Amitabh Bachchan, (born October 11, 1942,Allahabad, India), Indianfilm actor, perhaps the most popular star in the history ofIndia’s cinema, known primarily for his roles in action films.

Bachchan, the son of the renowned Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, attended Sherwood College inNainital and theUniversity of Delhi. He worked as a business executive in Calcutta (Kolkata) and performed intheatre before embarking on a film career. Bachchan made his big-screen debut inSaat Hindustani (1969; “Seven Indians”), and he received the first of his numerous Filmfare Awards for his performance inAnand (1971). His first major success came withZanjeer (1973; “Chain”). A string of action films followed, includingDeewar (1975; “Wall”),Sholay (1975; “Embers”), andDon (1978). Nicknamed “Big B,” Bachchan personified a new type of action star in Indian films, that of the “angry young man,” rather than theromantic hero. He was often compared toClint Eastwood—although, unlike Eastwood and other American action stars, Bachchan was renowned for his versatility, and many of his roles showcased his talents atsinging,dancing, andcomedy.

By the end of the 1970s, Bachchan had appeared in more than 35 films and was regarded as India’s top film star. His popularity was such that he became something of a cultural phenomenon, drawing large crowds of screaming fans wherever he went. A near-fatal accident on the set of his filmCoolie in 1982 touched off a national prayer vigil for his recovery. His subsequent films, however, did poorly at the box office, and Bachchan entered politics at the encouragement of his friend Indian Prime MinisterRajiv Gandhi. In 1984 he was elected to India’s parliament by an overwhelming majority, but he resigned his seat in 1989 after being implicated in abribery scandal that toppled Gandhi’s government.

Bachchan returned to film and won a National Film Award for his portrayal of a mafia don inAgneepath (1990; “Path of Fire”). He later headedAmitabh Bachchan Corporation Ltd., an entertainment venture that specialized in film production and event management. The business was plagued by financial difficulties, however, and Bachchan eventually returned to performing. His later movies included the crime dramaHum (1991);Mohabbatein (2000;Love Stories), amusical that was a major box-office success; andBlack (2005), which was inspired byHelen Keller’s life story. For the latter film Bachchan won another National Film Award, and he also received that honour for his performance in the dramaPaa (2009), playing a boy who suffers from an aging disease similar toprogeria.

By the early 21st century, Bachchan had appeared in more than 175Bollywood films, and at age 70 he made his Hollywood debut as a minor character inBaz Luhrmann’sThe Great Gatsby (2013). His later notable films included the comedyPiku (2015), for which he won his fourth National Film Award, andPink (2016), a crime drama in which he was cast as a lawyer. In102 Not Out (2018), he played a man trying to break the record for the oldest man alive. The crime dramaBadla (2019) was among the biggest hits of Bachchan’s career.

In addition, from 2000 to 2006 Bachchan hosted the televisiongame showKaun Banega Crorepati, the Indian version of the American and British hitWho Wants to Be a Millionaire? His easygoing nature andcharisma helped make the show one of India’s top television programs.