Amitabh Bachchan’s younger brother Ajitabh revealed how ‘Bachchan’ came about as the official surname and even revealed their original name, which was decided by their poet father Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan.
Amitabh Bachchan with Ajitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan is not just a name, but an identity itself. Bachchan needs no introduction and is a brand in itself. But did you know that Bachchan is not the original surname of the Indian superstar? Amitabh’s younger brother Ajitabh recently interacted with RJ Sachin, revealing the biggest family secrets. Sharing the fascinating origin of their surname, Ajitabh revealed that their father, celebrated poet Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan, deliberately replaced their original surname Srivastava with Bachchan as a strong stand against India’s entrenched caste system.
How did Amitabh Srivastava become Amitabh Bachchan?
The unnamed Harivansh Rai belonged to the Kayastha community and first used Bachchan as a pen name. The name means “child-like” in Hindi and was a term of endearment used by his mother, Big B’s grandmother Teja Bachchan. Ajitabh told RJ Sachin, “She would call him, ‘Bachchanwa Kidhar Hai?’ He liked it and started using it as his pen name.” Eventually, the pseudonym became the family’s formal surname. When Amitabh was admitted to school, Bachchan was officially adopted as the surname, marking a conscious rejection of caste identity.
Amitabh was to be named Investigation and Ajitabh…
Ajitabh went on to reveal that even their names were meant to be a reflection of India’s struggle for independence and victory. Revealing his father’s ideas on naming his sons, he said, “My brother was five years older and my father wanted to name him Investigation because he fought for independence. My name had to be Azad. I was born in independent India.” The younger brother also revealed that his daughter, who is a painter, has even created portraits depicting Investigation and Azad. Interestingly, Big B has done films, Investigation and Azaad Hoon in his prime. On the work front, Big B was last seen in Kalki 2898 AD. He is currently busy shooting for Kaun Banega Crorepati 17.
