Radio Brisvaani
While other actors of his league gradually withered away, Amitabh Bachchan still continues to be one of cinema’s all-time favourite faces. What makes the Bhisham Pitamah of Bollywood tick at 69? Mohita Saxena digs in.
Amitabh Bachchan — a towering screen presence that needs no introduction. The actor par excellence has been enthralling his fans worldwide for over four decades now, and is still going strong. Crowned the ‘Emperor’ of Indian cinema by none other than southern superstar Rajnikant, Mr Bachchan continues to dominate the heartbeats of many even at the age of 69.
A veteran of Bollywood cinema, he is revered the world over for his insurmountable contribution to the cinematic world and enjoys a demi-God status in the hearts of many. But what continues to be the most intriguing fact about this screen god of Bollywood is that while other actors of his league gradually withered away from the cinematic platform, he still continues to be one of cinema’s all-time favourite faces. Having shared screen space with legendary actors of his times like Rakhee, Jaya Bhaduri, Rekha, and Parveen Babi, the living legend Amitabh continues to rule the roost alongside Bollywood’s latest female heartthrobs, including the likes of Tabu, Kajol, Kareena, and not to forget, his darling daughter-in-law, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
From a handsome, sleek, and passionate ‘angry young man’ image to the present-day refined and chiseled look that still makes women go weak in their knees, Amitabh is proving the dictum correct – the older, the better! With a string of successive hits in his kitty that include Zanjeer, Deewar, Kabhie Kabhie, Amar Akbar Anthony, Mr. Natwarlal, Dostana, Silsila, Shaan and others, he startled one and all with his breathtaking television debut as a smashing quizmaster in Kaun Banega Crorepati, Indian adaptation of the British game show, Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
Even till this day, he remains one of the busiest and bankable actors of the Indian cinema. In fact, not just cinema, he has proved his mettle as a television presenter, celebrity advertisement endorser, playback singer, and a film producer too. It is an open secret that Brand Amitabh Bachchan commands respect across the entire length and breadth of India. Some of his prominent endorsements include ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, Cadbury’s, Tanishq, Boroplus, Birla Cement, Reid & Taylor, LIC, Dabur, and Parker.
It therefore, comes as no surprise that Amitabh Bachchan is a name to reckon with, not just in India but across the world now! He garners a tremendous fan-following abroad just as he does in his motherland. It is primarily for this reason that he was the first from the Bollywood bandwagon to get featured at London’s famous waxwork museum, Madame Tussauds. International accolades for him have never stopped pouring. Some of the noteworthy international honours conferred upon him include France’s highest civilian honour, the Knight of the Legion of Honour; Honorary Doctorates by the De Montfort University in Leicester, UK; the University Brandan Foster by the Leeds Metropolitan University in Yorkshire, UK; and the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia.
Just as brilliantly as the world has been showering admiration and affection on him, Amitabh has been lapping up all the love coming his way and making sincere efforts to make all and sundry fall in love with him, all over again!
