in Delhi.{{cite news|title=Amitabh Bachchan's journey to the top|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/Amitabh+Bachchan%27s+journey+to+the+top/1/65773.html|newspaper=India Today|date=10 October 2009|access-date=23 May 2014|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011115047/https://www.indiatoday.in/headlines-today-top-stories/story/amitabh-bachchans-journey-to-the-top-58283-2009-10-10|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Bachchan@77 – 'Big B was a boxer when he was Chhota B' |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/bachchan-77-big-b-was-a-boxer-when-he-was-chhota-b/story-IhMWG9vPh7cq2DMZV6sR0N.html |work=Hindustan Times |date=11 October 2019 |access-date=4 January 2020 |archive-date=25 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225021631/https://m.hindustantimes.com/cities/bachchan-77-big-b-was-a-boxer-when-he-was-chhota-b/story-IhMWG9vPh7cq2DMZV6sR0N_amp.html |url-status=live}} He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Kirori Mal College in 1962.{{cite web |title=किरोड़ीमल कॉलेज हॉस्टल का कमरा नंबर-66, दीवार पर टंगी बिग बी की तस्वीर... डीयू का इतिहास |url=https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/metro/delhi/other-news/delhi-university-kirori-mal-college-hostel-amitabh-bachchan-bsc-read-here-du-history/articleshow/92466073.cms |access-date=13 September 2022 |website=Navbharat Times |language=hi |archive-date=13 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913073040/https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/metro/delhi/other-news/delhi-university-kirori-mal-college-hostel-amitabh-bachchan-bsc-read-here-du-history/articleshow/92466073.cms |url-status=live}}{{cite web |date=2 September 2022 |title=KBC 14: जब BSc लेकर पछताए थे अमिताभ बच्चन, नहीं याद रहते थे त्रिकोणमिति के फॉर्मूले, सुनाया मजेदार किस्सा |url=https://www.aajtak.in/entertainment/television/story/amitabh-bachchan-took-bsc-difficult-to-learn-trigonometry-formula-kbc-14-komal-gupta-50-lakh-tmovk-1529627-2022-09-02 |access-date=13 September 2022 |website=Aaj Tak |language=hi |archive-date=12 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912232412/https://www.aajtak.in/entertainment/television/story/amitabh-bachchan-took-bsc-difficult-to-learn-trigonometry-formula-kbc-14-komal-gupta-50-lakh-tmovk-1529627-2022-09-02 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=10 bollywood celebrities who graduated from DU |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/10-bollywood-stars-who-passed-out-from-du-306417-2016-02-17 |access-date=13 September 2022 |website=India Today |date=17 February 2016 |archive-date=13 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913115932/https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/10-bollywood-stars-who-passed-out-from-du-306417-2016-02-17 |url-status=live}} When Bachchan finished his studies, his father approached Prithviraj Kapoor, the founder of Prithvi Theatre and patriarch of the Kapoor acting family, to see if there was an opening for him, but Kapoor offered no encouragement.{{cite book |page=312 |title=In the Afternoon of Time: An Autobiography |author=Harivansh Rai Bachchan |publisher=Penguin Books India |year=2001 |url={{GBurl|id=aWquGT2c6DkC|p=312}} |isbn=0-14-027663-7}} Bachchan was a friend of Rajiv Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi, before he became an actor. He used to spend time with them when he was a resident in New Delhi. Bachchan's family were very close to the Nehru-Gandhi family of politicians. When Sonia Gandhi first came to India from Italy before her marriage, Bachchan had received her at the Palam International Airport on 13 January 1968. She spent 48 days at Bachchan's house with his parents before her wedding to Rajiv.{{cite web |last=Kidwai |first=Rasheed |date=11 October 2018 |title=Amitabh Bachchan, Rajiv Gandhi and a tale of two families |url=https://news.abplive.com/blog/amitabh-bachchan-rajiv-gandhi-and-a-tale-of-two-families-766548 |access-date=13 September 2022 |website=news.abplive.com |archive-date=13 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913081231/https://news.abplive.com/blog/amitabh-bachchan-rajiv-gandhi-and-a-tale-of-two-families-766548 |url-status=live}}

In the late 1960s, Bachchan applied to be a newsreader for All India Radio in Delhi, but "failed the audition".{{cite news |title=When Ameen Sayani refused audition to Amitabh Bachchan thrice, asked him to take appointment: 'I would have been on streets' |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/when-ameen-sayani-refused-audition-to-amitabh-bachchan-thrice-asked-him-to-take-appointment-9172743/ |work=The Indian Express |date=21 February 2024 |access-date=26 March 2024}} He became a business executive for Bird & Company in Kolkata (Calcutta), {{When|date=September 2022}} and worked in theatre before starting his film career.{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Amitabh-Bachchan |encyclopedia=britannica.com |title=Amitabh Bachchan |access-date=16 December 2020 |archive-date=14 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214212940/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Amitabh-Bachchan |url-status=live}} It is thought that his mother might have had some influence on his choice of career, for she always insisted that he should "take centre stage".{{cite book |page=9 |title=My Life: Amitabh Bachchan |author= |publisher=General Press |url=https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07ZFMJ34R |date=22 October 2019 |isbn=978-9389440737 }}{{According to whom|date=September 2022}}

{{further|Amitabh Bachchan filmography}}

Bachchan made his film debut in 1969, as a voice narrator in Mrinal Sen's National Award–winning film Bhuvan Shome.{{cite news |author=Suresh Kohli |url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article3428922.ece |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205112700/http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article3428922.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 February 2013 |title=Arts / Cinema: Bhuvan Shome (1969) |work=The Hindu |date=17 May 2012 |access-date=11 December 2012 |location=Chennai, India}} His first acting role was as one of the seven protagonists in the film Saat Hindustani,{{cite web |url=https://scroll.in/reel/852519/before-stardom-amitabh-bachchans-drudge-years-are-a-study-in-perseverance-and-persona-building |title=Before stardom: Amitabh Bachchan's drudge years are a study in perseverance and persona building |first=Nandini |last=Ramnath |website=Scroll.in |date=8 October 2017 |access-date=20 December 2019 |archive-date=21 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821085713/https://scroll.in/reel/852519/before-stardom-amitabh-bachchans-drudge-years-are-a-study-in-perseverance-and-persona-building |url-status=live}} directed by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas and featuring Utpal Dutt, Anwar Ali (brother of comedian Mehmood), Madhu and Jalal Agha.{{cite news |author=Avijit Ghosh |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Big-Bs-debut-film-hit-the-screens-40-yrs-ago-today/articleshow/5206070.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615185810/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-11-07/india/28085479_1_amitabh-bachchan-saat-hindustani-malayalam-actor |url-status=live |archive-date=15 June 2013 |title=Big B's debut film hit the screens 40 yrs ago, today |access-date=11 December 2012 |work=The Times of India |date=7 November 2009}}{{cite web |url=http://in.rediff.com/movies/2007/aug/09amitabh.htm |title=I felt I did a good job in Black |work=Rediff.com |date=9 August 2007 |access-date=24 March 2012 |archive-date=25 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525045308/http://in.rediff.com/movies/2007/aug/09amitabh.htm |url-status=live}} Anand (1971) followed, in which Bachchan starred alongside Rajesh Khanna. His role as a doctor with a cynical view of life garnered Bachchan his first Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. He then played his first antagonist role as an infatuated lover-turned-murderer in Parwana (1971). Following Parwana were several films, including Reshma Aur Shera (1971). During this time, he made a guest appearance in the film Guddi which starred his future wife Jaya Bhaduri. He narrated part of the film Bawarchi.{{cite book |last=Rammesh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=azlpDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT141 |title=Human Cinema: The Films of Hrishikesh Mukherjee |date=17 August 2018 |publisher=Notion Press |isbn=978-1-64324-955-1}} In 1972, he made an appearance in the road action comedy Bombay to Goa directed by S. Ramanathan which was moderately successful.{{cite web |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=178&catName=MTk3Mg== |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012163932/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=178&catName=MTk3Mg== |archive-date=12 October 2012 |title=Box Office 1972 |publisher=Box Office India |date=12 October 2012 |access-date=21 July 2018}} Many of Bachchan's films during this early period did not do well.{{cite web |title=80 iconic performances 1/10 |url=http://www.filmfare.com/details.php?id=950 |date=1 June 2010 |access-date=29 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118035457/http://www.filmfare.com/details.php?id=950 |archive-date=18 January 2012}} His only film with Mala Sinha, Sanjog (1972) was also a box office failure.{{cite news |last1=Lokapally |first1=Vijay |title=Sanjog (1972) |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/Sanjog-1972/article16926488.ece |access-date=14 March 2020 |work=The Hindu |date=22 December 2016 |archive-date=24 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224230427/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/Sanjog-1972/article16926488.ece |url-status=live}}

Bachchan was struggling, seen as a "failed newcomer" who, by the age of 30, had only two successes (as a lead in Bombay to Goa and a supporting role in Anand).{{cite news |title=Rajesh Khanna didn't charge a penny for Anand; earned 10 times his remuneration through distribution: Historian Dilip Thakur |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/rajesh-khanna-didnt-charge-a-penny-for-anand-earned-10-times-his-remuneration-through-distribution-9544282/ |work=The Indian Express |date=1 September 2024 |access-date=21 December 2024}} Bachchan was then discovered by screenwriter duo Salim–Javed, consisting of Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar.{{cite news |title=Revisiting Prakash Mehra's Zanjeer: The film that made Amitabh Bachchan |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/revisiting-prakash-mehra-zanjeer-the-film-that-made-amitabh-bachchan-4714064/ |work=The Indian Express |date=20 June 2017 |access-date=24 November 2017 |archive-date=1 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033352/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/revisiting-prakash-mehra-zanjeer-the-film-that-made-amitabh-bachchan-4714064/ |url-status=live }} Salim Khan wrote the story, screenplay and script of Zanjeer (1973), and conceived the "angry young man" persona of the lead role. Javed Akhtar came on board as co-writer,{{cite news |title=Why Salim Khan was angry with Amitabh Bachchan |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Why-Salim-Khan-was-angry-with-Amitabh-Bachchan/articleshow/27245793.cms |work=The Times of India |date=13 December 2013 |access-date=27 November 2017 |archive-date=2 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102180945/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Why-Salim-Khan-was-angry-with-Amitabh-Bachchan/articleshow/27245793.cms |url-status=live }} and Prakash Mehra, who saw the script as potentially groundbreaking, as the film's director. However, they were struggling to find an actor for the lead "angry young man" role; it was turned down by several actors, owing to it going against the "romantic hero" image dominant in the industry at the time. Salim-Javed "saw his talent, which most makers didn't. He was exceptional, a genius actor who was in films that weren't good."{{cite news |title=Deewaar was the perfect script: Amitabh Bachchan on 42 years of the cult film |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/deewaar-was-the-perfect-script-amitabh-bachchan-on-42-years-of-the-cult-film/story-x2hy87zQ0ebVlsVMV59U2I.html |work=Hindustan Times |date=29 January 2017 |access-date=24 November 2017 |archive-date=1 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201030549/http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/deewaar-was-the-perfect-script-amitabh-bachchan-on-42-years-of-the-cult-film/story-x2hy87zQ0ebVlsVMV59U2I.html |url-status=live }} According to Salim Khan, they "strongly felt that Amitabh was the ideal casting for Zanjeer". Salim Khan introduced Bachchan to Prakash Mehra, and Salim-Javed insisted that Bachchan be cast for the role.

Zanjeer was a crime film with violent action, in sharp contrast to the romantically themed films that had generally preceded it, and it established Amitabh in a new persona—the "angry young man" of Bollywood.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1945451.stm |title=Film legend promotes Bollywood |publisher=BBC News |date=23 April 2002 |access-date=15 January 2010 |archive-date=24 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324060409/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1945451.stm |url-status=live}} He earned his first Filmfare Award nomination for Best Actor, with Filmfare later considering this one of the most iconic performances in Bollywood history. The film was a blockbuster and one of the highest-grossing films of that year, breaking Bachchan's dry spell at the box office and making him a star.{{cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/features/zanjeer50-film-that-ushered-in-the-angry-young-man-532575/|title='Zanjeer'@50: Film that ushered in the angry young man|date=6 August 2023}}{{cite web |title=Top Actors |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/cpages.php?pageName=top_actors |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219165002/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/cpages.php?pageName=top_actors |archive-date=19 February 2008 |access-date=24 April 2020 |work=Box Office India}} It was the first of many collaborations between Salim-Javed and Amitabh; the duo wrote many of their subsequent scripts with Bachchan in mind for the lead role, and insisted on him being cast for their later films. Salim Khan also introduced Bachchan to director Manmohan Desai with whom he formed a long and successful association, alongside Prakash Mehra and Yash Chopra.

Eventually, Bachchan became one of the most successful leading men of the film industry. His portrayal of the wronged hero fighting a crooked system and circumstances of deprivation in films like Zanjeer, Deewaar, Trishul, Kaala Patthar and Shakti resonated with the masses of the time, especially the youth who harboured a simmering discontent owing to social ills such as poverty, hunger, unemployment, corruption, social inequality and the brutal excesses of The Emergency. This led to Bachchan being dubbed as the "angry young man", a journalistic catchphrase that became a metaphor for the dormant rage, frustration, restlessness, sense of rebellion and anti-establishment disposition of an entire generation, prevalent in the 1970s.{{cite journal |url=https://www.academia.edu/10614647 |title=The 'Angry Young Man' of 'Zanjeer': From Osborne to Bachchan |first=Maanvi |last=Narcisa |website=Academia |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404051610/https://www.academia.edu/10614647 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-19893525 |title=Why Amitabh Bachchan is more than a superstar |date=11 October 2012 |access-date=21 July 2018 |publisher=BBC |archive-date=25 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925035704/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-19893525 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281116060 |title=Writing the Angry Young Man: Salim-Javed's screenplays for Amitabh Bachchan |first=Claus |last=Tieber |date=21 August 2015 |access-date=21 July 2018 |via=ResearchGate |archive-date=11 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011115044/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281116060_Writing_the_Angry_Young_Man_Salim-Javed%27s_screenplays_for_Amitabh_Bachchan |url-status=live }}

