Reinstating that “natural style” of acting, Jaya Bachchan was a mass and critic’s favorite actress in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Very few Bollywood actresses (at least in those days) were this talented to feature in arthouse cinema as well as commercial blockbusters. Jaya Bachchan debuted into the world of cinema through the hands of one of the world’s most favorite directors, Satyajit Ray in the movie Mahanagar.
This Bollywood actress will turn a year older on 9th April and here are some interesting things to know about Jaya Bachchan: -
- Jaya Bachchan was born to a Bengali household. Her father was a journalist and his book “Obhishopto Chambal” (Cursed Chambal) inspired almost all the Hindi films on dacoits in those days.
- She stepped into the silver screen with Satyajit Ray’s Mahanagar (one from the Calcutta Trilogy). Her stint with this world-famous director inspired her to enroll in FTII, Pune. She graduated with a gold medal from there.
- Do you know that the acclaimed Bollywood actor Danny Denzongpa was a classmate of Jaya in FTII? It was Jaya who recommended changing the name from Tshering Phintso Denzongpa to Danny.
- Jaya worked with Amitabh Bachchan for the first time in Bansi Birju - a 1972 film. But she met him on the sets of Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s 1971 Hit Bollywood comedy Guddi. In fact, Amitabh Bachchan was cast opposite her but later the role was given to Samit Bhanja.
- In the movie Guddi, you all must remember how enamored her character was with Dharmendra. But do you know that in reality too, she is a big fan of Dharmendra?
- One of Amitabh Bachchan’s most iconic roles was Shahenshah. Do you know that Jaya Bachchan wrote the story of Shahenshah that went on to be a smashing Box Office Hit and became the 2nd highest-grossing Hindi Film of that year?
- Although she debuted with Bengali Cinema in the year 1963 but she majorly shifted to Bollywood later. After Mahanagar, she did another Bengali movie named Dhanyee Meye that was released in 1971. And after that, there was a gap of 31 years to do another Bengali language film. This time she united with her son on screen for Desh. Watch this popular movie online on Mzaalo - the best app for free movies. (Download this app for your android or iOS today and win exciting reward coins from brands like Tanz, Lybrate, Provogue, etc.)
- Perhaps Jaya Bachchan is the most awarded Bollywood actress when it comes to the Filmfare Awards. She won this prestigious award 9 times. She was honored with Padma Shri in the year 1992.