Jaya Bachchan Turns 70: Walking Down Memory Lane With Big B

As Jaya Bachchan turns a year older, we look at bits of her life through her husband Amitabh Bachchan’s eyes.

Jaya Bachchan was one of the most celebrated actors of her times. And now as a politician, she makes her presence felt as well. As Jaya turns a year older today (9 April), we try to get to you a side of her which is known only by her family. Her husband Amitabh Bachchan has fondly spoken about her and shared some personal anecdotes from their life on his blog over the years.

Here are a few excerpts that we have compiled for you:

Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan’s Wedding Day

“I stayed at a rented place in the JVPD scheme on the 7th road .. the house was called ‘Mangal’ and was rented from one that worked in Larson & Toubro .. it began to drizzle as I was preparing to leave for the location of the wedding in Malabar Hill at a dear friend of Jaya’s father .. our neighbours came running out and said ‘hurry up and depart for the wedding, this rain is a good omen’ .. I left in my pride of the moment a Pontiac coupé, driven by long serving and dedicated driver Nagesh, who married Jaya’s maid soon after we got married .. Nagesh’s son Rakesh now works with us at Jalsa .. Nagesh passed away some years back …And this is at the gates of Mangal. So another year has gone by between Jaya and I .. and another year has gone by when we have not been able to be in town together .. she is away overseas and me is within the seas ..!! 

This Is How They Got Married

“Zanjeer had just released. And Jaya and I and a few dear friends had decided that if the film did well we would all go to London for a holiday. After a few anxious days on the results of the box office, it was time to put our decision ‘in line’. So I told my parents, who I had now invited to come and live with me, as is the culture in our land, about our decision. And my Father came down heavily on me - ‘If you are planning a holiday with this girl, you will have to marry her and go, else your decision is denied.’ I was an obedient child! I got married the very next day in a quickly organized wedding with family and some dear friends, without any fanfare, and left for the holiday that very night.”

T 2614 - Memories are made of gentle moments such as this .. pic.twitter.com/kxDvo7h3VR

— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) February 14, 2018

A Sublime Moment

I came across on Twitter and the Ef on it presented it to me .. I put it up because I just felt like it .. perhaps the poignancy on both our faces .. perhaps the time and the location .. I cannot firmly put a finger on it ..It is certainly at a time when it was the moment of elections in Allahabad in 1984, when I was asked to fight .. it is I believe either in a boat that travels on the river Ganga, or a vehicle either to a rally or an event .. that winter shawl and the ‘sadri’ gives indication for it .. Jaya’s covered head, indicates either an emotional bond with the situation - a moment that is perhaps not necessarily happy .. a tradition with most Indian women, when they initiate with public places .. that very act of covering the head with the sari is most sublime and ethereal to me .. the countenance and the presence of the woman instantly changes to respect and care .. and for her a moment of respect to the moment and those involved in it .. generally the elders ..

Proud Family of Best Parliamentarian Award-Winner, Jaya Bachchan

“Quietly and with great dignity Jaya has won the Best Parliamentarian award today and it could not have been a prouder moment for us all in the family .. committed, participatory and with an enviable attendance record, she has proved her worth in the annals of the seat of democracy - the Indian Parliament .. !! Work done with conviction and honesty, does not require any elaborate fanfare, beating of chests or self complimentary brandishing .. the work speaks .. and those that value it notice it .”