The year 1973 was also when he married Jaya, and around this time they appeared in several films together: not only Zanjeer but also subsequent films such as Abhimaan, which was released around the same time after their wedding and was also successful at the box office.{{cite news|access-date=24 March 2023|title=Abhimaan: A Bollywood marital drama that's relevant even after 50 years|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-64813501|newspaper=BBC News|date=16 March 2023}} Later, he played the role of Vikram, once again along with Rajesh Khanna, in the film Namak Haraam, a social drama directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee and addressing themes of friendship.{{Cite web |title=The common man's film maker |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2013/aug/27/the-common-mans-film-maker-510849.html |access-date=16 January 2021 |website=The New Indian Express |date=27 August 2013 |archive-date=2 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302043833/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2013/aug/27/The-common-mans-film-maker-510849.html |url-status=live}} The film proved to be a superhit and Bachchan won his second Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance.{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-awards/filmfare-awards-winners/bollywood/1974/101 |title=Filmfare Awards Winners 1974: Complete list of winners of Filmfare Awards 1974 |website=The Times of India |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=11 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011115045/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-awards/filmfare-awards-winners/bollywood/1974/101 |url-status=live}} The flow of successes continued for Bachchan in 1974.{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/celebrities/manoj-kumar-recalls-special-memories-of-life-with-amitabh-bachchan-in-roti-kapda-aur-makaan-715676|title=Manoj Kumar recalls 'special memories of life' with Amitabh Bachchan in 'Roti, Kapda Aur Makaan'|date=30 June 2021}} He began the year with a guest appearance in Dulal Guha's blockbuster social drama film Dost.{{Cite web |title=Rewind – Greatest Indian Film Sholay Is 43 Years Old |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=4183|publisher=Box Office India}} After this, he starred in Aravind Sen's drama film Kasauti and Narendra Bedi's crime thriller Benaam, both of which ended up as moderate commercial successes. Bachchan's next release was Manoj Kumar's fourth directional venture Roti Kapada Aur Makaan.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jcLihj0Yzi0C&pg=PA12 |title=India of My Dreams |isbn=9788171886890 |access-date=25 January 2022 |last1=Kumar |first1=Surendra |last2=Kapur |first2=Pradeep Kumar |year=2008|publisher=Academic Foundation}} The film opened to excellent response all over the country, eventually taking top spot at the box office that year and emerging an All Time Blockbuster as well as Bachchan's biggest up to that point of time. Before the end of year, he delivered a hit in Ravi Tandon's crime thriller Majboor.{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/majboor|title=Majboor (1974)|website=Rotten Tomatoes}} Written by Salim-Javed, it also had Pran and Parveen Babi in the lead.{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/majboor-1974/article5071757.ece|title=Majboor (1974)|newspaper=The Hindu |date=29 August 2013 }}

In 1975, Bachchan starred in a variety of film genres, from the comedy Chupke Chupke and the crime drama Faraar to the romantic drama Mili.{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/hrishikesh-mukherjee-chupke-chupke-subtle-antidote-to-angry-young-man-era-7915586/|title=Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Chupke Chupke was the subtle antidote to the 'angry young man' era; a balance we have forgotten today|date=14 May 2022}} This was also the year in which he starred in two films regarded as important in Hindi cinema history, both written by Salim-Javed, who again insisted on casting Bachchan. The first was Deewaar, directed by Yash Chopra, where he worked with Shashi Kapoor, Nirupa Roy, Parveen Babi, and Neetu Singh. The film emerged a blockbuster at the box office and earned him another Filmfare nomination for Best Actor.{{cite web|url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=8751|title=Jigra v Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video: First Week Circuit Comparison|date=20 October 2024}} Indiatimes ranks Deewaar among the Top 25 Must See Bollywood Films. The other, released on 15 August 1975, was Sholay, which became the highest-grossing film ever in India at the time,{{cite web |title=Sholay |url=http://www.ibosnetwork.com/asp/filmbodetails.asp?id=Sholay |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630155123/http://www.ibosnetwork.com/asp/filmbodetails.asp?id=Sholay |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 June 2012 |publisher=International Business Overview Standard |access-date=6 December 2007}} in which Bachchan played the role of Jaidev. Deewaar and Sholay are often credited with exalting Bachchan to the heights of superstardom, two years after he became a star with Zanjeer, and consolidating his domination of the industry throughout the 1970s and 1980s.{{cite web |url=http://www.uiowa.edu/~incinema/sholay.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102025542/http://www.uiowa.edu/~incinema/sholay.html |archive-date=2 January 2015 |title=Top Actor |date=2 January 2015 |access-date=3 June 2020}}{{cite web |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/cpages.php?pageName=top_actors |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029191201/http://boxofficeindia.com/cpages.php?pageName=top_actors |archive-date=29 October 2013 |title=Box Office 1983 |publisher=Box Office India |date=29 October 2013 |access-date=21 July 2018}} In 1999, BBC India declared Sholay the "Film of the Millennium" and, like Deewaar, it has been cited by Indiatimes Movies as among the Top 25 Must See Bollywood Films.{{cite news |author=Kanwar, Rachna |title=25 Must See Bollywood Movies |date=3 October 2005 |url=http://movies.indiatimes.com/Special_Features/25_Must_See_Bollywood_Movies/articleshow/msid-1250837,curpg-10.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015033756/http://movies.indiatimes.com/Special_Features/25_Must_See_Bollywood_Movies/articleshow/msid-1250837%2Ccurpg-10.cms |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 October 2007 |publisher=Indiatimes movies |access-date=6 December 2007}} In that same year, the judges of the 50th annual Filmfare Awards awarded it with the special distinction award called the Filmfare Best Film of 50 Years.

File:Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra in 2016.jpg starrer Sholay (1975) recorded an estimated {{INR}}15-18 crore footfalls, making it the highest grossing Indian film in terms of audience attendance to date.{{Cite web |last=Team |first=Indicine |date=15 August 2015 |title=AskIndicine: Live QnA starts at 4:30PM |url=https://www.indicine.com/movies/bollywood/askindicine-live-qna-starts-at-430pm/ |access-date=9 September 2024 |language=en-US}}]]

In 1976, he was cast by Yash Chopra in the romantic musical Kabhi Kabhie.{{cite news|title=Yash Chopra King of Romance|url=http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?keyword=bollywood&ID=282619&subcatg=&nid=282619|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129171228/http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?keyword=bollywood&ID=282619&subcatg=&nid=282619|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 January 2013|access-date=28 October 2012|newspaper=NDTV|date=22 October 2012}} Bachchan starred as a young poet, Amit Malhotra, who falls deeply in love with a beautiful young girl named Pooja (Rakhee Gulzar) who ends up marrying someone else (Shashi Kapoor). The film was notable for portraying Bachchan as a romantic hero, a far cry from his "angry young man" roles like Zanjeer and Deewaar. Despite its heavy theme, Kabhi Kabhie went on to become a superhit.{{Cite news|title=Rewind - Sixty Years Of Dharmendra|url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=6104|work=Box Office India|language=en|date=24 November 2020|archive-date=12 July 2023|access-date=12 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712182139/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=6104|url-status=live}} Its soundtrack composed by Khayyam and lyrics written by Sahir Ludhianvi dominated the year-end annual list of Binaca Geetmala and was one of the best-selling Hindi film albums of the 1970s.{{cite web|title=Music Hits 1970-1979|url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=282&catName=MTk3MC0xOTc5|publisher=Box Office India|date=5 February 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205042855/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=282&catName=MTk3MC0xOTc5 | archive-date=5 February 2010 }} Bachchan was again nominated for the Filmfare Best Actor Award for his role in the film. That same year, he played a double role in another hit Adalat as father and son. In 1977, he won his first Filmfare Best Actor Award for his performance in Amar Akbar Anthony, in which he played the third lead opposite Vinod Khanna and Rishi Kapoor as Anthony Gonsalves. The film was the highest-grossing film of that year. His other major hits that year include Parvarish and Khoon Pasina.{{cite web|url=https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/recentpost/flashback-1977-trade-informa-2531|title=Flashback 1977 - Trade Guide Classification|date=8 August 2024}}

He once again resumed double roles in films such as Kasme Vaade (1978) as Amit and Shankar and Don (1978) playing the characters of Don, a leader of an underworld gang and his look-alike Vijay. His performance won him his second Filmfare Best Actor Award. He also gave towering performances in Yash Chopra's Trishul and Prakash Mehra's Muqaddar Ka Sikandar both of which earned him further Filmfare Best Actor nominations. 1978 is arguably considered his most successful year at the box office since all of his six releases in the same year, namely Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Trishul, Don, Kasme Vaade, Ganga Ki Saugandh and Besharam were box office successes, with the former three being the consecutive highest-grossing films of the year, a rare feat in Hindi cinema.{{Cite web |date=12 October 2012 |title=Boxofficeindia.com |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=184&catName=MTk3OA== |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012163917/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=184&catName=MTk3OA== |archive-date=12 October 2012 |access-date=14 May 2023 |website=BoxOfficeIndia}}{{cite web |url=http://m.rediff.com/movies/2000/oct/11box.htm |title=rediff.com, Movies: The Towering Inferno: Amitabh Bachchan |work=Rediff.com |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722041241/http://m.rediff.com/movies/2000/oct/11box.htm |url-status=live }}

In 1979, Bachchan starred in Suhaag which was the highest-earning film of that year.{{citation|url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=3464|title=Shashi Kapoor Passes Away|publisher=Box Office India|date=5 December 2017}} In the same year, he also enjoyed critical acclaim and commercial success with films like Jurmana, Mr. Natwarlal and Kaala Patthar.{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/npages.php?page=shownews&articleid=5005&nCat=|title=Legendary Director Yash Chopra Passes Away|date=22 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131121054713/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/npages.php?page=shownews&articleid=5005&nCat= |archive-date=21 November 2013 }} He was required to use his singing voice for the first time in a song from the film Mr. Natwarlal in which he starred with Rekha. Bachchan's performance in the film saw him nominated for both the Filmfare Award for Best Actor and the Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer. He also received a Best Actor nomination for Kaala Patthar and then went on to be nominated again in 1980 for the Raj Khosla directed superhit film Dostana, in which he starred opposite Shatrughan Sinha and Zeenat Aman.{{cite news|url= https://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=4407 |title= The Biggest Diwali BLOCKBUSTERS Of All Time |publisher= boxofficeindia.com |date=7 November 2018 |access-date=7 November 2018}} His other releases of 1980, Do Aur Do Paanch and Shaan underperformed with the latter ending its run with average numbers owing to huge costs, but Vijay Anand's Ram Balram alongside Dharmendra was a box office hit.{{cite web|url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=4467|title=2.0 - Among The Biggest Films Ever Made In India|date=27 November 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/movies/when-zeenat-aman-and-rekha-signed-their-only-collaboration-to-date-8597010.html|title=When Zeenat Aman And Rekha Signed Their Only Collaboration To Date|date=29 September 2023|website=News18}}

This changed in 1981 with back-to-back huge blockbusters in Naseeb and Laawaris, both of which were among the top 5 highest-grossing films of 1981.{{cite web |title=Rewind - Forty Years Of Historic Blockbuster KRANTI |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=6155 |access-date=13 February 2021 |publisher=boxofficeindia.com}}

Bachchan also had two hits, Yaarana and Kaalia and a moderately successful venture Barsaat Ki Ek Raat the same year and received praise for his performance in Yash Chopra's romantic drama Silsila, which attracted considerable attention from the media when it was in production due to its casting. Although the film did not do well commercially, it gained cult status in later years and is considered one of Chopra's best works ever.{{cite web|url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=5792|title=Akshay Kumar Has A Historic Year|date=8 January 2020}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema//article59817441.ece |title=Yash, he can! |last=Udasi |first=Harshikaa |date=3 October 2012 |work=The Hindu |access-date=26 March 2022 |archive-date=26 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326091209/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema//article59817441.ece |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.22939/page/n495/mode/2up?q=Silsila&view=theater |title=The making of Silsila |date=16 August 1981 |magazine=Sunday |pages=44–45 |volume=9 |issue=9 |access-date=26 March 2022 }}

In 1982, he played double roles in the musical Satte Pe Satta and action drama Desh Premee which succeeded at the box office along with highly successful ventures like action comedy Namak Halaal, action drama Khud-Daar and the critically acclaimed films Shakti and Bemisal.{{cite web|url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=5659|title=Top Comedy Nett Grossers - Housefull 4 Tops|date=28 November 2019}}{{cite web|title=From the India Today archives (1984) - Bollywood's big budget survivors|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/from-the-india-today-archives-1984-bollywood-s-big-budget-survivors-1994476-2022-08-30|date=30 August 2022}} On 26 July 1982, while filming a fight scene with co-actor Puneet Issar for Coolie, Bachchan had a near-fatal intestinal injury.{{cite web |work=Rediff.com |title=Bachchan injured whilst shooting scene |url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/oct/11amit.htm |access-date=11 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070304103635/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/oct/11amit.htm |archive-date=4 March 2007 |url-status=live}} Bachchan was performing his stunts in the film and one scene required him to fall onto a table and then on the ground. However, as he jumped towards the table, the corner of the table struck his abdomen, resulting in a splenic rupture from which he lost a significant amount of blood. He required an emergency splenectomy and remained critically ill in the hospital for many months, at times close to death. There were long queues of well-wishing fans outside the hospital where he was recuperating; the public response included prayers in places of worship and offers to sacrifice limbs to save him.{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/Entertainment/Amitabh-Bachchan-no-longer-excited-about-birthdays/Article1-463669.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616100713/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/Entertainment/Amitabh-Bachchan-no-longer-excited-about-birthdays/Article1-463669.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 June 2013 |title=Amitabh Bachchan no longer excited about birthdays |work=Hindustan Times |date=10 October 2009 |access-date=11 December 2012}} Nevertheless, he resumed filming later that year after a long period of recuperation. The director, Manmohan Desai, altered the ending of Coolie: Bachchan's character was originally intended to have been killed off; but, after the change of script, the character lived in the end. Desai felt it would have been inappropriate for the man who had just fended off death in real life to be killed on screen. The footage of the fight scene is frozen at the critical moment, and a caption appears onscreen marking it as the instant of the actor's injury.{{cite web |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?Section=Movies&ID=250266&subcatg=&keyword=Bollywood&nid=250266 |title=30 years after the Coolie accident: Big B's "second birthday" |publisher=Movies.ndtv.com |date=2 August 2012 |access-date=11 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129170555/http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?Section=Movies&ID=250266&subcatg=&keyword=Bollywood&nid=250266 |archive-date=29 January 2013}} The film was released in 1983, and partly due to the huge publicity of Bachchan's accident, it emerged an All Time Blockbuster and top-grossing film of the year.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=3904|title=Infinity War Dominates – 102 Not Out Slow Start|date=4 May 2018}} He then played a triple role in S. Ramanathan's action drama Mahaan, which proved to be a flop. Other releases that year, Nastik and Pukar were average fares, but Andhaa Kaanoon (in which he had a small role) was a blockbuster.{{cite web|url=https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/bobbytalk/adminpanel/imagetemp/Trade-Guide-1983-Classification.jpg|title=Trade Guide Classification (1983)}}{{cite web |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=4612 |title=2018 Has High Number Of Blockbusters |date=9 January 2019 |access-date=16 January 2024 |archive-date=16 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116170928/https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=4612 |url-status=live}} During a stint in politics from 1984 to 1987, five of his completed films were released, out of which four emerged major successes, these were - Manmohan Desai's action film Mard (1985), which proved to be a massive blockbuster, followed by superhits, Sharaabi (1984) and Geraftaar (1985) and a hit film Aakhree Raasta (1986).{{cite web|url=https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/bobbytalk/adminpanel/imagetemp/Film-Information-1984-Classifica.jpg|title=Trade Guide Classification (1984)}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/bobbytalk/adminpanel/imagetemp/TG-Classifications-1986-1.jpg|title=Trade Guide Classification (1986)}} After his stint in politics ended, Bachchan returned to films in 1988, playing the title role in Tinnu Anand's vigilante action film Shahenshah, which opened to bumper response all over the nation and emerged a huge hit as well as the second highest-grossing film of the year.{{cite web|url=https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/bobbytalk/adminpanel/imagetemp/TG-1988-Classifications-Page1.jpg|title=Trade Guide Classification (1988)}}{{cite news |first=Simran |last=Bhargava |title=Amitabh Bachchan makes spectacular come-back with Shahenshah |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/films/story/19880315-amitabh-bachchan-makes-spectacular-come-back-with-shahenshah-797041-1988-03-15 |access-date=17 August 2020 |work=India Today |date=15 March 1988}}

