Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan have celebrated over 52 years of marriage, a stark contrast to the extravagant Bollywood weddings of today. Their union was a low-key affair attended by only a few close friends and family. At the time of their marriage, Jaya was a leading star, while Amitabh was on the brink of becoming the iconic “angry young man” of Indian cinema. Although Amitabh soared to even greater fame in the years that followed, Jaya stepped back from her career shortly after marrying. She took on only a few roles after the birth of their daughter, Shweta, in 1973, and later clarified that her decision to stop acting was entirely her own.
In his autobiography, “Dashdwaar Se Sopaan Tak,” poet and writer Harivanshrai Bachchan reflected on their wedding and noted that just days after tying the knot, Jaya had to fulfill a work commitment. He expressed discomfort with her working so soon after their marriage, especially since there were three men in the household capable of managing their expenses.
The wedding was organized quickly, with June 3 chosen as the date. To keep it private, only the Rajan family, long-time friends of the Bachchans, and the Gandhi family were invited. Jaya’s family preferred a more intimate setting and opted to hold the ceremony at a family friend’s home. Harivanshrai shared that his wife, Teji, reached out to Indira Gandhi, who, while congratulating them, indicated she could not attend, thus assuaging their desire for discretion.
During pre-wedding ceremonies, Jaya’s father, Taroon Kumar Bhaduri, visited the Bachchan’s home for a ritual, and Harivanshrai sensed dissatisfaction among the Bhaduris about the marriage. He noted that only Jaya seemed genuinely happy during these gatherings.
On the wedding day, the Bachchan home was lightly decorated for luck, causing some curiosity among neighbors who were told it was for a film shoot. Fourteen attendees, including the groom, traveled in three cars to the venue, aiming to keep the wedding under wraps.
Harivanshrai recalled the first time he saw Jaya displaying ‘lajja,’ or shyness, during the ceremony, a moment he had never witnessed before. The wedding rituals were performed by a Bengali priest and continued late into the night. As both families exchanged hugs, he greeted Jaya’s father, expecting a congratulatory response about gaining a daughter-in-law. Instead, he received a rather bleak remark, stating, “My family is destroyed.”
In embracing Jaya into the family, Amitabh’s mother, Teji, and Harivanshrai made an unusual choice to touch her feet-a gesture meant to symbolize respect and a blessing. This was a deviation from tradition, which typically involved the bride performing this act. They decided not to pressure Jaya into reciting customary vows, as they had not required Teji to do so either.
Just four days after their wedding, Jaya and Amitabh prepared to leave for their honeymoon in England, but she was committed to a film shoot beforehand, which concerned her father-in-law. He expressed his discontent about a newlywed bride working when there were three earners in the house. Jaya explained in a previous interview that Amitabh did not want her to work a typical nine-to-five job but encouraged her to select her projects carefully.
Amitabh later acknowledged Jaya’s choice to prioritize family over her film career. In 2014, he lauded her decision, claiming that in marriage, most decisions are made by the wife. Though Jaya’s film roles dwindled over time, she made sporadic appearances and recently featured in the 2023 film “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.”
Original Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/amitabh-bachchan-parents-welcomed-jaya-touching-her-feet-harivanshrai-disapproved-working-10387117/
Category: Bollywood,Entertainment
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Publish Date: 2025-11-27 08:03:00
