The name Amitabh Bachchan carries a lot of substance. However, do you know who gave him this name? Perhaps the first name that crosses your mind would be his father, renowned poet Harivanshrai Bachchan. However, he is not the one who named him Amitabh. In the Monday, September 13, episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 13, the Bollywood superstar revealed that he got his name from renowned poet Sumitranandan Pant. Big B is currently seen as a host on KBC 13.

HOW DID AMITABH BACHCHAN GET HIS NAME?

Amitabh Bachchan loves sharing interesting anecdotes about his life on Kaun Banega Crorepati 13. In the recent episode of the quiz-based reality show, he made an interesting revelation about how he got his name. The Bollywood superstar revealed that poet Sumitranandan Pant, who was a close friend of his father, had named him. He said, “He (Sumitranandan) came home for my naming ceremony, looked at me and gave me the name Amitabh.”

Sumitranandan Pant was one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century. His poems were inspired by nature, people and beauty. He has also received several awards. Sumitranandan died on December 28, 1977, in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh.

WHEN AMITABH BACHCHAN REVEALED THE STORY BEHIND HIS SURNAME

In 2019, Amitabh Bachchan wrote a blog sharing anecdotes about his last name. He revealed the story behind his surname and also discussed the caste system prevalent in India. Big B wrote, “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 or not by some.” He said that his father was a “strong opposer” of the caste system.

“Babuji was born in a Kayasth home and a Srivastav. But his temperament was always against the ailment of caste, his nome de plume, his ‘takhallus’ his pen name he designed as ‘BACHCHAN’. Poets writers of great eminence often designed their names with a nom de plume. So ‘Bachchan’ became my Father’s pen name, his poetic nom de plume but it lent credence of its concept later when I was born, on being admitted to my first School, and being asked by the teachers what surname of this boy was to be filled in the admission form my Mother and father had a quick discussion and it was decided that ‘Bachchan’ would be the family surname,” he wrote.

The actor wrote that he became the first bearer of the surname Bachchan.