He was later diagnosed with Myasthenia gravis. The illness weakened him both mentally and physically. At this time he became pessimistic, expressing concern with how a new film would be received, and stating before every release, "Yeh film to flop hogi!" ("This film will flop").{{cite web |publisher=mouthshut.com |title=Reviews on: To Be or Not To Be Amitabh Bachchan |author=Mohamed, Khalid |url=http://www.mouthshut.com/review/To_Be_or_Not_To_Be_Amitabh_Bachchan_-_Khalid_Mohamed-72513-1.html |access-date=11 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050901155545/http://www.mouthshut.com/review/To_Be_or_Not_To_Be_Amitabh_Bachchan_-_Khalid_Mohamed-72513-1.html |archive-date=1 September 2005 |url-status=dead}}

After the success of his comeback film however, Bachchan's star power began to wane as his subsequent releases like Gangaa Jamunaa Saraswati (1988), Jaadugar, Toofan and Main Azaad Hoon (all released in 1989) did not do well commercially.{{cite news |title='A simple man who narrated great stories' |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/a-simple-man-who-narrated-great-stories/cid/625140 |access-date=26 November 2020 |publisher=The Telegraph (Kolkata) |date=19 May 2009}}{{cite web|url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/ampstories/web-stories/7-biggest-flops-of-amitabh-bachchan|title=7 Biggest Flops Of Amitabh Bachchan}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mensxp.com/entertainment/bollywood/143885-director-tinnu-anand-main-azaad-hoon-javed-akhtar-copied-hollywood-film-amitabh-bachchan.html|title=Tinnu Anand says Javed Akhtar lied & copied 2 Hollywood films as Amitabh's Main Azaad Hoon|date=7 September 2023}} He did gain success during this period with superhits in K.C. Bokadia's crime drama film Aaj Ka Arjun (1990) and Mukul Anand's masala film Hum (1991), but this momentum was short-lived and his string of box office failures continued with Ajooba, Indrajeet and Akayla.{{cite web|url=https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/bobbytalk/adminpanel/imagetemp/TG-1991-Classifications-P1.jpg|title=Trade Guide Classification (1991)}} Notably, despite a decline in number of hits, it was during this era that Bachchan won his first National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance as a Mafia don in the cult film Agneepath (1990).{{cite web |url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm38thNFAAward.aspx?PdfName=38NFA.pdf |title=Award for the Best Actor |publisher=Directorate of Film Festivals |access-date=30 July 2011 |page=26|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326034004/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm38thNFAAward.aspx?PdfName=38NFA.pdf |archive-date=26 March 2012 }}

After the release of Mukul Anand's moderately successful, but critically acclaimed 1992 epic film Khuda Gawah, Bachchan announced his semi retirement from the film industry. With the exception of the delayed release Insaniyat (1994), Bachchan did not appear in any films for five years.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=7570|title=Shahrukh Khan PASSES Where Amitabh Bachchan And Dilip Kumar Did Not|date=15 February 2023}}{{cite news |title=When Amitabh Bachchan Quit Acting And Wasn't Sure About Returning To Films |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/when-amitabh-bachchan-quit-acting-and-wasnt-sure-about-returning-to-films-6439315.html |work=News18 |date=22 November 2022 |access-date=22 January 2025}}

He turned producer during his temporary retirement period, setting up Amitabh Bachchan Corporation, Ltd. (ABCL) in 1996. ABCL's strategy was to introduce products and services covering an entire cross-section of India's entertainment industry. ABCL's operations were mainstream commercial film production and distribution, audio cassettes and video discs, production and marketing of television software, and celebrity and event management.{{cite web |url=https://www.bemoneyaware.com/blog/amitabh-bachchan-from-bankruptcy-to-crorepati |title=Amitabh Bachchan – from bankruptcy to crorepati |date=10 September 2011 |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=11 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011234411/https://www.bemoneyaware.com/blog/amitabh-bachchan-from-bankruptcy-to-crorepati |url-status=live }} Soon after the company was launched in 1996, the first film it produced was Tere Mere Sapne, which was a box office hit{{cite web |title=Tere Mere Sapne – Movie |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2732 |website=Box Office India |access-date=3 February 2019}} and launched the careers of actors like Arshad Warsi and southern film star Simran.{{cite web |url=https://www.rediff.com/business/1999/apr/26abcl.htm |title=Rediff on the NeT Business News: Businessman Bachchan braves a bad patch as ABCL falls sick |work=Rediff.com |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=15 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715074014/https://www.rediff.com/business/1999/apr/26abcl.htm |url-status=live }}

In 1997, Bachchan attempted to make his acting comeback with the film Mrityudata, produced by ABCL. Though Mrityudaata attempted to reprise Bachchan's earlier success as an action hero, the film was a failure both financially and critically.{{cite web |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/collapse-of-mrityudaata-diminishes-amitabh-bachchans-godlike-status/1/275854.html |title=Collapse of Mrityudaata diminishes Amitabh Bachchan's godlike status |website=India Today |date=31 May 1997 |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=3 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903220429/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/collapse-of-mrityudaata-diminishes-amitabh-bachchans-godlike-status/1/275854.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=3038|title=Tubelight Aftermath - The Director At Fault|date=29 June 2017}} ABCL was the main sponsor of the 1996 Miss World beauty pageant, Bangalore, but lost millions. The fiasco and the consequent legal battles surrounding ABCL and various entities after the event, coupled with the fact that ABCL was reported to have overpaid most of its top-level managers, eventually led to its financial and operational collapse in 1997.{{cite web |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/after-dream-venture-abcl-go-bankrupt-amitabh-bachchan-faces-legal-battle-with-creditors/1/253830.html |title=After dream venture ABCL go bankrupt, Amitabh Bachchan faces legal battle with creditors |website=India Today |date=26 April 1999 |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=29 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229162326/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/after-dream-venture-abcl-go-bankrupt-amitabh-bachchan-faces-legal-battle-with-creditors/1/253830.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://m.rediff.com/money/1999/apr/26abcl.htm |title=Rediff on the NeT Business News: Businessman Bachchan braves a bad patch as ABCL falls sick |work=Rediff.com |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722041151/http://m.rediff.com/money/1999/apr/26abcl.htm |url-status=live }} The company went into administration and was later declared a failed company by the Indian Industries board. The Bombay High Court, in April 1999, restrained Bachchan from selling off his Bombay bungalow 'Prateeksha' and two flats until the pending loan recovery cases of Canara Bank were disposed of. Bachchan had, however, pleaded that he had mortgaged his bungalow to raise funds for his company.{{cite web |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010304/spectrum/main1.htm |title=Muqaddar Ka Sikandar |author=Patil, Vimla |date=4 March 2001 |access-date=16 May 2007 |archive-date=1 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201142907/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010304/spectrum/main1.htm |url-status=live }}

Bachchan attempted to revive his acting career, and eventually had commercial success with Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998) and Major Saab (1998), and received positive reviews for Sooryavansham (1999), but other films such as Lal Baadshah (1999) and Kohram (1999) were box office failures.{{cite web |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2556 |title=Major Saab – Movie |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=31 August 2018 |archive-date=27 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827230924/https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2556 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://in.rediff.com/movies/1999/may/22soo.htm |author=Taliculam, Sharmila |title=He's back! |access-date=16 May 2007 |archive-date=31 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831141658/http://in.rediff.com/movies/1999/may/22soo.htm |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://m.rediff.com/movies/2000/jan/03box.htm |title=Rediff on the NeT, Movies: A look at the year gone by |work=Rediff.com |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=8 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108083140/https://m.rediff.com/movies/2000/jan/03box.htm |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Kohram – Movie – Box Office India |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2387 |website=boxofficeindia.com |access-date=1 June 2021 |archive-date=16 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516021701/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2387 |url-status=live}}

In 2000, Bachchan appeared in Aditya Chopra's romantic blockbuster Mohabbatein.{{Cite web |title=Mohabbatein |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=712 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319204419/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=712 |archive-date=19 March 2021 |access-date=23 March 2021 |publisher=Box Office India}} He played a stern, elder figure who rivalled the character of Shahrukh Khan.{{Cite news |last=Somaaya |first=Bhawana |date=18 October 1999 |title=Three decades of triumphs |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.cscsarchive.org/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/DFB48B3C5A7071E765256940004E87EB?OpenDocument |url-status=live |access-date=25 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080427191415/http://www.cscsarchive.org/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/DFB48B3C5A7071E765256940004E87EB?OpenDocument |archive-date=27 April 2008}} His role won him his third Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor.{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-awards/filmfare-awards-winners/bollywood/2001/101|title=Filmfare Awards (2001)|newspaper=The Times of India}} Other hits followed, with Bachchan appearing as an older family patriarch in Ek Rishtaa: The Bond of Love (2001), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001) and Baghban (2003). As an actor, he continued to perform in a range of characters, receiving critical praise for his performances in Aks (2001), Aankhen (2002), Kaante (2002), Khakee (2004), Dev (2004) and Veer-Zaara (2004). His performance in Aks won him his first Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor.{{cite news |title=Filmfare Awards Winners From 1953 to 2019 |url=https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-awards/winners |access-date=14 February 2020 |work=filmfare.com}}

One project that did particularly well for Bachchan was Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Black (2005). The film starred Bachchan as an ageing teacher of a deaf-blind girl and followed their relationship. His performance was unanimously praised by critics and audiences and won him his second National Film Award for Best Actor, his fourth Filmfare Best Actor Award, and his second Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor. Taking advantage of this resurgence, Amitabh began endorsing a variety of products and services, appearing in many television and billboard advertisements. In 2005 and 2006, he starred with his son Abhishek in the films Bunty Aur Babli (2005), the Godfather adaptation Sarkar (2005), and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006). All of them were successful at the box office.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=390|title=Bunty Aur Babli (2005)}}{{cite web |title=Sarkar – Movie |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=396 |website=Box Office India |access-date=9 November 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=364|title = Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna – Movie – Box Office India}} His later releases in 2006 and early 2007 were Baabul (2006),{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=212&catName=MjAwNg== |title=Films fail at the BO |publisher=Box Office India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130818140640/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=212 |archive-date=18 August 2013}} Ekalavya (2007) and Nishabd (2007), which failed to do well at the box office but his performances in each of them were praised by critics.{{cite web |work=Bollywood Hungama |author=Adarsh, Taran |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/trade/top5/326.html |title=Top 5: 'Nishabd', 'N.P.D.' are disasters |access-date=26 March 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114110548/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/trade/top5/326.html |archive-date=14 January 2009}}

In May 2007, two of his films, the romantic comedy Cheeni Kum and the multi-starrer action drama Shootout at Lokhandwala, were released. Shootout at Lokhandwala did well at the box office and was declared a hit in India, while Cheeni Kum picked up after a slow start and was declared a semi-hit by the end of its theatrical run.{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=225 |title=Shootout at Lokhandwala – Movie |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722041157/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=225 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=214&catName=MjAwNw== |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115223235/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=214&catName=MjAwNw== |archive-date=15 January 2013 |title=Box Office 2007 |publisher=Box Office India |date=15 January 2013 |access-date=3 June 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/circuit_collection.php?movieid=347&cityid=1&area=domestic |title=Cheeni Kum – Movie – |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722041152/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/circuit_collection.php?movieid=347&cityid=1&area=domestic |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=214 |title=Box Office 2007 |publisher=Box Office India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109040918/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=214 |archive-date=9 November 2013}} A remake of his biggest hit, Sholay (1975), entitled Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag, released in August of that same year and proved to be a major commercial failure in addition to its poor critical reception. The year also marked Bachchan's first appearance in an English-language film, Rituparno Ghosh's The Last Lear, co-starring Arjun Rampal and Preity Zinta. The film premiered at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival on 9 September 2007. He received positive reviews from critics who hailed his performance as his best since Black.{{cite web |url=http://bollywoodhungama.com/features/2007/09/11/3020 |date=11 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201132528/http://bollywoodhungama.com/features/2007/09/11/3020 |archive-date=1 February 2009 |access-date=12 July 2020 |title=This is Amitabh's best performance after Black|website=Bollywood Hungama }} Bachchan was slated to play a supporting role in his first international film, Shantaram, directed by Mira Nair and starring Hollywood actor Johnny Depp in the lead. The film was due to begin filming in February 2008 but due to the writer's strike, was pushed to September 2008.{{cite web |publisher=ourbollywood.com |title=Amitabh Bachchan to star with Johnny Depp |url=http://www.ourbollywood.com/2007/02/amitabh_bachchan_will_star_opp.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070401195932/http://www.ourbollywood.com/2007/02/amitabh_bachchan_will_star_opp.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 April 2007 |access-date=11 March 2007}} The film is currently "shelved" indefinitely.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/the-diary-shantaram-film--lumiere-festival-tom-atkinson-hans-holbein-harold-evans-1819450.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091116192639/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/the-diary-shantaram-film--lumiere-festival-tom-atkinson-hans-holbein-harold-evans-1819450.html |archive-date=16 November 2009 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |title=Underworld tale won't see light of day |date=13 November 2009 |access-date=23 May 2010 |location=London |work=The Independent |first=Arifa |last=Akbar}}

File:Amitabh Bachchan and Yash Chopra in the premiere of Paa.jpg in the premiere of Paa. Bachchan received his third National Film Award for Best Actor at the 57th National Film Awards for his performance and his fifth Filmfare Award for Best Actor for Paa.]]

