Was Amitabh Bachchan named Inquilaab Srivastava at birth?: Tracing origin of “Bachchan” surname

New Delhi:  Amitabh Bachchan is ruling Hindi cinema for over five decades with his sonorous voice, charming personality, and unmatched on-screen performance. His journey from working in a coal mine in Kolkata to becoming the greatest star of Hindi cinema to ever exist has continued to fascinate generation after generation.

Big-B, Shehenshah, Angry Young Man, Mahanayak, and many other glorious titles are used to refer to the 80-year-old megastar. But you would be surprised to know that he wasn’t born with the name “Amitabh Bachchan.”

What is the real name of Amitabh Bachchan?

Born in Allahabad of British-ruled India on 11 October 1942, Amitabh Bachchan was named Inquilaab Srivastava by his poet-father Harivansh Rai Bachchan, and activist mother Teji.

Amitabh Bachchan’s real name ‘Inquilaab’ reflects the political scenario of that time when the demand for independence and revolution was at its peak.

How did Inquilaab Srivastava become Amitabh Bachchan?

The Bachchan surname was one gesture by Harisvansh Rai Bachchan to denounce the caste system. In Awadhi, Bachchan means “child-like.”

Harivansh Rai used the last name Bachchan as his pen name, and later when it was time to enroll his son in school, he along with his wife Teji decided to use Bachchan as his last name instead of Srivastava.

And for the name Amitabh, it was a suggestion made by poet Sumitra Nandan Pant.

When Sonia Gandhi lived at Bachchan’s house

It is a little-known fact that before entering the world of cinema, Big B had close ties with the Gandhi family. So much so that when Indira Gandhi wanted Sonia Gandhi to learn Hindu customs, she sent her future daughter-in-law to live with the Bachchan family.