The undisputed millennium superstar Amitabh Bachchan turned 67 on October 11, 2009. Bachchan is most definitely the Indian cinema's (popularly known as Bollywood) brand ambassador. The superstar celebrated his birthday at home with his family comprising big stars and a few close friends like politician Amar Singh, industrialist Anil Ambani and his wife Tina. Son Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya returned back home from the shooting of Mani Ratnams film 'Ravana' to usher in Big B's birthday.
Amitabh fondly recollected his childhood days, the manner in which his parents would celebrate the day that would turn into a gathering of the who's who of the then intellectuals and political personalities. His father, Harivanshrai Bachchan, was a great Hind poet who penned 'Madhushala'. His mother, Teji Bachchan, was an equally famous social activist. India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was very fond of intellectuals versus bureaucrats and was considered close to the Bachchans. Nehru assigned Harivanshrai the special task of introducing Hindi in official government work. Big B's mother, Teji, was considered very close to Nehru's daughter, the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Reminded of the glorious past, Amitabh was emotional saying he missed his parents but their memories and blessings are always with him. He reminisced how they celebrated the day in a grand way. He was always excited about his birthday as a child and loved receiving family and friends who always showered him with gifts.
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The 'angry young man' of Indian cinema, as he is sometimes dubbed, started his career in the Hindi film industry with 'Saat Hindustani' as early as 1969, and shot to fame from which he never looked back. He is still active and delivers stupendous performances. Bachchan has made a splash of a comeback to the small screen as 'pop philosopher' on the show 'Bigg Boss 3'. Colloquially called the 'Shenshah' (Empreor) of Bollywood, Amitrabh is busy shooting the fable turned movie `Aladin'. Big B has six other big budget flicks lined up for release, including 'Paa', 'Teen Patti', Ram Gopal Verma's 'Rann', 'Shoe Bite' and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Chenab Gandhi'. Thousands of fans from all over the city and the country thronged the Bollywood legend's homes -- 'Prateeksha' and 'Jalsa' in suburban Juhu, Mumbai, all day on October 11, 2009.
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In Delhi, the Bachchans live in Gulmohar Park, a gated small conclave of journalists. Late Prime Minister Nehruji recommended that the late senior Bachchan (Amitabh's parents) stay close to him in South Delhi and therefore recommended Harivanshrai's name for a house in the journalists' colony of which I am one of the founders. I remember sharing some morning walks with Harivanshraiji. Though he liked being a commoner, but Harivanshraiji was accompanied by a guard because of son Amitabh turning a big star. We feel Amitabh follows him literally. He is Big but very humble, especially while dealing with his father's friends.
So, on Amitabh's birthday not only do Mumbaikers and fans all over India and the world greet him but we in Gulmohar Park send him special greetings and blessings. Big B is very much a part of us here when he visits Delhi. We owe a lot to him as he premiered his famous movie 'Coolie' for the welfare of the Gulmoharians. A few select journalists, writers, columnists and advocates met in Gulmohar Park on October 11, 2009. I, as President of the Delhi Union of Journalists Cooperative House Building Society, thanked Amitabh and his mother Teji Bachchan for their role in the establishment of Gulmohar sports-cum-community center/ club by holding the premiere of Amitabh's famous movie Coolie' as his contribution. All those present admired the Bachchans for their humility and cooperative nature.
