MUMBAI: Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who turns 72 today, feels there's no gift greater than spending time with family. The actor, who feels ‘luckiest today’ thanked all who have been in his life.
"To them that wish for me for my 72nd moving into 73rd...I have just few words...I am blessed to have you with me still! Thank you all for your affectionate greetings and love..they shall ever remain with me...I feel today the luckiest," he tweeted early Saturday.
“It is that time of life when the next year in celebration of the birth is never one that needs celebration….I have none answer to the why, but so it is…I do not feel any different from this and never shall,” added the entertainer, who has been part of the Indian showbiz for over four decades now.
Born on 1942, he started his career with Saat Hindustani. His early works were not appreciated. His rise to stardom started when Director Prakash Mehra cast him in the leading role for the film Zanjeer (1973) as Inspector Vijay Khanna. The film was a sharp contrast to the romantically themed films that had generally preceded it and established Amitabh in a new persona—the ‘angry young man’ of Bollywood cinema.
He has appeared in more than 180 movies in his whole life span and created his own heights of success. His career started with Saat Hindustani in which he also made a debut as a narrator.
Besides a number of Filmfare awards, he has been honoured by the Government of India with the Padma Shri award in 1984 and Padma Bhushan in 2001 for his utmost contributions to the film industry. He has also received National Film award, France’s highest civilian honour, the Knight of the Legion of Honour, among other recognitions.
His notable works include Kabhie Kabhie, Deewar, Chupke Chupke, Mr. Natwarlal, Kaala Patthar and The Great Gambler, Satte Pe Satta, Lawaris, Sarkar, KAbhi Khushi Kabhi Gam, Sholay, Anand among others.
“...it is not a day to contemplate...it is a time to deliver thanks and gratefulness to all those that have been responsible for my 72 in completion and my 73 to begin,” posted Big B.
Every year, Amitabh Bachchan’s birthday is celebrated with much fervour by fans who gather outside his residence Jalsa to wish the superstar and if possible meet him. Big B too obliges the fans by stepping among them.
