Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Amitabh Bachchan Explains His Signature 1970s Sideburns
Amitabh Bachchan said that when he first tried to get movie roles, some producers worried about how he looked.
They thought he was very tall and that his face looked small.
Bachchan said he grew his hair longer and down to his temples so his face would look fuller.
He told this story on the TV show Kaun Banega Crorepati 18.
He began acting in films with Saat Hindustani.
His big breakthrough came with the 1973 movie Zanjeer.
That film helped make him a major star.
Amitabh Bachchan said producers doubted his appearance early in his film career.
He recalled producers saying his height might make it difficult to find heroines to work with him, and that his face looked small.
Bachchan said he grew his hair down to his temples to make his face look fuller.
He shared the story on an episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 18 while speaking with contestant Vinamra.
Bachchan made his acting debut in Saat Hindustani and became a major star after the 1973 hit Zanjeer.
- Who
- Amitabh Bachchan, speaking with contestant Vinamra on Kaun Banega Crorepati 18.
- What
- Bachchan explained that he grew his hair down to his temples to make his face appear fuller after producers raised concerns about his height and face.
- When
- On the latest episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 18; the article does not give an air date.
- Where
- On the television show Kaun Banega Crorepati 18; the article does not specify a location.
- Why
- Bachchan said producers thought his height could make it hard to find heroines and that his face looked small.
Producers’ concerns
Bachchan’s response
Appearance and casting
Producers’ concerns
Producers reportedly said Bachchan’s height could make it difficult to find a heroine to work with him and that his face looked small.
Bachchan’s response
Bachchan said he grew his hair down to his temples to make his face appear fuller.
- Show
- Kaun Banega Crorepati 18
- Contestant
- Vinamra
- Look discussed
- Bachchan’s long hair and signature 1970s sideburns
- Reason for growing his hair
- To make his face look fuller, Bachchan said
- Acting debut
- Saat Hindustani
- Breakthrough film
- Zanjeer (1973)
- Most recent film mentioned
- Kalki 2898 AD (2024), in which Bachchan played Ashwatthama