Vivek Sharma's Bhoothnath, in which he plays the title role as a ghost, was released on 9 May 2008. Sarkar Raj, the sequel of the 2005 film Sarkar, released in June 2008 and received a positive response at the box office. Paa, which was released at the end of 2009 was a highly anticipated project as it saw him playing his own son Abhishek's Progeria-affected 13-year-old son, and it opened to favourable reviews, particularly towards Bachchan's performance and was one of the top-grossing films of 2009.{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/years.php?year=2009&pageId=4 |title=Top India Total Nett Gross 2009 – |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722041224/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/years.php?year=2009&pageId=4 |url-status=live }} It won him his third National Film Award for Best Actor and fifth Filmfare Best Actor Award. In 2010, he debuted in Malayalam film through Kandahar, directed by Major Ravi and co-starring Mohanlal.{{cite web |url=http://movies.rediff.com/interview/2010/jun/08/south-major-ravi-on-kandahar.htm |title=Major Ravi gets ready to shoot Kandahar: Rediff.com Movies |work=Rediff.com |date=8 June 2010 |access-date=2 October 2010 |archive-date=24 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924144120/http://movies.rediff.com/interview/2010/jun/08/south-major-ravi-on-kandahar.htm |url-status=live }} The film was based on the hijacking incident of the Indian Airlines Flight 814.{{cite web |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/hindi/article/56171.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100416025433/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/hindi/article/56171.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 April 2010 |title=Big B in 'Kandahaar' along with Sunil Shetty |website=IndiaGlitz.com |date=14 April 2010}} Bachchan declined any remuneration for this film.{{cite web |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/amitabh-to-forego-fee-for-sharing-screen-with-mohanlal/607690/0 |title=Amitabh to forego fee for sharing screen with Mohanlal |work=The Indian Express |date=17 April 2010 |access-date=21 December 2010 |archive-date=23 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100423152543/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/amitabh-to-forego-fee-for-sharing-screen-with-mohanlal/607690/0 |url-status=live }} In 2011 he played an aged retired former gangster in Bbuddah... Hoga Terra Baap who protects his son Sonu Sood who is an honest daring police officer from a notorious gangster Prakash Raj who unknowingly hired the latter to perform a contract killing not knowing that the police officer is the gangster's son.{{cite web|title=Rediff review|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-bbuddah-hoga-tera-baap/20110701.htm|work=Rediff|access-date=1 July 2011|archive-date=4 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704110156/http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-bbuddah-hoga-tera-baap/20110701.htm|url-status=live}} Despite significant expectations, it had poor returns at the box office.{{cite web|url=https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=53|title=Bbuddah... Hoga Terra Baap – Movie|publisher=Box Office India}} File:Bachan mohanlal.jpg]]

In 2013, he made his Hollywood debut in The Great Gatsby making a special appearance opposite Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire.{{cite web|publisher=Warner Bros.|url=http://thegreatgatsby.warnerbros.com/about-the-film|title=The Great Gatsby – In Theaters May 10| access-date=14 February 2014}} In 2014, he played the role of the friendly ghost in the sequel Bhoothnath Returns. The next year, he played the role of a grumpy father experiencing chronic constipation in the critically acclaimed Piku which was also one of the biggest hits of 2015.{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficehits.in/collection/piku-total-collection-lifetime-business-total-worldwide-collection.html |title=Piku Total Collection – Lifetime Business – Total Worldwide Collection – Box Office Hits |date=10 June 2015 |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722011611/http://www.boxofficehits.in/collection/piku-total-collection-lifetime-business-total-worldwide-collection.html |archive-date=22 July 2018 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://www.financialexpress.com/photos/business-gallery/71357/piku-box-office-collections-amitabh-bachchan-starrer-steady-at-rs-21-18-cr-by-day-2/ |title=Amitabh Bachchan boosts Piku box office collections to over Rs 100 cr, slowly, steadily |date=11 May 2015 |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722095627/https://www.financialexpress.com/photos/business-gallery/71357/piku-box-office-collections-amitabh-bachchan-starrer-steady-at-rs-21-18-cr-by-day-2/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/piku-13-days-box-office-collection-deepika-amitabh-starrer-grosses-100-crore-worldwide-633076 |title='Piku' 13 Days Box Office Collection: Deepika-Amitabh Starrer Grosses ₹100 Crore Worldwide |first=Ankita |last=Mehta |website=International Business Times |access-date=21 July 2018 |date=21 May 2015 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722070117/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/piku-13-days-box-office-collection-deepika-amitabh-starrer-grosses-100-crore-worldwide-633076 |url-status=live }} A review in Daily News and Analysis (DNA) summarised Bachchan's performance as "The heart and soul of Piku clearly belong to Amitabh Bachchan who is in his elements. His performance in Piku, without doubt, finds a place among the top 10 in his illustrious career."{{cite web |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-piku-review-must-watch-for-the-thundering-trio-of-amitabh-bachchan-deepika-padukone-and-irrfan-khan-2084192 |title='Piku' Review: Must-watch for the thundering trio of Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, and Irrfan Khan |date=8 May 2015 |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722101129/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-piku-review-must-watch-for-the-thundering-trio-of-amitabh-bachchan-deepika-padukone-and-irrfan-khan-2084192 |url-status=live }} Rachel Saltz wrote for The New York Times, "Piku", an offbeat Hindi comedy, would have you contemplate the intestines and mortality of one Bhashkor Banerji and the actor who plays him, Amitabh Bachchan. Bhashkor's life and conversation may revolve around his constipation and fussy hypochondria, but there's no mistaking the scene-stealing energy that Mr. Bachchan, India's erstwhile Angry Young Man, musters for his new role of Cranky Old Man."{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/08/movies/review-in-piku-amitabh-bachchan-plays-a-dad-to-deepika-padukone.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220101/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/08/movies/review-in-piku-amitabh-bachchan-plays-a-dad-to-deepika-padukone.html |archive-date=2022-01-01 |url-access=limited |title=Review: In 'Piku,' Amitabh Bachchan Plays a Dad to Deepika Padukone |newspaper=The New York Times |date=8 May 2015 |access-date=21 July 2018|last1=Saltz |first1=Rachel }}{{cbignore}} Well known Indian critic Rajeev Masand wrote on his website, "Bachchan is pretty terrific as Bhashkor, who reminds you of that oddball uncle that you nevertheless have a soft spot for. He bickers with the maids, harrows his hapless helper, and expects Piku to stay unmarried so she can attend to him. At one point, to ward off a possible suitor, he casually mentions that his daughter isn't a virgin; that she's financially independent and sexually independent too. Bachchan embraces the character's many idiosyncrasies, never once slipping into caricature while all along delivering big laughs thanks to his spot-on comic timing."{{cite web |url=http://www.rajeevmasand.com/reviews/our-films/poop-dreams/ |title=Poop dreams – Rajeev Masand – movies that matter: from bollywood, hollywood and everywhere else |author=Rockstah Media |website=rajeevmasand.com |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722002821/http://www.rajeevmasand.com/reviews/our-films/poop-dreams/ |url-status=live }} The Guardian summed up, "Bachchan seizes upon his cranky character part, making Bashkor as garrulously funny in his theories on caste and marriage as his system is backed-up."{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/may/18/piku-review-amitabh-bachchan-lets-it-all-out-in-constipation-comedy |title=Piku review: Amitabh Bachchan lets it all out in constipation comedy |first=Mike |last=McCahill |date=18 May 2015 |website=The Guardian |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722041315/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/may/18/piku-review-amitabh-bachchan-lets-it-all-out-in-constipation-comedy |url-status=live }} The performance won Bachchan his fourth National Film Award for Best Actor and his third Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor.

File:Vijay receiving award from amitabh 2011.jpg|258x258px|left]]In 2016, he appeared in the women-centric courtroom drama film Pink which was highly praised by critics and with an increasingly good word of mouth, was a resounding success at the domestic and overseas box office.{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/pink-review-amitabh-bachchan-is-still-the-only-boss-around/story-gSCikuuM2WFSvzomGiwB4H.html |title=Pink review: Amitabh Bachchan is still the only boss around |date=15 September 2016 |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722070130/https://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/pink-review-amitabh-bachchan-is-still-the-only-boss-around/story-gSCikuuM2WFSvzomGiwB4H.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/pink-review-by-anupama-chopra-a-tale-of-true-grit-grippingly-told/story-Iiug9rbLpnGDTdgwDzEPJJ.html |title=Pink review by Anupama Chopra: A tale of true grit, grippingly told |date=16 September 2016 |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722070106/https://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/pink-review-by-anupama-chopra-a-tale-of-true-grit-grippingly-told/story-Iiug9rbLpnGDTdgwDzEPJJ.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/pink-movie-review-amitabh-bachchan-aniruddha-roy-chowdhury-taapsee-pannu-341162-2016-09-15 |title=Pink movie review: Amitabh Bachchan's POWERFUL message is unmissable |website=India Today |date=15 September 2016 |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722041209/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/pink-movie-review-amitabh-bachchan-aniruddha-roy-chowdhury-taapsee-pannu-341162-2016-09-15 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/box-office-special-features/box-office-worldwide-collections-day-wise-breakup-pink/ |title=Box Office: Worldwide Collections and Day wise breakup of Pink |website=Bollywood Hungama |date=17 September 2016 |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722011411/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/box-office-special-features/box-office-worldwide-collections-day-wise-breakup-pink/ |url-status=live }} Bachchan's performance in the film received acclaim. According to Raja Sen of Rediff.com, "Amitabh Bachchan, a retired lawyer with bipolar disorder, takes up cudgels on behalf of the girls, delivering courtroom blows with pugilistic grace. As we know from Prakash Mehra movies, in each life some Bachchan must fall. The girls hang on to him with incredulous desperation, and he bats for them with all he has. At one point Meenal hangs by Bachchan's elbow, words entirely unnecessary. Bachchan towers through Pink – the way he bellows "et cetera" is alone worth having the heavy-hitter at play—but there are softer moments like one where he appears to have dozed off in court, or where he lays his head by his convalescent wife's bedside and needs his hair ruffled and his conviction validated."{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-pink-a-film-that-must-be-championed/20160916.htm |title=Review: Pink, a film that must be championed |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722011437/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-pink-a-film-that-must-be-championed/20160916.htm |url-status=live }} Writing for Hindustan Times, noted film critic and author Anupama Chopra said of Bachchan's performance, "A special salute to Amitabh Bachchan, who imbues his character with a tragic majesty. Bachchan towers in every sense, but without a hint of showboating. Meena Iyer of The Times of India wrote, "The performances are pitch-perfect with Bachchan leading the way.{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/pink/movie-review/54325066.cms|title=Pink Movie Review {4.5/5}: Critic Review of Pink by Times of India|website=The Times of India|access-date=21 July 2018}} Writing for NDTV, Troy Ribeiro of Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) stated, "Amitabh Bachchan as Deepak Sehgall, the aged defence lawyer, shines as always, in a restrained, but powerful performance. His histrionics come primarily in the form of his well-modulated baritone, conveying his emotions and of course, from the well-written lines."{{cite web |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/movie-reviews/pink-movie-review-1317 |title=Pink Movie Review: Amitabh Bachchan Shines As Always – NDTV Movies |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722095613/http://movies.ndtv.com/movie-reviews/pink-movie-review-1317 |url-status=dead}} Mike McCahill of The Guardian remarked, "Among an electric ensemble, Taapsee Pannu, Kirti Kulhari and Andrea Tariang give unwavering voice to the girls' struggles; Amitabh Bachchan brings his moral authority to bear as their sole legal ally.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/sep/15/pink-review-subtle-drama-that-grapples-with-indias-culture |title=Pink review – subtle drama that grapples with India's rape culture |first=Mike |last=McCahill |date=15 September 2016 |website=The Guardian |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722041310/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/sep/15/pink-review-subtle-drama-that-grapples-with-indias-culture |url-status=live }}

In 2017, he appeared in the third instalment of the Sarkar film series: Ram Gopal Varma's Sarkar 3. That year, he started filming for the swashbuckling action-adventure film Thugs of Hindostan with Aamir Khan, Katrina Kaif and Fatima Sana Shaikh which released in November 2018.{{cite web |url=https://www.yashrajfilms.com/news/detail/2017/05/05/fatima-sana-shaikh-joins-yash-raj-films-thugs-of-hindostan-along-with-amitabh-bachchan-and-aamir-khan |title=Fatima Sana Shaikh Joins Yash Raj Films' Thugs of Hindostan Along with Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan |website=yashrajfilms.com |access-date=11 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703220400/https://www.yashrajfilms.com/news/detail/2017/05/05/fatima-sana-shaikh-joins-yash-raj-films-thugs-of-hindostan-along-with-amitabh-bachchan-and-aamir-khan |archive-date=3 July 2018 |url-status=dead}} He co-starred with Rishi Kapoor in 102 Not Out, a comedy drama film directed by Umesh Shukla based on a Gujarati play of the same name written by Saumya Joshi.{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/amitabh-bachchan-teaming-up-with-rishi-kapoor-for-102-not-out-has-been-a-great-joy/articleshow/62848833.cms |title=Amitabh Bachchan: Teaming up with Rishi Kapoor for '102 Not Out' has been a great joy |website=The Times of India |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725212736/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/amitabh-bachchan-teaming-up-with-rishi-kapoor-for-102-not-out-has-been-a-great-joy/articleshow/62848833.cms |archive-date=25 July 2018 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/sony-pictures-boards-indian-comedy-102-not-out-with-amitabh-bachchan-rishi-kapoor/5126374.article |title=Sony Pictures boards Indian comedy '102 Not Out' with Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=3 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703220221/https://www.screendaily.com/news/sony-pictures-boards-indian-comedy-102-not-out-with-amitabh-bachchan-rishi-kapoor/5126374.article |url-status=live }} This film released in May 2018 and reunited him with Kapoor onscreen after a gap of 27 years.{{cite web |url=http://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/102-not-out-teaser-amitabh-bachchan-rishi-kapoor-seen-together-on-screen-after-27-years-4343217.html |title=102 Not Out teaser: Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor seen together on-screen after 27 years |access-date=21 July 2018 |date=9 February 2018 |archive-date=3 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703220619/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/102-not-out-teaser-amitabh-bachchan-rishi-kapoor-seen-together-on-screen-after-27-years-4343217.html |url-status=live }}

In 2019, Bachchan appeared in Sujoy Ghosh's mystery thriller Badla.{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/badla|title=Badla|website=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Fandango|access-date=3 July 2024}} The film did a lifetime business of {{INRConvert|1.38|b|year=2019}} worldwide to emerge a box office hit.{{cite web|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/badla-3/box-office/#bh-movie-box-office|title=Badla Box Office|website=Bollywood Hungama |date=8 March 2019 }} The following year, he co-starred alongside Ayushmann Khurana in Shoojit Sircar's comedy drama Gulabo Sitabo, which won him Filmfare Award for Best Actor (Critics).{{Cite web|title= Winners of the 66th Vimal Elaichi Filmfare Awards 2021|url=https://www.filmfare.com/news/bollywood/winners-of-the-66th-vimal-elachi-filmfare-awards-2021_-47314.html|publisher= Filmfare|date=28 March 2021|access-date=29 March 2021}} He then collaborated with Emraan Hashmi for Chehre (2021), a critical and commercial failure.{{cite web |title=Chehre Movie (2021)- Box Office India |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=6139 |website=Box Office India |access-date=13 January 2022}}

The next year, Bachchan had five releases, out of which Ayan Mukerji's highly anticipated fantasy action-adventure film Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva proved to be a hit as well as the highest-grossing Hindi film of 2022 while Jhund, Runway 34 and Uunchai didn't do well at ticket counters, but met with critical acclaim.{{cite web|url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=7329|title=Brahmastra Final Box Office Collections: India - Overseas - Worldwide|work=Box Office India|date=17 November 2022}}{{cite news|first=Saibal|last=Chatterjee|date=3 March 2022|title=Jhund Review: Amitabh Bachchan Stars In Underdog Sports Movie That Is Way More Than That|url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/jhund-review-amitabh-bachchan-stars-in-underdog-sports-movie-that-is-way-more-than-that-2800983|work=NDTV|access-date=3 March 2022}}{{cite news|title=Runway 34 Movie Review : Ajay Devgn's aviation drama lands well within the runway|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/runway-34/movie-review/91149917.cms|website=The Times Of India|access-date=28 April 2022}} In 2024, he played Ashwatthama in Nag Ashwin's Kalki 2898 AD, marking his Telugu debut.{{Cite web |last=Jha |first=Subhash K. |author-link=Subhash K. Jha |date=27 November 2020 |title=Amitabh Bachchan will feature in a full length role in Prabhas and Deepika Padukone starrer film |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/amitabh-bachchan-will-feature-full-length-role-prabhas-deepika-padukone-starrer-film/ |website=Bollywood Hungama |access-date=27 June 2024 |archive-date=8 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608175543/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/amitabh-bachchan-will-feature-full-length-role-prabhas-deepika-padukone-starrer-film/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Amitabh in Kalki movie |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/amitabh-bachchans-ashwatthama-in-kalki-2898-ad-is-the-action-hero-we-need-today-101719825746385.html}} Made on a budget of {{INR|600 crore}}, it opened to positive reception with Bachchan receiving immense praise for his performance.{{Cite news |last=Hungama |first=Bollywood |date=27 June 2024 |title=Kalki 2898 AD Movie Review: KALKI 2898 AD delivers a unique experience to audiences. |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/kalki-2898-ad/critic-review/kalki-2898-ad-movie-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627083822/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/kalki-2898-ad/critic-review/kalki-2898-ad-movie-review/ |archive-date=27 June 2024 |access-date=27 June 2024 |work=Bollywood Hungama}} At the box office, it grossed more than {{INR|1000 crore}} to emerge a superhit as well as the second highest-grossing Indian film of 2024.{{Cite news |date=6 August 2024 |title=Kalki 2898 AD box office collection: Prabhas' sci-fi drama BEATS Shah Rukh Khan's Jawan as it becomes the fourth highest grossing film in India |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/entertainment/kalki-2898-ad-box-office-collection-prabhas-sci-fi-drama-beats-shah-rukh-khans-jawan-as-it-becomes-the-fourth-highest-grossing-film-in-india-article-12788999.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806145741/https://www.moneycontrol.com/entertainment/kalki-2898-ad-box-office-collection-prabhas-sci-fi-drama-beats-shah-rukh-khans-jawan-as-it-becomes-the-fourth-highest-grossing-film-in-india-article-12788999.html |archive-date=6 August 2024 |access-date=6 August 2024 |work=Moneycontrol}}

