In a rather sad turn of events, what was supposed to be a quiet birthday spent with family and friends at home, turned out to be one wherein the entire nation sat agape and watched him getting admitted into a hospital on the morning of 11 October. It may be recalled that Bachchan’s mother Teji Bachchan passed away earlier this year and hence there were no celebrations planned.
On his 66th birthday Businessofcinema.com takes a look at the many twists and turns that presented themselves on Bachchan’s road to idolatry.
Late 1960s
Like all newcomers, Bachchan too entered the Indian Film industry to prove his skills and create a mark for himself. While commercial success eluded him, he was recognized with a National Award for being the Best New Comer. This marked the beginning of the birth of an Icon as we know it.
1970s
Commercial success did not tag along too far behind. Films like Anand, Zanjeer, Abhimaan, Namak Haraam, Guddi and Parwaana amongst a ton of others all worked and added to create Brand Bachchan. So much so, that he was labeled the one man industry by director Francois Truffaut. Films in this time began reflecting social happenings. Soon enough the birth of a great actor into an angry young man was emerging through the medium of Film. Films like Kala Pattaar, Kasme Vaade and Chupke Chupke had the public at large connect with an actor. This, especially when everyone else had the aura of being an unapproachable, here was one man who represented the plight of the common man and managed to sell a dream in a manner they best understood.
1980s
Personally and professionally the 80’s had Bachchan undergo a whole lot of predicament. It was in 1982 when he met with an accident while filming Coolie. This time also saw him take a break from acting to dabble into Politics, a move that was surrounded with truck loads of controversy. In a manner Bachchan realized that the path traversed was full of thorns. A bunch of his film bombed at the Box office. He shunned media attention in a bid to get away from it, Publications were writing about him in a manner like never before. By now Bachchan was being written about for every action of his. It was difficult to open to the paper and not find an article about analyzing his every move.
1990s
It was only in the mid 90’s that Bachchan began working with much vigor once again. Prior to that, a film or two was what he was seen in. It was almost like a conscious sabbatical taken by him. It was amidst this vigor that his company ABCL faced a blow, losing tons of hard earned money. Films produced, shows sponsored all backfired miserably. This sparked more publications to write about him and all those who lay low silently, were now taking pot shots at him. But undeterred and filled with energy to have everything corrected and back on track, Bachchan moved on and how.
2000s
Bachchan revived his career only to have the same people who spoke ill about him tie their tongues. He wooed audiences in films like Mohhabatein, Cheeni Kum, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham and even hosted KBC. Like the ads for KBC said, Bachchan got the entire nation glued to the television set dot at nine. He was now donning hats and once again became the face of a new cinema movement in the Indian Film Industry. From being the angry young man, he diversified to do roles no one else could have portrayed. He continues being the face of the film industry and through all the controversies, only grew stronger and more determined.
On his birthday, Businessofcinema.com wishes him a wonderful and Happy Birthday. We wish him the best of health and hope that through his endeavors the industry moves ahead, without having to look back.
