Mumbai: Amitabh Bachchan revisited memories of his childhood and spoke about his mother, Teji Bachchan, during an episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 18. The veteran actor recalled her approach to parenting, her emphasis on discipline and cleanliness, and the family values she instilled in her children.
The conversation took place when actor Madhuri Dixit appeared as a guest on the quiz show and asked Amitabh about his mother’s personality. While the actor has often spoken about his father, celebrated Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, the discussion offered a glimpse into Teji’s role in shaping family life.
Amitabh described his mother as attentive to her children and said she maintained the kind of discipline commonly associated with parenting. He also recalled how she expected her children to keep the house clean and take responsibility for their belongings.
Madhuri Dixit asks about Teji Bachchan’s parenting
During the conversation, Madhuri asked Amitabh what his mother was like and whether she was strict or particularly disciplined.
“Pitaji ke baare mein toh bahut kuch suna hai aapse. Lekin hum jaanna chahenge ki aapki mata ji kaisi thi? Kya woh strict thi ya disciplinarian thi ya kaise thi wo,” she asked.
Translated, Madhuri said that while she had heard a great deal about Amitabh’s father, she wanted to know what his mother was like and whether she was strict or a disciplinarian.
Responding to the question, Amitabh explained that his mother’s approach was not unusual compared with that of many parents who pay close attention to their children’s behaviour.
“Dekhiye, har maa jo hoti hai woh thodi bahut usmein discipline, ek jaagrit rehti hai bacchon ke prati… ‘Yeh karo, aisa mat karo, yeh theek karo, woh theek karo’. Toh jitni maayein karti hain utna unki ore se hota tha,” he said.
In English, he explained that mothers generally remain attentive to their children, telling them what to do, what not to do and how to correct their behaviour. His mother, he said, exercised discipline in much the same way.
Amitabh recalls his mother’s insistence on cleanliness
Amitabh also shared memories of how particular Teji was about keeping the household clean.
He recalled that she would reprimand her children if they left clothes lying around or failed to tidy up after themselves. Returning home after playing outdoors could also invite her disapproval if they entered the house covered in dirt without cleaning up.
The anecdotes illustrated the everyday rules that formed part of the household routine. Teji expected her children to be mindful of their surroundings and to take responsibility for maintaining cleanliness.
Rather than describing her only in terms of strictness, Amitabh’s recollections presented discipline as part of the ordinary responsibilities she expected her children to follow.
The actor’s comments also highlighted the role that small, repeated instructions can play in family life, from putting away clothes to cleaning up after outdoor activities.
Teji Bachchan’s Sikh upbringing and marriage
During the conversation, Amitabh also spoke about his mother’s background and her marriage to Harivansh Rai Bachchan.
He explained that Teji came from a Sikh family, while his father was from Allahabad. Their marriage brought together different backgrounds and was an inter-caste marriage, he said.
“Lekin wo ek Sikh parivaar se thi… Babuji Allahabad ke, aur unka inter-caste marriage hua tha. Woh bahut hi rochak kahaani hai, kabhi unki aatmakatha padhiyega toh aapko milega,” Amitabh said.
He added that his mother made a decisive choice to marry his father.
“Ek din ke andar maa ji ne apna sab kuch chhod diya, aur tay kiya ki Babuji ke saath woh byah karengi,” he recalled.
Amitabh described the story as an interesting chapter in his parents’ lives and referred viewers to his father’s autobiography for a fuller account.
His remarks brought attention to the personal choices and family circumstances that shaped his parents’ relationship, as well as the different cultural backgrounds from which they came.
Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s influence on the family
Harivansh Rai Bachchan was one of Hindi literature’s best-known poets, widely recognised for his work, including Madhushala. His literary career and public profile have also been a recurring part of Amitabh’s recollections on television.
While Madhuri’s question centred on Teji, Amitabh’s answer connected his mother’s parenting style with the broader family story, including her marriage to the poet.
His comments offered a personal perspective on his parents rather than a detailed account of their relationship. By referring to his father’s autobiography, he also pointed to a source for readers interested in learning more about their marriage and family history.
Amitabh Bachchan continues his film career
Beyond his television commitments, Amitabh continues to be associated with major film projects. He is expected to appear in Kalki 2, the sequel to the science-fiction film Kalki 2898 AD, alongside Prabhas and Kamal Haasan, according to the information provided.
The film is among the projects attracting attention from audiences following the next phase of the franchise.
Amitabh’s appearance on Kaun Banega Crorepati 18 also reflects the programme’s format, which frequently includes conversations about the host’s personal experiences, family memories and career.
A glimpse into the Bachchan household
Amitabh’s recollections of Teji Bachchan offered viewers a glimpse into the routines and expectations that shaped his childhood. His account focused on everyday discipline, particularly the importance of keeping the house clean and taking responsibility for one’s actions.
The discussion also touched on Teji’s Sikh background and her decision to marry Harivansh Rai Bachchan, a relationship Amitabh described as an interesting story from his parents’ lives.
Through these memories, the actor spoke about his mother’s role in the family while sharing details that viewers may not have heard as often as his accounts of his father.
The conversation with Madhuri Dixit added a personal dimension to the episode, bringing together childhood anecdotes, family history and reflections on the values that remained part of Amitabh’s memories of home.