File:Amitabh Bachchan KBC5 Press.jpg

In 2000, Bachchan hosted the first season of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), the Indian adaptation of the British television game show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. The show was well received.{{cite news |last=Saxena |first=Poonam |title=Five crore question: What makes KBC work? |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Television/Five-crore-question-What-makes-KBC-work/Article1-771297.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120104000/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Television/Five-crore-question-What-makes-KBC-work/Article1-771297.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 November 2011 |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=24 November 2011 |date=19 November 2011}} A second season followed in 2005 but its run was cut short by Star Plus when Bachchan fell ill in 2006.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4648470.stm |publisher=BBC News |title=India scraps millionaire TV show |date=25 January 2006 |access-date=7 May 2010 |archive-date=4 February 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060204185226/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4648470.stm |url-status=live}} He then returned to host the fourth season, and has hosted the show since.{{cite news|work=Hindustan Times|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tv/amitabh-bachchan-returns-with-kaun-banega-crorepati-15-101690806386382.html|title=Amitabh Bachchan returns with Kaun Banega Crorepati 15, starting Aug 14: 'New Beginning'|date=31 July 2023|access-date=7 August 2023}}

In 2009, Bachchan hosted the third season of the reality show Bigg Boss.{{cite news |title=Amitabh Bachchan back on TV with 'Bigg Boss 3' |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Amitabh-Bachchan-back-on-TV-with-Bigg-Boss-3/articleshow/4973731.cms |website=The Times of India |date=5 September 2009 |access-date=5 September 2009 |archive-date=26 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526170413/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Amitabh-Bachchan-back-on-TV-with-Bigg-Boss-3/articleshow/4973731.cms |url-status=live}}

In 2010, Bachchan hosted the fourth season of KBC.{{cite web |url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/television/top-stories/news/2010/kbc4-beats-bigg-boss4-131210.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714010039/http://entertainment.oneindia.in/television/top-stories/news/2010/kbc4-beats-bigg-boss4-131210.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 July 2012 |title=KBC 4 beats Bigg Boss 4 in its final episode |publisher=One India |access-date=13 March 2011 |date=13 December 2010}} The fifth season started on 15 August 2011 and ended on 17 November 2011. The show became a massive hit with audiences and broke many TRP Records. CNN IBN awarded Indian of the Year- Entertainment to Team KBC and Bachchan. The show also grabbed all the major Awards for its category.{{cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TugDAAAAMBAJ&q=kaun+banega+crorepati+tv+show+was+awarded&pg=PA711 |title=The Indian Telly Awards – 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' |date=1 September 2001 |last1=Darpan |first1=Pratiyogita}}

The sixth season was also hosted by Bachchan, commencing on 7 September 2012, broadcast on Sony TV and received the highest number of viewers thus far.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}

In 2014, he debuted in the fictional Sony Entertainment Television TV series titled Yudh playing the lead role of a businessman battling in both his personal and professional lives.{{cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/watch-amitabh-bachchan-battles-world-himself-in-tv-show-yudh/ |title=Watch: Amitabh Bachchan battles world, himself in TV show 'Yudh' |date=2 May 2014 |newspaper=The Indian Express |access-date=3 June 2014 |archive-date=1 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701063027/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/watch-amitabh-bachchan-battles-world-himself-in-tv-show-yudh/ |url-status=live }}

Bachchan is known for his deep, baritone voice. He has been a narrator, a playback singer, and a presenter for numerous programmes.{{cite web |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/amitabh-bachchan-lends-his-voice-to-animated-mahabharat/922732 |title=Amitabh Bachchan lends his voice to animated 'Mahabharat' |work=The Indian Express |date=12 March 2012 |access-date=11 December 2012 |archive-date=11 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011115048/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/amitabh-bachchan-lends-his-voice-to-animated-mahabharat/922732 |url-status=live }} Some prominent films featuring his narration are Satyajit Ray's 1977 film Shatranj Ke Khiladi{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.in/news/specials/amitabh/trivia.htm |title=Specials: Amitabh Bachchan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070825135241/http://www.hindustantimes.in/news/specials/amitabh/trivia.htm |archive-date=25 August 2007 |work=Hindustan Times |url-status=usurped}} and Ashutosh Gowarikar's 2001 film Lagaan.{{cite news |title=Ashutosh had rejected Big B as Lagaan's narrator |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Ashutosh-had-rejected-Big-B-as-Lagaans-narrator/articleshow/8874233.cms?referral=PM |newspaper=The Times of India |date=16 June 2011 |access-date=19 February 2014 |archive-date=13 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713192448/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Ashutosh-had-rejected-Big-B-as-Lagaans-narrator/articleshow/8874233.cms?referral=PM |url-status=live }}

He also has done voice-over work for the following movies:{{cite news |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-amitabh-to-do-voiceover-for-jodhaa-akbar-1145747 |title=Amitabh to do voiceover for Jodhaa-Akbar |date=17 January 2008 |access-date=6 March 2018 |archive-date=6 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306204313/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-amitabh-to-do-voiceover-for-jodhaa-akbar-1145747 |url-status=live }}{{cite book |last=Singh |first=Sunny |title=Amitabh Bachchan |date=2018 |publisher=British Film Institute |isbn=978-1-84457-631-9 |page=171}}{{cite news |url=http://zeenews.india.com/home/amitabh-to-do-voiceover-for-jodha-akbar_418706.html |title=Amitabh to do voiceover for Jodhaa-Akbar |date=17 January 2008 |access-date=6 March 2018 |archive-date=6 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306202838/http://zeenews.india.com/home/amitabh-to-do-voiceover-for-jodha-akbar_418706.html |url-status=live }}

• Bhuvan Shome (1969){{cite web |url=https://www.arthousecinema.in/2013/02/bhuvan-shome/ |title=Bhuvan Shome 1969 |date=10 February 2013 |access-date=6 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306214435/https://www.arthousecinema.in/2013/02/bhuvan-shome/ |archive-date=6 March 2018 |url-status=dead}}
• Bawarchi (1972)
• Balika Badhu (1975)
• Tere Mere Sapne (1996)
• Hello Brother (1999){{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}
• Lagaan (2001)
• Fun2shh... Dudes in the 10th Century (2003)
• Parineeta (2005)
• March of the Penguins (2005), Indian version{{cite web |url=http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/bollywood/20061012-1.html |title=Amitabh to get France's highest civilian honour: Bollywood News |publisher=ApunKaChoice.Com |date=12 October 2006 |access-date=14 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310110450/http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/bollywood/20061012-1.html |archive-date=10 March 2012}}
• Swami (2007){{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/Entertainment/Big-B-to-lend-voice-to-Jodhaa-Akbar/Article1-269934.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031192448/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/Entertainment/Big-B-to-lend-voice-to-Jodhaa-Akbar/Article1-269934.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 October 2013 |title=Big B to lend voice to Jodhaa Akbar |author=Subhash K Jha |date=17 January 2008 |work=Hindustan Times |agency=IANS}}
• Jodhaa Akbar (2008)
• Zor Lagaa Ke...Haiya! (2009)
• Ra.One (2011)
• Kahaani (2012)
• Krrish 3 (2013)
• Mahabharat (2013){{Cite news |last=Nivas |first=Nandita |date=8 November 2013 |title=Amitabh Bachchan almost refused a role in Mahabharat |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/amitabh-bachchan-almost-refused-a-role-in-mahabharat/ |work=The Indian Express |access-date=1 July 2023}}
• Kochadaiiyaan (Hindi Version) (2014)
• CBI documentary (2014) – sanctioned by Central Bureau of Investigation{{cite web |date=10 February 2014 |title=Amitabh Bachchan lends his voice to CBI documentary |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/amitabh-bachchan-cbi-documentary-lends-voice-180443-2014-02-10 |access-date=6 December 2021 |website=India Today |archive-date=6 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206101616/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/amitabh-bachchan-cbi-documentary-lends-voice-180443-2014-02-10 |url-status=live}}
• The Ghazi Attack (2017)
• Firangi (2017)

Around 1994, Bachchan started Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Ltd (ABCL), an event management, production and distribution company. But the company fell into debt with a fiasco and went into bankruptcy, subsequently Bachchan became nearly bankrupt. The reasons for this debacle were films that fared poorly at the box office such as Mrityudata, Major Saab (produced by this organisation), and Miss World 1996 which was organised-managed by ABCL. Due to this he began work for TV, and asked for work to Yash Chopra. Once he said that 'it was the darkest time for him'.{{cite web |date=8 November 2021 |title=Backstory: When the Amitabh Bachchan magic faded briefly |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/business/companies/backstory-when-the-amitabh-bachchan-magic-faded-briefly-11380222.htm |access-date=17 September 2022 |website=cnbctv18.com |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920170320/https://www.cnbctv18.com/business/companies/backstory-when-the-amitabh-bachchan-magic-faded-briefly-11380222.htm |url-status=live}}{{cite web |date=8 December 2021 |first=Anindita |last=Mukherjee |title=Abhishek Bachchan reveals he dropped out of college to support dad Amitabh when he was broke |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/abhishek-bachchan-reveals-he-dropped-out-of-college-to-support-dad-amitabh-when-he-was-broke-1885460-2021-12-08 |access-date=17 September 2022 |website=India Today |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920171952/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/abhishek-bachchan-reveals-he-dropped-out-of-college-to-support-dad-amitabh-when-he-was-broke-1885460-2021-12-08 |url-status=live }}

He has invested in many upcoming business ventures. In 2013, he bought a 10% stake in Just Dial from which he made a gain of 4600 per cent. He holds a 3.4% equity in Stampede Capital, a financial technology firm specialising in cloud computing for financial markets. The Bachchan family also bought shares worth $252,000 in Meridian Tech, a consulting company in the U.S. Recently they made their first overseas investment in Ziddu.com, a cloud-based content distribution platform.{{cite web |url=http://www.firstpost.com/business/actors-turn-investors-bacchans-make-first-ever-overseas-investment-ziddu-com-2254124.html |title=Actors turn investors: Bachchans make first ever overseas investment with Ziddu.com |work=Firstpost |access-date=22 December 2016 |archive-date=24 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224075741/http://www.firstpost.com/business/actors-turn-investors-bacchans-make-first-ever-overseas-investment-ziddu-com-2254124.html |url-status=live }} Bachchan was named in the Panama Papers and Paradise Papers, leaked confidential documents relating to offshore investment.{{cite news |last1=Tandon |first1=Suneera |title=The Indian superstars of tax haven leaks: Amitabh Bachchan and Vijay Mallya |url=https://qz.com/1121170/from-paradise-papers-to-the-panama-leaks-amitabh-bachchan-and-vijay-mallya-are-never-missing/ |access-date=9 November 2017 |work=Quartz India |date=7 November 2017 |archive-date=7 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107103322/https://qz.com/1121170/from-paradise-papers-to-the-panama-leaks-amitabh-bachchan-and-vijay-mallya-are-never-missing/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Amitabh Bachchan, Family May Be Summoned in Panama Papers Case |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/amitabh-bachchans-family-may-be-summoned-in-panama-papers-case-1756057 |access-date=10 November 2017 |publisher=NDTV |date=27 September 2017 |archive-date=11 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111094856/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/amitabh-bachchans-family-may-be-summoned-in-panama-papers-case-1756057 |url-status=live }}

In 1984, Bachchan took a break from acting and briefly entered politics in support of a long-time family friend, Rajiv Gandhi. He contested the Allahabad's (presently Prayagraj Lok Sabha constituency) seat for the 8th Lok Sabha against H. N. Bahuguna, former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. With 68.2% of the votes in his favour, he won by one of the highest victory margins ever in Indian elections.{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/specials/amitabh/politics.htm |title=Amitabh Bachchan: Stint in Politics |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=5 December 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060109123607/http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/specials/amitabh/politics.htm |archive-date=9 January 2006 |url-status=dead}} In 1987, Indian Express said his brother Ajitabh Bachchan owned an apartment in Switzerland, giving rise to speculations about his involvement in the "Bofors scandal", revealed in the year before.{{cite news |last=Patil |first=Vimla |title=The Sunday Tribune – Spectrum – Lead Article |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010304/spectrum/main1.htm |access-date=12 December 2021 |work=www.tribuneindia.com |date=1 March 2004 |archive-date=12 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212081854/https://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010304/spectrum/main1.htm |url-status=live}} Bachchan resigned from his seat in July 1987.{{Why|date=September 2022}}{{cite news |author1=T. N. Ninan |author2=Brij Khindaria |title=Amitabh Bachchan resigns from Lok Sabha, Ajitabh lands in Swiss trouble |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19870815-amitabh-bachchan-resigns-from-lok-sabha-ajitabh-lands-in-swiss-trouble-799845-1987-08-15 |access-date=12 December 2021 |work=India Today |date=15 August 1987 |archive-date=12 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212080350/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19870815-amitabh-bachchan-resigns-from-lok-sabha-ajitabh-lands-in-swiss-trouble-799845-1987-08-15 |url-status=live}} Ajitabh Bachchan sued Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter for linking him to Bofors payments in 1990 and won damages in the United Kingdom.{{cite news |last1=De Sarkar |first1=Dipankar |title=Swedish newspaper apologises for naming Ajitabh Bachchan in Bofors case |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/international/story/19900815-swedish-newspaper-apologises-for-naming-ajitabh-bachchan-in-bofors-case-812887-1990-08-15 |access-date=12 December 2021 |work=India Today |date=15 August 1990 |archive-date=12 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212080352/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/international/story/19900815-swedish-newspaper-apologises-for-naming-ajitabh-bachchan-in-bofors-case-812887-1990-08-15 |url-status=live}} Sten Lindstrom, the Swedish police chief who had investigated the case, said in 2012 that "Indian investigators planted the Bachchan angle on" Dagens Nyheter.{{cite news |last=Makkar |first=Sahil |title=CBI defends its role in investigation |url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/LiZNvbjP7WpfnXBEYy0O2J/CBI-defends-its-role-in-investigation.html |access-date=12 December 2021 |work=mint |date=25 April 2012 |archive-date=12 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212080352/https://www.livemint.com/Politics/LiZNvbjP7WpfnXBEYy0O2J/CBI-defends-its-role-in-investigation.html |url-status=live}}{{Why|date=September 2022}}

