Jaya Bachchan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jaya Bachchan
Bachchan in 2024
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
Incumbent
Assumed office 5 July 2004
Preceded by	Lalit Suri
Constituency	Uttar Pradesh
Personal details
Born	Jaya Bhaduri (1948-04-09) 9 April 1948 (age 77) or (1950-04-09) 9 April 1950 (age 75) Jabalpur, Central Provinces and Berar, Dominion of India (present-day Madhya Pradesh, India)
Political party	Samajwadi Party
Spouse	Amitabh Bachchan ​ (m. 1973)​
Children	Shweta Bachchan Nanda Abhishek Bachchan
Relatives	See Bachchan family
Residences	Jalsa Bungalow, Juhu, Mumbai B-8, Gulmohar Park, Delhi
Alma mater	Film and Television Institute of India
Occupation	Actress politician
Awards	Padma Shri (1992)
Signature

Jaya Bachchan (born 9 April 1948 or 1950) is a famous Indian actress and politician. She is a member of the Rajya Sabha, which is one of the two houses of the Indian Parliament. She has been serving there since 2004 as a part of the Samajwadi Party.

Jaya Bachchan has worked in both Hindi and Bengali films. She is known for her natural acting style in different kinds of movies. She has won many awards, including several Filmfare Awards and the Padma Shri. The Padma Shri is a very important award given by the Government of India.

She started her film career as a teenager in the movie Mahanagar (1963). Her first main role as an adult was in Guddi (1971). She was praised for her roles in films like Uphaar (1971), Koshish (1972), and Kora Kagaz (1974). She starred with Amitabh Bachchan in many popular films. These include Zanjeer (1973), Abhimaan (1973), Chupke Chupke (1975), Mili (1975), and the very famous movie Sholay (1975). For her roles in Abhimaan, Kora Kagaz, and Nauker (1979), she won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.

After marrying actor Amitabh Bachchan and having children, she took a break from acting. She returned for a special role in Silsila (1981). After a long break of 17 years, she came back to films with Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa (1998). She won three Filmfare Awards for Best Supporting Actress for playing caring mothers in popular movies like Fiza (2000), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001), and Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003). She recently appeared in the romantic comedy Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023).

Early Life and Education

Jaya Bhaduri was born into a Bengali family on April 9, 1948. Her father, Tarun Kumar Bhaduri, was a journalist, writer, and poet. Her mother's name is Indira.

Jaya went to St Joseph's Convent School, Bhopal. She later studied at the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune. She graduated from there with a gold medal.

Acting Career Highlights

Bachchan at an event

Jaya Bachchan started her acting journey at 15 in the Bengali film Mahanagar (1963). She also appeared in other Bengali films like Suman and Dhanyee Meye (1971).

After her studies, director Hrishikesh Mukherjee cast her in Guddi (1971). In this film, she played a schoolgirl who was a big fan of film star Dharmendra. Guddi was a big hit. It helped create her image as the "girl-next-door." This image stayed with her throughout her career.

While she played some glamorous roles, she was best known for playing characters that felt real and relatable. She worked with directors like Gulzar, Basu Chatterjee, and Hrishikesh Mukherjee. Some of her popular films from this time include Uphaar (1971), Piya Ka Ghar (1972), Parichay (1972), Koshish (1972), and Bawarchi (1972). These movies made her a big star.

In Gulzar's Koshish, Jaya and Sanjeev Kumar played a deaf couple. They showed how people with disabilities face challenges. Jaya said this film was a "learning experience" for her.

Working with Amitabh Bachchan

Jaya first acted with Amitabh Bachchan in Bansi Birju (1972). They also worked together in Ek Nazar that same year. When Amitabh was facing some tough times in his career, Jaya agreed to act with him in Zanjeer (1973). This movie became a huge success and helped Amitabh become a big star.

Their movies together were very popular. These include Abhimaan (1973), Chupke Chupke (1975), Mili (1975), and Sholay (1975).

