From a salary of Rs. 300 to becoming a mega-billionaire, 13 lesser known facts of Amitabh Bachchan

Who is Amitabh Bachchan: He is an Indian film actor, film producer, television host, occasional playback singer and former politician. He first gained popularity in the early 1970s for films such as Zanjeer, Deewaar and Sholay, and was dubbed India's "angry young man" for his on-screen roles in Bollywood.

This man needs no introduction. And so we bring you lesser known facts about him, which you might have just missed. Here is the first. Amitabh’s actual surname was Shrivastava. His father adopted the pen name Bachchan and thus it stayed on. Look at this now. Bachchan is a house-hold name, a brand and a success story.

Amitabh Bachchan’s first salary was Rs. 300. Look at him now, a multi-billionaire. What an icon, what an achievement.

How cool he looks, like a dude. Did you know, his father, Harivanshrai Bachchan wanted to name him Inquilab? Would you have connected? Anyway, it was later decided to call him Amitabh which means unending brilliance.

Amitabh got his break-through into Bollywood all thanks to India's former Prime Minister - Indira Gandhi. She wrote a letter to Indian actor and filmaker, the late Sunil Dutt who signed him for a mute role in Reshma Aur Shera. Of course later India went crazy over Amitabh's baritone voice and exemplary dialogue delivery in his subsequent films.

Did you know Amitabh Bachchan was one of the judges for the 1995 Miss World beauty pageant? Well now you do!

Amitabh Bachchan has played more double roles than any other actor. In the movie Mahaan, he had a triple role.

Amitabh Bachchan with his children Shweta Bachchan Nanda and Abhishek Bachchan in this black and white old picture. Amitabh Bachchan started his career as a voice narrator in Mrinal Sen’s Bhuvan Shome. Director Satyajit Ray also used his voice in a 1977 film Shatranj Ke Khiladi.

Amitabh Bachchan with his wife Jaya Bachchan and children Shweta and Abhishek. Amitabh is known to suffer from asthma. He also has a rare muscular disorder known as myasthenia gravis.

Did you know that Amitabh Bachchan's initial ambition was to join the Indian Air Force, not be an actor.

Guess what? Amitabh Bachchan, who is famous for his baritone voice, was actually rejected by All India Radio. I bet the person who rejected him still cannot fathom why he or she did so. Life as they say!

Look at how much people just love this man. Here is another fun fact. Did you know Amitabh Bachchan debuted as an actor in Saat Hindustaani

During his days of struggle, Amitabh Bachchan received alot of support from the late actor, producer Mehmood who was his mentor and offered him a place to stay in his home.

Here is a last lesser known fact of the icon. Did you know that Amitabh Bachchan had 12 consecutive flops before his first big hit Zanjeer. The rest is history as they say.