Bachchan's old friend, Amar Singh, helped him during the financial crisis caused by the failure of his company, ABCL. Thereafter Bachchan started supporting the Samajwadi Party, the political party to which Amar Singh belonged. Jaya Bachchan joined the Samajwadi Party and is representing the party as an MP in the Rajya Sabha since 2004.[https://web.archive.org/web/20070930235326/http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/18/stories/2007021804271000.htm "Bachchan has no plans for the election."] The Hindu. Bachchan appeared in advertisements and political campaigns for the party. His claim that he too was a farmer in the advertisements was questioned in court.{{cite news |url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iJuYOasTF-bsTo0AQjW96aD2Kr2w |title=Bollywood's Bachchan in trouble over crime claim |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=4 October 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080116120716/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iJuYOasTF-bsTo0AQjW96aD2Kr2w |archive-date=16 January 2008}}

Bachchan has claimed to have been banned by film press during the emergency years for his family's friendship with Indira Gandhi.{{cite book |last=Singh |first=Sunny |title=Amitabh Bachchan |date=25 July 2019 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-1-83871-430-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2wj8DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT40 |access-date=13 December 2021 |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404171905/https://books.google.com/books?id=2wj8DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT40 |url-status=live}}

Bachchan has been accused of using the slogan "blood for blood" in the context of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Bachchan has denied the allegation.{{cite web |url=https://www.news18.com/news/world/us-federal-court-summons-amitabh-bachchan-in-an-alleged-human-rights-violation-connects-it-to-the-1984-anti-sikh-riots-969691.html |title=US federal court summons Amitabh Bachchan in an alleged human rights violation; connects it to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots |website=News18 |date=26 February 2015 |access-date=20 December 2019 |archive-date=11 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011234411/https://www.news18.com/news/world/us-federal-court-summons-amitabh-bachchan-in-an-alleged-human-rights-violation-connects-it-to-the-1984-anti-sikh-riots-969691.html |url-status=live }} In October 2014, Bachchan was summoned by a court in Los Angeles for "allegedly instigating violence against the Sikh community".{{cite news |title=US court summons Amitabh Bachchan in connection with 1984 anti-Sikh riots |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/150225/entertainment-bollywood/article/us-court-summons-amitabh-bachchan-served-his-hollywood-agent |newspaper=Deccan Chronicle |access-date=19 January 2018 |archive-date=19 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119235830/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/150225/entertainment-bollywood/article/us-court-summons-amitabh-bachchan-served-his-hollywood-agent |url-status=live }} Bachchan in an interview with journalist Arnab Goswami offered to fight the case in court and asked the accusers to file the same as also present proof.{{cite web |title=Frankly Speaking with Amitabh Bachchan – Exclusive – Full Interview |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9nWqbZyAEo |access-date=17 September 2020 |website=YouTube | date=30 May 2015 |publisher=Times Now |archive-date=3 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903182445/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9nWqbZyAEo |url-status=live}} He was also one of the trustees of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation.{{cite news |date=15 July 1991 |title=Rajiv Gandhi Foundation established with Sonia Gandhi as chairperson |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/signposts/story/19910715-rajiv-gandhi-foundation-established-with-sonia-gandhi-as-chairperson-814569-1991-07-15 |access-date=3 August 2020 |website=India Today |archive-date=31 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831011722/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/signposts/story/19910715-rajiv-gandhi-foundation-established-with-sonia-gandhi-as-chairperson-814569-1991-07-15 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Our Board |url=http://rgfindia.org/our-board-rajiv-gandhi-foundation/ |website=Rajiv Gandhi Foundation |access-date=20 September 2020 |date=9 March 2016 |archive-date=20 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820202638/http://rgfindia.org/our-board-rajiv-gandhi-foundation/ |url-status=live}}

Bachchan has been involved with many social causes. For example, he donated {{INR|1.1 million}} to clear the debts of nearly 40 beleaguered farmers in Andhra Pradesh{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Big-Bs-secret-aspect-finally-revealed/articleshow/13107830.cms |title=Big B's secret aspect finally revealed |website=The Times of India |date=13 May 2012 |access-date=20 December 2019 |archive-date=11 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011234418/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Big-Bs-secret-aspect-finally-revealed/articleshow/13107830.cms |url-status=live }} and {{INR|3 million}} to clear the debts of some 100 Vidarbha farmers.{{cite web |url=http://www.thesundayindian.com/en/story/the-amitabh-bachchan-way-or-the-highway/34825/ |title=The Amitabh Bachchan way or the highway – Aditi Prasad – The Sunday Indian |website=thesundayindian.com |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722041218/http://www.thesundayindian.com/en/story/the-amitabh-bachchan-way-or-the-highway/34825/ |url-status=dead }} In 2010, he donated {{INR|1.1 million}} to Resul Pookutty's foundation for a medical centre at Kochi,{{cite web |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-amitabh-bachchan-announces-11-lakh-contribution-for-resul-pookutty-s-foundation-1344672 |title=Amitabh Bachchan announces 11 lakh contribution for Resul Pookutty's foundation |date=7 February 2010 |website=DNA India |access-date=20 December 2019 |archive-date=20 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220115305/https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-amitabh-bachchan-announces-11-lakh-contribution-for-resul-pookutty-s-foundation-1344672 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-amitabh-bachchan-supports-medical-centre-at-kochi-1344945 |title=Amitabh Bachchan supports medical centre at Kochi |work=dna |date=8 February 2010 |access-date=9 February 2015 |archive-date=9 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209135319/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-amitabh-bachchan-supports-medical-centre-at-kochi-1344945 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/The-Saturday-Interview-mdash-Sound-Sense/article15534067.ece |title=The Saturday Interview – Sound Sense |first=Geeta |last=Padmanabhan |newspaper=The Hindu |date=21 January 2011 |access-date=20 December 2019 |archive-date=20 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220115305/https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/The-Saturday-Interview-mdash-Sound-Sense/article15534067.ece |url-status=live }} and he has given {{INR|250,000}} ({{US$|{{To USD|250000|IND|year=2012|round=yes}}|long=no}}) to the family of Delhi policeman Subhash Chand Tomar who died after succumbing to injuries during a protest against gang-rape after the 2012 Delhi gang rape case.{{Cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/delhi-gangrape/story/amitabh-bachchan-donates-rs-2.5-lakh-to-delhi-constable-subhash-chand-tomars-family-125317-2012-12-26 |title=Delhi gangrape: Amitabh Bachchan donates Rs 2.5 lakh to Delhi Police constable Subhash Chand Tomar's family |date=26 December 2012 |work=India Today |access-date=20 December 2019 |archive-date=20 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220115305/https://www.indiatoday.in/delhi-gangrape/story/amitabh-bachchan-donates-rs-2.5-lakh-to-delhi-constable-subhash-chand-tomars-family-125317-2012-12-26 |url-status=live }} He founded the Harivansh Rai Bachchan Memorial Trust, named after his father, in 2013. This trust, in association with Urja Foundation, will be powering 3,000 homes in India with electricity through solar energy.{{cite web |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/amitabh-bachchan-opens-memorial-trust-in-fathers-name/1163953/ |title=Amitabh Bachchan opens memorial trust in father's name – Indian Express |website=The Indian Express |access-date=20 December 2019 |archive-date=13 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713192502/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/amitabh-bachchan-opens-memorial-trust-in-fathers-name/1163953/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.renewindians.com/2013/10/amitabh-bachan-plans-to-light-3000-homes-wit-solar-power.html |title=Amitabh Bachan plans to light 3000 homes with Solar Power |website=renewindians.com |access-date=16 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417023315/http://www.renewindians.com/2013/10/amitabh-bachan-plans-to-light-3000-homes-wit-solar-power.html |archive-date=17 April 2018 |url-status=dead}} In June 2019 he cleared debts of 2100 farmers from Bihar.{{cite news |date=12 June 2019 |title=Amitabh Bachchan pays off loans of 2,100 Bihar farmers, promises to help kin of Pulwama victims |work=The Times Of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/amitabh-bachchan-pays-off-loan-of-2100-farmers-from-bihar/articleshow/69754632.cms |access-date=14 May 2023 |archive-date=7 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107233426/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/amitabh-bachchan-pays-off-loan-of-2100-farmers-from-bihar/articleshow/69754632.cms |url-status=live }}

File:Amitabh Bachchan - TeachAIDS Recording Session (19284544383).jpg character of Bachchan (left); Bachchan in a 2013 TeachAids recording session (right)]]

Bachchan was made a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for the polio eradication campaign in India in 2002 and an international ambassador in 2005 and a WHO Goodwill Ambassador for awareness of hepatitis in 2017.{{cite web |url=http://www.unicef.org/media/media_61032.html |title=Amitabh Bachchan launches new Polio Communication Campaign |date=16 December 2011 |work=UNICEF |access-date=9 February 2015 |archive-date=9 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209134820/http://www.unicef.org/media/media_61032.html |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |date=24 January 2011 |title=Amitabh Bachchan |url=http://www.unicef.org/people/people_57365.html |access-date=20 February 2012 |publisher=UNICEF}}{{cite news |title=Bachchan appointed WHO ambassador for hepatitis |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/bachchan-appointed-who-ambassador-for-hepatitis/article18441751.ece |access-date=18 May 2017 |work=The Hindu}} In 2013, he and his family donated {{INR|2.5 million}} ({{US$|{{To USD|2500000|IND|year=2013|round=yes}}|long=no}}) to a charitable trust, Plan India, that works for the betterment of young girls in India.{{cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tabloid/bachchan-s-charity-side/story-YJgC79hSNoGCJTQHbFb6AJ.html |title=Bachchan's charity side |date=10 February 2013 |website=Hindustan Times |access-date=20 December 2019 |archive-date=20 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220115305/https://www.hindustantimes.com/tabloid/bachchan-s-charity-side/story-YJgC79hSNoGCJTQHbFb6AJ.html |url-status=live}} He also donated {{INR|1.1 million}} ({{US$|{{To USD|1100000|IND|year=2013|round=yes}}|long=no}}) to the Maharashtra Police Welfare Fund in 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/article530033.ece |title=Maharashtra police keep Big B 'waiting' |work=The New Indian Express |access-date=9 February 2015 |archive-date=9 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209145912/http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/article530033.ece |url-status=dead }}

Bachchan was the face of the 'Save Our Tigers' campaign that promoted the importance of tiger conservation in India.{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/20-reasons-why-we-love-Amitabh-Bachchan/photostory/30948897.cms |title=20 reasons why we love Amitabh Bachchan |work=The Times of India |access-date=9 February 2015 |archive-date=10 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210223741/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/20-reasons-why-we-love-Amitabh-Bachchan/photostory/30948897.cms |url-status=live}} He supported the campaign by PETA in India to free Sunder, a 14-year-old elephant who was chained and tortured in a temple in Kolhapur, Maharashtra.{{cite web |url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/amitabh-bachchan-madhuri-dixit-back-free-sunder-campaign-543946 |title=Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit back 'Free Sunder' campaign |work=NDTV.com |access-date=9 February 2015 |archive-date=9 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209192349/http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/amitabh-bachchan-madhuri-dixit-back-free-sunder-campaign-543946 |url-status=live}}

In 2014, it was announced that he had recorded his voice and lent his image to the Hindi- and English-language versions of the TeachAids software, an international HIV/AIDS prevention education tool developed at Stanford University.{{cite web |url=http://www.indiawest.com/entertainment/global/amitabh-bachchan-joins-s-f-bay-area-nonprofit-teachaids/article_7db6b21c-7cb3-11e4-acab-5b0e15f111e5.html |title=Amitabh Bachchan Joins S.F. Bay Area Nonprofit TeachAIDS |publisher=India West |access-date=24 June 2015 |archive-date=28 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628014157/http://www.indiawest.com/entertainment/global/amitabh-bachchan-joins-s-f-bay-area-nonprofit-teachaids/article_7db6b21c-7cb3-11e4-acab-5b0e15f111e5.html |url-status=dead}} He has been a vocal "brand ambassador" of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) and featured in a few advertisements to promote the campaign.{{cite web |date=9 February 2017 |title=Vidya Balan, Amitabh Bachchan and more: Bollywood bats for a clean India |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/vidya-balan-amitabh-bachchan-and-more-bollywood-bats-for-a-clean-india/story-6esXsSLzIXFQnuxjnb0CgO.html |access-date=1 August 2020 |website=Hindustan Times |archive-date=9 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109052424/http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/vidya-balan-amitabh-bachchan-and-more-bollywood-bats-for-a-clean-india/story-6esXsSLzIXFQnuxjnb0CgO.html |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Amitabh Bachchan as 'Coolie' – Swachh Bharat Mission – YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFKrZxL0F3w |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211122/LFKrZxL0F3w |archive-date=22 November 2021 |url-status=live |access-date=1 August 2020 |website=YouTube| date=15 October 2016}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web |title=Ad 43 Arash with Amitabh Bachchan as 'Jadugar' Swachh Bharat Mission – YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAvm80eP_zI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211122/mAvm80eP_zI |archive-date=22 November 2021 |url-status=live |access-date=1 August 2020 |website=YouTube| date=20 October 2016 }}{{cbignore}}

In 2020, Bachchan was helping the Government of India promote its public health message concerning COVID-19 before he and some members of his family became infected. He was hospitalised with reported mild symptoms of the disease on 11 July.{{cite news |title=Amitabh Bachchan is recovering from Kovid, know-how Big B's time is passing in Quarantine? |work=abcFRY.com |url=https://abcfry.com/amitabh-bachchan-is-recovering-from-kovid-know-how-big-bs-time-is-passing-in-quarantine/ |access-date=7 September 2022 |archive-date=7 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907063703/https://abcfry.com/amitabh-bachchan-is-recovering-from-kovid-know-how-big-bs-time-is-passing-in-quarantine/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |date=12 July 2020 |title=Coronavirus: Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan tests positive |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-53375744 |access-date=14 July 2020 |archive-date=14 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714033212/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-53375744 |url-status=live}} He was discharged from hospital on 2 August.{{cite news |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-53628587 |title=Amitabh Bachchan: Bollywood star recovers from Covid-19 |date=2 August 2020 |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-date=2 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802235910/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-53628587 |url-status=live}} During the pandemic he lent his support by donating oxygen concentrators and 250 million rupees in various forms.{{cite web |date=16 May 2021 |title=Amitabh Bachchan says his personal donation for Covid-19 relief often matches entire fundraisers: 'I didn't ask, I gave' |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/amitabh-bachchan-says-his-personal-donation-for-covid-19-relief-often-matches-entire-fundraisers-i-didn-t-ask-i-gave-101621141209115.html |access-date=18 September 2022 |website=Hindustan Times |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920172515/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/amitabh-bachchan-says-his-personal-donation-for-covid-19-relief-often-matches-entire-fundraisers-i-didn-t-ask-i-gave-101621141209115.html |url-status=live }}

File:Bachchan family still6.jpg, Amitabh, Abhishek Bachchan, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan|285x285px]]

