Jaya Bachchan was born on 9 April 1948 in a Bengali family to Indira and Taroon Kumar Bhaduri, writer, journalist and stage artist. She studied in St. Joseph`s Convent School, Bhopal. She is an alumna of the Film and Television Institute of India and won a gold medal from there. Jaya is married to actor Amitabh Bachchan. She has two children with him: Shweta Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan, who is also an actor.
Film Career of Jaya Bachchan
Jaya started her career with a small role in Satyajit Ray`s Mahanagar at the age of 15. She also starred in Suman and another Bengali comedy Dhanni Meye. After initial success in her native West Bengal, she became a success after Guddi in which she played a schoolgirl obsessed with film star Dharmendra after which she moved to Mumbai and starred in many Hindi films. She starred in other movies like Jawani Diwani (1972), Anamika (1973), Uphaar (1971), Piya Ka Ghar (1972), Parichay (1972), Koshish (1972) and Bawarchi (1972). Jaya also acted opposite her husband Amitabh Bachchan in movies like Bansi Birju (1972), B.R. Ishara`s Ek Nazar, Salim-Javed scripted Zanjeer (1973), Abhimaan (1973), Chupke Chupke (1975) and Sholay (1975).
After the birth of her children Jaya left the industry to rear them. She last acted in Silsila opposite Amitabh Bachchan, Rekha and Sanjeev Kumar. After a gap of 18 years, she returned in Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa (1998) and has since played mother roles which she has been praised for. In 2000 she starred in the film Fiza opposite Karisma Kapoor and Hrithik Roshan. The film was considered one of her best performances. She also starred in Karan Johar`s family drama Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001) with her husband and with Preity Zinta, Saif Ali Khan and Shahrukh Khan in Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003). In 2007 Laaga Chunari Mein Daag, she appeared with son Abhishek Bachchan.
Of late, Jaya became active in politics, notably with the Samajwadi party and has been a Member of Parliament, representing Rajya Sabha till lately.
Awards and Honours of Jaya Bachchan
Jaya has received many awards for her commendable performances.
Filmfare Awards
1974 - Filmfare Best Actress Award for Abhimaan
1975 - Filmfare Best Actress Award for Kora Kagaz
1980 - Filmfare Best Actress Award for Nauker
1998 - Filmfare Special Performance Award for her contribution to the film industry.
2001 - Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for Fiza
2002 - Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
2004 - Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for Kal Ho Na Ho
2007 - Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award
International Indian Film Academy Awards
2001 - IIFA Best Supporting Actress Award for Fiza
2002 - IIFA Best Supporting Actress Award for Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
2004 - IIFA Best Supporting Actress Award for Kal Ho Na Ho
Other Film Awards
1972 - Bengal Film Journalists` Association Awards: Special Award (Hindi film) for Guddi
1999 - Anandalok Awards: Special Editor Award
2001 - Bengal Film Journalists` Association Awards: Best Actress in Supporting Role for Fiza
2001 - Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Female for Fiza
2002 - Best Actress in a supporting role for Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham at the Sansui Viewers Choice Awards
Honours and Recognitions by Jaya Bachchan
In 1992, she was honoured with the Padma Shri, India`s fourth highest civilian award from the Government of India.
In 1998, she was honoured with the Omega Award for Excellence: Lifetime Achievement.
She is a recipient of the "Yash Bharati Samman", Uttar Pradesh state`s highest award from the Government of Uttar Pradesh
2004, Lifetime Achievement Award at the Sansui Awards
2010, Lifetime Achievement Award at the "Tongues on Fire" film festival in London
Filmography of Jaya Bachchan
Year Film
1963 Mahanagar
1971 Guddi, Dhanni Meye, Uphaar
1972 Jawani Diwani, Bawarchi, Parichay, Bansi Birju, Piya Ka Ghar, Annadata, Ek Nazar, Samadhi, Koshish, Shor, Jai Jawan Jai Makan
1973 Gaai Aur Gori, Anamika, Phagun, Zanjeer, Abhimaan
1974 Aahat, Dil Diwana, Kora Kagaz, Naya Din Nai Raat, Doosri
1975 Mili, Chupke Chupke, Sholay
1977 Abhi To Jee Lein
1978 Ek Baap Chhe Bete
1979 Nauker
1981 Silsila
1998 Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa
2000 Fiza
2001 Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...
2002 Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe
2003 Kal Ho Naa Ho
2007 Laaga Chunari Mein Daag
2008 Lovesongs, Drona
2010 Aap Ke Liye Hum
Personal Life of Jaya Bachchan
Jaya, on 3 June 1973, she married actor Amitabh Bachchan. The couple have two children - a daughter (Shweta Bachchan-Nanda) and a son (Abhishek Bachchan), who is also an actor.
Shweta currently lives in Delhi where she is married to industrialist Nikhil Nanda, and she has two children, Navya Naveli and Agastya Nanda, while Abhishek Bachchan is married to Aishwarya Rai, also an actor who recently gave birth to a baby girl (Aaradhya Bachchan)