Jaya Bachchan
Bachchan in 2017
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
Assumed office
July 2004
ConstituencyUttar Pradesh
Personal details
Born
Jaya Bhaduri

(1948-04-09) 9 April 1948 (age 75)
Jabalpur, Central Provinces and Berar, Dominion of India
(present-day Madhya Pradesh, India)
Political party Samajwadi Party
Spouse
​
(m. 1973)​
Children
RelativesSee Bachchan family
Residence(s)Jalsa Bungalow, Juhu, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India[1]
Alma materFilm and Television Institute of India
Occupation
  • Actress
  • politician
AwardsPadma Shri (1992)
Signature

Jaya Bachchan (née Bhaduri; born 9 April 1948) is an Indian actress and politician. She has served as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha from the Samajwadi Party. Known for her work in Hindi films, she is noted for reinforcing a natural style of acting in both mainstream and "middle-of-the-road" cinema.[2][3] A recipient of several accolades, she has won a record nine Filmfare Awards and the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian honour awarded by the Government of India.[4]

Bachchan made her film debut as a teenager in Satyajit Ray's Mahanagar (1963), followed by her first screen role as an adult in the drama Guddi (1971), directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, in their first of several collaborations. She was noted for her performances in films like Uphaar (1971), Koshish (1972) and Kora Kagaz (1974). She starred alongside Amitabh Bachchan in several films, including Zanjeer (1973), Abhimaan (1973), Chupke Chupke (1975), Mili (1975) and the cult film Sholay (1975), which saw her playing the much-lauded role of a young widow. She won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for Abhimaan, Kora Kagaz and Nauker (1979).

Following her marriage to actor Amitabh Bachchan and the birth of their children, she restricted her work in films, notably starring in Yash Chopra's musical romantic drama Silsila (1981). After a 17-year sabbatical, she returned to acting with Govind Nihalani's independent drama Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa (1998). Bachchan won three Filmfare Awards for Best Supporting Actress for playing emotionally-troubled mothers in the commercially successful dramas Fiza (2000), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001) and Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003). After another hiatus, she made her comeback with Karan Johar's romantic comedy family-drama Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023), which earned her a fourth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Early life

Jaya Bhaduri was born in a Bengali family on 9 April 1948.[5] She is the daughter of Tarun Kumar Bhaduri, a journalist, author, and poet and his wife, Indira. She studied at St Joseph's Convent School, Bhopal and graduated from Film and Television Institute of India in Pune.[6]

Acting career

Bachchan at an event

Bachchan is an alumna of the Film and Television Institute of India. She first starred in Satyajit Ray's Bengali film, Mahanagar (1963) at the age of 15, with Anil Chatterjee and Madhabi Mukherjee.She then appeared in two more Bengali films: a 13-minute short Suman,[7] and the comedy Dhanyee Meye (1971), where she played the role of Uttam Kumar's sister-in-law.[8]

Inspired by her experience with Ray, she joined the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune and graduated with the gold medal.[9] Hrishikesh Mukherjee cast her in Guddi (1971), to play the eponymous role of a petite school-girl obsessed with film star Dharmendra.[10] Guddi was a commercial success,[8] and created the girl-next-door image for her, which she was often associated with through the rest of her career. While she did venture out to play glamorous roles as in Jawani Diwani, (1972)[2] and a semi-negative character of an amnesia-faking heroine in Anamika (1973), she was most recognised for her roles epitomising middle-class sensibility, which she played amiably in films of "middle-cinema" directors such as Gulzar, Basu Chatterjee and indeed Hrishikesh Mukherjee.[11] These films include Uphaar (1971), Piya Ka Ghar (1972), Parichay (1972), Koshish (1972) and Bawarchi (1972).[10][12] They also made her a superstar.[8]

In Gulzar's Koshish (1973), Bhaduri and Sanjeev Kumar played a deaf couple who struggle through their difficulties as disabled people. She described the film as "a learning experience" which motivated her to do social work in future.[13]

She first acted with Amitabh Bachchan in Bansi Birju (1972), followed by B. R. Ishara's Ek Nazar also in the same year.[8] When Amitabh had faced a string of flops and most lead heroines refused to work with him in the Salim–Javed scripted Zanjeer (1973), she agreed to step in. The film turned out to be a big hit creating Amitabh Bachchan's angry-young-man image.[14] All their successive films as a pair were huge hits - Abhimaan (1973), Chupke Chupke (1975), Mili (1975) and Sholay (1975).

Jaya Bachchan with her husband Amitabh Bachchan in 2002

Her daughter Shweta was born around the time Jaya and Amitabh were working on Sholay. Following this, she retired from films and focused on raising her children, making an exception for Yash Chopra's Silsila (1981), once again opposite her husband. During the late 1980s, she wrote the story for Shahenshah (1988), which starred her husband in the lead.

