“Star Of The Millennium” Amitabh Bachchan Turns 78 Today

Mumbai: It’s legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan’s 78th birthday today. He is probably the only actor in the industry who has been given a multiple of nick names. Angry Young Man, Superstar, Big B, Shehenshah, and many more.

The legendary Amitabh Bachchan is one of the most revered actors in Bollywood and the many birthday wishes on social media are a mere example. As the actor celebrates his 78th birthday, fans have bombarded social media with greetings for the Bollywood veteran. Big B, in his latest Instagram post, thanked his fans and well-wishers for their love and wrote about the “greatest gift” that he received from his fans. “Your generosity and love be the greatest gift for me for the 11th .. I cannot possibly ask for more,” wrote Amitabh Bachchan.

An actor par excellence, Amitabh Bachchan has not just entertained us all over the years with his films, but also with some of the songs which he has crooned. While he’s pretty active on social media and religiously maintains his own blog, there are still a lot of interesting facts about him that remain unknown to many.

78 and still going strong, legendary superstar of Indian cinema, Amitabh Bachchan will soon be seen in a crucial role with Prabhas and Deepika Padukone’s upcoming project which is helmed by acclaimed director Nag Ashwin. Revealing the news through a teaser, the makers of this untitled film wrote on social media “Welcoming with a full heart, the pride of a billion Indians. The Amitabh Bachchan. Our journey just got BIG-ger!”

Here’s taking a look at some of the most interesting lesser known facts about the actor as he celebrates his 78th birthday…

Not Amitabh But Inquilab

Amitabh Bachchan’s father Harivansh Rai Bachchan apparently wanted to name him Inquilab, meaning ‘revolution’.

Did you know the meaning of ”Amitabh”

Later on, Big B’s father named him Amitabh which means ‘unlimited brilliance’. It is also lesser known that Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s real surname was Shrivastava. He adopted the title name of Bachchan and Big B and his brother followed the same.

Not an Actor, but an Engineer

Not many are aware of the fact that Amitabh Bachchan didn’t want to become an actor initially. He wanted to be an engineer and at one point had even thought of joining the Indian Air Force.

Ambidextrous Amitabh!

Did you know that the Shehenshah of Bollywood is ambidextrous! This means he can write well with both his hands.

The Struggling Days

During his struggling days in Mumbai as an actor, Amitabh Bachchan had to spend quite a few nights on a bench at the Marine Drive

Trivia from the shoot of ”Khuda Gawah”

Khuda Gawah is one of Big B’s most watched films. While Amitabh Bachchan was shooting for the same with Sridevi in Afghanistan, half the country’s air force was given for his protection by the then President of Afghanistan. Khuda Gawah is one of the most watched Indian films in Afghanistan’s history.

First Asian Actor at Madame Tussaud’s London

Amitabh Bachchan is the first Asian actor to be immortalised in wax at the Madame Tussaud’s wax mueseum in London.

No Birthday Cake Please!

Though, Big B has turned 78 this year, the senior actor doesn’t like cutting his birthday cake. He considers it to be a pointless, futile exercise.

(All images via Twitter)