The Legend of Amitabh Bachchan – Ups and Downs of His Life

Standing tall way over six feet, the man who defines Indian cinema turned just closer to be octogenarian. Yes, we are talking about the living legend Amitabh Bachchan. On October 11, he turned 79, just a year short of 80 – the age most of us won’t even able to walk properly.

Let the two-rupee troller defame or degrade the living legend, we should look at his journey full of thorns and roses. And, of course, each one of us should learn from him. He’s not just a teacher, but an institute in himself.

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He started his career with ‘down’. After passing from his college, he tried a lot to get a good job in Delhi, but failed. In fact, he also tried for Air India Radio where he was labelled as ‘thin tall guy’ to who Amin Sayani did not bother to meet. After facing failure, he headed toward Mumbai where he again started struggling getting some work in Bollywood. The work came, but then he gave audiences a dozen flop films. Seeing that, many including his family and friends asked him to go back to Allahabad and start farming. He did not look back and kept struggling.

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After some years, thanks to Salim Javed, he then came into limelight through Deewar, Zanzeer, and Sholay – all between 1970-75. These three movies shot him to a good stardom he thought would be stable.

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Unfortunately, the destiny had written something else. In the beginning of 80s, the movie Coolie came with a deadly break in his career and health. That powerful punch from Puneet Issar ended Amitabh Bachchan in the hospital for a ruptured spleen. His condition was defined as ‘near to death’ to which Bachchan fought back and came out alive.

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After recovering from the deadly injury, he came out with a new zeal and again started working. After taking almost five year gap, he formed ABCL (Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited) and released a couple of movies. The company was doing quite well but again, the fate has some other plans!

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In 90s, Bangalore based Beauty Contest event had a big blow on Big B and it turned out to be a disaster event making ABCL bankrupt. The legend lost everything; in fact, his bungalow in Mumbai – Pratiksha was put to bank for mortgage. Everything was finished.

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AB did not give up and struggled again. He was back with bang in Kaun Banega Crorepati – KBC that broke all records. He did not stick to belief that ‘stars never come on television’. He broke the rule and taught other stars that the small screens can also do wonder.

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Just after a couple of seasons, again, AB suffered from grave illness and fell sick. The show was handed over to the most arrogant person – Shah Rukh Khan who tried his level best but failed miserably. The show was held till Bachchan returned.

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Since then, Mr Bachchan has been struggling hard with his health but each time beating his ill fate. While with those many diseases you and I may not even come out of our beds, the Angry Young Man is working 10-12 hours a day at the age of almost 80.

God bless the legend. A very very happy birthday to the most inspiring actor and human in India.