Amitabh Bachchan turned 84 on Sunday, October 11, 2026, and the celebrations outside his Juhu home began long before he stepped out. Fans gathered outside Jalsa on Saturday night with posters and banners, and by the time the megastar appeared on Sunday, the street had turned into a party. This year, his birthday fell on a Sunday, which meant it coincided with his weekly "Sunday Darshan," the long-running ritual in which he steps out to greet admirers.
The scene outside Jalsa
The Times of India reported that the crowd grew larger as the clock struck midnight, with people chanting his name and wishing him a long and healthy life. Fans came from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Gujarat and other states, according to the same report.
When Bachchan came out on Sunday, he greeted the crowd amid tight security, waving from an elevated platform with folded hands and a smile, as the Tribune and the Times of India reported. Many in the crowd held up their phones to record the moment.
The most shared clip of the day came from a fan dressed as Bachchan who danced to "Main Hoon Don" from the 1978 film Don while holding a poster marked with the number 84, as India Today and The Indian Express reported. Others arrived in looks inspired by his famous characters, carrying placards and giant posters of his films.
India Today also noted his habit of greeting fans barefoot, which he has described as a gesture of respect, comparing it to visiting a temple.
Big B's late-night apology to his 'Ef family'
Bachchan marked the day on his blog. According to the Tribune, he thanked people for their warmth and apologised to his fans, whom he calls his "Ef family," for keeping them waiting at the gate late into the night without coming out.
"My apologies to the entire Ef family for keeping you at the Jalsa Gate till the very late hours and unable to step out .. BUT .. tomorrow at the Sunday meet .. err .. tomorrow is here .. so shall meet up a little later in the day .. and seek forgiveness ..," he wrote, in his familiar style.
The star wishes
Messages came in from across Indian cinema. The Indian Express reported that Chiranjeevi shared a photo of the two hugging and called Bachchan his "dearest Guru Ji," writing that "beyond your towering achievements, it is your warmth and humility that make you so special."
Sanjay Dutt wrote on X, "You are my hero, and I have learnt so much from you. Just to work with you is an honour for me." Suniel Shetty said he still feels "that same sense of wonder I felt growing up watching you." Ajay Devgn posted a photo of the two in conversation with the caption, "The years may make you the senior-most, but your energy remains as young as ever. Happy Birthday, Amit ji!"
Farah Khan posted a selfie with him, and Abhishek Banerjee shared a fight scene from Coolie. The Times of India added that Kamal Haasan, Prabhas and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis were also among those who sent wishes.
A birthday week on KBC, and what is next
The celebrations extended to television. The Indian Express reported that Madhuri Dixit, who is about to host the Marathi version of the show, Kon Honar Crorepati, joined Bachchan for a special birthday-week episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 17. "For millions across India, Amitabh Sir and Kaun Banega Crorepati are simply two sides of the same coin, you cannot imagine one without the other," she said.
It has been an eventful month on that set. Earlier in October, a fire at Film City disrupted shooting, which we covered in "Film City Fire Forces Amitabh Bachchan Off the KBC Set — What Happened in Goregaon on 5 October."
On the film front, Bachchan is set to return as Ashwatthama in the sequel to Kalki 2898 AD, according to India Today and The Indian Express. At 84, he is still hosting one of India's biggest shows six decades into a career that has made him, for many fans, simply "Big B."
FAQ
How old is Amitabh Bachchan?
He turned 84 on October 11, 2026. He was born on October 11, 1942.
What is Amitabh Bachchan's Sunday Darshan?
It is his weekly tradition of stepping out of his Mumbai home, Jalsa, to greet fans gathered outside. This year it fell on his birthday.
Which celebrities wished Amitabh Bachchan on his 84th birthday?
Chiranjeevi, Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgn, Suniel Shetty, Farah Khan, Kamal Haasan and Prabhas were among them, according to reports.
What is Amitabh Bachchan's next film?
He is set to reprise the role of Ashwatthama in the Kalki 2898 AD sequel. He is currently hosting Kaun Banega Crorepati 17.
Cover photo: Shrinivaskulkarni1388 (derivative work: Junior Jumper) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0