Bachchan has been married to veteran actress and politician Jaya Bhaduri since 3 June 1973, and together they have two children; Shweta, an author, journalist and former model and Abhishek, an actor and producer. Abhishek married actress Aishwarya Rai, and they have a daughter named Aaradhya.{{cite news |title=Abhishek Bachchan reveals Aishwarya Rai teaches Aaradhya at home: 'She already has the world's best teacher' |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/abhishek-bachchan-reveals-aishwarya-rai-teaches-aaradhya-at-home-she-already-has-the-world-s-best-teacher-101649910333332.html |access-date=10 May 2022 |work=Hindustan Times |date=14 April 2022 |archive-date=10 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510132327/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/abhishek-bachchan-reveals-aishwarya-rai-teaches-aaradhya-at-home-she-already-has-the-world-s-best-teacher-101649910333332.html |url-status=live }}

Shweta is married to businessman Nikhil Nanda, a grandson of Raj Kapoor from the Kapoor family of actors. They have a daughter, Navya Naveli, and a son, Agastya.{{cite news |last1=Gaikwad |first1=Pramod |title=Why Shweta Bachchan-Nanda lives with her parents, separately from in-laws, husband |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/why-shweta-bachchan-nanda-lives-her-parents-separately-laws-husband-811545 |access-date=30 April 2022 |work=IB Times |date=11 January 2020 |archive-date=30 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220430111101/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/why-shweta-bachchan-nanda-lives-her-parents-separately-laws-husband-811545 |url-status=live}}

Amitabh's family lives in Mumbai in Maharashtra.{{cite web |url=http://www.btownmasti.com/the-lovely-amitabh-bachchan-house |title=Amitabh Bachchan houses in Mumbai |date=6 December 2011 |access-date=6 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111130231110/http://www.btownmasti.com/the-lovely-amitabh-bachchan-house/ |archive-date=30 November 2011 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/photo-feature/amitabh-bachchan-and-jaya-bachchans-love-story/Jaya-Bachchan-Amitabh-Bachchan-Abhishek-Bachchan-Shweta-Bachchan-Jaya-Amitabh-marriage/photostory/33492082.cms |title=Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan's love story |newspaper=The Times of India |access-date=10 January 2018 |archive-date=11 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111061128/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/photo-feature/amitabh-bachchan-and-jaya-bachchans-love-story/Jaya-Bachchan-Amitabh-Bachchan-Abhishek-Bachchan-Shweta-Bachchan-Jaya-Amitabh-marriage/photostory/33492082.cms |url-status=live }} His younger brother Ajitabh Bachchan is a businessman. He did business and lived in London for a brief period before returning to live in India. He and his family choose to stay away from the limelight. His wife Ramola is a fashion designer and was active in business. Ajitabh has one son, Bhim, and three daughters Naina, Namrata, and Nilima. Naina is married to actor Kunal Kapoor{{Cite web|url=https://www.bhaskar.com/news/ENT-BOL-meet-amitabh-bachchan-brother-ajitabh-bachchan-family-news-hindi-5435781-PHO.html|title=चार बच्चों के पिता हैं अमिताभ के भाई, बेटी नैना ने की है कुणाल कपूर से शादी|date=10 October 2016|website=Dainik Bhaskar|access-date=14 May 2023|archive-date=10 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010065940/http://www.bhaskar.com/news/ENT-BOL-meet-amitabh-bachchan-brother-ajitabh-bachchan-family-news-hindi-5435781-PHO.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title= Meet the mystery Bachchan|date= 11 December 2009|url= https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/meet-the-mystery-bachchan/story-EtzWImVQQjGlHKXXZhvQOI.html|access-date= 13 September 2022|archive-date= 13 September 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220913144730/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/meet-the-mystery-bachchan/story-EtzWImVQQjGlHKXXZhvQOI.html|url-status= live}} and they have a son.{{cite magazine |last=Srivastava |first=Samriddhi |date=31 January 2022 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/kunal-kapoor-naina-bachchan-welcome-baby-boy-celebs-say-congrats-1906822-2022-01-31 |title=Kunal Kapoor, Naina Bachchan welcome baby boy. Celebs say congrats |magazine=India Today |access-date=12 February 2022 |archive-date=19 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419143426/https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/movies/celebrities/story/kunal-kapoor-naina-bachchan-welcome-baby-boy-celebs-say-congrats-1906822-2022-01-31 |url-status=live}}

Bachchan is famously rumoured to have had an extramarital affair with actress Rekha from the mid-1970s to the early 1980s after they first acted together in Do Anjaane, and later in the successful films Khoon Pasina, Ganga Ki Saugandh, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Mr. Natwarlal, Suhaag, Ram Balram and ending in Silsila, though they have both denied it.{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/gossip/story/amitabh-rekha-untold-love-story-affair-1061436-2017-10-10|title=Amitabh-Rekha's untold love story: 10 lesser-known things about their relationship|date=10 October 2017|website=India Today |access-date=14 June 2019|archive-date=1 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001211308/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/gossip/story/amitabh-rekha-untold-love-story-affair-1061436-2017-10-10|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/gossip/story/happy-birthday-rekha-amitabh-bachchan-affair-controvesies-1061431-2017-10-10|title=Happy Birthday Rekha: Sindoor to rumoured affair with Amitabh Bachchan, 5 shocking controversies from her life|date=10 October 2017|website=India Today |access-date=14 June 2019|archive-date=22 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022025716/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/gossip/story/happy-birthday-rekha-amitabh-bachchan-affair-controvesies-1061431-2017-10-10|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-rekha-s-biography-reveals-shocking-details-about-her-relationship-with-amitabh-bachchan-and-jaya-bachchan-2252221|title=Rekha's biography reveals shocking details about her relationship with Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan!|date=5 September 2016|website=DNA India |access-date=14 June 2019|archive-date=10 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810024959/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-rekha-s-biography-reveals-shocking-details-about-her-relationship-with-amitabh-bachchan-and-jaya-bachchan-2252221|url-status=live}}

Born to a Hindu father and a Sikh mother, Bachchan has stated that he does not adhere to any particular religion.{{cite news |date=2 October 2019 |title=Amitabh Bachchan: I have no religion, I'm an Indian |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/amitabh-bachchan-i-have-no-religion-i-m-an-indian-1605519-2019-10-02 |access-date=4 July 2025 |work=India Today}}{{cite news |date=2 October 2019 |title=I have no religion, I am an Indian, says Amitabh Bachchan |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/entertainment/i-have-no-religion-i-am-an-indian-says-amitabh-bachchan |access-date=4 July 2025 |work=Khaleej Times}}

In 2006, Bachchan stated that he is a teetotaler and a non-smoker.{{cite web |title=Amitabh Bachchan sends apology letter to anti-tobacco group |url=http://movies.dcealumni.com/archives/amitabh-bachchan-sends-apology-letter-to-anti-tobacco-group/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061103152455/http://movies.dcealumni.com/archives/amitabh-bachchan-sends-apology-letter-to-anti-tobacco-group/ |archive-date=3 November 2006 |website=movies.dcealumni.com |date=1 October 2006 |access-date=27 March 2024}} During a 2022 KBC episode, in response to a contestant's question about his diet, he confirmed that he is a vegetarian.{{Cite news |title=Amitabh Bachchan says he has given up on non-vegetarian food, sweets, rice: ‘Jaya loves eating fish’ |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/amitabh-bachchan-has-given-up-on-non-vegetarian-food-sweets-rice-jaya-bachchan-loves-fish-8247032/ |url-status=live |work=The Indian Express |date=3 November 2022 |access-date=24 May 2025}}

In November 2023, Bachchan gifted his bungalow Prateeksha, located in Juhu, to his daughter Shweta. The bungalow is worth {{INR|500 million}}.{{cite news |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/amitabh-bachchan-gifts-prateeksha-to-daughter-shweta-report-4604524 |title=Amitabh Bachchan Gifts Juhu Bungalow Prateeksha To Daughter Shweta |date=25 November 2023 |work=NDTV India |access-date=26 November 2023}}

File:BACHCHAN Amitabh 03-24x30-2009b.jpg

Bachchan is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential actors in the history of Indian cinema.{{cite web|title=Amitabh Bachchan: Meet the biggest movie star in the world|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/amitabh-bachchan-the-biggest-film-star-in-the-world-10034826.html/|work=The independent|access-date=9 February 2015|date=9 February 2015|archive-date=10 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210093650/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/amitabh-bachchan-the-biggest-film-star-in-the-world-10034826.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Why Amitabh Bachchan is more than a superstar |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-19893525 |publisher= BBC |access-date=11 October 2012 |date= 11 October 2012 |archive-date= 14 October 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121014013931/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-19893525 |url-status= live}}{{cite news|last=Wajihuddin|first=Mohammed|title=Egypt's Amitabh Bachchan mania|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2005-12-02/india/27839664_1_bachchan-fan-mania-indians|access-date=22 November 2011|newspaper=The Times of India|date=2 December 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501071157/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2005-12-02/india/27839664_1_bachchan-fan-mania-indians|archive-date=1 May 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|last=Jatras|first=Todd|title=India's Celebrity Film Stars|url=https://www.forbes.com/2001/03/09/0309bollywood.html|work=Forbes|access-date=22 November 2011|date=9 March 2001|archive-date=20 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220031815/http://www.forbes.com/2001/03/09/0309bollywood.html|url-status=live}} He earned respect among critics for his memorable performances and charismatic screen presence, and is considered one of the most respected public figures of India.{{cite web|title=Bachchan Receives Lifetime Achievement Award at DIFF |url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayarticle.asp?xfile=data/newsmakers/2009/November/newsmakers_November64.xml§ion=newsmakers&col= |work=Khaleej Times|access-date=24 November 2011 |date=25 November 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602182846/http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayarticle.asp?xfile=data%2Fnewsmakers%2F2009%2FNovember%2Fnewsmakers_November64.xml§ion=newsmakers&col= |archive-date=2 June 2013}} He is referred to as the "Shahenshah of Bollywood", "Star of the Millennium" or "Big B".{{cite web|title=Amitabh Bachchan at 73: An ode to the undisputed 'Shahenshah' of Bollywood|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/amitabh-bachchan-at-72-an-ode-to-the-undisputed-shahenshah-of-bollywood/|work=The Indian Express|access-date=11 October 2015|date=11 October 2015|archive-date=28 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151028155451/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/amitabh-bachchan-at-72-an-ode-to-the-undisputed-shahenshah-of-bollywood/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Rajinikanth reveres Amitabh Bachchan as the 'Emperor of Indian Cinema'!|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/rajinikanth-reveres-amitabh-bachchan-as-the-emperor-of-indian-cinema-hindi-news-144373.html/|website=IndiaGlitz.com|access-date=10 October 2015|date=10 October 2015|archive-date=6 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506041550/http://www.indiaglitz.com/rajinikanth-reveres-amitabh-bachchan-as-the-emperor-of-indian-cinema-hindi-news-144373.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/print/delhis-date-with-big-b-at-adda-on-friday/|title=Delhi's date with Big B at Adda on Friday|date=27 September 2012|work=The independent|access-date=27 September 2012|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304133104/http://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/print/delhis-date-with-big-b-at-adda-on-friday/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Amitabh Bachchan's Big B'day bash: Bollywood came calling |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/amitabh-bachchan-s-big-b-day-bash-bollywood-came-calling/story-kXEUI1OtpqOkB1AqTvlKoM.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160724082236/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/amitabh-bachchan-s-big-b-day-bash-bollywood-came-calling/story-kXEUI1OtpqOkB1AqTvlKoM.html |url-status=live |archive-date=24 July 2016 |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=12 October 2012 |date=12 October 2012}} He inspired many Indian cinema actors, including Rajinikanth, Chiranjeevi, Akshay Kumar, Pawan Kalyan, Prabhas, Manoj Bajpayee, Ajay Devgn, Mohanlal, Ranveer Singh, Allu Arjun and Yash.{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Amitabh-is-my-inspiration-says-Rajini/article16133086.ece |title=Amitabh is my inspiration, says Rajini |date=15 August 2010 |work=The Hindu |access-date=24 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516093145/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Amitabh-is-my-inspiration-says-Rajini/article16133086.ece |archive-date=16 May 2018 |url-status=live}} French director François Truffaut called him a "one-man industry".{{cite web| work= China Daily| title= Truffaut labeled Bachchan a one-man industry| url= http://app1.chinadaily.com.cn/star/history/00-07-07/l03-film.html| access-date=1 February 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080201030338/http://app1.chinadaily.com.cn/star/history/00-07-07/l03-film.html| archive-date=1 February 2008| url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-10-10/news-interviews/43032903_1_amitabh-bachchan-saat-hindustani-inquilab/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131023150403/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-10-10/news-interviews/43032903_1_amitabh-bachchan-saat-hindustani-inquilab/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 October 2013 |title=Amitabh Bachchan: Indira Gandhi helped him get into films |date=10 October 2013 |work=The Times of India |access-date=23 October 2013}}

One of the most successful actors of the 1970s and 1980s, Bachchan appeared in Box Office India{{'}}s "Top Actors" list seventeen times from 1975 to 1991. He topped the list sixteen times (1976–1991).

In 1999, Bachchan was voted the "greatest star of stage or screen" in a BBC Your Millennium online poll. The organisation noted that "Many people in the western world will not have heard of [him] ... [but it] is a reflection of the huge popularity of Indian films." In October 2003, Time magazine dubbed Bachchan as "the Undisputed Godfather of Bollywood". In April 2005, The Walter Reade Theater of Lincoln Center in New York honoured Bachchan with a special tribute, retrospective—titled "Amitabh Bachchan: The Biggest Film Star in the World".{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/15/movies/15indi.html |title=A Star the World Over but Almost Unknown Here |work=The Indian Express |date=15 April 2005 |access-date=7 June 2013 |first=Rachel |last=Saltz |archive-date=19 April 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050419141138/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/15/movies/15indi.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2005/04/21/the-biggest-film-star-in-the-world.html |title=The Biggest Film Star in the World|publisher=thedailybeast.com|date=21 April 2005 |access-date=7 June 2013}}