Comeback and intermittent work (1998–present)

After a gap of 17 years, she returned to acting with Govind Nihalani's Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa (1998), a film about the Naxalite movement. Her performance in the film earned critiical acclaim, and earned her a second Filmfare Special Award.

In 2000, she starred alongside Karisma Kapoor and Hrithik Roshan in the crime drama Fiza as a mother longing for her son's return who goes missing during the 1993 Bombay riots. The film received critical acclaim upon release, with particular praise directed towards Bachchan's performance. Sanjeev Bariana of The Tribune opined that "Bachchan delivers a commendable performance, displaying mixed emotions through trying times delicately.", while Screen film critic Chaya Unnikrishnan noted that "Bachchan looks every bit a Muslim woman and etches out her character superbly."[15][16] Moreover, it also emerged as a commercial success at the box-office, grossing ₹322 million (US$7.17 million) worldwide.[17] Fiza earned Bachchan her first Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.

She also starred in Karan Johar's ensemble family drama Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001) with her husband. She then starred in Johar's romantic comedy-drama Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), playing Preity Zinta's mother, Jennifer Kapur, both of which also earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.[18] She starred with her son Abhishek in Laaga Chunari Mein Daag (2007) and Drona (2008).

In 2011, she appeared in the Bangladeshi film Meherjaan starring with Victor Banerjee and Humayun Faridi. The film is based on a Bangladesh-Pakistan love story in the backdrop of the 1971 Bangladesh atrocities.[19] In 2023, she starred alongside Dharmendra and Shabana Azmi in Karan Johar's romantic comedy family drama Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, which emerged as the third highest-grossing Hindi film of the year.[20] Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama noted, "Bachchan is electrifying. Her commanding presence, authoritative attitude and cold stares — this is a stand-out act that’s sure to be talked about by moviegoers."[21] Her performance in the film earned her a fourth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Personal life

See also: Bachchan family
Jaya Bachchan with husband Amitabh, son Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya

Jaya married actor Amitabh Bachchan, on 3 June 1973.[22] The couple have two children: Shweta Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan, who is also an actor. Shweta is married to industrialist Nikhil Nanda, grandson of the Kapoor family in Delhi, and has two children, Navya Naveli and Agastya Nanda,[23] while Abhishek Bachchan is married to actress and miss world Aishwarya Rai, and has a daughter, Aaradhya Bachchan.[24]

Drona speech controversy

Bachchan's speech during the musical launch of Drona in the second half of 2008 was criticised by some sections of politicians in Maharashtra. In response to the film's director, Goldie Behl, making his introductory speech in English, she said in Hindi, "Hum UP ke log hain, isliye Hindi mein baat karenge, Maharashtra ke log maaf kijiye". (Translation: "We are people from UP, so we will speak in Hindi. People of Maharashtra, please forgive us.") Subsequently, she encouraged actress Priyanka Chopra to speak in Hindi.[25]

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray commented that she had no business referring to all the people of Maharashtra in her statement. He threatened to ban all Bachchan films unless she apologised in a public forum for hurting the sentiments of Maharashtrians. MNS workers began to attack theatres screening The Last Lear, which starred her husband. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut also criticised her statement, "After making all your success and fortune in Mumbai, if you feel like saying that we are from UP, it's very unfortunate". Amitabh tendered an apology for her statement on her behalf.[26]

Political career

Bachchan was first elected in 2004 as the Member of Parliament from the Samajwadi Party, representing Uttar Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha till March 2006.[27] She got a second term from June 2006[28] till July 2010 and in February 2010 she stated her intent to complete her term.[29][clarification needed] She was re-elected in 2012 for the third term and again in 2018 for her fourth term in the Rajya Sabha from Samajwadi Party. Also, she campaigned for All India Trinamool Congress during 2021 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election.

Parliamentary Committee assignments

Positions held

Jaya Bachchan has been elected 4 times as Rajya Sabha MP.

As per the Election affidavit of 2018 (Rajya Sabha), Jaya Bachchan has assets worth ₹1,001.63 crores and liabilities worth ₹105.64 crores.[31]

# From To Position Party
1. 2004 2006 MP (1st term) in Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh (by-poll) SP
2. 2006 2012 MP (2nd term) in Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh SP
3. 2012 2018 MP (3rd term) in Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh SP
4. 2018 Present MP (4th term) in Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh SP

Reception and legacy

Bachchan at an event in 2016

Bachchan is regarded as one of the greatest actors of Indian cinema.[32] One of the highest paid actress of the 1970s, in 2022, she was placed in Outlook India's "75 Best Bollywood Actresses" list.[33] Filmfare included Bachchan's performances in Abhimaan in its Bollywood's "80 Iconic Performances" list.[34]

