Amitabh Bachchan first gained popularity in the early 1970s as the "angry young man" of Hindi cinema and since then, has become one of the most prominent figures in Bollywood.

His blockbuster films like 'Laawaris', 'Coolie', 'Naseeb', 'Silsila', 'Sharabi' and 'Jaadugar', among others, can never be forgotten.

Born in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, Amitabh Bachchan hails from a Hindu Kayastha family.

His father, Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan was a well-known Hindi poet, while his mother, Teji Bachchan was a Sikh-Punjabi from Faisalabad (now in Pakistan). He's seen here as a toddler with his father.

He attended Allahabad's Jnana Prabodhini and Boys High School, and then went to Nainital's Sherwood College, where he majored in Arts.

He later went on to study at Kirori Mal College of the University of Delhi and completed a Bachelor of Science degree.

In his twenties, Bachchan gave up a job as freight broker for a shipping firm in Kolkata, to pursue a career in acting.

In the year 2000, he became the first living Asian to have been immortalised in wax at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.

He was also elected member of the Indian Parliament from 1984 to 1987.

Till date, Amitabh has won numerous awards, including four National Film Awards and fourteen Filmfare Awards.

Amitabh Bachchan won the National award for Best Actor Award for his performance in 'Paa'. It was Bachchan's third National Award in the category. Earlier, he had won the award for 'Agneepath' and 'Black'.

Known for his deep, baritone voice, Bachchan has been a narrator, a playback singer and presenter for numerous programmes.

In the year 2000, Bachchan turned TV host with India's adaptation of the British television game show, 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?' entitled 'Kaun Banega Crorepati'. The program found immediate success and is currently running its sixth season.

Bachchan also hosted the third season of the reality show 'Bigg Boss' in 2009.

Bachchan is married to actress Jaya Bhaduri. They have two children, Shweta Nanda and Abhishek Bachchan. Abhishek is also an actor and is married to actress Aishwarya Rai.

The actor last year became a grandfather once again to Abhishek and Aishwarya's baby girl, Aaradhya.

We at in.com, wish Amitabh Bachchan a very happy birthday!