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Ajitabh Bachchan revealed how their father Harivansh Rai chose “Bachchan” to reject caste and why Amitabh was almost named Inquilab.
Amitabh Bachchan is currently hosting KBC 17. (Photo Credit: Instagram)
Ajitabh Bachchan, younger brother of megastar Amitabh Bachchan, recently shared the fascinating origin of their family name. He revealed that their father, celebrated poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, deliberately replaced their original surname “Srivastava” with “Bachchan” as a symbolic stand against India’s entrenched caste system.
Harivansh Rai, who belonged to the Kayastha community, first used “Bachchan” as a pen name. The word, which means “child-like” in Hindi, was a term of affection used by his mother. “She would call him, ‘Bachchanwa kidhar hai?’ He liked that and began using it as his writing name,” Ajitabh told RJ Sachin. Eventually, the pseudonym became the family’s formal surname when Amitabh was admitted to school, marking a conscious rejection of caste-based identity.
Amitabh Was Nearly Named Inquilab
Ajitabh also revealed intriguing details about the names his father had originally chosen for his sons. “My brother was five years older, and my father wanted to name him Inquilab, because he was struggling for independence. My name was to be Azad. I was born in Independent India,” Ajitabh said. He added that his daughter, a painter, has even created portraits depicting “Inquilab” and “Azad.”
Ultimately, Amitabh became the first in the family to officially use “Bachchan” as a surname. It has remained the family’s identity ever since, representing both a legacy of literature and a bold statement against caste.
Amitabh Bachchan’s Current Work
At 81, Amitabh Bachchan continues to be one of the most active stars in Indian cinema. He is currently hosting the 17th season of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), a show he has helmed for over two decades. On the film front, he was recently seen in his Tamil debut Vettaiyan and is gearing up for the sequel to Kalki 2898 AD as well as the courtroom drama Section 84. The actor also maintains a personal blog where he shares reflections on life, cinema, and family.
Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, …Read More
Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, … Read More
September 25, 2025, 00:52 IST
