Mumbai: Ajitabh Bachchan, the younger brother of megastar Amitabh Bachchan, has shed light on the story behind the family’s iconic surname. In a candid conversation with RJ Sachin, Ajitabh revealed that their father, the legendary poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, deliberately chose to abandon the caste-linked surname “Srivastava” as a stand against India’s entrenched caste system. Instead, he adopted “Bachchan,” a name that began as a literary pseudonym but eventually transformed into a legacy.
From pen name to family identity
Harivansh Rai Bachchan, who came from the Kayastha community, first began using “Bachchan” in his poetry. The word, which means “child-like” in Hindi, originated from a nickname given by his mother.
“She would call him, ‘Bachchanwa kidhar hai?’ He liked that and began using it as his writing name,” Ajitabh shared.
The shift from pseudonym to family surname happened when Amitabh Bachchan was admitted to school. At that moment, Harivansh Rai formally registered his son’s surname as “Bachchan,” discarding “Srivastava.” This decision laid the foundation of a new identity—one rooted in individuality, equality, and artistic freedom.
The names that could have been
Ajitabh also spoke about the revolutionary spirit of his father, which extended even to naming his children. “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,” he recalled.
Interestingly, Ajitabh’s daughter, who is a painter, has created portraits inspired by the ideas of “Inquilab” and “Azad,” further carrying forward the creative legacy of the family.
Amitabh Bachchan carries the legacy forward
It was Amitabh Bachchan who became the first to formally use “Bachchan” as his surname—a name that has since become synonymous with Hindi cinema. At 82, the superstar continues to remain one of the busiest actors in the industry, striking a balance between television, films, and personal engagements.
Currently, he is hosting the 17th season of the long-running quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati while also working on major projects. After recently making his Tamil debut in Vettaiyan, Amitabh is set to appear in the much-awaited Kalki 2898 AD sequel and the courtroom drama Section 84.
Beyond acting, the megastar engages with fans through his long-running personal blog, where he shares reflections on family, cinema, and life. His weekly tradition of greeting admirers every Sunday outside his Mumbai residence, Jalsa, remains a cherished ritual that bridges his stardom with his audience.
A legacy of equality and creativity
Ajitabh Bachchan’s revelation about the origin of the Bachchan surname is not just a family anecdote but a reminder of the progressive ideals carried forward by Harivansh Rai. By discarding caste associations and choosing an identity rooted in creativity, the poet gave his children a name that today resonates across the world.
For Amitabh Bachchan, the surname is now not only a family legacy but also an emblem of Indian cinema itself.