After her daughter Shweta was born, Jaya took a break from films to focus on her family. She made an exception for the film Silsila (1981), where she again starred opposite her husband. Later, in the 1980s, she wrote the story for Shahenshah (1988), which starred Amitabh.

Return to Acting

After a break of 17 years, Jaya Bachchan returned to acting in 1998 with Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa. Her performance in this film was highly praised.

In 2000, she acted in the movie Fiza. She played a mother searching for her son. Critics praised her acting, and the film was a success. Fiza earned her first Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.

She then starred in Karan Johar's family drama Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001). She also appeared in Nikhil Advani's romantic comedy Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003). For both these films, she won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress. She also acted with her son Abhishek in Laaga Chunari Mein Daag (2007) and Drona (2008).

In 2011, she was in the Bangladeshi film Meherjaan. In 2023, she starred in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, which was one of the highest-earning Hindi films of that year. Her role in this movie was very well-received.

Personal Life

Jaya Bachchan with her husband Amitabh Bachchan in 2002

Jaya Bachchan with husband Amitabh, son Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya

Jaya married actor Amitabh Bachchan on June 3, 1973. They have two children: Shweta Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan. Abhishek is also an actor.

Shweta is married to Nikhil Nanda and has two children, Navya Naveli Nanda and Agastya Nanda. Abhishek is married to actress Aishwarya Rai and they have a daughter named Aaradhya Bachchan.

Political Career

Jaya Bachchan first became a Member of Parliament in 2004. She represents Uttar Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha for the Samajwadi Party. She had to step down for a short time in 2006 due to a rule, but she was re-elected. She has been re-elected several times, serving multiple terms in the Rajya Sabha. She was re-elected in 2012, 2018, and again in 2024 for her fifth term.

Parliamentary Work

Jaya Bachchan has been part of different committees in the Parliament. Since September 13, 2021, she has been a member of the Committee on External Affairs.

Impact and Recognition

Bachchan at an event in 2016

Jaya Bachchan is considered one of the greatest actors in Indian cinema. In the 1970s, she was one of the highest-paid actresses. In 2022, Outlook India listed her among the "75 Best Bollywood Actresses." Filmfare magazine also included her performance in Abhimaan in its list of "80 Iconic Performances."

Many film critics have praised her talent. Subhash K. Jha called her an "exceptional talent." Samriddhi Patwa from Filmfare described her as a "Bengali actress who had long hair, a sweet smile, and significant roles." Dinesh Raheja called her an "outspoken actress" who made a big impact on Hindi films. Indian Express said her movies are "full of gems." Kanika Katyal noted that Jaya was perfect for the "middle cinema" of the 1970s, where she brought a lot of energy and idealism to her roles.

Filmography

Films

Other Roles in Film Production

Awards and Honors

Civilian Award

• 1992 – Padma Shri – This is India's fourth highest civilian honor, given by the Government of India.

Major Film Awards

Other Film Awards

Won

• 1972 – Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards – Special Award (Hindi Film) – Guddi
• 1999 – Anandalok Awards – Special Editors' Award
• 2001 – Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards – Best Supporting Actress – Fiza
• 2001 – Zee Cine Award for Best Supporting Actress – Fiza
• 2002 – Sansui Viewers Choice Awards for Best Supporting Actress – Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...

Special Honors and Recognitions

• 1994 – Yash Bharti Award, Uttar Pradesh's highest award from the Government of Uttar Pradesh
• 2000 – Mumbai Academy of the Moving Image Award for her "abiding contribution to Cinema"
• 2004 – Lifetime Achievement Award at the Sansui Awards
• 2010 – Lifetime Achievement Award at the "Tongues On Fire" Film Festival in London
• 2012 – Lifetime Achievement Award at Jaipur International Film Festival (JIFF)
• 2013 – Master Deenanath Mangeshkar (Vishesh Puraskar) Award for her dedicated services to Indian theatre and cinema

See also

In Spanish: Jaya Bachchan para niños