Jaya Bachchan
- Also called:
- Jaya Bhaduri
- Title / Office:
- Rajya Sabha (2004-), India
- Political Affiliation:
- Samajwadi Party
Who is Jaya Bachchan?
What was Jaya Bachchan’s early life and education like?
When did Jaya Bachchan’s acting career begin?
News •
Jaya Bachchan (born April 9, 1948, Jabalpur, Central Provinces and Berar [now Madhya Pradesh], India) is an Indian actress and politician known for her significant contributions to Bollywood and her active role in Indian politics. Despite a relatively brief acting career as a leading lady, Jaya Bachchan (née Bhaduri) starred in numerous critically and commercially successful films. She continues to take on supporting roles in contemporary films. In recognition of her achievements, she was honored with the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honors, in 1992.
Early life and education
In 1982, when Amitabh Bachchan sustained a near-fatal injury on the set of Coolie (1983)—an incident that sparked nationwide concern and even prompted a visit from Prime Minister Indira Gandhi—Jaya Bachchan reportedly walked barefoot to Mumbai’s Shree Siddhivinayak Ganpati Temple every day, praying for his recovery.
Bhaduri was born into a Bengali family in Jabalpur, Central Provinces and Berar (present-day Madhya Pradesh), to Tarun Kumar Bhaduri, a renowned poet and journalist, and his wife, Indira Bhaduri. She completed her schooling from St. Joseph’s Convent Senior Secondary School in Bhopal. Bhaduri graduated as a gold medalist from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune.
Personal life
Bhaduri met Amitabh Bachchan on the set of Guddi (1971; “The Darling One”), when she was already an established star and he was a newcomer with little recognition. While she was known for charming audiences with the unaffected simplicity of her acting style, he stood at the cusp of a career that would soon reshape Indian cinema. They fell in love and subsequently married in 1973. Bachchan chose to retain her maiden name for her acting career. Her father recounted in an article written in 1989 that Amitabh Bachchan had once defended her right to be credited by her maiden name on film posters:
“Of course, she is a Bachchan, but you should know that in the industry and professionally, she is more famous as Jaya Bhaduri.”
As their family grew with the birth of their children, Shweta Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan decided to step back from her acting career to focus on her family. Their son, Abhishek Bachchan, daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and grandson Agastya Nanda (son of Shweta Bachchan and businessman Nikhil Nanda) are actors as well.
Acting career
Bachchan made her acting debut at age 15 in the acclaimed Bengali film Mahanagar (1963; “The Big City”), directed by Satyajit Ray. She played a supporting role in the movie and developed the naturalistic acting style she became known for. Her Bollywood breakthrough came with Guddi (1971; “The Darling One”), directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, where she played the titular role of a schoolgirl who idolizes a film star (actor Dharmendra, playing himself). Guddi was the first of a series of “girl next door” roles that became Bachchan’s specialty. The simplicity of her screen presence offered a lively contrast to the glamour of actresses such as Zeenat Aman and Parveen Babi, who dominated Bollywood in the 1970s. She went on to become a key figure in shaping India’s middle cinema, a type of filmmaking that portrays ordinary, everyday characters and settings on the big screen.
Jaya Bachchan in a song titled “Piya Bina Piya Bina” from the film Abhimaan (1973; “Pride”).
Throughout the 1970s Bachchan delivered a series of memorable performances in films such as Uphaar (1971; “Gift”), Koshish (1972; “Effort”), and Kora Kagaz (1974; “Plain Paper”). Her collaborations with Amitabh Bachchan were particularly notable. Together, they starred in successful films such as Zanjeer (1973; “Chain”), Abhimaan (1973; “Pride”), Chupke Chupke (1975; “Quietly”), Mili (1975), and the iconic Sholay (1975; “Embers”).
Silsila (1981; “Dilemma”) was the last movie Bachchan worked on before taking a hiatus from acting to focus on her family. She returned to Bollywood with Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa (1998; “The Mother of 1084”), as a mother whose son is killed by police during the Naxalite movement of the 1970s, earning critical acclaim. She featured in supporting roles in films such as Fiza (2000; “Air”), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001; “Sometimes Happiness, Sometimes Sadness”), and Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003; “Tomorrow May Never Come”). More recently, she played a supporting character in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023; “The Love Story of Rocky and Rani”) alongside Bollywood stars Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh.
Bachchan has been the recipient of many Filmfare Awards in her acting career.
- Best actress (1974): Abhimaan (“Pride”)
- Best actress (1975): Kora Kagaz (“Blank Paper”)
- Best actress (1980): Nauker (“Servant”)
- Special award (1998)
- Best supporting actress (2001): Fiza (“Air”)
- Best supporting actress (2002): Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (“Sometimes Happiness, Sometimes Sadness”)
- Best supporting actress (2004): Kal Ho Naa Ho (“Tomorrow May Never Come”)
Political career
Bachchan joined the Samajwadi Party in 2004 and was elected to the Rajya Sabha (the upper house of the Indian Parliament). In 2006 she was disqualified for holding an office of profit (at the time she was chair of the Uttar Pradesh Film Development Council). She was reelected the same year; by 2025 she had served five terms as a lawmaker. In the Rajya Sabha sessions she advocated for various social and cultural issues such as women’s rights, criminalization of marital rape, and mental health issues.