HELLO! India Exclusive: The house of Bachchan

Shahenshah. Big B. Angry Young Man. AB Sr. The Superstar of the Millennium. No matter the moniker, Amitabh Bachchan is a name that resonates in every corner of India. Adored across generations and revered by all, he’s in all likelihood the biggest superstar our country has seen till date. When he started as a young performer in the late ’60s, many didn’t believe that this tall, lanky man with a — now legally protected — baritone was “hero material” when compared to his contemporaries back then. But his hold over histrionics, powered by his experience in theatre, went on to floor critics and enamour the audience. It was his spectacular life, though, abounding in crests and troughs, unparalleled achievements, and milestones that gripped mainstream imagination, even as the media trained their lens of curiosity on the Bachchan family with fierce intensity.

Yet, there are those unseen moments from the actor’s life beyond the camera that can pleasantly surprise you. This photo essay brings you excerpts from The Bachchans: A Saga of Excellence, stocked with childhood memories, candids with his illustrious parents, never-before-seen visuals with friends, colleagues and co-actors from his early years as a fledgling performer, heartwarming photos as a doting husband and father, documentation of moments with politicians, and ultimately, diverse captures of the brilliance that is Amitabh Bachchan!

The coffee table book is an extensive chronicle of author SMM Ausaja’s prodigious commitment to celebrating the legend. It’s also a thorough report of his family’s history, spanning over a hundred years, starting from his father, the Indian poet and writer Harivansh Rai Bachchan, social activist mother Teji, and actor-politician wife Jaya, to his children Shweta and Abhishek, and grandkids Agastya Nanda, Navya Naveli Nanda, and Aaradhya Bachchan.

“Ausaja’s assemblage captured a legacy that felt collectible, visual, and enduring,” says Ajay Mago, the publisher. “This was enough impetus for Om Books International, as the book perfectly fit our vision of bringing work that stands the test of time.”

Quite a James Boswell to Amitabh Bachchan, Ausaja’s years of archiving makes this collectors’ item the ultimate tribute to the icon and his family. A glance through our pages will show you why.

This story was featured in the Vol 1. Issue 8 of HELLO! India. For more exclusive stories, subscribe to the magazine here.