Writing for Times of India, Subhash K. Jha termed her an "exceptional talent" and noted, "During her brief innings of superstardom she was a far bigger star than her husband."[35] Samriddhi Patwa of Filmfare noted, "The Bengali actress who had long hair, a sweet smile, and significant roles conquered the silver screen."[36] Dinesh Raheja of Rediff.com termed her an "outspoken actress" and noted, "Dimunitive she may be, but Jaya Bhaduri has managed to cast a long shadow over the world of Hindi films."[37] Indian Express said that her filmography is "full of gems" and added, "The Bengali beauty ruled the silver screen with meaningful roles."[38] Kanika Katyal of Firstpost noted, "Full of vigour and idealism, Jaya found herself at home in the "middle cinema" of the 1970s", and added, "Each time she emoted, the camera was firmly in her grip."[39]

Filmography

Films

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1963 Mahanagar Bani Mazumdar Bengali film
1971 Guddi Kusum (Guddi) [40]
Uphaar Mrinmayee (Minoo)
Jai Jawan Jai Makan
Dhanyee Meye Mansa Bengali film [41]
Janani Bengali film
1972 Jawani Diwani Neeta Thakur
Bawarchi Krishna Harinath Sharma [42]
Parichay Rama Roy
Bansi Birju Bansi
Piya Ka Ghar Malti Shankar
Annadata Aarti
Ek Nazar Shabnam
Samadhi Rekha
Koshish Aarti Mathur
Shor Raat Ki Rani (Rani)
1973 Gaai Aur Gori Vijaya [43]
Anamika Anamika Dutt/ Kanchan/ Archana
Phagun Santosh (Toshi)
Zanjeer Mala [44]
Abhimaan Uma [45]
1974 Dil Diwana Neeta
Kora Kagaz Archana Gupta
Naya Din Nai Raat Sushma
Doosri Sita Seeta Wagle
1975 Mili Mili Khanna [46]
Chupke Chupke Vasudha Kumar
Sholay Radha Singh [47]
1977 Abhi To Jee Lein Jaya Delayed release
1978 Ek Baap Chhe Bete Cameo
1979 Nauker Geeta
1981 Silsila Shobha Malhotra [48]
1995 Akka Marathi film
1998 Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa Sujata Chatterjee
2000 Fiza Nishatbi Ikramullah [49]
2001 Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... Nandini Raichand [50]
2002 Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe Mansi Devi
Desh Suprabha Chowdhury Bengali film
2003 Kal Ho Naa Ho Jennifer Kapur [51]
2007 Laaga Chunari Mein Daag Savitri Sahay
2008 Love Songs : Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow Mridula Chatterjee
Drona Queen Jayanti [52]
2010 Aap Ke Liye Hum Adoptive mother
Aahat – Ek Ajib Kahani Jaya Delayed release
2011 Meherjaan Meher Bangladeshi film
2012 Ganga Devi Bhojpuri film [53]
2013 Sunglass Chitra's mother Hindi-Bengali film
2016 Ki & Ka Cameo
2017 The Great Leader Bhojpuri film
2023 Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani Dhanalakshmi Randhawa [54]

Other roles

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1988 Shahenshah Writer (Story) [55]
1993–1994 Dekh Bhai Dekh Producer Under Amitabh Bachchan Corporation [56]
2005 Antarmahal Producer Bengali film [57]

Accolades

Civilian Award

Major film awards

Year Award Category Work Result
1972 Filmfare Awards Special Award Uphaar Won
Best Actress Nominated
Guddi Nominated
1974 Koshish Nominated
Abhimaan Won
1975 Kora Kagaz Won
1976 Mili Nominated
1980 Nauker Won
1982 Silsila Nominated
1998 Special Award Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa Won
2001 Best Supporting Actress Fiza Won
2002 Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... Won
2004 Kal Ho Naa Ho Won
2007 Lifetime Achievement Award — Won
2024 Best Supporting Actress Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani Pending
2001 International Indian Film Academy Awards Best Supporting Actress Fiza Won
2002 Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... Won
2004 Kal Ho Naa Ho Won

Other film awards

Won

Honours and recognitions

Notes

References

  1. ^ "Mumbai – Bombay Tourism, Places, Events " Photos of Aaradhya & Amitabh Bachchan's Three Houses in Mumbai". Archived from the original on 3 May 2012.
  2. ^ a b Gulzar, p. 457
  3. ^ Somaaya, Bhaawana (22 December 2000). "His humility appears misplaced". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 March 2002. Retrieved 19 September 2011. Probably the only actress to make a virtue out of simplicity, Jaya was the first whiff of realistic acting in an era when showbiz was bursting with mannequins
  4. ^ a b "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
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  8. ^ a b c d Dawar, p. 56
  9. ^ Gulzar, p. 526
  10. ^ a b Banerjee, p. 93
  11. ^ Gulzar, p. 91
  12. ^ Gulzar, p. 396
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