The Name That Almost Was: Why Harivansh Rai Bachchan Wanted to Call Big B ‘Inquilab’

In a fascinating revelation that offers a new perspective on the lineage of one of India’s biggest cinematic icons, Amitabh Bachchan’s younger brother, Ajitabh Bachchan, has shed light on the initial name their father, the celebrated poet Dr. Harivansh Rai Bachchan, had chosen for the superstar, and the powerful, progressive reason the family adopted ‘Bachchan’ as their official surname.

A Revolutionary Name

Speaking about the inspiration behind their original names, Ajitabh Bachchan revealed that the towering figure of Hindi cinema was very nearly named ‘Inquilab’. Born in October 1942, during the tumultuous period of India’s struggle for independence, Amitabh’s name was meant to be a direct reflection of the nationalist fervor gripping the country. ‘Inquilab’, which means ‘Revolution’ in Hindustani, was inspired by the rallying cry “Inquilab Zindabad” (“Long live the revolution”).

Ajitabh Bachchan recalled, “My brother was five years older, and my father wanted to name him Inquilab, because he was struggling for independence.” Interestingly, Ajitabh himself was intended to be named ‘Azad’ (Free), as he was born after India achieved its independence. While the name ‘Inquilab’ was ultimately changed to ‘Amitabh’—a name suggested by fellow poet Sumitranandan Pant—the revolutionary spirit behind the initial choice remains a poignant piece of the family’s history.

The Adoption of ‘Bachchan’ as a Surname

The story of how the family adopted ‘Bachchan’ as their surname is rooted in Dr. Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s strong stance against the deeply entrenched caste system in India.

Harivansh Rai, who belonged to the Kayastha community and originally carried the surname ‘Srivastava,’ first used ‘Bachchan’ as a literary pseudonym, or nom de plume. The word ‘Bachchan’ itself, which means “child-like” in colloquial Hindi, was a nickname given to the poet by his mother. As Ajitabh shared, his grandmother would affectionately call out, “Bachchanwa kidhar hai?” (Where is the child-like one?). Harivansh Rai liked the nickname and began using it for his writings.

However, the pen name soon transcended its literary origins. Driven by his principles against a society stratified by caste, the poet made a monumental decision when admitting his elder son to school. Instead of registering his son’s surname as the caste-linked ‘Srivastava,’ he formally used ‘Bachchan.’ This decision was a powerful and deliberate disavowal of a caste-based identity, marking the beginning of a new, inclusive family legacy.

It was Amitabh who officially became the first family member to use ‘Bachchan’ as a formal surname, a name that has since become synonymous not just with an individual, but with the entire film fraternity itself. This adoption highlights the family’s enduring commitment to individuality and equality, values first championed by the illustrious poet, Dr. Harivansh Rai Bachchan.