Havan, special lunch for kids make the Shahenshah’s 83rd b’day a special affair
Times of India | 12 October 2025
Kolkata: Fans across Kolkata paid tribute to megastar
on his 83rd birthday on Saturday by cutting a cake with the star's face engraved on it, organising a special lunch for children, and reciting the ‘Amitabh Chalisa' – a series of verses eulogising Bollywood's ‘Shahenshah'.
The city-based Amitabh Bachchan Fan Club decorated the Bachchan temple at Picnic Garden and organised multiple events to mark the occasion. They are planning a special screening of two of Bachchan's most famous blockbusters that completed 50 years in 2025 - ‘Sholay' and ‘Deewar'.
"We have already sought the prints of these two films from distributors. They promised to provide us with them as soon as they arrive from abroad, where these films were shown recently.
On Saturday, we planned a screening of ‘Anusandhan' – the only Bengali film in which Bachchan played the lead – but the production house was not able to trace a print," said Sanjay Patodia of the Fan Club.
CM Mamata Banerjee greeted Bachchan through a post on X, which said: "May you be blessed with continued good health, happiness, and many more inspirational years for us all. I cherish the affectionate relationship I share with Amitabh ji since 1984 when we both became first-time Members of the Indian Parliament."
During the day, a puja was offered to Bachchan's idol placed at the temple. Eighty-three children were then given study books and taken for a special lunch. It was followed by a special havan at the Kalighat temple, where puja was offered, praying for the megastar's health. "Bachchanji has not been keeping well of late, and we prayed for his speedy recovery. Once he gets well, we plan to visit him in Mumbai with a gift," added Patodia.
The Fan Club also organised a blood donation camp on the occasion. This year has been a special one for Bachchan fans, with ‘Sholay' and ‘Deewar' being celebrated on their golden jubilee.
When friends Aniruddha Maity and Indranil Mitra decided to celebrate their 50th birthdays together last Aug, a Sholay-themed party was the first thing to cross their minds. Their families agreed, and they got an event management firm to set up ‘Ramgarh' at a Sector V restaurant, complete with the high rocks at Gabbar Singh's den, the pillars to which Veeru was tied as Basanti was made to dance on a bed of glass shards, and even a bike with a sidecar on which the famous Sholay pair meandered aimlessly, celebrating their friendship.
From restaurants to parties and Durga pujas, Sholay's golden jubilee is a favoured theme this year, showcasing the love affair that generations have had with the blockbuster that released on Aug 15, 1975.