Born under the Libran sun sign, Amitabh Bachchan celebrates his birthday on 11th October. He was born in 1942 in Allahabad, as Amitabh Harivansh Srivastav to Dr.Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Teji Bachchan. His father was a well known poet. Bachchan was his pen name. When Amitabh entered the film industry he replaced Srivastav with Bachchan. He was initially christened Inquilab but this was later changed to Amitabh that means limitless lustre, which is so apt. Ajitabh is his younger brother.Bachchan studied in Allahabad at Jnana Pramodhini and Boys High School. He also put in a few years at Sherwood College in Nainital and Kirori Mal College. He holds a double degree in M.A. He married his co-star Jaya Bhaduri of the Guddi fame on 3rd June 1973 and they have two children Shweta and Abhishek. The latter is also an actor, married to Aishwarya Rai.In 1969, Bachchan made his debut with ""Saat Hindustani"", which won him the National Film Award for Best Newcomer. After this came movies like ""Reshma Aur Shera"", ""Parwana"" and ""Anand"" in 1971. He made a huge impact with his performance in Hrishikesh Mukherjees ""Anand"" alongside Rajesh Khanna as a despondent doctor, winning the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award. In 1972 he appeared in movies like ""Sanjog"", ""Bansi Birju"", ""Ek Nazar"" and also narrated ""Bawarchi"".1973 saw significant development in Bachchan's career when director Prakash Mehra cast him in the leading role for the film ""Zanjeer"" as Inspector Vijay Khanna. In 1974, Bachchan made several guest appearances in films such as ""Kunwara Baap"" and ""Dost"", before playing a supporting role in the highest grossing film of that year, ""Roti Kapda Aur Makaan"". Released on 15 August 1975, was ""Sholay"", which became the highest grossing film of all time in India. Bachchan had now consolidated his position in the industry and from 1976 through to 1984 would receive an unprecedented number of Filmfare Best Actor Award Awards and nominations.In 1984, Amitabh took a break from acting and briefly entered politics. In 1988, Bachchan returned to films, playing the title role in Shahenshah, which was a box office success due to the hype of Bachchan's comeback. In 2000, Indian Television audience stuck to the television at 9 when Amitabh Bachchan hosted 'Kaun Banega Crorepati?'!Bachchan has won 3 National Awards, 7 Lifetime Achievement Awards and innumerable other  awards and International Honors and Recognition.