What is Amitabh Bachchan's Net Worth and Salary?
Amitabh Bachchan is a prolific Indian film actor with a net worth of $400 million. Emerging in the 1970s, he became known as Bollywood's iconic "angry young man." His father, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, was a celebrated Hindi poet. Over his five-decade career, Amitabh has appeared in over 200 films and is regarded as one of the greatest actors in Indian cinema history.
Outside of India, Bachchan has a strong following in countries like the UK, South Africa, Russia, and Australia. His talents extend to voice acting, film production, and TV hosting. Bachchan has received numerous accolades, including the Padma Shiri from the Indian Government and the Knight of the Legion of Honour from France in 2007. Though not a regular in Hollywood, he featured in "The Great Gatsby."
Early Life
Amitabh Bachchan, originally named Inquilaab Srivastava, was born on October 11, 1942, in Allahabad, British India (now Uttar Pradesh, India). His initial name meant "long live the revolution," referencing the Indian independence movement. This was later changed to Amitabh, meaning "the light that will never die." When he rose to film stardom, he adopted "Bachchan," his father's pen name, meaning "child-like" in Hindi.
After secondary school, Amitabh attended Sherwood College in Nainital and later Kirori Mal College. As a young actor, he was inspired by Dilip Kumar, whose method acting greatly influenced him. However, Amitabh added his unique emotional intensity, culminating in his "angry young man" persona.
Career
Amitabh Bachchan began his acting career in 1969 as a voice narrator for "Bhuvan Shome." His first starring role came in 1971 with "Anand." Initially, he played cynical, antagonistic characters in films like "Parwana," "Guddi," and "Bombay to Goa," though many were box office failures.
His breakthrough came with "Zanjeer," where he showcased his "angry young man" persona. This role defined him, leading to successes in films like "Deewaar" and "Sholay." By the late 70s, he became known for double roles, notably playing both a father and son in "Adalat." Despite a near-fatal spleen injury in the early 80s, he returned to acting after recovery and briefly ventured into politics.
(Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
After three years in politics, Bachchan returned to acting with a few hits, but the early 90s saw several box office failures, resulting in a five-year hiatus. During this time, he started his production company and attempted to reinvent himself but faced more box office failures.
The 2000s marked his successful return with films like "Mohabbatein," where he portrayed a stern elder character. Hits followed, including 2007's "Shootout at Lokhandwala" and his first English-language film, "The Last Year," which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival. In 2013, he appeared in "The Great Gatsby," starring Leonardo DiCaprio and in 2018's "102 Not Out."
Other Ventures
Amitabh Bachchan has diversified into various business ventures. In 2013, he bought a 10% stake in Just Dial, yielding significant returns. He also holds a 3.4% stake in Stampede Capital and $250,000 worth of shares in Meridian Tech, a consultancy based in the U.S.
Controversy
The 2016 "Panama Papers" leak revealed Amitabh Bachchan among several prominent figures with offshore entities, sparking questions about potential tax evasion and fraudulent activities. His name surfaced again in the 2017 "Paradise Papers" for similar reasons.
Real Estate
Amitabh Bachchan owns extensive real estate in India, including five bungalows in Mumbai's JVPD area. In 2004, he purchased a property as an office and gym, and one bungalow is leased to Citibank for substantial rent. His primary residence is "Jalsa," a two-story bungalow near J.W. Marriott in Juhu. The family also reportedly retains his father's house on Clive Road in Mumbai and owns agricultural land in Bhopal, Barabanki, and Lucknow.
