This is a personal to the man who like all human-beings has both negative and positive sides of his personality. Well, in all perspective, he is the Superstar and would remain the ultimate in the Bollywood post 70s as none could overpower his charisma. His admirers call him by numerous names – ‘Star of the Millennium’, ‘Shahenshah of acting’, ‘Big B’, or as people in people in Bengal call him ‘guru’. Undoubtedly, the superstar, and he is none other than Amitabh Bachchan. The actor turns 80 on Tuesday (today).

During the late 70s, and 80s, people used to emulate the style statements from haircut to dress and even his mannerism. It was normal to watch young boys trying to ape his gait or style of gazing. Not to mention mimicking his voice and rhetoric of popular dialogues from his films.

For his fans, 1982, was indeed a very bad year. Amitabh Bachchan fought with death after being badly injured in his intestine during the shooting of Mammohan Desia blockbuster, ‘Coolie’. The actor who is well known for trying difficult stunts out of sheer love for adventure was wrongly punched in the stomach by the villain in the film Puneet Issar. His intestine got ruptured and he was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai where he was clinically dead.

Amitabh Bachchan like others had a ups and downs in his life and career. It was due to financial problems he took to television and began compering for Kaun Banega Carorpati (KBC) that became a massive hit within no time and once again his style and cult was appreciated by all. People sat glued tor their television set to watch the show. For the Superstar, a lot many things had changed drastically after the success of KBC. Bachchan, who once even drifted apart from public interest or cause promotional films or documentaries, was seen almost endorsing anything and everything on the commercial platform.

In terms of selecting projects for films too changed immensely especially after the massive success of ‘Baghwan’ where he played the role of a father who faced neglect and insult from his three sons, all well settled in their lives. It’s about how the father teaches the sons a lesson and make them understand how it feels if parents are left alone or ignored at the fag end of their lives, when they need their children the most. Bachchan had sang songs in his voice after decades in the film ‘Baghwan’. After this Bachchan started playing character actor’s roles and did not hesitate to play father’s role of Akshay Kumar and many young actors. However, his films ‘Chini Kam’ with Taboo, ‘Paa’, ‘Pink’, ‘Pikoo’ to name a few were critically acclaimed from cine lovers and film critics. ‘Nishabd’ opposite 17-year old Jia Khan attracted both negetive and positive reactions especially for his bold scenes with Jia Khan in the film.

Summing up a mammoth personality like Amitabh Bachchan is not easy in few paragraphs. Those of us who have grown up in the era when Amitabh Bachchan was an icon who influenced many of us, if not the man in real for some but his screen image of being a saviour or the cult ‘angry young man’ image worked as an inspiration and influence.

Once again wishing Amitabh Bachchan a very Happy Birthday. I being an ardent admirer of his used to send him letters, cards and received replies along with autographed photographs part of collection. I have shared a few photographs from my scrapbook or collection.

I shall try to key-in a story on different aspects from his life, cine career, charisma, and his glamour.