Rt. Honourable Keith Vaz has written a letter to the British PM Liz Truss asking her to honour the Shahanshah of Bollywood, Amitabh Bachchan with honourary Knighthood on the occasion of his 80th birthday.
In his letter to Truss, Vaz mentioned how Bachchan has visited the UK numerous times and contributed to several charitable events in the UK. He was also invited by Former UK PM David Cameron to unveil Mahatma Gandhi’s statue in London’s Parliament Square in 2015. Having been honoured by the Government of India with three prestigious civilian awards (the Padma Shri in 1984, the Padma Bhushan in 2001 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2015), Bachchan was also honoured by the Government of France with its highest civilian honour, Knight of the Legion of Honour, in 2007.
The Shahanshah of Bollywood, the megastar, the legendary Amitabh Bachchan turned 80 this week on 11th October. In honour of Mr Bachchan, a non-profit organisation named The Film Heritage Foundation celebrated Big B’s birthday through a one-of-a-kind film festival. Titled ‘Bachchan Back To The Beginning’, this festival took place across 17 cities across 22 theatres. The event was organised in partnership with PVR, one of the leading multiplex chains in India.
The festival started on October 8 and continued till October 11 coinciding with the megastar’s birthday. The festival screened some of his old landmark films like Kabhie Kabhie, Chupke Chupke, Don, Deewar, Abhimaan, Satte Pe Satta etc. and also display some of the rare behind-the-scenes pictures from the star’s life and career.
The audience also witnessed an exhibition of about 50 photographs, sourced from the collection of celebrated film historian SMM Ausaja. A pleasantly surprised Bachchan took to social media to express his gratitude and added that he had never expected to see his early films screened again in his lifetime. “I hope that this is just the beginning of many festivals that will celebrate landmark films of Indian cinema back on the big screen,” he said in a post.
Big B’s London connection
Bachchan’s London connection goes back a long way. Amitabh Bachchan is the first Asian actor to have a wax model displayed at Madame Tussauds in London.
Interestingly, did you know that Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan got hitched for a holiday trip to London? After Mr Bachchan’s film, ‘Zanjeer’ became a big hit. The couple, who had fallen in love with each other on the set, had decided that they would take a trip to London if the movie does well. However, when they sought permission from their respective families as it was their first trip abroad, Big B’s father Harivansh Rai Bachchan asked the superstar if Jaya would be joining him too. When the actor replied in affirmation, his father told them they have to get married first if they wish to go on a vacation together.
The couple obliged and got hitched before they jetted off to their first trip to London, which officially then became their honeymoon trip. After their trip, there were some scandalous reports being published about Jaya who was a bigger star than Big B at that time. The couple then had no choice but to come out in public and announce their marriage.
Bachchan’s name has been synonymous with Kaun Banega Crorepati for two decades, but did you know that he needed convincing to host the show? Amitabh Bachchan was unsure about KBC, was taken to London to watch Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, and agreed to host on the return flight. After initially expressing hesitation to commit to the show, Amitabh accompanied Sameer Nair, former programme head at Star TV, to watch the taping of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, and agreed to do KBC on the return flight.
On several occasions, he has mentioned that London is like his second home. “Going on to discuss London, he explained the capital has “become like home.” He said: “There’s a great feeling of comfort when you come here.”
Bachchan has shot some of his most iconic scenes and songs in London, like the Jhoom Barabar Jhoom title track at Waterloo station, and the reconciliation from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham at Bluewater shopping centre.
He and the late actress Sridevi has been a part of a concert a Wembley Stadium in London with 70,000 people. His granddaughter Navya Naveli Nanda studied at Sevenoaks School in London for her secondary schooling.
He was recently seen in Ayan Mukerji’s Brahmastra and Goodbye, and some of his upcoming films include Uunchai (by Rajshri productions) and Ganapath.
As part of a series of events to celebrate Big B’s 80th birthday, Vaz has also written to the Principal of Homerton College, University of Cambridge, Lord Simon Woolley, to ask him to inaugurate an annual lecture to be named after Bachchan. This will also recognise the legacy of Bachchan’s late father, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, a great poet of his time who was very special to the actor. The designing of a piece of artwork is also ongoing in a park in Rushey Mead, Leicester named after Bachchan.
Rt. Hon. Keith Vaz said, “The connection between Britain and India is exemplified by Bachchan’s life. He has millions of fans in Britain and throughout the world and this important day should not pass without the UK Government and people honouring him. Amitabh Bachchan is an icon. First and foremost an Indian. But he is also a global citizen who has touched millions, especially the Indian diaspora. We need to recognise him during these historic celebrations. I hope that in our small way, these series of events will recognise this milestone in Indian history and the global film industry”.
