Happy Anniversary to Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan

Circa June 3rd 1973, the angry young man of Bollywood Amitabh Bachchan got hitched to his co-star from Zanjeer, the lovely Jaya Bahaduri after a whirlwind romance. Today, 41 years later the Shehenshah of Bollywood still continues to have eyes and ears only for his Begum, Jaya. Their love story started way back in 1970 at Pune's FTII. Jaya, who was one of the brightest students of her batch, couldn't take her eyes off Amitabh Bachchan who arrived along with famous filmmaker K.Abbas and his motley group of actors. It was love at first sight for Jaya. A formal introduction happened on the sets of Guddi. Jaya, a superstar by then as compared to Amitabh who was trying to get a foothold in the industry, was vocal about her feelings for Amitabh who she believed would make it count very soon. Amitabh who had remained guarded about his feelings fell for Jaya hook, line and sinker on the sets of Ek Nazar and their relationship grew by leaps and bounds. There were hurdles though in this budding love story. India's first superstar Rajesh Khanna who was close to Jaya was not too gung ho about she seeing Amitabh and tried his best to dissuade her but to no avail. Finally after the success of Zanjeer, the couple decided to celebrate by holidaying London. The morally upright parents of Amitabh demanded that he marry Jaya before vacationing with her and on this very day 41 years back, the two got hitched and left for London that very evening. Like every mortal love story, the Amitabh-Jaya love story too had its share of tough times. The marriage developed serious cracks when rumours about Amitabh's secret affair with Rekha emerged in 1976. The alleged affair is believed to have continued right until the time Amitabh got seriously injured while filming for Coolie. Jaya passionately nursed him back to full health and the tall superstar once again returned back to the loving arms of his wife. Since then it has been a joyous matrimonial ride for these two towering personalities of Bollywood. While Jaya put her career on the backburner for her kids-Shweta and Abhishek- Amitabh became the sole breadwinner, rising in stature by delivering award-winning performances in movies. Today 41 years later, Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan's marriage have stood the test of time and together they have emerged as one of the most successful married couple in Bollywood who have stuck on and made their marriage work despite the differences. Their off -screen chemistry brilliantly translated on screen when they appear as husband and wife in movies making them that rare married couple whose pairing has been appreciated despite marriage. Currently blessed with grand children both from Shweta and Abhishek's side, Amitabh and Jaya have today elegantly settled into their roles as grandparents. On the occasion of his 41st marriage anniversary, the internet savvy Amitabh Bachchan tweeted: "Devoid of any celebration, devoid of presence, just devoid .. Wife away out of country, children travelling ..but hearts together !” Here's wishing Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan a happy anniversary.