Amitabh Bachchan has shared anecdotes about his last name and said that “Bachchan” was his father and legendary poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s poetic nom de plume.
The 76-year-old cine icon took to his blog and discuss about the caste system prevalent in ancient India. “The caste system in the land has been prevalent for centuries, followed diligently by many and now defied by many too, (it is) an ailment that has plagued our society,” he wrote.
He said that his father was a “strong opposer” of the caste system. “Babuji was born in a Kayastha home and a Srivastava. But his temperament was always against the ailment of caste, his nom de plume, his takhallus his pen name he designed as ‘Bachchan.’ Eminent poets and writers often designed their names with a nom de plume. So ‘Bachchan’ became my Father’s pen name, his poetic name, but it lent credence of its concept later when I was born, on being admitted to my first school. It was when I was asked by the teachers about what surname was to be filled against my name in the admission form. My parents had a quick discussion and it was decided that ‘Bachchan’ would be the family surname,” he wrote.
The actor said he became the first bearer of the surname. “And it has remained so and shall also remain. My father and I are the proud bearers of this surname,” he added.
