There is no one like him, or ever will be. Wishing the Shahenshah of Bollywood, Amitabh Bachchan a very Happy Birthday (11/10).

Amitabh Bachchan, born Amitabh Shrivastav on 11 October 1942, is a renowned Indian actor, producer, TV host, singer, and former politician.

With a film career spanning over 50 years, he has appeared in over 200 Hindi films. He’s celebrated as one of Indian cinema’s most influential figures, earning titles such as the “Shahenshah of Bollywood” and “Star of the Millennium.” His cinematic dominance in the 1970s and 80s led French director François Truffaut to label him a “one-man industry.”

Born in Allahabad (now Prayagraj) in 1942, Bachchan is the son of the famed Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan and social activist Teji Bachchan. He studied at Sherwood College, Nainital, and Kirori Mal College, Delhi University. His cinematic journey began in 1969, narrating for the film Bhuvan Shome. By the 1970s, roles in films like Anand, Zanjeer, and Sholay solidified his reputation as India’s “angry young man.” His notable films from the 70s and 80s include Amar Akbar Anthony, Don, and Shakti. After a hiatus in the 1990s, he returned to prominence in the 2000s with films like Mohabbatein, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, and Piku. In Piku, he earned his fourth National Film Award for Best Actor, a record achievement. He also featured in the Hollywood film, The Great Gatsby (2013).

Throughout his career, Bachchan has received numerous awards, including four National Film Awards for Best Actor and sixteen Filmfare Awards. Recognizing his contribution to the arts, the Indian government awarded him the Padma Shri (1984), Padma Bhushan (2001), Padma Vibhushan (2015), and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2018). France also honored him with its highest civilian award, Knight of the Legion of Honour, in 2007.

Apart from acting, Bachchan has been a playback singer, producer, and TV presenter. He hosted multiple seasons of India’s version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” titled “Kaun Banega Crorepati.” He briefly entered politics in the 1980s and is recognized for his humanitarian efforts. Beyond India, Bachchan has a significant international following, especially in regions like Africa, the Middle East, and the UK. He was voted the “greatest star of stage or screen” in a 1999 BBC poll and was dubbed the “Star of the Millennium” by TIME magazine in 2003.