Ajitabh Bachchan, the younger brother of megastar Amitabh Bachchan, has opened up about the origin of their iconic family name. He revealed that their father, legendary poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, deliberately abandoned the surname “Srivastava” as a statement against India’s caste system, choosing instead to adopt “Bachchan.”
From pen name to family legacy
Harivansh Rai, who hailed from the Kayastha community, first used “Bachchan” as a literary pseudonym. The word, which means “child-like” in Hindi, was a nickname given by his mother. “She would call him, ‘Bachchanwa kidhar hai?’ He liked that and began using it as his writing name,” Ajitabh shared in a recent conversation with RJ Sachin.What began as a pen name soon turned into a family identity. When Amitabh Bachchan was admitted to school, the poet registered his son’s surname as “Bachchan,” discarding the caste-linked “Srivastava.” This marked the beginning of a new family legacy—one rooted in individuality and equality.
The names that could have been
Ajitabh also revealed the revolutionary spirit behind the names his father had originally chosen. “My brother was five years older, and my father wanted to name him Inquilab, because he was struggling for independence. My name was to be Azad. I was born in Independent India,” he recalled. Interestingly, Ajitabh’s daughter, who is a painter, has even created portraits inspired by “Inquilab” and “Azad.”
Amitabh Bachchan carries the legacy forward
Ultimately, it was Amitabh who became the first to formally use “Bachchan” as a surname—a name that has since become synonymous with Hindi cinema itself. Today, at 82, Amitabh Bachchan remains one of the busiest actors in the industry.He continues to host the long-running quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati 17, while also juggling major film projects. After making his Tamil debut in Vettaiyan, he will next be seen in the highly anticipated Kalki 2898 AD sequel and courtroom drama Section 84. Beyond the screen, he keeps fans engaged through his personal blog, where he shares candid reflections on life, family, and cinema. He also continues his weekly tradition of meeting his fans on Sundays at his Mumbai residence, Jalsa.
