October 11th

As a tribute to my dear Sheik, here goes the article of famous people born on October 11th.

In 1821 English social reformer Sir George Williams is born in Somerset. Is a successful draper and part-time lay preacher. In 1844 he founds the YMCA - the 'Young Men's Christian Association'.


In 1942 Indian Actor Amitabh Bhachan, the king of Indian cinema was born in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India . Son of well known poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Teji Bachchan. He went to Sherwood College, a boarding school in the hill-station town of Nainital, and from there to Delhi University where he earned a double MA degree.

He was a former stage actor, radio announcer and freight company executive in Calcutta, India.When he was just trying to get a break in movies he was told to soften his 'deep' voice. However it was soon realised that his deep rich voice was excellent for narration. He has provided narrations for several films.Married to Jaya Bhaduri, a well known actress, he has two kids, Shweta and Abhishek. His first movie was Saat Hindustani (1969). He came to be known as 'The Angry Young Man' after his film Zanjeer (1973), which made him a superstar. He also ran for seat in the Congress from his hometown but had to leave midterm because of controversies. While shooting for Coolie (1983) he received a near fatal injury. He was hospitalised and the Indian press issued daily bulletins on his health. He is highest paid Bollywood actor in the film industry.

Amitabh had a very close association with the former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her son Rajiv Gandhi (also Prime Minister) and he was elected to parliament with a huge majority from his home town of Allahabad. But in politics he did not last long and was implicated in the infamous Swedish Bofors Gun deal scandal along with Rajiv Gandhi and others.

He launched a multi-faceted commercial enterprise known simply as Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited, or ABCL. ABCL is engaged in production, distribution and all other aspects of the movie industry.

He was considered finished in the late nineties after super star status for 20 years a string of flops and failed political and business ambitions. He faced major health problems and financial crisis. But his unexpected comeback as host of the popular TV quiz series 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire which put him right back on the number one spot of Bollywood actors over 40 reaffirming his reputation as the living legend of Indian cinema with a new series of high profile films Mohabbatein (2000), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001) etc.

He is announced as an actor of the Millennium in a BBC News Poll ahead of such luminaries as Charlie Chaplin, Sir Lawrence Olivier, and Marlon Brando. He is the first Asian actor having a wax model of his likeness displayed at Madame Tussaud's in London.

October 11th 2007, It is Sheik's Birthday and after a long time had a good chat with him where things weren't the same as before. Matured talk, very brief gossiping, future plans, etc... Forgot didnt even wish him a happy birthday but he knew I rung him in the midnight because it was his birthday...