In the early 80s, Bachchan authorised the use of his likeness for the comic book character Supremo in a series titled The Adventures of Amitabh Bachchan.{{cite web |date=10 November 2009 |title=Remembering Amitabh, the Supremo superhero |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-pammi-bakshi-on-supremo/20091110.htm |access-date=11 December 2012 |work=Rediff.com |archive-date=8 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170408044256/http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-pammi-bakshi-on-supremo/20091110.htm |url-status=live}} In May 2014, La Trobe University in Australia named a Scholarship after Bachchan.{{cite news |title=La Trobe University of Australia names scholarship after Amitabh Bachchan |url=http://news.biharprabha.com/2014/05/la-trobe-university-of-australia-names-scholarship-after-amitabh-bachchan/ |access-date=2 May 2014 |publisher=news.biharprabha.com |agency=Indo-Asian News Service |archive-date=2 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502153915/http://news.biharprabha.com/2014/05/la-trobe-university-of-australia-names-scholarship-after-amitabh-bachchan/ |url-status=live}} In June 2000, he became the first living Asian to have been modelled in wax at London's Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.{{cite web|url=http://www.screenindia.com/news/art-of-cinema-is-a-small-contribution-amitabh-bachchan/441709/ |title=Art of cinema is a small contribution: Amitabh Bachchan |publisher=Screen |date=1 April 2009 |access-date=2 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604212708/http://www.screenindia.com/news/art-of-cinema-is-a-small-contribution-amitabh-bachchan/441709 |archive-date=4 June 2009}} Another statue was installed in New York in 2009,{{cite web|author=Amitabh's Wax Figure in New York |url=http://whatslatest.com/blog/?tag=amitabh-wax-figure-in-new-york |title=Amitabh Wax figure in New York |publisher=Whatslatest.com |access-date=2 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121202033520/http://whatslatest.com/blog/?tag=amitabh-wax-figure-in-new-york |archive-date=2 December 2012}} Hong Kong in 2011,{{cite news |url= http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article1570825.ece |title=Amitabh's wax statue unveiled at Hong Kong Tussauds |work= The Hindu |date= 25 March 2011 |access-date= 11 October 2012 |location=Chennai, India |archive-date= 15 August 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110815155355/http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article1570825.ece |url-status=live}} Bangkok in 2011,{{cite web|url=http://www.madametussauds.com/Bangkok/en/NewsAndEvents/AmitabhBachchanLaunch.aspx |title=Unveils wax figure of India's all-time superstar: Amitabh Bachchan |publisher=madametussauds.com|date=24 August 2011 |access-date=12 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114095003/http://www.madametussauds.com/Bangkok/en/NewsAndEvents/AmitabhBachchanLaunch.aspx |archive-date=14 November 2012}} Washington, DC in 2012{{cite web |url= http://www.indianexpress.com/news/big-b-srk-aishwaryas-wax-figures-at-washington-tussauds/1040813/ |title= Big B, SRK, Aishwarya's wax figures at Washington Tussauds |work=The Indian Express |date= 5 December 2012 |access-date=5 December 2012 |archive-date= 20 January 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160120105117/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/big-b-srk-aishwaryas-wax-figures-at-washington-tussauds/1040813/ |url-status=live}} and Delhi in 2017.{{cite web |url= http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/amitabh-bachchan-misunderstands-his-wax-statue-at-madam-tussauds-delhi-as-his-photo/articleshow/56517118.cms |title= Amitabh Bachchan misunderstands his wax statue at Madame Tussauds, Delhi as his photo |work= The Times of India |date= 13 January 2017 |access-date=13 January 2017 |archive-date=13 January 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170113172851/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/amitabh-bachchan-misunderstands-his-wax-statue-at-madam-tussauds-delhi-as-his-photo/articleshow/56517118.cms |url-status=live}}

In March 2010, Bachchan was named on CNN's list of the "top 25 Asian actors of all time".{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Big-B-in-CNN-s-top-25-Asian-actors-list/H1-Article1-515456.aspx |title=Big B in CNN's top 25 Asian actors list |work=Hindustan Times|date=5 March 2010 |access-date=4 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111101080219/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Big-B-in-CNN-s-top-25-Asian-actors-list/H1-Article1-515456.aspx |archive-date=1 November 2011}} He was named "Hottest Vegetarian male" by PETA India in 2012.{{cite news |date=3 January 2013 |title=Amitabh Bachchan, Vidya Balan named hottest vegetarians |newspaper=Hindustan Times |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/tabloid/amitabh-bachchan-vidya-balan-named-hottest-vegetarians/article1-984421.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217223322/http://www.hindustantimes.com/tabloid/amitabh-bachchan-vidya-balan-named-hottest-vegetarians/article1-984421.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 February 2015}} He also won the title of "Asia's Sexiest Vegetarian male" in a contest poll run by PETA Asia in 2008.{{cite news |date=19 June 2008 |title=Faye Wong is Asia's sexiest vegetarian |newspaper=The Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/english/hollywood/news/Faye-Wong-is-Asias-sexiest-vegetarian/articleshow/3142261.cms |access-date=17 February 2015 |archive-date=11 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011115108/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/english/hollywood/news/Faye-Wong-is-Asias-sexiest-vegetarian/articleshow/3142261.cms |url-status=live }}

In Allahabad, the Amitabh Bachchan Sports Complex and Amitabh Bachchan Road are named after him.{{cite web |title=Amitabh Bachchan Sports Complex |url=http://allahabaddekho.com/Home/Sportcenters_of_allahabad |access-date=15 August 2016 |archive-date=19 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019015806/http://allahabaddekho.com/Home/Sportcenters_of_allahabad |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |date=8 April 2017 |title=Rename Clive Road as Amitabh Bachchan Marg |url=http://activeindiatv.com/entertainment/44823-rename-clive-road-as-amitabh-bachchan-marg |access-date=14 February 2018 |archive-date=14 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214202707/http://activeindiatv.com/entertainment/44823-rename-clive-road-as-amitabh-bachchan-marg |url-status=dead }} A government senior secondary school in Saifai, Etawah is called Amitabh Bachchan Government Inter College.{{cite web |date=18 January 2014 |title=Neighbours' Envy: Remarkable growth of Saifai has left other villages feeling left out |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/neighbours-envy-3/ |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722095625/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/neighbours-envy-3/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=An oasis in undeveloped Yadav belt |website=The Times of India |date=23 April 2014 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/An-oasis-in-undeveloped-Yadav-belt/articleshow/34084463.cms |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=21 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821073108/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/An-oasis-in-undeveloped-Yadav-belt/articleshow/34084463.cms |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=The Telegraph – Calcutta: Nation |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1040905/asp/nation/story_3719293.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040927053816/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040905/asp/nation/story_3719293.asp |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 September 2004 |access-date=21 July 2018 |website=The Telegraph |location=Kolkota}} There is a waterfall in Sikkim known as Amitabh Bachchan Falls.{{cite news |author=Shriaya Dut |date=31 August 2019 |title=Been to Amitabh Bachchan waterfall in Sikkim, even Big B is shocked |work=The Tribune |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/lifestyle/been-to-amitabh-bachchan-waterfall-in-sikkim-even-big-b-is-shocked-825810 |access-date=13 April 2020 |archive-date=20 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720061334/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/lifestyle/been-to-amitabh-bachchan-waterfall-in-sikkim-even-big-b-is-shocked-825810 |url-status=live }}

In 2022, on the occasion of Bachchan's 80th birthday, a not-for-profit organisation Film Heritage Foundation announced a film festival as a part of his 11 films collection had been screened in 17 cities across the country shown in limited cinemas.{{cite web | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/film-heritage-foundation-announces-amitabh-bachchan-film-festival-to-mark-cine-icons-80th-birthday-8182291/ | title=Film Heritage Foundation announces Amitabh Bachchan film festival to mark cine icon's 80th birthday | date=30 September 2022 | access-date=5 December 2022 | archive-date=5 December 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205134655/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/film-heritage-foundation-announces-amitabh-bachchan-film-festival-to-mark-cine-icons-80th-birthday-8182291/ | url-status=live }}{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/as-big-b-turns-80-special-film-fest-to-showcase-his-11-iconic-films/articleshow/94555450.cms | title=As Big B turns 80, special film fest to showcase his 11 iconic films | website=The Times of India | date=30 September 2022 }}

File:Amitabh-Bachchan.jpg

Several books have been written about Bachchan. The following is the listing of books focused on his life career:

• Amitabh Bachchan: the Legend was published in 1999,{{cite web |title=Amitabh Bachchan – The Legend by Bhawana Somaaya |url=http://www.indiaclub.com/shop/SearchResults.asp?ProdStock=3161 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615152859/http://www.indiaclub.com/shop/SearchResults.asp?ProdStock=3161 |archive-date=15 June 2013 |access-date=2 October 2010 |publisher=Indiaclub.com}}
• To be or not to be: Amitabh Bachchan in 2004,{{cite web |author=halid Mohamed |title=To Be or Not to Be Amitabh Bachchan |url=http://www.shvoong.com/entertainment/movies/1843754-amitabh-bachchan/ |access-date=2 October 2010 |publisher=Shvoong.com |archive-date=8 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108031438/http://www.shvoong.com/entertainment/movies/1843754-amitabh-bachchan/ |url-status=dead}}
• AB: The Legend (A Photographer's Tribute) in 2006,{{cite book |url=http://www.exoticindiaart.com/book/details/IDF390 |title=AB: The Legend (A Photographer's Tribute) |date=2 October 2008 |publisher=Exoticindiaart.com |access-date=2 October 2010 |archive-date=20 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090720123607/http://www.exoticindiaart.com/book/details/IDF390/ |url-status=live }}
• Amitabh Bachchan: Ek Jeevit Kimvadanti in 2006,{{cite book |author=Somaaya |url=http://www.autsun.com/amitabh-bachchan-ek-jeevit-kimvadanti/p/5070.html |title=Amitabh Bachchan: Ek Jeevit Kimvadanti |date=20 October 2009 |publisher=Macmillan India |isbn=978-1-4039-3160-3 |access-date=2 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707191625/http://www.autsun.com/amitabh-bachchan-ek-jeevit-kimvadanti/p/5070.html |archive-date=7 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}
• Amitabh: The Making of a Superstar in 2006,{{cite web |title=Amitabh: The Making of a Superstar by Susmita Dasgupta |url=http://www.indiaclub.com/shop/searchresults.asp?ProdStock=19211 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615172748/http://www.indiaclub.com/shop/searchresults.asp?ProdStock=19211 |archive-date=15 June 2013 |access-date=2 October 2010 |publisher=Indiaclub.com}}
• Looking for the Big B: Bollywood, Bachchan and Me in 2007{{cite book |title=Looking for the Big B: Bollywood, Bachchan and Me|author= Jessica Hines|isbn=978-0747560418|year=2007}} and
• Bachchanalia in 2009.{{cite web |date=24 January 2009 |title=Bachchanalia: Big B as hero, lover, conman |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/books/bachchanalia-big-b-as-hero-lover-conman/story-0drMSxKamf8Be1yZhTKOOJ.html |access-date=5 October 2020 |website=Hindustan Times |archive-date=9 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009065832/https://www.hindustantimes.com/books/bachchanalia-big-b-as-hero-lover-conman/story-0drMSxKamf8Be1yZhTKOOJ.html |url-status=live}}

{{main|List of awards and nominations received by Amitabh Bachchan}}

File:The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil presenting the Best Film Actor Award for the year 2005 to Shri Amitabh Bachchan.jpg presenting the Best Film Actor Award for the year 2005 to Shri Amitabh Bachchan]]

Apart from industry awards won for his performances throughout the years, Bachchan has received several honours for his achievements in the Indian film industry. In 1991, he became the first artist to receive the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, which was established in the name of Raj Kapoor. Bachchan was crowned as Superstar of the Millennium in 2000 at the Filmfare Awards.

In 2001, he was honoured with the Actor of the Century award at the Alexandria International Film Festival in Egypt in recognition of his contribution to the world of cinema.{{cite web |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010904/world.htm#8 |title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – World |work=The Tribune |date=4 September 2001 |access-date=2 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131121110907/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010904/world.htm#8 |archive-date=21 November 2013}} Many other honours for his achievements were conferred upon him at several International Film Festivals, including the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2010 Asian Film Awards.{{cite web |url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/bollywood/news/2010/amitabh-asian-awards-250310.html |title=Actor Amitabh Bachchan | Film Paa – Oneindia Entertainment |publisher=Entertainment.oneindia.in |date=25 March 2010 |access-date=2 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524143103/http://entertainment.oneindia.in/bollywood/news/2010/amitabh-asian-awards-250310.html |archive-date=24 May 2013 |url-status=live}}

In 2003, he was conferred with the Honorary Citizenship of the French town of Deauville.{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2003/07/04/stories/2003070400980100.htm |title='Shahenshah' of Bollywood |date=4 July 2003 |access-date=2 October 2010 |location=Chennai, India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101014135148/http://hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2003/07/04/stories/2003070400980100.htm |archive-date=14 October 2010 |work=The Hindu |url-status=dead}} The Government of India awarded him with the Padma Shri in 1984, the Padma Bhushan in 2001, the Padma Vibhushan in 2015 and Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2019. The then-President of Afghanistan awarded him the Order of Afghanistan in 1991 following the shooting of Khuda Gawah there.{{cite news |url=https://www.khaama.com/indian-film-star-amitabh-bachchan-cherish-afghanistan-memories-1810/ |title=Indian film star Amitabh Bachchan cherish Afghanistan memories |newspaper=The Khaama Press News Agency |date=27 August 2013 |access-date=20 November 2018 |archive-date=20 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120095505/https://www.khaama.com/indian-film-star-amitabh-bachchan-cherish-afghanistan-memories-1810/ |url-status=live }} The Government of Madhya Pradesh honoured him with Rashtriya Kishore Kumar Samman for 2002–2003.{{cite news |title=Amitabh conferred Kishore Kumar award |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/amitabh-conferred-kishore-kumar-award/articleshow/26698419.cms |access-date=3 June 2022 |work=The Times of India |date=29 October 2002 |archive-date=3 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603100008/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/amitabh-conferred-kishore-kumar-award/articleshow/26698419.cms |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=रत्नप्रिया |title=क्या है 'किशोर अलंकरण', किन हस्तियों को मिल चुका है ये सम्मान |url=https://www.amarujala.com/education/kishore-kumar-samman-recipient-list-waheeda-rehman-to-be-awarded-this-year |access-date=3 June 2022 |work=Amar Ujala |date=6 October 2019 |language=hi |archive-date=10 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210222443/https://www.amarujala.com/education/kishore-kumar-samman-recipient-list-waheeda-rehman-to-be-awarded-this-year |url-status=live}}File:Amitabh Bachchan with Olympic torch.jpg in London on 27 July 2012|left]]

France's highest civilian honour, the Officer 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".{{cite news |last=Pandey |first=Geeta |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6306201.stm |title=South Asia | French honour for Bollywood star |publisher=BBC News |date=27 January 2007 |access-date=2 October 2010 |archive-date=4 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004140244/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6306201.stm |url-status=live}} On 27 July 2012, at the age of 69, Bachchan carried the Olympic torch during the last leg of its relay in London's Southwark.{{cite news |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/amitabh-bachchan-carries-olympic-torch-355100 |title=Amitabh Bachchan Carries Olympic Torch |date=26 July 2012 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |first=Nyay |last=Bhushan |access-date=27 July 2012 |archive-date=30 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730004645/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/amitabh-bachchan-carries-olympic-torch-355100 |url-status=live}}

• Soul Curry for You and Me – An Empowering Philosophy That Can Enrich Your Life. (2002){{cite web |title=73 things you must know about Amitabh Bachchan |url=https://www.businessinsider.in/amitabh-bachchan-turns-73-on-sunday/articleshow/49308365.cms |access-date=5 October 2020 |website=Business Insider |archive-date=13 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313061431/http://www.businessinsider.in/Amitabh-Bachchan-turns-73-on-Sunday/articleshow/49308365.cms |url-status=live }}

• List of Bollywood actors
• Lists of Indian actors

{{Portal bar|Biography|India|Film|Bollywood|Television}}

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book |last=Somaaya |first=Bhawana |author-link=Bhawana Somaaya |title=Amitabh Bachchan: The Legend |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VSxlAAAAMAAJ |date=1 February 1999 |publisher=Macmillan India Limited |isbn=978-0-333-93355-8}}
• {{cite book |last=Somaaya |first=Bhawana |title=Bachchanalia: The Films and Memorabilia of Amitabh Bachchan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8DlePgAACAAJ |year=2009 |publisher=Osian's-Connoisseurs of Art |isbn=978-81-8174-027-4}}
• {{cite book |author=Bhawana Somaaya |title=Amitabh Lexicon |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jBBetwAACAAJ |year=2011 |isbn=978-8122311891 |publisher=Pustak Mahal}}

{{refend}}

{{Sister project links|voy=no|Amitabh Bachchan|wikt=yes|b=yes|s=Amitabha Harivansh Rai Bachchan|v=yes|author=yes|d=Q9570}}

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