Autograph - Amitabh Bachchan

 

Eighty-two years is merely a number, representing the revolutions Amitabh Bachchan has made around the Sun as a mortal on Earth. Born on October 11, 1942, in Allahabad (now known as Prayagraj), he is the son of the renowned Hindi poet Dr. Harivansh Rai Srivastav (November 27, 1907 – January 18, 2003). Dr. Rai father adopted the pen name 'Bachchan,' meaning ‘child’, which eventually replaced their family name.

(Father and son; Source: Internet)

On November 27, 2003, a commemorative postage stamp of INR 5 was issued by India Post on birth anniversary of Dr. Harivansh Rai Bachchan. Total 0.4 million stamps were printed at Calcutta Security Printers Ltd. The stamp and the First Day Cover were designed by renowned artist Sankha Samanta and the cancellation design was credited to Alka Sharma. 'Madhushala', a collection of Hindi verses, composed by him during his college days, is an asset for Hindi literature. This has been translated in several languages.

Amitabh Bachchan is affectionately known as Big B in the Indian film industry. Amitabh's journey to stardom is as remarkable as it is inspiring. Surprisingly, it was his voice that first resonated in cinema rather than his image. He lent his iconic baritone as the narrator in the Bengali film ‘Bhuban Shome’ (1969), directed by the esteemed Mrinal Sen. His acting debut came in the same year 1969 with ‘Saat Hindustani’, where he portrayed one of the seven protagonists. 

The First Day Cover, autographed by him, was cancelled at his birth-place - Lucknow

Amitabh's compelling performances in classic films, particularly in Zanjeer (1973), established him as the "Angry Young Man" of Indian cinema, propelling him to stardom after a series of setbacks. His fan base extends globally, reaching audiences in Africa, the Middle East, Russia, and the United States etc. He has captivated audiences both in India and around the world for over five decades, appearing in more than two hundred films. This incredible achievement earned him the title of "One-Man Industry", at one point in his career.

In addition to his film career, Amitabh has made a significant impact on television, notably as the host of ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’, the Indian adaptation of the global hit 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?' He also had a brief foray into Indian politics.

Another autographed First Day Cover, cancelled at Delhi

Throughout his illustrious career, Amitabh has received numerous accolades from both Indian and international film festivals, including four National Film Awards for Best Actor and sixteen Filmfare Awards. In 2007, he was honored with the Legion of Honour by the Government of France, further solidifying his status as a cultural icon.

Happy Birthday, Amitabh Bachchan! 

Your incredible talent and larger-than-life presence have inspired countless hearts across the globe. May this year bring you as much joy and fulfilment as you’ve given to the world through your unforgettable performances. 

Enjoy your special day!

Disclaimer:

The noble objective of this blog, is to promote the hobby of philately through images of stamps, a few pictures and related narration. The scans featured in this blogpost are mine while others (sourced from internet) are the properties of their respective owners. No intention to infringe any type of copyright. 

The information provided in the article is for general informational purposes only. All information is provided in good faith. This is only for sharing of knowledge of philately with philatelist fraternity of the world. No commercial or political angle, whatsoever, is involved. This is not a historical document. Apologies in advance, should there be any inadvertent mistake or error. Under no circumstances, I shall have any liability for reliance on any information provided in the story.

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