What’s in a name? For Bollywood royalty, it turns out, there’s a whole family history waiting to be told. Amitabh Bachchan’s younger brother, Ajitabh Bachchan, recently sat down with RJ Sachin. He peeled back the curtain on some fascinating details about his legendary elder brother. Turns out, Big B almost had a different name. Plus, the story behind the famous “Bachchan” surname is quite a gem.
Imagine growing up with a name steeped in the fight for freedom. Ajitabh revealed that his brother, five years his senior, was almost named “Inquilab.” This choice reflected their father’s deep involvement in India’s struggle for independence. Ajitabh himself got the name “Azad,” meaning “free,” because he was born after the country achieved its freedom. It’s a sweet touch that Ajitabh’s daughter, a talented painter, has even created artworks depicting “Inquilab” and “Azad.” It shows how these names hold a special place in their family story.
The “Bachchan” surname, now known globally, also has a rich history. Ajitabh shared that their father, the acclaimed poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, intentionally dropped his original family name, “Srivastava.” He made this move because he didn’t believe in the caste system. The name “Bachchan” actually started as a loving nickname. Their grandmother used to playfully call him, “Bachchanwa, where are you?” He liked it so much that he began using “Bachchan” as his pen name for his poetry. Over time, this special nickname grew into the family’s official identity.
Even at 82 years old, Amitabh Bachchan shows no signs of slowing down. He stays incredibly busy in the film industry. Fans are eagerly looking forward to his next big role. He’s set to appear as Jatayu in Nitesh Tiwari’s film, “Ramayana.” This movie is slated to hit theaters around Diwali in 2026.