Amitabh Bachchan, is one of Indian cinema’s most celebrated superstars, who was recently left emotional on the sets of KBC. During a special birthday-week celebration, a recording of his late mother, Teji Bachchan, reciting a poem by his father, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, filled the studio with nostalgia. The moment left the megastar visibly overwhelmed as memories of his parents resurfaced.

The special KBC episode took an emotional turn when the makers played a recording of Teji Bachchan reciting ‘Raat Aadhi Ho Gayi Hai’, a poem written by her husband, the renowned Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan. As monochrome photographs of a young Amitabh with his mother appeared on the screen, her voice brought back cherished memories of his childhood and family.

Recognising the voice instantly, Amitabh paused to acknowledge the moment. “Maa ki aawaaz hai yeh... Haan, woh Babuji ki ek kavita gaa rahi hain..” he told the audience, expressing his realisation that he was listening to his mother reciting one of his father’s poems.

Teji Bachchan passed away in 2007. The emotional tribute comes just ahead of Amitabh’s 84th birthday on October 11. Despite his age, the veteran actor continues to work extensively, with several projects in the pipeline alongside his ongoing association with KBC.

Teji Kaur Bachchan was an Indian social activist who was married to celebrated Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan. She was also the mother of Amitabh Bachchan. Beyond her family associations, she held a position in the film industry, having been appointed as one of the directors of the Film Finance Corporation in 1973. The Film Finance Corporation of India, along with its successor, the National Film Development Corporation of India, is a Government of India undertaking. Its principal objective was to finance the production of purposeful, good-quality films and help improve the overall standards of cinema.

Amitabh has also spoken about the lasting influence of his mother and the memories he associates with her. In an earlier post on social media, the actor recalled his childhood in Allahabad, particularly the moments when his mother recited and sang verses from the Gurbani. “Those early years in Allahabad, when Ma recited and sang the eternal pious and divine words of the Gurbani, in my ears... 'tati vaar na jaavaee...'” Big B wrote.

He also reflected on his mother’s Sikh heritage, sharing details about her family background. “My Mother as you know, a Sikh, Teji Kaur Suri, my grandfather Sardar Khazan Singh Suri, my Grandmother a Sodi, and whose family, her brothers and my Mother's Mama's were the Prabandhaks of the Anantpur Sahib Gurudwara...,” he posted.