'Shahenshah's Begum' Turns Year Older

An alumni from the prestigious Film And Television Institute Of India (FTII), Jaya Bachchan (maiden name Bhaduri) made her film debut in Satya's Mahanagar as a teenager though her Bollywood debut as an adult was Guddi, about a school girl who is obsessed with a movie star.

Jaya mostly played the 'girl next door' kind of roles and was known for her acting skills in both mainstream and what was then called the 'middle of the road cinema'. Jaya also acted opposite Amitabh Bachchan in many hit movies like Zanjeer, Sholay, Abhimaan and Chupke Chupke to name a few and the two actors tied the knot. Amitabh Bachchan went on to become a superstar and Jaya turned to her duties as a wife and a mother soon thereafter. Silsila was her last movie as a lead actress.

The talented actress made a comeback after 18 years to work in Govind Nihalani's Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa, a film about the Naxal movement in India. Following this, Jaya mostly appeared as the main lead's mother in movies like Fiza, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Kal Ho Na Ho and Laaga Chunari Mein Daag.

Jaya Bachchan was also elected as Samajwadi Party MP at the Rajya Sabha level.

On the occasion of her birthday, here's wishing the talented Jaya Bachchan a long and healthy life.