Amitabh Bachchan's brother Ajitabh Bachchan reveals father Harivansh Rai wanted to name Big B ‘Inquilab’, explains why family adopted ‘Bachchan’ surname

Ajitabh Bachchan, younger brother to megastar Amitabh Bachchan, recently revealed an interesting family anecdote. Their father, the legendary poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, had intentionally dropped the traditional surname "Srivastava." This was deemed as a powerful stance against India's rigid caste system. By choosing the pen name "Bachchan" as the family's surname, Rai made a deliberate statement.

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 anchor the long-running quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati 17 while balancing major film commitments. After his Tamil debut in Vettaiyan, he is set to appear in the much-anticipated Kalki 2898 AD sequel and the courtroom drama Section 84. Off-screen, he stays connected with fans through his personal blog, where he pens candid reflections on life, family, and cinema. His weekly Sunday meet-and-greet at his Mumbai residence, Jalsa, remains a cherished tradition.

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